A Sweet Magnolias Novel

“I don’t think so.” The last time she’d gone to the movies, she’d run into Greg and Annabelle. Greg had looked at her with that knowing sneer that made her blood run cold and Annabelle had looked smug. She’d wanted to leave even before the opening credits rolled.

“I know there’s no point in asking you to go to tomorrow night’s football game,” Katie said with regret.

“Not a chance,” Misty said with feeling.

“How about this? We could go to Wharton’s for a burger while the game’s going on. There won’t be any chance Annabelle will be there as long as Greg is playing. In fact, half the town will be at the game.”

“But you shouldn’t have to miss out on the game because of me,” Misty protested, though she was touched by Katie’s offer.

“Believe me, I’ll hear every detail over breakfast,” Katie assured her. “Kyle’s coming home for the weekend. My big brother and Cal will do the entire play-by-play. It’ll be like being there, but not as boring.”

Misty chuckled. “With a baseball jock like Ty for a big brother and Coach Maddox as a stepdad, how did you wind up with such an aversion to sports? Even Kyle, who never played anything, at least goes nuts over the games.”

Katie laughed. “Just lucky, I guess. But at least I know enough sports trivia to fake it with a date. No guy will ever believe I am totally clueless. So, are we on for tomorrow night?”

“If you’re sure you don’t care about going to the game, going to Wharton’s would be great.”

“Then it’s a plan. And keep thinking about talking to Ms. Reed, okay?”

“Sure,” Misty said, her mood sinking again. With Dr. Fullerton’s ultimatum hanging over her head, too, she might not have much choice.

3

Most days J.C. had someone in the office pick up lunch for him while they were out, but his concern for Misty made him restless today. He decided a walk to Wharton’s would relieve his stress and give him a much-needed change of scenery.

He’d just settled into a booth when he looked up and saw his nurse standing there with a statuesque, red-haired stranger beside her. She was attractive in a way that would have once appealed to him, but today he felt not a single spark. He congratulated himself on finally building up sufficient immunity to all women. It was something he’d worked hard to do ever since the disastrous and sadly predictable end of his marriage. He should have known before ever walking down the aisle that he, too, would fall victim to what he thought of as the Fullerton curse, an inability to choose women who wouldn’t betray them.

“Isn’t this a wonderful coincidence?” Debra said, beaming at him. “May we join you?”

Even though he saw this for exactly what it was—yet another of her very sneaky attempts to set him up—J.C. couldn’t think of a single gracious way to say no. “Of course,” he said grudgingly, standing. “Have a seat.”

As soon as they’d slid into the booth opposite him, Debra said, “J.C., this is my friend Linda’s daughter, Janice Walker. She’s visiting from California. Remember? I told you all about her yesterday. It’s her first time in Serenity.”

J.C. managed a smile. “And how are you liking it so far?”

“It’s a lovely town,” she said at once. “Call me Jan, please.”

She gave him a commiserating look that suggested she understood his discomfort and shared it. That, at least, helped him relax.

“How long will you be here?”

“Only a few days,” she said.

“Unless I can persuade her to stay longer,” Debra chimed in. “Did I mention that Jan is a pediatric nurse practitioner? I’ve been talking to Bill for ages about adding to the staff. With the town growing so fast and all these young families, the two of you can barely keep up anymore, isn’t that right?”

Though she had a point, J.C. was not about to encourage her scheme. “Bill makes the staffing decisions. It’s up to him.”

“But he’d listen to you,” Debra pressed.

Jan chuckled. “You’ve made your point, Debra. Leave the poor man alone. I did not come here looking for a job.”

“Maybe not, but you’d be the perfect addition to our team. I, for one, do not intend to let you get away.”

Fortunately Grace Wharton bustled over just then to take their orders. “Sorry, Doc Fullerton. We’ve been swamped. Apparently nobody in town decided to brown bag it today. They’re all in here, and not a one of them can make a decision.”

“Well, I don’t have that problem,” he assured her. “I’ll take the chef’s salad, Italian dressing on the side.”

Grace rolled her eyes as she always did. “Big surprise. One of these days I’m going to convince you to eat a burger like a normal customer.”

He laughed. “Someone besides me must eat the salad, or you wouldn’t have it on the menu.”

“How about a chocolate shake to go with it? Milk’s good for you, right?” she taunted.

“Not with the amount of ice cream you add to it,” he told her. “I’ve heard about those impossibly thick shakes you make. As delicious as they sound, I’ll pass.”

“You are so boring,” she accused, turning to Debra and Jan. “I hope the two of you are a little more adventurous.” She regarded Jan curiously. “You’re new in town. I never forget a face.”

“She’s visiting me from California,” Debra said. “Janice is the daughter of an old friend. I’m hoping to persuade her to move here.”

“Well, good luck with that,” Grace said. “Now, what can I get you?”

“Cheeseburger for me,” Debra said at once.

“And I’ll have the same,” Jan said, a twinkle in her eyes. “I’ll just run an extra mile this afternoon.”

J.C. gave her another look. “You’re a runner?”

“Not a marathoner, if that’s what you mean,” she said with a chuckle. “But I usually get in a few miles on a regular basis so I can justify all the terrible things I enjoy eating.”

“Maybe the two of you could go for a run together,” Debra suggested, clearly not giving up on her matchmaking scheme. “Jan mentioned just this morning that the track at the high school is starting to get boring. You could show her the route around the lake.”

“It’s not necessary,” Jan said, clearly embarrassed by Debra’s persistence.

“I’m going for a run first thing tomorrow morning,” J.C. found himself saying. “I’d be happy to pick you up and take you along. The lake is a lovely setting, especially just after dawn.”

Jan nodded. “Then I’d love it, if you’re sure you don’t mind.”

“Is seven too early? Much later and it starts getting crowded.”

“Absolutely not.”

He noticed that Debra finally sat back looking like the very sated cat that had swallowed the canary. A part of him hoped she’d choke on it.

* * *

Five minutes after he returned to the office, J.C. called his nurse in.

“You ready for your first patient?” Debra inquired cheerfully.

“Not just yet,” he said, trying to keep his expression stern. It was hard to do when she was so clearly pleased with herself. “Debra, have I not told you repeatedly that I’m not interested in dating?”

“You have,” she said readily.

“And which part of that didn’t you understand?”

“Oh, I heard all the words,” she said. She beamed at him. “I just don’t accept them.”

“Debra,” he began in frustration, then faltered. What could he say that he hadn’t already said, especially if he had no intention of revealing all the sordid details about his divorce years ago? He heaved a sigh. “Never mind. Just put Mrs. Carson and Tommy in room two and tell them I’ll be right there.”

“Already done,” she said, proving once more the sort of efficiency that would make her nearly impossible to replace. If she turned that same skill to his social life, he was probably doomed. The only way to beat her at that game would be to take charge of it himself.

“Have you spoken to Dr. Townsend about Jan?” he asked as she started to leave.

“Not just yet,” she said. “I thought it would be more effective if you mentioned it.”

He frowned at that. “The way I heard it straight from her lips, she’s not really interested in moving here.”

“Oh, I think she would if the right opportunity came along,” she responded confidently.

“And you think working in a small town medical practice would be the right opportunity?”

She shrugged. “Maybe not, but I know working with you would be.”

“Debra!”

She laughed at his discomfort. “I’m just saying, you could both do worse.” Then she gave him a look that was all too knowing. “Something tells me you already have.”

And that, J.C. thought, was the sad truth of things.

* * *

Laura was thoroughly frustrated by her inability to figure out what was going on with Misty. She’d been AWOL from class again today, and Cal had had nothing to report that might give her any insight beyond mentioning that Misty’s pediatrician shared her concern. Time was running out. If she couldn’t solve the mystery and get Misty back into class by Monday morning, she’d have no choice but to bring it to the principal’s attention. Then it would be out of her hands. She’d take enough heat for having been silent for this long.

She’d just finished recording the grades from the last assignment when she looked up and saw Misty standing in the doorway to the classroom. She looked as if she might bolt at any second.

“There you are,” Laura said, unable to keep a note of relief out of her voice. “I’ve missed you in class. I’ve asked your other teachers to let you know I wanted to see you, but you’ve been ignoring my messages.”

“I’m sorry,” Misty said, making her way into the room with unmistakable reluctance.

The poor child looked as if the weight of the world were on her shoulders.

“Do you have a minute now?” Misty asked hesitantly. “Or some other time?”

“Now’s good,” Laura assured her.

Misty sat down and looked everywhere but directly at her.

“Want to tell me what’s been going on?” Laura asked eventually.

Misty shook her head. “Not really.”

Laura bit back a smile. “Then why are you here?”

“I made a promise to somebody and I have to keep it or I’ll be in big trouble.”

“You’re already in big trouble,” Laura reminded her. “Skipping class is grounds for suspension.”

Misty sighed, her expression oddly resigned. “Maybe that wouldn’t be such a bad thing. I could just study at home and turn in my assignments.”

Laura frowned at her. “What’s wrong with school, Misty? You’ve always been an excellent student. The first papers you turned in for me were A-plus tests and essays, so I know you’re not struggling with the material. Now you’re skipping my class.”

“And Mr. Jamison’s,” the teen admitted.

Laura wasn’t all that surprised that he hadn’t noticed. Dave knew his subjects—algebra and geometry—but beyond that he wasn’t exactly a teacher who stayed on top of things. She wondered, though, what the common denominator was between those two classes.

“So it’s not just my teaching style you don’t like,” she said, hoping to lighten the mood a little.

Misty looked appalled by the suggestion. “No, you’re great! I love English. Math, too, for that matter. I just can’t come to class.”

“You need to explain that to me,” Laura said firmly. “I can’t help unless you do.”

Misty shook her head. “It’ll only get worse if I talk about it. Please, you’ve got to believe me. It’s better if I’m not in class.” Her expression brightened. “Maybe I could transfer back into the regular English and math classes or at least to the other section of AP math, the one Katie Townsend’s in. That would be okay, wouldn’t it?”

Laura immediately shook her head. “Not a good idea. Of course, it would be up to Mr. Jamison if he allowed you to change to his other AP class, but this English class is the only choice and you need to stay in it. I could understand you wanting to do that if you were having a hard time with the material, but you’re not. These classes will be important on your transcripts for college, Misty. I thought you were determined to try for a scholarship to an Ivy League school.”

“That’s probably just a pipe dream, anyway,” Misty said, though there was an unmistakable hint of regret in her voice. “I’ll ace the other classes, and it’ll be okay if I only get into a state school or even community college.”

“That doesn’t sound like you,” Laura said, more worried than ever by the regretful, defeated tone in the girl’s voice. Years ago, she’d probably sounded much the same way to Vicki Kincaid. She’d been lost and overwhelmed by a situation that had gotten out of control. Only Mrs. Kincaid’s kindness and guidance had gotten her through that terrible time. She prayed she could provide the same for Misty.

“I’m just facing reality,” Misty told her earnestly. “Please, Ms. Reed, let me transfer back. It’s not such a big deal, really.”

Laura was not about to authorize a transfer without a better reason than Misty was providing. Once more, she shook her head. “Sorry, no. You might see it as a quick and easy solution to whatever’s going on, but there are more important things at stake. This could change your entire future.”

Misty looked totally deflated. “If you won’t okay that, will you at least do one other thing for me?”

“What’s that?”

“I went to see someone yesterday to try to get an excuse to get out of school. He said he wouldn’t tell my mom, but only if I talked to another adult. That’s you. All you’d need to do is call him and tell him I made good on my promise.” She regarded Laura hopefully. “Can you do that?”

Laura suddenly had some inkling who had extracted such a promise from her. It had been rather cleverly done, though she doubted that she was one bit more enlightened about what was really going on with Misty than J. C. Fullerton had apparently been.

“Give me the name and phone number,” she said just to be sure she had it right.

Misty handed her a business card for the pediatrician. Laura had seen J.C. around town, of course, but they’d never met, despite several well-meaning friends who’d offered to fix them up a couple of years ago. Apparently he hadn’t been interested.

“I’ll talk to him,” Laura said, resolving to stop by his office, rather than phoning. She might learn more if they were face-to-face. In the meantime, she held Misty’s gaze and said, “But you and I are going to keep talking about this, and I expect you in class next week. Understood? No more second chances.”

Misty ignored her edict and said only, “Can you call him right now? He kind of gave me a deadline, and it’s only an hour from now.”

“A deadline? And then what?”

“He said he’d have to stop by the house to see my mom.”

Laura’s respect for the doctor climbed a notch. Clever and responsible. It was a good combination.

“I’ll make the deadline,” she promised Misty. “And I’ll see you in here on Monday.”

“Whatever,” Misty said, which wasn’t especially reassuring.

At least she’d finally made contact, Laura thought. And that was due to J. C. Fullerton. For that alone, she owed the man a debt of gratitude.

* * *

J.C.’s gaze kept straying to the clock on the wall in his office. If his phone didn’t ring in the next fifteen minutes, then he had an uncomfortable visit to pay to Misty Dawson’s parents. When his phone buzzed, though, the medical records clerk who’d stayed to finish updating patient files advised him that Laura Reed was here to see him. It took him a second to recall that she was the teacher Cal had mentioned to him the night before.

“Great. Send her back.”

“Will do, and then I’m gone for the weekend. I’ll lock the door when I go.”

“Thanks. Have a good weekend,” he said, even as the door to his office swung open to reveal a pretty woman, probably in her early thirties, with soft clouds of highlighted brown curls framing her face. She was wearing one of those filmy skirts that seemed to be in style these days and a ruffled sweater. It all had the effect of softening her appearance. The effect was spoiled, though, by the no-nonsense glint in her eyes. He couldn’t quite imagine Misty choosing her to speak to about her problems.

“Dr. Fullerton,” she said briskly. “I’m Laura Reed, Misty Dawson’s English teacher.”

He stood and held out his hand. “Call me J.C. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Really? You didn’t seem so enthusiastic when Maybelle Hawkins at the Serenity Inn wanted to fix us up.”

He was about to sputter an embarrassed response when he caught the glint of real amusement in her eyes and realized she was actually teasing him, though he didn’t doubt for a second that Maybelle had tried to set them up. Until he’d moved out of the inn, the innkeeper had been second only to Debra in her determination to find him a wife.

“Actually, Maybelle tried to fix me up with at least a dozen women while I was staying at the inn. Her choices ranged from wildly inappropriate to downright weird. Excuse me for being skeptical about her taste.”

Laura laughed, and the tension in her face vanished. “But she does have the heart of a romantic,” she said. “Must be all those trysts I hear were held at the inn over the years.”

“That would definitely explain it,” he agreed, thinking how much prettier she was with a smile on her face. “So you’re here about Misty. Cal Maddox mentioned to me last night that you’d been concerned about her. Did she open up to you today about whatever’s going on?”

“Not really,” Laura admitted. “She did come to see me, though, and tried to convince me to let her transfer out of my advanced placement English class.”

J.C. frowned. “Is she failing?”

“Far from it.”

“Then why would she want to drop the class?”

“I have no idea. I was hoping, if you have the time, we could compare notes on what she said to each of us and see if we can figure this out. I’m worried she’s in some kind of trouble. What was your perception?”

“The same thing,” he admitted. Though it went against his gut instincts, he impulsively found himself asking, “Are you free for dinner? We could go to Rosalina’s or Sullivan’s and see if we can come up with any answers. Or did Maybelle find someone else who’s now waiting impatiently at home for you?”

“Maybelle’s matchmaking on my behalf was no more successful than hers was with you. And truthfully I’m starved, so dinner sounds great.”

“Any preference?”

“Either place works for me.”

“It’ll be quieter at Sullivan’s, and the service is fast. There’s a game at the high school tonight. I assume you’re going?”

“I usually meet a couple of other teachers there,” she confirmed.

“Good, then we’re both on a timetable. I’ll tell the waitress. If we’re lucky, the Friday-night special will be catfish. No one does it quite like Dana Sue.”

“So I hear,” she said.

He regarded her with surprise. “You haven’t been there?”

“Just a few times, and I’ve never had the catfish. Sullivan’s is a little beyond a teacher’s salary except for rare special occasions. Once in a while several of the teachers get together there to celebrate a birthday, but we usually opt for the Sunday brunch.”

“Then Sullivan’s it is, and it’s my treat.”

Her green eyes sparkled with more of that unexpected mirth. “Wouldn’t that almost constitute a date? I thought you were opposed to dating. That’s what Maybelle said.”

He chuckled. “Maybelle has a big mouth, but to be honest, in this case, she wasn’t far off the mark. Not that she or any of the other people I’ve tried to head off have paid a bit of attention to me. I must not sound as convincing as I’ve meant to.”

Laura held his gaze. “Something else to discuss over dinner.”

J.C. frowned. The last thing he wanted to do was give Laura Reed the wrong idea. She seemed like a lovely, thoughtful woman, but she needed to understand that this dinner was strictly business. They had a mystery to solve about a troubled teen, nothing more. He’d found that laying out the ground rules usually kept expectations in check and avoided unpleasantness later.

“Maybe we should stick to talking about Misty’s problem.” Even to his ears the comment sounded stuffy, but at least he’d made himself clear. He waited for her reaction. Her smile died along with the warmth in her eyes, but she merely shrugged.

“Whatever makes you comfortable, doctor,” she said, suddenly sounding as distant and cool as he had. “Misty’s my first priority, as well.”

The relief he should have felt at her response didn’t come. In fact, what he did feel was the faintest twinge of regret and disappointment. The sparks that had been missing during his lunch with Janice Walker reared up in I-told-you-so fashion, proving that his immunity sucked, after all.

That wasn’t good, he thought, as he ushered her to the parking lot. It wasn’t good at all.

He hoped he was just looking for a handy alternative who might get Debra to back off with her candidate, but he knew all too well that would be playing a dangerous and pretty selfish game. Tonight when he was home in his lonely bed, he’d have to examine his motives for inviting Laura Reed to dinner a little more closely…and then pray that the answers weren’t too disturbing.

* * *

Laura saw the speculative looks when she walked into Sullivan’s with J. C. Fullerton. Not only was she rarely seen around town with a date, but if he could be believed, neither was he. For a town that loved its gossip, their arrival together was bound to be big news.

“Are you sure this was a good idea?” she murmured as they were shown to a table.

J.C. frowned. “I thought you wanted to come here.”

“I did until I realized that we were going to be on tonight’s menu right along with the specials.”

He glanced around, then sighed. “So we are. Too late to hide now, Laura. The cat’s out of the bag.”

She regarded him with surprise. “You think this is amusing? By tomorrow morning everyone in town will think we’re dating.”

“Anybody in your life going to be furious about that?” he inquired.

“Well, no, but…” She frowned. “It’s not a good idea. I don’t want to answer a million questions. Do you?”

“Hey, you’re my second unplanned date of the day,” he admitted with a rueful expression. “If anyone’s going to be a hot topic over breakfast, it’ll be me. They’ll probably just feel sorry for you getting mixed up with an obvious scoundrel.”

She stared at him incredulously. “What on earth are you talking about?”

He explained about his nurse and her apparent mission to set him up. “End result? First thing tomorrow I have a date to go for a run. I’m not a hundred percent sure how it happened. The words just came out of my mouth, and there I was with a date.”

Laura couldn’t help chuckling. “You’re really bad at not dating, aren’t you? Or is it that you’re easily manipulated?”

“Not until recently. Debra’s sneaky. And then you showed up in my office and before I knew it an innocent invitation came out of my mouth and here we are. Two dates today and one more in the morning. My extended track record as a total stick-in-the-mud has taken a real hit.”

“You don’t sound half as distressed as you should for a man who claims he doesn’t want to date,” she accused lightly.

He shrugged. “Maybe I’m tired of my own company, after all. And we’re here to talk about Misty, so it’s not as if this is a real date.”

“Tell that to everyone in this room currently on their cell phones reporting the news far and wide,” she said.

She could certainly understand why everyone in town would be fascinated with J.C. and consider him a hot prospect. Though he wore his light brown hair in a crew cut, it was evident that it would curl out of control if it grew longer. His compassionate brown eyes were exactly the sort to inspire young patients to confide in him, as Misty almost had. At least she’d sought him out as a trustworthy adult. That had to say a lot about his character.

When Laura glanced across the table, he was studying her, rather than the menu. The intensity of his gaze was disconcerting. She swallowed hard, then gestured toward the list of specials.