My Hometown Love

Chapter 20 – Testing The Waters

Kevin’s P.O.V

It’s been a week since I had brunch with Lexie and we’ve been doing great. There is just something different about her now. She seems more free and relaxed.

I have to admit, she seems more open to me now, a little flirty even. I am excited to see where things go for us.

The sound of my beeping pager echoed through the hollow on-call room. I reluctantly pulled myself out of the warm comfortable bed as I grabbed hold of my white coat lying on the bed railing. I rubbed my eyes as I peeped at the bright light from the pager, reading the message from the nurses’ station.

I walked out of the darkroom into the bright hallway, as I picked up the pace towards the clinic. It was rather quiet during the night shift with the sounds of machines beeping and soft footsteps echoing through the night.

I walked up to the curtain covered bed that I was pointed towards by the nurse. I opened it to find a teen with a mean cut on his forehead.

“Hi. I’m Dr. Walker. I’m going to be treating you today.”

*************

Lexie’s P.O.V.

I turned off my nightlight as I put down my book. I can’t believe I stayed up so late reading. I just couldn’t help it, the story had me hooked and before I knew it was already 2 am.

I pulled up the covers until my chest as slid further down into my bed. I was about to close my eyes and let my slumber take away when Kevin appeared in my brain. I bit my lip as I turned to look at my phone lying there lifelessly on my nightstand. I found myself contemplating if I should text him or not, at 2 am!

I shook my head aggressively and stared up at the ceiling, desperate to fall asleep. Unfortunately, a conversation with myself in my head began, justifying my heart’s wishes.

Come on, shut up, and sleep!

Forget about the phone and Kevin and his amazing smile and his cute dimples and his kind heart and his-.

NO! Don’t go down that road.

Urgh! Maybe just one text?

I turned and looked at my phone again. In a sudden burst of energy, I sat up in my bed and grabbed my phone.

‘Hey… You awake?’ I typed and sent it quickly before I change my mind.

As soon as the message was sent, my brain went into panic mode.

Wait! What if he’s not awake? Do I seem desperate?

Oh my gosh, what if he thinks I’m a creepy stalker?

What if-

The notification sound of my phone silenced the voices in my head.

Kevin: Hey yourself. Yeah, I’m on-call tonight. How come you’re not asleep?

Lexie: Was reading and couldn’t stop. I hope I’m not disturbing you?

Kevin: Nah, I’m in the on-call room.

Lexie: Oh I see. Soooo….

Kevin: So, what made you text me instead of sleeping?

Lexie: Just for fun. It was an impulsive decision by the sleep-deprived Lexie.

Kevin: Remind me to thank her some time, or else the full awake Lexie wouldn’t bother saying Hello.

Lexie: Hey! Not fair. I didn’t want to disturb you.

Kevin: I’m just messing with you. Anyway, tomorrow there’s this special famous farmers’ market in the next town. I was going to go over and check it out. Do you wanna come along?

Lexie: Hurm…let me check my calendar first.

Kevin: Yeah yeah. Be sure to take into account all your sleeping, eating, and chilling appointments. Don’t wanna miss those.

Lexie: Very funny, Mr. Smarty Pants. Now do you want me to come along or what?

Kevin: I would love for you to join me, milady.

Lexie: Well, that sounds better. I will be delighted to join you.

Kevin: Pick you up at 6?

Lexie: 6 AM?! That’s way too early.

Kevin: Well, it is a farmers’ market with fresh produce, and it’s quite a drive over. You can sleep in the car, Sleeping Beauty.

Lexie: Fine. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow. Good night Dr. Walker.

Kevin: Good Night Ms. Cooper.

I put my phone back on the nightstand and fell contentedly back to sleep in anticipation of Sunday.

*************

Kevin’s P.O.V

I drove through the familiar neighborhood as I admired the changing sky. By the time I stopped in front of Lexie’s house, the sunrise was coloring the sky a beautiful pink, purple and red.

I remained in the car as I quickly sent Lexie a text, not wanting to wake up her parents. She replied that she was on her way down and soon enough, there she was sitting next to me in my Outback. She looked over at me with her sleepy eyes as she pouted her lips sadly.

“Go on. Take a nap. I’ll let you know when we’re there.”, I said to her kindly as I drove out of her driveway.

“No no. I am going to stay awake and enjoy the ride.”, she said with determination as she sat straight up in her seat.

“Suit yourself.”, I said as I drove out of town and into the main road.

We spent a few minutes with meaningless chit chat as we drove along the drab road. Once in a while, I would spot Lexie stifling a yawn and rubbing her eyes. I smiled to myself, admiring the determination this lady had in her.

“You know Lex. I’m really enjoying our time together. We should do this more often. What do you think?”, I said, without taking my eyes off the road as we slowly got off the main road.

My question was met with a dead silence except for the sound of my air conditioner humming.

I cautiously turn, only to find Lexie fast asleep. She had her head leaning against the door and she was cuddled up in the seat, with her feet up on the seat and her arms around it. The poor girl couldn’t hold in her drowsiness any longer and finally gave in to it.

I slowly brought the car to a stop at a traffic light and quickly reached out to the back seat to grab my extra jacket. I slowly put it over her delicately to keep her warm before continuing driving.

As we slowly approached a rough terrain, I fought so hard to drive as slowly and cautiously as I could. Taking my sweet time on every speed bump and expertly avoiding any rocks or holes in the road. I must have miss one because before you know it, the car jerked up and down over a small rock.

**************

Lexie’s P.O.V

I was peaceful sleeping with a warm blanket over me when I felt my whole body jump up and down abruptly. Hazily I quickly remembered where I was and that I had indeed fallen asleep, despite intensely trying not to.

“Oh wow. I really dozed off! Why didn’t you wake me?”, I said as I let my eyes adjust to my surroundings.

“You were sleepy and you fell asleep. I didn’t want to disturb you.”, Kevin said sweetly as he gazed intently at the road ahead.

I looked down to see that the warm blanket over me was in fact Kevin’s favorite denim jacket, with his initials sewed on the sleeves. I glanced gratefully at him, as I neatly folded the jacket and put it in the back seat.

“There! Can you see it?”, Kevin suddenly shrieked, as he vigorously pointed to a cluster of tents and trucks in the distance.

The things that excite this man still amazes me.

We park the car next to the field as slowly walk towards the market. The minute we approach the market, I was hit with a strong aroma of coffee and freshly baked bread. I suddenly felt so awake and excited, impatient to find the source of the aroma.

“First things first. Coffee?”, Kevin asked me as he leads me towards the stalls in the back.

“Mister, you just read my mind.”, I say cheerfully as my eyes scan for coffee.

As we drink our coffee, leaning on this high table in front of the coffee stall, I could help but look around and realize that I was loving every minute of this. I could easily get used to this and probably even become a morning person.

A cup of java and countless mini blueberry muffins later, we were back on our feet, strolling through the market.

As we walked along the brick road, a certain stall caught the corner of my eye. It was an elderly lady buried behind hundreds of sunflowers. Completely mesmerized, I caught hold of Kevin’s arm and pulled him as I briskly walked over to the sweet old lady.

“Hi, Kevin. It’s good to see you again. Haven’t seen you around here in a while.”, the lady said as her face glowed when she saw Kevin.

“It’s good to be back Mrs. Myrtle. I have been a bit busy lately.”, Kevin replied as he smiled sweetly at her.

“Looks like you sure have been. Now, who’s this fine young lady.”, Mrs. Myrtle said teasingly before turning her attention towards me.

“Erm…. She’s my… friend, Lexie.”, Kevin said as he pushed me a little forward.

“Hello dear. You look lovely. Here, have a sunflower.”, the kind lady said as she placed a stalk in my palm and closed it with hers.

“Are you sure? Here, let me buy it.”, Kevin said as he fished out his wallet.

“Oh shush! Now you both run along and enjoy the market.”, Mrs. Myrtle said as she chased us away from her stall.

*************

Kevin’s P.O.V

Mrs. Myrtle was always so generous and today wasn’t any different. Lexie, on the other hand, seemed so mesmerized with the sunflower as she twirled it around, admiring each angle of it.

I shook my head with amazement before turning to look back up. It was then I felt my blood run cold and my heart stop. There she was, standing at the jam stall, filling her basket with every kind of jam they sold.

“Oh crap. No no no no!”, I say, not realizing that I had just said that out loud.

“What happened?!”, asked a concerned Lexie.

I slowly turn my gaze to the jam stall, guiding Lexie’s eyes to see what I was looking at.

“That’s Kate.”, I said softly but coldly.

“Who’s Kate?’, Lexie asked curiously as she looked up at me.

I took a second as the painful memories filled up within me, sending me into a low growl as I told Lexie who Kate was.

“My ex-girlfriend.”