Heart And Soul: A Small Town Fake Relationship Romance (Angel Sands Book 8) Read online

  Heart And Soul

  Carrie Elks

  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

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Epilogue

  Dear Reader

  About the Author

  Also by Carrie Elks

  Acknowledgments

  HEART AND SOUL by Carrie Elks

  Copyright © 2021 Carrie Elks

  All rights reserved

  2210721

  Edited by Rose David

  Proofread by Proofreading by Mich

  Cover Designed by Najla Qamber Designs (www. najlaqamberdesigns.com)

  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are fictitious products of the author’s imagination.

  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.

  1

  “Okay, this one? It’s to die for.”

  Meghan Hart smiled as her assistant, Jeannie, went in for another scoop, closing her eyes and letting out a moan as the pink and white ice cream disappeared between her lips. Meghan loved this part of her job. Creating new flavors was her jam and since she’d become the new owner of the Angel Ice Cream parlor two months ago, she’d spent most of her evenings trying out new combinations to entice the tongues of her customers. This one – a strawberry and balsamic vanilla swirl – had come to her when she was packing up their kitchen cupboards in the short-stay apartment she and her daughter, Isla, had been staying in, while they waited for their long-term rental to be ready.

  “You don’t think the balsamic is too acidic?” Meghan asked, as Jeannie reluctantly put the spoon into the empty glass dish.

  “Nope. It contrasts perfectly with the sweetness of the strawberries. And it’s so much better than the bubblegum flavor you tried last week.” Jeannie shook her head. “That one wasn’t the best.”

  Meghan wrinkled her nose at the memory. No matter how much she’d tried to adapt the bubblegum recipe the sugar rush had made her wince. Creating the best ice cream meant delicately balancing the right flavors and textures, and all too often she ended up scrapping her experiments. But when they worked – like this one – it was all worthwhile.

  And that’s why she loved running this place.

  She’d seen the for sale listing for the ice cream shop a few months ago. Its location was perfect – in the center of the boardwalk in the small town of Angel Sands, facing the sparkling blue Pacific Ocean, and the golden beach that attracted crowds of tourists in the summer. Based on the books of the prior owners, even in the winter business was brisk, thanks to the sweet teeth of the locals and the all-year-round surfers.

  Leaning over her recipe book, she made a quick note in the margin. She’d have to adapt a few things to make bigger batches, but she was almost certain it was possible. “We just need to think of a name,” she told Jeannie. “Strawberry and Vinegar Shortcake isn’t exactly enticing.”

  “How about The Berries and the Vine?” Jeannie suggested.

  Meghan grinned. “Or maybe A Berry Vine Ice Cream?”

  Jeannie winced at the pun. “I hate it but I love it.”

  “Me too.”

  The door to the shop opened, and a little girl came flying in. “Mommy!” she said, throwing herself at Meghan. “Guess what?”

  “What?” Meghan smiled down at her eight year old daughter. It had been the two of them ever since she could remember, and they were a tight knit little family. “You’re all hot and bothered. Take a breath, sweetheart.”

  “I got into the school play,” Isla said, her lips lifting into a grin. “I’m going to be a mermaid.”

  “That’s fantastic.” Meghan kissed her brow. “Now go put your school bag in the office and wash your hands. I’ll get you a glass of milk and an apple.”

  “Can I have some ice cream?” Isla asked, her gaze slinking over to the glass freezer that showed off all the flavors.

  “Maybe later. After dinner, if you’re good.”

  “Gah. I guess I’ll wait.”

  As Isla skipped to the office, Jeannie turned to Meghan with a smile. “Are you all ready for the big apartment move?” she asked.

  “More than ready,” Meghan told her. “We can’t wait.”

  When Meghan had bought the ice cream shop, about an hour from where she and Isla had lived before, she’d also put down a deposit on a stunning apartment nearby. But they hadn’t been able to move in until this week, thanks to a big flood which led to it being remodeled.

  She was so excited about finally putting down roots in this sunny beach town. And Isla was looking forward to being able to decorate her bedroom the way she wanted to. At last, it felt like things were starting to come together for them both, thanks to her hard work and the legacy her grandma had left her.

  That thought made her smile, and hurt a little, too. She missed Grandma Louise very much.

  “Have you met your new neighbors yet?” Jeannie asked, carrying the ice cream bowl and spoon over to the kitchen.

  “No I haven’t. They weren’t there when I got the keys for the apartment. But I guess I owe them a debt of thanks for putting up with all the renovations.”

  “Ah, it wasn’t your fault. The flood happened before you even moved in.” Jeannie shrugged. “It was bad luck, that’s all.”

  Yeah it was, but now it felt as though that luck had turned. She had a shop she loved, her daughter was happy in her new school, and she was about to move into a pretty little apartment by the ocean.

  She’d take home some of her best baked cookies to introduce herself to her neighbors. And if that didn’t work, she’d ply them with ice cream. That always made everything better.

  Yep, things were definitely looking up. She had a feeling that life was only going to get better from here.

  It had been a hell of a day. It was the first time Dr Rich Martin had stopped since he’d come on shift that morning. He breathed a sigh of relief as he surveyed the waiting room of the Saint Vincent’s Memorial Hospital and realized it was half empty. He walked over to the desk to check in with triage.

  As the attending physician for Emergency Medicine at Saint Vincent’s, he was in charge of all treatment for the patients that walked through the sliding glass doors – or were wheeled in by paramedics. Sure, he had his team. His chief resident, plus the senior and junior residents and interns who worked here, but the buck stopped with him.

  “We got one more for you,” Sara, the ER shift clerk said, smiling as he walked up to the desk. No, that wasn’t a smile. It was more of a smirk. The smell of coff
ee wafted up from the cup she was holding and it made his stomach gurgle.

  And as soon as Rich picked up the chart she was holding out he realized why.

  “Nope,” he said, putting the chart back on the desk and sliding it toward Sara. “Give this one to Simon.”

  “Simon’s on his break. You sent him ten minutes ago.” Sara pushed the chart back. “And she asked for you specifically.”

  “I bet she did.” Lianne, one of the nurses started to laugh. “Did she say his name, or ask for Saint Vincent’s hottest doc?”

  Rich rolled his eyes.

  “Voted by the nursing and admin staff for three years running,” Sara added. “Hey, we should get him a badge or something.”

  “Or put his framed photo up on the wall.” Lianne was grinning now. “We could use it to recruit more patients.”

  “We don’t need more patients.” And certainly no more like Carlyn Monroe. They were more trouble than they were worth. “And if I have to do this, you’re coming in with me,” he said, pointing the chart at Lianne.

  “I can’t.” She shrugged, a huge knowing grin on her face. “I have sutures to do in room three.”

  “I’ll wait.” Rich raised an eyebrow.

  “No can do.” Sara pointed at the list of patients behind her. “Things aren’t as bad as this morning, but all our rooms are full. And it’s a beautiful day out there, so we’re bound to get some accidents in from the beach. We need to get her processed and out of there.”

  Rich grimaced. “If I’m not back in ten minutes, send in a search party.”

  Lianne laughed. “This is all your fault, remember? If you didn’t keep smiling at patients with those pretty eyes, you wouldn’t be in this position.”

  He glanced down at the chart as he walked back toward the treatment area.

  Carlyn Monroe. DOB 12-07-88, complaining of left ankle pain.

  Okay then. He pushed open the door, steeling himself for the next ten minutes. “Carlyn. This is the third time we’ve seen you this month. What’s up with you now?”

  His latest patient looked up, her painted lips curling as he walked toward the gurney where she was waiting for him, her shoes and socks removed, her feet bare.

  “Hello Rich.” Her voice was honey-smooth. “I think I twisted my ankle.”

  He looked down at her left leg. No obvious signs of swelling or bruising. “How did it happen?”

  “I fell down the stairs.” The strong smell of her perfume mingled with the aroma of disinfectant. “I’m such a klutz sometimes. But you know that, right?”

  He pulled a stool up and reached for her leg. “I’m just going to feel along the bone gently,” he told her. “Let me know if it hurts.”

  “You never hurt me.” Her voice was husky. “Your touch is always too good for that.”

  He needed this like he needed a hole in the head. Why the hell had he sent Simon on break?

  He moved his fingers around her ankle, feeling for signs of a break or strain. “Did your foot bend under when you fell?”

  “I’m not sure.” A half smile pulled at Carlyn’s lips as he moved his fingers up her leg. “I’d just got out of the shower. Naked.”

  “I think you’re fine,” he said, releasing his hold on her leg. “If you feel any more pain, pop an Advil and elevate it.”

  “Did you feel how smooth my legs are?” Carlyn asked, propping herself up on her elbows so she could look at him better. “I got them waxed yesterday.” Her voice dipped. “I got everything waxed.”

  He stood and pushed the stool back to the edge of the room, making a note on her chart. “Okay then, you’re good to go. Be careful on those stairs.”

  She ran the tip of her tongue along her bottom lip. “Why don’t you call me anymore?”

  Damn. He’d almost made it out of here without having to deal with her. “We went out twice, Carlyn. And that was a year ago. It didn’t work.”

  “You need somebody to take care of you.” She sat and swung her legs around, until her feet touched the floor. “We had fun, didn’t we?” Walking across the floor in her bare feet, it was so obvious she was feeling no pain in her ankles. She reached for his arm, curling her fingers around his bicep. “Just one more date? I’ll make it worth your while.”

  That was it. Next time either one of the nurses came in with him, or he’d refuse to treat her. God only knew how much her insurance would be billed this year. In the last few months she’d complained about stomach pain, headaches, vision impairment, and hearing loss. Moving onto leg pain was a natural progression.

  One thing was for sure. Next time he wouldn’t be the one dealing with it.

  “Doctor Martin?” The door to the treatment room opened, and Lianne walked in. “Oh sorry to interupt.” From the expression on her face, she wasn’t sorry at all. She looked from Rich to Carlyn, who was still holding his arm, in no hurry to release him.

  “We’d just finished.” He shrugged Carlyn’s hand off. “Can you show Carlyn out?”

  “Sure.” Lianne gave him a sympathetic grin. “Come with me, Carlyn.”

  “Yes. But I want Rich to stay with me,” Carlyn said, her brows knitting together.

  “Rich is needed elsewhere. You’ll have to put up with me. Now, let’s get you over to the desk to get signed out, then you can be on your way.” Lianne winked at Rich. “Oh my, you’ve been a regular visitor here, haven’t you?” she said, looking down at Carlyn’s chart. “Maybe we should talk about accident prevention.” She glanced at Rich. “You can go, Doc. I’ve got this.”

  Flashing a grateful smile at Lianne, he nodded at Carlyn and quickly left. It was definitely going to be a long day. And right now he needed a strong cup of coffee.

  2

  “That’s the last box, ma’am,” the head mover told Meghan, sliding the huge cardboard box onto the floor of her apartment living room. “We just need you to sign and then we’ll be on our way.

  Meghan wove her way through the maze of boxes that were stacked haphazardly in her brand new apartment, and took the electronic tablet, using the stylus to scribble her name in the box he pointed to. “Thank you,” she said, taking an envelope from her purse and passing it to him. “This is for you and the crew.”

  He winked and slid the envelope in his pocket. “Best of luck in your new home.” Looking over his shoulder, he grinned at the little girl in the small bedroom on the far side. “Hey kid, we’re going. Hope you’re very happy here.”

  Isla looked up from the book she’d been flicking through, her legs curled beneath her as she sat on her newly made up bed. They’d already unpacked most of her room. It had been hard work – because every time they’d opened a box Isla had squealed and insisted on playing with whatever was inside. It was like Christmas had arrived early for her.

  “Bye!” Isla lifted her hand to wave at them. “Thank you.”

  “You have a nice kid,” the mover told her. “Some of them are stinkers. But this one – she’s a good ‘un.”

  Meghan bit down a smile.

  After they’d left, she picked up the three gift bags of cookies she’d brought home from the ice cream parlor and called over her shoulder.

  “Sweetie, let’s go and introduce ourselves to the neighbors,” she said. Isla put her book down and skipped out of her new bedroom.

  There were four apartments on their floor – the tenth. Three of them were identical – hers included. But the fourth stretched across the entire right hand side of the building, overlooking the sparkling blue ocean and pale beach of Angel Sands. It adjoined hers on one side, and on the other her neighbor opposite.

  She knocked on the door of the big apartment first, but there was no answer. Oh well, she’d come back tomorrow with the gift. And she knew for a fact that whoever lived in the apartment opposite was definitely in – she’d seen the door open and close a few times as the movers came and went, as though whoever lived there wanted to know exactly what was going on.

  Sure enough, the door to apartment 10C opened
before she could even knock. A lady with white hair and a huge smile was standing there, her eyes soft as she looked at Isla.

  “Um hi!” Meghan said, holding the gift bag up. “I’m Meghan and this is my daughter, Isla. We just moved in to 10B and wanted to give you something for putting up with all the noise.”

  “You didn’t need to do that.” The lady almost snatched the bag from Meghan’s hands, her smile widening as she saw the cookies inside. “But I’m glad you did. Come on in,” she said, standing back from the door. “I’m Gloria Barker. I’m so happy to finally meet you.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, too, Gloria.” Meghan followed her inside. The apartment mirrored her own, though the furniture was different. “Have you lived here long?”

  “About eight years now.” Gloria walked into the kitchen. “Can I get you a drink? I have sodas and juice, or I can make coffee?”

  “A glass of water would be fine for both of us. Thank you.”

  “Are you new to Angel Sands?” Gloria asked as she carried their drinks to the table at the far side of the living room, motioning for Meghan and Isla to sit down. She passed Isla one of the cookies, and she took it with a grin.

  “Kind of,” Meghan said, taking a sip of her water. Her stomach gurgled as it went down. She hadn’t had a chance to eat or drink much all day thanks to the constant questions of where to put everything. “We were supposed to move in two months ago, but then the flood happened, so we’ve been staying in an extended-stay hotel.”