Bernie's Birthday (River's End Ranch Book 22) Read online

  Bernie’s Birthday

  Pamela M. Kelley

  Piping Plover Press

  Copyright © 2017 by Pamela M. Kelley

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Epilogue

  Also by Pamela M. Kelley

  About the Author

  Chapter 1

  “The fairies tell me it’s your turn next,” Jaclyn said with satisfaction as she set a very pretty pink cupcake in front of Bernie. “Happy birthday, dear girl. Now make a wish.”

  A single candle burned brightly atop a mountain of fluffy frosting. Although it was pink, Bernie thought she caught a whiff of her favorite scent. “Is it…”

  “It is,” Jaclyn finished her sentence. “Lemon with raspberry filling. And I may have to have one, too. Now hurry and make your wish so we can both enjoy our treats.”

  Bernie didn’t have to think about what to wish for. She made the same wish every year—eventually, it would come true. She was sure of it. She blew hard and then pulled the candle out of the cake, and licked it clean before setting it on her plate.

  “Sorry, I suppose that’s rude.”

  Jaclyn chuckled. “Doesn’t bother me any, dear, though I wouldn’t recommend doing it on a date.”

  Bernie frowned. “I haven’t had many of those lately.”

  “You will. I told you, the fairies have spoken.”

  Bernie had ignored Jaclyn’s earlier comment. She knew the older woman meant well, though. She glanced at her watch. She had ten more minutes before she’d need to head back to her office. She usually ate lunch at her desk, but Jaclyn had insisted that she stop by for a mid-day birthday treat. It was sweet of her to remember. And Bernie knew it might be her only birthday cake. She hadn’t mentioned the date to anyone and didn’t like to call attention to things like that, though she loved to celebrate other people’s birthdays.

  “So what have the fairies told you?” she surprised herself by asking.

  “Nothing terribly clear yet, just that your time is coming. But you need to be open to it. Really open,” she emphasized.

  “What does that mean?”

  “Just that love can be surprising. Sometimes you will find it where you least expect it.”

  Bernie frowned. She had no earthly idea what Jaclyn was talking about. She sighed.

  “I don’t know about that. I’m not like the others. Everyone seems to fall in love so fast around here. I can’t imagine that happening to me. My brother says I’m too picky,” she admitted.

  “Jack says that? That’s rich, coming from him. Maybe he should be a bit pickier himself.” Jaclyn said.

  Bernie laughed. Her brother Jack loved women. She’d lost track of how often he fell in and out of love.

  “That’s true. He falls fast, but it never seems to last.”

  “It would if he slowed down and waited for the right one. He will, eventually.” Jaclyn sounded sure of it and Bernie hoped she was right. She adored her brother Jack. They were close in age, barely a year apart, though Jack liked to remind her that he was older. She’d be seeing him for a drink after work. They always took each other out on their birthdays. Especially since they only had each other since they’d lost their parents. The accident that took them happened barely a week after Bernie graduated from college. She still had moments of sadness on every holiday—even now, over six years later. She stared out the window, gazing at the many bunnies scampering about on the lawn, and remembering.

  “I still miss them, too,” Jaclyn said as she gently laid a hand on Bernie’s and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Bernie’s grandmother had been good friends with Jaclyn and for many years had lived nearby. As long as she could remember, Jaclyn had been in Bernie’s life and she was grateful for her friendship. She smiled and finished off the last bite of cupcake.

  “I should probably head back,” she said.

  Jaclyn nodded. “Twenty-seven, right?” she asked.

  “Yes, twenty-seven. Can you believe it?”

  “I can. It’s a good number for you and will be a good year. Remember what I said.”

  “About the fairies?” Something outside the window caught Bernie’s eye and she smiled at the sight of a large white rabbit perched on top of Jaclyn’s favorite garden gnome, Gorgeous George. Jaclyn’s world was a magical one and Bernie always enjoyed her visits there. She turned her attention back to the older woman who was wearing a satisfied smile.

  “Yes. Just be open, dear.”

  Chapter 2

  “Here she comes…” Bernie thought she heard a voice say as she walked towards the office that she shared with Lily, who managed events at the ranch. She heard multiple voices and it sounded busier in their small office than usual.

  “Happy birthday!” Lily called out as Bernie stepped into the room, which was packed with people. Her boss, Wade Weston, his fiancée Maddie, who ran the spa, his parents, who had just returned home from traveling around the country in their RV, Sadie from the ice-cream shop, and Dani Weston were all there. Also, oddly enough, David, the ER doctor that had treated Wade when he’d had his recent panic attack. Bernie wondered why he was there as her eyes fell onto the yellow frosted cake that sat on her desk. She was shocked that they’d remembered.

  “Quick, blow out the candles. It’s an ice-cream cake, so we need to cut it fast before it melts!” Lily said. Bernie did as instructed and then smiled as Lily handed her the knife.

  “Thank you so much, everybody. This is a lovely surprise.” She cut slices for everyone and Lily handed them out. The cake was a rich vanilla ice cream, a ripple of salted caramel running through it, and a layer of chocolate brownie in the middle. The yellow ‘frosting’ was actually thick whipped cream. The only person who refused a slice was David.

  “No thanks. I have to get back to the hospital. Wade, I’ll talk to you later. And Happy birthday, Bernie.” Was that a flash of a smile that she saw? Bernie was surprised to see it. David had barely spoken to her when she brought Wade to the hospital recently. Maybe he was just being professional, but it had come across to her as very cold.

  She had known David for years and he’d really never been all that nice to her. He used to tease her and play pranks on her when he wasn’t ignoring her. Yet she’d always admired him. David had been the smartest kid in the class and had ended up graduating a year early. Back in grammar and middle school he’d been a bit of a nerd, with his thick glasses and obsession with math and science. That had never bothered Bernie, though. She’d always been a good student, too, but not like David. He was always top of every class that they had together.

  David grew into his looks as he got older. He grew taller—she guessed he was at least six foot two or six foot three and the scrawny boy had filled out admirably. The thick glasses were gone, so now his green eyes stood out. He had good hair, and lots of it. It was dark brown and cut short with a little spike to it, so he almost looked like a soccer player. Bernie remembered that he did pla
y soccer all through school. It was the one sport he made time for. She had to admit, David was the best-looking doctor she knew. Too bad his bedside manner was so lacking.

  “What was he doing here?” Bernie asked Lily while everyone else was busy chatting.

  “Wade took him out to lunch and I think his parents joined them.”

  “They did?”

  Lily laughed. “Yes, you know how they are. It wasn’t exactly planned. They just happened to drop by at the same time and managed to invite themselves. I think Mrs. Weston wanted reassurance from the Doctor’s mouth that Wade is really okay.”

  “She’s probably feeling a little guilty that they added to his stress.”

  “No doubt,” Lily agreed.

  “I’m surprised an ER doctor gets to take a long lunch break.”

  “I’m sure they don’t. He said his shift starts this afternoon.”

  “Oh, of course.” Bernie set down her empty plate. Between the cupcake and ice cream, she’d had enough sugar for the day. But it was so good; maybe just one more sliver wouldn’t hurt. She cut a small piece for herself and Lily. She knew she didn’t even have to ask if Lily wanted more. Her sweet tooth was just as bad.

  “Is he single?” Lily asked as she dug into her second piece of cake.

  “David?”

  “Yes. If he is, he’s a catch. Tall, dark and handsome and a doctor!”

  “I have no idea if he’s single,” Bernie said. She was about to add, “He’s not my type anyway,” when Wade, who had apparently heard Lily’s question, said, “He’s single. He and Lindsey just broke up a few weeks ago.”

  “Did they go out long? Do you think they might get back together?” Lily asked.

  “I doubt it. They dated for over a year. Lindsey gave him an ultimatum—get engaged or break up.”

  “Really? Usually those ultimatums work. Though if you need to give one, it probably doesn’t bode all that well for the relationship.”

  “I suppose not,” Bernie agreed.

  “He’s a good guy. You could do worse. I could put a word in for you?” Wade offered.

  “No!” Bernie said quickly. “I mean, I’ve known David for years. I think if we were meant to date, it would have happened by now. I don’t think we’re each other’s type.”

  Wade raised his eyebrows. “Okay, but if you change your mind, just let me know.”

  “I will.”

  Wade walked away and Lily looked at her curiously. “You really don’t think he’s your type? What don’t you like about him?”

  “He’s grouchy. Not very friendly. Cold bedside manner. We’ve actually never really gotten along.”

  “Really? Wow. I thought he seemed nice enough. Guess you never do know.”

  “People have said that about me, too,” Dani said as she sliced herself another piece of cake. Bernie looked at her and smiled. “You’re more quiet and serious, but I would never say grouchy.”

  Dani laughed. “Depends who you ask, then. People have sometimes assumed it because I’m more reserved, unlike Kelsi.”

  “Kelsi is definitely not reserved,” Bernie agreed. Although Dani and Kelsi were twins, they were nothing alike. Kelsi was bubbly and always said what was on her mind.

  “The cake was amazing,” Bernie said as Sadie joined them. She owned the saloon that sold coffee and all kinds of flavored ice cream that she made herself.

  “I’m glad you liked it. That’s my new favorite. I have to run back to the shop now. See you tomorrow?”

  “I’ll be over as usual, around two.” Most afternoons, Lily and Bernie took a quick coffee break and wandered into the Old West town to Sadie’s place for a coffee to go.

  “I should get back to my office, too,” Dani said. She handled operations at the ranch and did a lot of ordering for different departments. The two of them walked out with Maddie right behind them on her way back to the spa.

  “Well, looks like we’re the only ones left. We should probably let you all get back to work. Happy birthday, Bernie,” Mrs. Weston said.

  “Thank you.” Bernie hadn’t had a chance to talk much with Wade’s parents since they’d been back, but she’d known them since she started working at the ranch, before they retired. She wondered if they missed being hands-on with the business.

  “Oh, and Lily, we’d like to see what you have planned for the big hospital charity gala this weekend. Maybe you can walk us around the barn tomorrow afternoon?”

  Bernie tried to suppress a smile. They definitely missed being involved.

  “Oh, tomorrow might be tough. I have a ladies’ luncheon and then a bridal tasting right after that. How about Wednesday?”

  “Hmmm, we are out of town then.” Mrs. Weston frowned and then looked at Bernie. “Bernie can show us around! Wade says you know about everything that goes on here now, right?”

  Bernie smiled. She did know most of the details for the hospital gala.

  “I’d be happy to.”

  Mrs. Weston clapped her hands together and reminded Bernie of Kelsi. They had the same enthusiastic energy. “Excellent! I’ll see you tomorrow at three, if that works?”

  “That’s fine.”

  After the Westons left and Wade walked back into his office, the room felt so quiet. Bernie settled back at her desk and turned to ask Lily a question before checking her emails.

  “Anything new I should know about the hospital event?”

  “Yes, one thing, actually. Kind of fun. Helen, my contact, called this morning and said they are adding a live auction to the fund-raising.”

  “Instead of a silent auction?” Bernie saw lots of those at charity events, where people bid on all kinds of things by putting a number on a sheet of paper and bids increased until the highest one took it at the end.

  “No, they’re doing that, too, but this will be interesting. They’re auctioning off doctors and nurses for dates or chores. Whatever the buyer wants—within reason, of course.”

  “Really? Anyone we know?” It would be entertaining to see David up there, but Bernie couldn’t picture it.

  “No, no one. She sent the list of participants over earlier today. It will still be fun to watch.”

  Chapter 3

  David stopped by the vending machine on his way to the ER and grabbed a chocolate almond bar. He’d been craving something sweet ever since he left River’s End Ranch and would have loved to stay for a slice of Bernie’s cake, if he’d had the time. He’d always had a bit of a crush on her, although she never knew it because he was always so bad at showing her. The more he’d teased her to get her attention, the more frustrated she seemed to be with him. Finally, he gave up and once he grew into his looks, he found that he had much better luck with other girls.

  Bernie had always seemed out of reach. She wasn’t just a beautiful girl, she had the kind of looks that made you want to stop and stare. Her blonde hair was straight and pale and hung in a sleek long bob just to her shoulders, and her eyes were such a clear blue that they were almost startling. She had a cute little nose and lips that were almost too full, but he knew they were real; they’d been like that forever. It was the combination of her sweet, wholesome prettiness and those sultry lips that made her so unusually attractive.

  She was also tall and slim and he wasn’t surprised to learn at lunch with Wade that she had been doing yoga for years. Wade had laughed as he’d told David and his parents how Bernie had talked him into attending a few yoga classes with her to help reduce his stress levels and how surprised he was at how well it worked.

  “You sure you don’t want to join us? We could use another doctor to auction off at the gala?” Mary Jane, one of the senior nurses, asked him. David shuddered at the thought. He knew it was for a good cause, but couldn’t imagine himself up there being bid on. No thanks.

  “I’m sure. I’ll be there to support everyone, though, and I’ll be sure to bid on some of the auction items, maybe even one of the nurses,” he teased her. Mary Jane’s face turned bright red, as she was one o
f the participants. “I’m just kidding,” he added.

  “Right. Well, I think we should have enough people. Just thought I’d check.” She scurried off as David made himself a cup of coffee and looked through the case notes on the patients he’d be taking over. He loved the fast pace of the ER, but at the moment, the section he was taking over was under control. Everyone had been seen and tests were underway. One patient with a sprained ankle had just been discharged, so as soon as the bed was changed, another patient would be brought in. As the only hospital in the area, even though it was small, it was always busy.

  Clark, the doctor whose shift was ending, walked into the break room looking unusually pale. He was usually the life of the party and one of the most popular doctors on staff. Half the nurses had crushes on him and he shamelessly flirted with all of them.

  “Rough day?” David asked.

  “Nothing out of the ordinary. Pretty smooth, actually. I just got a text from my mother, though. My dad had a heart attack. I’ve got to catch the next plane home. I should be back in a few days. Any chance you can cover my shift tomorrow?”

  “Of course. Sorry about your dad.”

  “Thanks. I owe you one.” It meant that tomorrow was going to be a very long day for David. Nothing he hadn’t done before and he knew Clark would do the same for him.

  * * *

  Bernie’s brother Jack was waiting for her at the restaurant on the ranch, which was just a short walk from her office. He was seated at the bar, which was already filling up with people stopping in after work and the early dinner crowd. Bernie slid into the empty seat next to him and he pulled her in for a hug. He was dressed casually, in a light blue button-down shirt and a pair of jeans. His hair was the same blonde shade as hers but had more of a natural wave and looked like it was time for a cut. Bernie noticed with amusement that the women around the bar didn’t seem to mind. Several of them were eyeing him with interest. As handsome as he was and at nearly six foot four Jack always stood out in a crowd.