Healing Hearts: A friends with benefits, small town romance (Hope River Book 3) Read online

  “We wanted you to have a fresh start here, Elle. Gran and I called a town meeting, and we all came together to create this. Everyone pitched in to help,” Hope replies.

  Elle’s shaking her head as she walks around the café, touching every surface. “This is amazing! Thank you!” Her chin quivers as she struggles to hold in her tears.

  I keep stirring the pots on the stove. “You have a full store room here.” I point to the store room. “The rest rooms are back there.” I indicate to the hallway, and hope to God they don’t have a look, because I think Charlie’s in there, waiting for me. “And now, you have a state-of-the-art kitchen,” I say with a huge smile.

  Elle’s beaming with so much love and gratitude. She turns and says something in a small voice to Hope as I look at what I’m cooking.

  “Let’s eat!” Hope announces with a jump and clap of her hands. Hope can eat any time she’s near food.

  They all walk out, and I sneak a look to make sure no one is paying attention to me. Great, just the way I like it. Picking up the tea towel, I wipe my hands, throw it on the counter, and take off to the bathrooms.

  Charlie’s got me up against the wall the moment I open the door. He hooks my leg up over his hip, moves my panties to the side, and pushes into me. “Jesus,” I moan as he thrusts hard, taking my breath away.

  He tries to kiss me, but I move my head to the side. He grabs my hands with one of his, and holds them up over my head, while the other is under my butt holding me up. “You feel great when you’re wet, Pop Rock.”

  “Shut up and fuck me,” I say as he keeps plunging into me.

  He tries to kiss me again, but I move my head the other way. He moves closer, and kisses my neck, all while his hips keep fluidly pumping into me. “Leave your hands up there,” he barks. He lowers his hand, moves back so we can watch as he screws me, and starts rubbing and pinching my clit. I suck in a deep breath and close my eyes. It’s all too much for me. The danger of knowing people are only a few feet away and can catch him rubbing my clit, and his cock pushing into me makes me let out a long moan as I come around his dick. “That’s it,” he says as he tries to kiss me again.

  Turning away, I avoid his kiss, again. He should know by now; I don’t do kissing. Ever. It’s too intimate and personal. We’re only fuck buddies. He moves his hands, grasps my hips tightly, and finishes pumping into me.

  He lays his forehead against mine, coming with a deep grunt. My heart rate begins to calm, and now we’re in the awkward after phase of the hook-up. “I’ve gotta get back to the kitchen,” I say. This is my chance to hightail it out of here.

  Charlie’s shoulders sink slightly, as he gives me a small nod. “Right.” He lets me down and I clean up quickly while Charlie cleans himself with his back to me. “Um, I was thinking,” Charlie’s soft voice tells me he’s going to ask or say something serious and it sets off warning bells with me.

  Oh no. Nope, not gonna happen. “Look I’m really busy, can we talk later?” I flush the toilet, pull up my panties, and fix my dress.

  “Yeah, of course.” Charlie’s smile is strained. I wash my hands, quickly check that Charlie is ready to go, open the door and walk down the hallway. “Your dress, in the back. It’s caught.”

  As I fix my dress, and I hear Aunt May. “Where has she disappeared to this time? I swear, that girl has been so secretive…” Aunt May, Elle, and Hope are staring at me walking down the hallway from the bathroom, still adjusting my dress. My eyes widen, and the breath catches in my throat. I look behind me to see Charlie zipping his jeans.

  Oh shit. I duck my head and walk back into the kitchen. “Um,” Charlie says before taking off out of here.

  Thankfully Aunt May, Elle, and Hope all leave the café. “Phew,” I mumble, relieved they didn’t say anything. Maybe they didn’t notice? Who am I kidding? Of course, they did. Charlie was zipping his jeans up, and I was adjusting my dress. I could say I was helping Charlie do something, but that won’t fly with this crowd. I’ll just remain quiet, and not say anything. If anyone asks, I won’t give them anything. It’s no one’s business who I’m having sex with. Not even Aunt May’s. She won’t ask though. She never does.

  That’s what I love about Aunt May. She’s the only person in my entire life I can rely on for anything. She’s not intrusive, and offers advice only when I ask for it. I know Aunt May has my back; she always has. Everyone loves her in Hope River, and if she likes someone, she allows them to call her Gran. I wish Aunt May was my mom and not my aunt. I think she would’ve been the best mom in the world, I know she would’ve been better than mine.

  I take one of the pans of mac and cheese out of the oven, and walk out to the tables set outside for the night’s festival. I discreetly look around for Charlie, but I don’t see him anywhere.

  I do notice how Elle and Jake are entwined with each other, and how River has his arms around Hope. They make me smile. I like seeing them in love. It’s a sweet thing. But I also know there’s no way I’ll ever fall in love. It’s not in my future.

  I mean, everyone always leaves, so why bother putting myself through something that intense, only for it to end breaking my heart again?

  “Hey, do you need a hand?” Elle asks as she sees me people watching.

  “No, please. This is all for you. Go, enjoy yourself. I’ve got it. But, it is your kitchen, and your café, and if you want me to back off I will.”

  Elle throws her arms around me and gives me a hug. “You’re the best, Tabitha. Thank you for everything you do and did. I’m fairly certain you would’ve had a hand in what appliances went into the café, because we both know, if this was left to Hope…” Elle shakes her head. “She can’t boil water without destroying the pot.” She chuckles, as do I.

  “You have no idea how bad she is,” I add in good fun. “She tried boiling at the inn last week, and I kid you not, she burnt it.”

  Elle’s eyes widen as she laughs. “Rice?”

  “Yep, rice. She forgot she left it cooking on the stove, and by the time she came back, the entire pot had to be thrown away. I’d ducked down here to check on the progress and see what else we needed and she was there.” I smack my hand to my forehead. “Disaster. Anyway, let’s not let Hope help in the kitchen. She can build them. My God, can that girl design, but never ask her to cook anything.”

  “Who are you talking about?” Hope asks as she comes into the tail end of the conversation.

  “You,” I say. “You’re hopeless in the kitchen.”

  Hope flicks her hand at us. “I design them and build them, but I don’t use them.” She proudly smirks.

  “Amen to that, girlfriend,” Elle teases.

  “But you know, I’m good with direction,” Hope says trying to redeem herself.

  “Like boiling rice?” I remind her.

  “That was one time.”

  “What was one time?” River asks as he makes his way into the conversation.

  “We’re discussing Hope’s cooking skills,” I fill him in.

  River does a double-take at Hope, and wrinkles his nose. “She doesn’t have any,” he says matter-of-factly.

  “You really should be on my side.” Hope softly punches him in the arm.

  “Hope.” He grabs her shoulders and leans down to kiss her forehead. “You forgot to put the fish in the fridge at home, then wanted me to cook it even though it had been sitting out all day.”

  “Bleh,” I pretend to vomit.

  “I thought it would be fine. I mean fish swim in water all day, and they don’t boil when it’s hot,” Hope says. “In my defense, I used to eat out a lot. And before that, Mom or Dad would cook. So, I’ve never really learned.”

  “It’s common sense, Hope. You don’t leave fish sitting out, then try to cook it,” River teases.

  She snarls at him, and rolls her eyes. “Whatever. Maybe I wanted to poison you for being a smart-ass.”

  River shakes his head. “So, the point of the story is, don’t ask Hope to cook anything.”


  “I learned that a while back. Anyway, I’ve got some more to get from inside.” I point behind me.

  Hope and River both go sit while Elle follows me into her café. “This kitchen is amazing, Tabitha. Thank you. I can’t wait to be in here.”

  “I’m afraid I christened it before you had a chance.” Elle’s head turns quickly, and her eyes widen. There’s a huge smile on her face. “Shit, I didn’t mean it that way.”

  “Not my business,” she says as she holds her hands up in surrender.

  I take the other tray of mac and cheese out of the oven, but inside I’m terrified she’s actually going to ask about what she saw with Charlie and me earlier. Shit, I have to come up with something plausible. “There’s just the chili and this mac and cheese, and we’re done in here.”

  “Okay, do you want me to take the chili out?”

  “Thank you.” I nod to Elle.

  Elle walks ahead with the pot of chili, and I let out a sigh of relief. She didn’t ask, and I’m grateful I didn’t have to lie or make anything up. Taking the mac and cheese out, I place it a bit further down the huge table.

  “Hey Tabitha, this looks great,” Murray says as he scoops some onto his plate.

  “Thank you.” I offer Murray a smile, then walk back to where Aunt May is. There’s a seat beside her that’s empty, so I pull it out and sit.

  “You eating, sweetheart?” she asks.

  “I’m not really hungry, Aunt May.”

  Aunt May leans over to scoop some of the chili onto her plate. “You’d think you would’ve worked up an appetite with what you’ve been doing.”

  I feel my face burn, because I know she’s talking about what she saw with Charlie and myself. “What do you mean?” I ask, my voice cracking.

  “You’ve been burning the candle at both ends, between the B&B and here. You’ve been coming home late and leaving early, seven days a week.”

  I relax my shoulders and let out my held breath. I thought she was going to say something about Charlie. “I enjoy it, Aunt May. I like being needed; it makes me feel good.” And it doesn’t allow me any time to think about things I don’t want to relive.

  “You’re a good kid, Tabby. Perhaps one day, you’ll find yourself a good boy…” she pauses. Oh no, here it comes. “Like Charlie.”

  “I don’t want to talk about it.” I stand, and walk back into the café to start cleaning the kitchen.

  Charlie and I are friends with benefits. That’s it.

  That’s all we’ll ever be.

  “Thank you for everything you’ve been doing, Tabitha,” Hope says once she’s thanked one of the guests who’s leaving the B&B. “I need coffee.” She smacks her inner arm and looks over to the coffee pot. “Coffee, stat,” she says.

  “Hey, I’m your chef, not your servant,” I reply jokingly as I grab a mug and fill it with coffee.

  “I’ve gotta find someone to run this place. It’s too much on all of us. I need someone here full time. Now we’ve finished converting the gymnasium into the homeless shelter, I have to pull my finger out of my ass, and get designs finalized for the houses over on Oak Tree Parade in Faith Haven.”

  “I take it you’re inundated with work. I can step up more if you like.”

  “River, Charlie, and the team are over there now doing demo, and I’m missing out on the fun.” She leans against the counter and breathes out a long sigh. “I love demo days. It’s one of my favorite parts, other than doing the designs of course.” She places her mug on the counter, and runs her hand across the sleek granite counter tops. “I love designing so much too.”

  I make sure Hope’s watching as I half shrug. “Meh,” I say teasingly. “You’re alright at it I suppose.”

  Hope’s lips pick up into a smile, as her eyes widen. “I think I should increase your hours to twenty a day,” she playfully retorts.

  “Oh yeah, like what I’m working now then?”

  “Snap.” She clicks her fingers in front of her face. Her features quickly soften, and I notice something’s bothering her. “I really need to find someone to run this place so we’re not all working our asses off. Unless you want to run it and I can get Elle in here to cook?”

  “No, thanks. I don’t mind helping with office stuff, but I’m not cut out to do that. My domain is in here.” I extend my arms on the granite counter top. “I forgot to tell you too. I got a phone call from one of the businesses over in Faith Haven. They’ve got some kind of team building lunch thing, and they want to come here and use the outdoor space.”

  “Really?” Hope’s eyes widen with excitement. “When, who?”

  “I wrote it down; it’s out on the front desk. Anyway, I’m thinking, if things like that start happening more often, then I won’t have time to help out the front.”

  The front door opens, and an older man walks in. He’s wearing jeans, and a tailored t-shirt but judging by the toned stomach and broad shoulders, he’s quite buff for a guy his age. Behind him, a gangly teenage boy walks in. Wait is that… “Thomas?” Hope asks as she steps forward toward him.

  “Hey, Hope.” His eyes light up, and he walks in and gives her a hug.

  What teenage boy hugs anyone without being prompted by their parents? Behind Thomas, Joanne enters the B&B. “Joanne? Oh my God, you look fantastic! What are you doing here?” Hope asks.

  The older guy stands to the side. His shoulders are high, and he’s casting a wary glance around us. He’s making me nervous. “Hi, Hope,” Joanne says as she gives her a hug. “Tabitha, it’s good to see you.” I come around the counter to meet her, and give her a quick, shallow hug. I’m not a touchy person. I don’t like it when people want hugs, and I especially hate it after sex.

  “What are you doing here?” Hope looks at the guy standing still to the side.

  “Don’t mind Miles. The only way Dad was going to let me come back here is if I bought one of his security team with me.” She forces a smile and looks down at her feet.

  “Oh yeah, that’s cool,” Hope says. “What are you doing here?”

  “Well, um…” Joanne stammers. “After what happened, I was whisked away and didn’t get a chance to say thank you to anyone.”

  Ah, she’s referring to the incident with her husband, Damian or Darren or something. He beat her to within an inch of her life, and she left. I know he’s in jail, and her parents come from money, but other than that, I’m not too sure why she’s even here. Who has she got to thank? I’m too consumed in my own life to worry about everyone else’s.

  “So many people helped get me away from… him,” she pauses and looks at her feet again when she says him. “And for that I’m grateful. So, we’re here because I’m hoping you have two rooms? Please?”

  “Oh!” Hope says in a high-pitched voice. “We actually do.” Hope walks into the office, then comes back with two of the white electronic keys. “So, how have you been?”

  “I’m getting better. I’ve decided to go to college and study hospitality,” Joanne says with the hugest, proudest smile.

  I look at Hope, Hope abruptly turns to look at me. “Please tell me you’re thinking what I’m thinking,” I say to her.

  “We’re definitely on the same page.” Hope steps over to Joanne, and places her arm around her shoulder. “So, I have a question I’d like to ask.”

  “What’s that?”

  Miles straightens, and looks Hope over. Thomas has disappeared out to the back of the B&B. “I need someone to run the B&B. We’re stretched so thin with all the stuff we have going on. I have a young guy who comes in every day to clean the rooms. Tabitha runs the kitchen, and looks after guests who come in, and she has Cara and Evie who come in and help her in the kitchen. I look after the front end, but when I’m not here, the job falls back on Tabitha. It’s too much for all of us.” Hope skips on the spot. “… and we need someone here running the day-to-day of the B&B. I can only imagine we’re only going to get busier, and… I honestly should’ve thought about all of this before I d
ecided to turn Old Roger’s house into a B&B, but, duh.” She lightly smacks her forehead. “Of course, I didn’t. I mean I’ve never run a B&B before, and I have no idea what I’m doing, and I’m drowning. So…” Hope winds down from her incredibly long, breathy spiel and looks to Joanne.

  “Sorry, I missed half of what you said because I wasn’t listening?” Hope and I questioningly look at each other. “Just kidding!” Joanne cracks a huge smile, and lightly pushes Hope on the shoulder. This is obviously a new Joanne.

  “Is that a yes?” Hope asks as she eagerly awaits Joanne’s answer.

  “I can’t give an answer yet. I’ve got to talk with my parents, and Thomas to see if he wants to move back here. Can you give me a day or two, please?”

  I can see Hope’s disappointed that it wasn’t an immediate “yes,” but she holds it together. “Yeah, of course.”

  “Not to mention, I have nowhere to live if I move back here.”

  “You can stay in the McGrath’s Room downstairs until you find something, or I’m building five houses over on Oak Tree Parade if you happen to be in the market for something more permanent,” Hope offers.

  Joanne laughs. “I’ll let you know in a couple of days, okay?”

  “Sure.” Hope hands over the two electronic keys. “This one is for Roger and Jean’s Room, and this one is for May’s Room. Both are upstairs.”

  “Thank you.” Joanne holds out a key to Miles. He hasn’t said a word since he stepped inside. He’s the strong, silent type. As he walks out the front door, my eyes skim his retreating back. But as he walks out, Charlie walks in.

  “Hey, ladies,” he announces when he enters.

  “What are you doing here? Don’t you have work to do?” Hope asks. And this is my cue to disappear into the walk-in pantry, and do a quick inventory. I don’t want to be around Charlie. He does something to me. He makes my heart flutter, and my stomach twist with feelings I don’t want to have.

  “Hey,” I hear his gruff voice call from the doorway of the pantry.