Page 90 of Jagger

I laughed. “First time I’ve ventured out by myself.” Thankfully, my SUV hadn’t been damaged from my stupid antics of trying to get away.

“Well, perfect time of year. Of course summer is good too. The whole town is talking about you guys.”

“Ugh. Don’t tell Jagger that. Or as my daughter calls him, Mr. Grumpy.”

“He can be a little obtuse.”

“That’s a word,” I told her.

“Where’s that adorable daughter of yours?”

“At daycare at the restaurant.” I poured in some cream, taking a few seconds to stir it. “Can I ask you a question, Poppy?”

“You can ask me anything, honey. Shoot.”

“Doc Welby’s office. Is it nice? Will I be happy taking over his practice?”

She laughed and I could tell she was brimming from excitement. “Doc Welby really was the doctor for almost everyone in town. Sure, they went to Roanoke or Salem if they needed specialists or a hospital, but he knew everybody by their first name. Hell, he birthed some of the people who still live here as adults. He just had a way of making you feel special, especially when he used to make house calls. Those were the days.”

“House calls?” I thought about the medical bag I’d carried with me for years. Maybe the chaotic mess of my life was really a moment of serendipity.

“He sure did. It’s been a while, but I know some of his older patients were grateful. I think you’ll like his place. His wife made certain there were some feminine touches. You’re thinking about taking him up on his offer?”

“I’m still thinking. I thought I’d just drop by and see the place.”

Poppy refilled several customers’ coffee before returning to me. “That’s exciting news. He’d love to see you and we’d love to keep you here.”

“Why? If you don’t mind me asking.”

“I don’t mind at all. Easy answer. You’re good for Jagger. I know. I’m a bit of a mother hen, but with his dad’s cancer, Jagger’s mom right by his side no matter what country they’re in, Jagger needs someone to look after him.”

How many times had I blushed since arriving in town? More times than I could count and I’d never felt compelled to blush before. I’d never really had a reason. “Why do you think I’m good for him?”

“Oh, come on. That man is so broken the pieces are rattling around in that rugged body of his. His dad once said he’d suffered the most. I mean to be captured near Christmas and then watch his fiancée die at the hands of the insurgents who’d taken them captive does split a person in two. You know? He’s blamed himself ever since.”

It was obvious she thought he’d told me. I was horrified that he’d suffered so much, trying my best not to react when my stomach was doing flipflops. I nodded, but felt the color drain from my face. There was no sense in letting her know he couldn’t set the ghost of this girl free just yet.

“Why blame himself? He didn’t lure them to these bastards. He didn’t perform the ugly deed.”

“You like him a lot.” Poppy grinned in a knowing way. “I’m glad to see that.”

“Yes, I do, but no one deserves that level of guilt.”

“No, they don’t. I don’t know all the details, but evidently Jagger took her off the base, which was considered unsafe. He was almost court-martialed for it. His dad didn’t tell me everything.”

My God. Why the hell had the man mentioned the tragedy to anyone in the first place?

“Anyway, pretty much everyone in town thought Jagger might die a lonely man. Then you came into town and suddenly there’slife inside him. A bright light just waiting to come out and shine. All because of you and that cute little girl of yours.”

She had me laughing. “He’s kind of special.”

“I’m glad you think so,” she said, winking. “Go see the doc. You have a good man on your hands, just one that’s a little rusty in being a human being. Can I get you anything to eat?”

“No, but I wouldn’t mind taking one of your famous cherry pies home for dinner.”

I was still sick inside, finally starting to understand why he felt as if he would hurt me.

“Of course, girl. Let me get it boxed up for you.”

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