Page 4 of Love's Cure

Cooper hesitated. “The name sounds vaguely familiar. I’ll ask my sister. You’d think in a city the size of New York that it would be impossible, but people tend to run in the same circles.”

“Oh, yes,” said Crystal, adding to her suspicion that Emmett was hiding something from them. Cooper’s family was a very prominent one in New York City, which meant that Emmett’s family must be as well for the name to be known to him.

Taylor leaned forward. “So, tell me what this new doctor is like. I heard from Dani that he’s very handsome and has beautiful eyes.”

“He seems nice enough, but I get the feeling he’s holding something back,” Crystal said. “I don’t want to say anything more because I don’t know him that well. I’ve said little beyond hello to him.”

“Well, it’ll be nice to have a new face in town. I wonder what GG will say about her old friend, Dr. Johnson, leaving town after all these years,” said Taylor.

“It’ll be a change for a lot of people. I’d better get back to the kitchen,” said Crystal. “I’ll see you later.”

“Yes. We’re going to Jake’s for dinner,” said Cooper.

Smiling, Crystal left them and hurried into the kitchen to help her staff. As usual, the Café was crowded.

After the Café closed, Crystal boxed up some cookies and drove to The Woodlands, the senior-assisted-living complex at the edge of town. Brad and Aaron Collister, with GG’s sponsorship, were the general contractors for those buildings, which gave them the qualifications to work on the renovation of the Lilac Lake Inn. GG had owned and operated the inn for as long as Crystal had known her. Over a year ago, she agreed to sell the inn and live at The Woodlands. GG, the dear woman, had always been there for Crystal, making sure she and her sister had everything they needed. She’d even paid for Crystal to go to culinary school and Misty to get her teaching degree. Crystal thought of her as a beloved grandmother.

As she drove up to the Woodlands, Crystal studied the handsome buildings and the inviting landscaping around them. They’d kept to the name, leaving wooded areas open around the edges of the complex.

The receptionist at the front desk knew her and motioned her inside. “Mrs. Wittner is in her room. You can go on in.”

Crystal gave her a wave and walked down the hallway to GG’s room. As she neared it, she heard voices. The door opened and JoEllen Daniels appeared.

“Fancy seeing you here,” said JoEllen.

“Hi, JoEllen,” said Crystal, forcing herself to be polite.

JoEllen had a distinct ability to irritate people and had made a nuisance of herself to Brad and Dani. As Brad’s former sister-in-law, JoEllen had thought it only right that Brad marry her after her sister’s death. Sad as it was to have his wife gone, Brad had no intention of ever marrying JoEllen, and it had made JoEllen a desperate, unhappy woman.

Crystal walked past JoEllen and entered GG’s suite. GG was sitting on the couch with a book. Seeing Crystal, GG smiled.

Crystal handed GG the box of cookies and kissed her on the cheek. “Hello. I thought I’d stop by to make sure you knew all about the new doctor in town.”

GG laughed. “You’re the fourth person to tell me about him. Let’s hear your version. But first, will you fix us each a glass of lemonade and then sit for a while?”

“Thanks. I need time to relax. While I get our drinks, what have you heard about him?”

“I’ve heard his name is Emmett Chambers, that he’s handsome, and he has extraordinary eyes. Dr. Johnson stopped by earlier to tell me he might be leaving the area as he’s wanted to do for a long time now. He was positively bursting with the happy news about the doctor’s qualifications.”

Crystal poured lemonade into two glasses and carried them over to the coffee table in front of the couch.

“Thank you, darling,” said GG. “Now, what do you have to say about him?”

“What everyone is saying about him is true,” said Crystal.

“But? I hear a ‘but’ in your voice.”

Crystal sighed. “He’s very close-mouthed about his family. He loves the classy inn, and I don’t think he’ll be happy here.”

GG gave her a steady look. “What’s bothering you?”

“You know how I feel about lying and the need to be honest,” Crystal began. “I think he’s hiding something.”

GG studied her. “People have a right to privacy. Perhaps you’re being a little unfair.”

Crystal clamped down on the corner of her lips, something she did when she was thinking things over. Then, she said, “You’re right. I forget that everyone in town knows my story.”

GG gave her an approving look. “We all have secrets—thoughts, wishes, hidden desires. Like you’ve told me before, it’s best just to let life unfold.”

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