Intoxicated By You

Amie hugged me, truly hugged me, and I clung to her like my life depended on it. It had been so long since I’d been comforted like this. “Thank you.”

Pulling back, she gave me a smile. “I’m here anytime you need it. I know Drake is, too. Lord knows my boy is head over heels for you. He has been since the first day he saw you. When he came home that day, I could tell something had changed.” Amie had never told me this before. Gently, she wiped one of my tears away.

“What do you mean?”

“Since he was a little boy, Drake had never been afraid of his feelings the way Kane and, to some extent, Hayden were. Drake is more like me in that sense. Even though you guys have known each other since you were kids, the day Drake changed your tire, he saw you. I mean, really saw you. He walked through the front door in a complete

daze. I thought he was supposed to have a date. He told me he canceled it, and he started asking about you. I knew, in that moment, he’d found his other half.”

I smiled at the memory. “Since I was a little girl, I always thought Drake was so handsome and strong. But he was older, so I never gave it much thought. Then he showed up at my house with flowers the day after changing my tire. I just couldn’t believe he was there to see me. And I nearly ruined it.”

“It’ll make you guys twice as strong.”

“I hope so.”

“I know so.”

Chapter Twenty-One

Alexa

Amie and I finished looking through the fabric samples she’d brought for the curtains in the clinic and Hollis’s residence that the quilting circle were going to make. I loved this town. They’d welcomed my friend without any hesitation. It wasn’t always that way, though. Sometimes newcomers remained on the outskirts of the community for a while. Chazz had been here for nearly two years, and I doubted he’d received the same welcome.

There would be a more rustic theme downstairs to go with the furniture we’d chosen. Upstairs, I’d chosen grays and creams to go with Hollis’s furniture, which would be arriving from New York soon. We’d picked it out before we left. Hollis had debated selling his dad’s house, but I thought it might be a little rash until he decided if he wanted to make Skagway his permanent home. Even then, he might want to keep it. I understood needing a fresh start. But doing that without regrets was equally important.

Outside, the men’s voices grew stronger as they approached the building. I strained my ears to hear them clearly. They were talking about breaking ground. Once Hollis made a decision, it was rare for him to ever back away.

Amie leaned against me as they laughed. “I like your friend.”

“He’s a good guy on top of being a great doctor.” But her words meant more to me than she’d ever know. I wanted Hollis to be accepted.

Drake opened the door cautiously. “Is it okay for us to come in now?”

Amie patted my leg, and I was able to give her a true smile. She said, “Yes, of course. Did you guys discuss the cabin?”

The men entered the room, and Hollis said, “We’re going to break ground on my cabin in the spring. I just need to find some land.”

I laughed. “I’m sure we’ll be able to find you something.” Changing subjects, I pointed to the fabrics spread out on the floor. “The quilting committee wants to make curtains for the clinic. Amie brought the fabric swatch book from Arlene’s shop. Here’s what I think you may like for downstairs and maybe your residence, based on the furniture we picked out in New York.”

Hollis walked over to the book. “That’s very kind of the quilting circle, but I’d like to pay for their time.”

Standing, Amie waved him off. “Nonsense. It’s what we do here. This clinic means a lot to all the families in Skagway. We want to be part of this.”

“Thank you.”

It was rare, if ever, that people in Hollis’s world did things simply to be kind. I could tell he was touched by everything our little town had done for our clinic. He seemed lighter, happier. He wanted to make a difference. And I knew he would.

“What do you think of the fabrics?” I said as I pointed to the swatches.

Hollis leaned forward, and I wanted to laugh out loud. Ike and Drake were like ducks out of water when it came to fabric swatches. “I like the lower colors. For the upstairs, I think I want a change.”

“What kind of change?”

“Something more macho. Alaskan macho.”

I laughed. “But that won’t go with the furniture you ordered.”

“Ike’s going to make my furniture. I’ll figure out what to do with the furniture I ordered since it’s already shipped.”