“You can always refuse.” She heard a rap on the door. “Come in. She turned and nearly slid from the chair. He can’t be here. How had this happened? Why hadn’t she heard? “What are you doing here?” A thread of anger made her voice shrill.
A smile froze on his face. “I’m checking on my new patient. Do you have a problem with that?”
She shook her head. Though seeing him and knowing this would be a daily event, she couldn’t question his medical skills. “I was expecting Dr. Joe.”
“I’m his new partner. Do you have Jon’s records?”
“I gave Cate a disc. They should be in his record here.”
He opened a tablet and spent a few minutes scanning the screen. “They’re here. After my assessment, I’ll read them.”
Suzanna ruffled Jon’s dark curls. “Dr. Winstone is a good doctor. I worked with him at City. Listen to him.”
A puzzled expression appeared on Jon’s face. He looked from her to Caleb. “Okay.”
“I’ll be back with your second dinner.” She brushed past Caleb. Her legs felt rubbery and tears blurred her vision. Now she knew where he’d gone. Her new position had become a challenge she wasn’t sure she could master.
* * *
Caleb turned to watch Suzanna walk from the room. The sight of her, the sound of her voice and her scent made him harder than stone. He wanted to pursue her and talk without another person’s presence. He’d seen anger in her face and her posture. Her eyes had been green glass. Disappointment caused his shoulders to slump. What else could he expect? He’d created the situation.
“Do you know Suz?” Jon asked.
"We worked together at City.”
“Don’t you like her?”
Caleb sucked in a breath. “She’s a good nurse.” He couldn’t tell this young man the reason for the problem.
He checked the tablet and read the notes. Could he ask Joe to see the patient? Cop out. Begging questions. One thing had become clear, his attraction to her hadn’t faded. Until they came to terms on how to deal with each other, life would be interesting. He closed the tablet and walked to the bed.
“Let me do a quick exam.” He had to stay in his professional mode and not ask the questions swarming in his thoughts. He so regretted his shared past with Suzanna. He began the physical exam. As he listened to the boy’s lungs, he noticed the shallowness of the boy’s breathing. “Take a deep breath.”
Fear filled Jon’s eyes. “I can’t.”
“You can. Your ribs have healed. I know you’re afraid of the pain you felt before, but you can do this. Try again."
Jon’s hands fisted. He sucked in a breath. Then he laughed. “It doesn’t hurt.”
“Part of your daily treatment will be to practice deep breathing. Three or four times a day for now. I’ll order a gadget to help you.” He opened the tablet and scrolled down to read the orthopedic surgeon’s notes. “I see swimming is recommended.” He returned to the order sheet and noted the Physical Therapy prescription. Swimming hadn’t been ordered. “Are you afraid of water?”
Jon shook his head. “I can’t swim but I want to learn. There’s no one on staff to act as a lifeguard.”
Like a neon sign, an idea flashed. Volunteer. Volunteer. He maintained his certificate. He’d been captain of the high school swim team and had been a team member in college. “I think I know of a way to help. I’ll have to talk to your doctor and the physical therapist.”
“That would be great. Dr. Rick thought swimming would help strengthen my leg muscles.”
‘I’ll call him.” Caleb finished the exam and wrote orders. When he finished his note, he rose. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Okay.”
Caleb left the room and sought the nurse manager’s office. Cate looked up. “How can I help you, Dr. Winstone?”
“Maybe I can help you.” He sat on the chair across from her desk. “About the swimming exercises for Jon Rollins. I’m certified and could work with him two evenings a week and on either Saturday or Sunday.”
Her brilliant smile triggered one in return. She reached for the phone. “Let me call Rick. He’s been frustrated by our lack of a lifeguard. We thought we had one, but she had to leave because she’s pregnant. Why are you doing this?”
The flash of interest in her eyes made him stare at the floor. “I like the boy.”
“Oh, did you know Suzanna at City?”
He nodded. “She’s an excellent nurse.” She looked as though she had more questions he wasn’t about to answer.
She hit a button on the phone. A moment alter, she spoke. “Rick, Dr. Winstone has an interesting proposition.” She handed him the phone and left the room.
“A proposition?” Rick asked.
Caleb explained what he could do and how often. “I think the boy would benefit. I noticed he’s depressed. He needs a goal. I can give him one. Swimming will strengthen his muscles and also aide his breathing.”
“You’re right. Talk to Mike about specific exercises.” He paused. “Welcome to Eastlake. How are you finding the change?”
“I’ll get used to the slower pace.”
“Takes time. Again, welcome. Would like to know you better. A bunch of us are going to the Pirate’s Cove tomorrow evening for dinner. Why not join us? Several doctors and their wives will be there. The women are part of the Grantley Gang.”
Caleb’s brow wrinkled. Where had he heard about that gang? Suzanna. Would she be there? “What time?”
“Six thirty.”
“Thanks for the invite.”
Alone or with someone?”
“Alone, thanks.”
As Caleb left the room, he nearly crashed into Cate. “Here’s my cell number. Have your PT call me. I’ll start lessons on Sunday.”
“Good enough. Why not Saturday?”
“I’m looking for an apartment.”
“Talk to Janessa. She and her husband bought a house and want to move in before Christmas. They still have a few months left on their apartment lease and want to sublet. A two bedroom in the complex across the street.”
“Thanks. I’m on my way to Peds.”
She glanced at her watch. “Too late. She’s gone for the day.”
“Then tomorrow or Monday.” He released a held breath and prayed this would work.
* * *
Suzanna drove to the house battling conflicted thoughts. Thank heavens for the GPS she’d installed in the van. Thoughts rattled like dice in a metal cup. Why had Caleb Winstone come to Eastlake at the same time as she had? Why, oh why did he have to be a pediatrician she would have to see every day?
From the moment they’d met, she’d been attracted to him. She’d watched him date other nurses. School had allowed her to refuse his offers of dates. Two years had passed before her excuse vanished. Then they went to dinner and she’d fallen in love. A bad choice.
Love had shattered the evening he propositioned her. He’d demanded she abandon her career and move in with him. He would give her everything she could want except marriage. Bitter anger at him and at herself for falling for him had swamped her. That anger had erupted into a no and a slap.
She clenched her teeth. Her feelings for him remained as strong and as conflicted today.
The GPS announced she’d arrived at her destination. She studied the two story red brick building. A large front porch contained covered furniture including a swing. How great, she thought.
Moments after she arrived, the U-Haul pulled into the driveway. She collected the key to the house from the mailbox and directed the men who carried in boxes and the few pieces of furniture from her mother’s apartment she’d decided to keep. The small marble topped table and the cedar chest that had belonged to her grandmother. The boxes contained dishes, linens, clothing and her computer and printer.
While the men worked, she unloaded the SUV. The moment they left, she made a tour of the furnished house. She smiled. The furnishing included the kitchen with the most modern appliances she had eve
r used.
Upstairs, she found three bedrooms. The master bedroom had its own bathroom and there was a second.
Downstairs, she surveyed the room Jon would use as a bedroom until he mastered stairs. Opening into the room and also the hall, she found a bathroom with a small shower.
As she toured her new home, Caleb strode through her thoughts. His cocky smile and dreamy blue eyes seemed to follow her. She fought memories of heated kisses and her near surrender to the sensual caresses. How could she see him every day and not feel the rage she had on their final date?
Her hands clenched, and she catapulted into that moment.
I want to spend as much time with you as I can. Be my mistress. Live with me.”
In that moment her hopes had plunged into the heart of a volcano. They had charred and burned to nothing.
Get over it, she told herself. She wasn’t about to give up her dream job for any reason.
The doorbell rang. Lauren, the owner, of the house had arrived. She hugged Suzanna. “I’m so glad you’re finally here.”
Suzanna stepped back. “It seems like a year since I accepted the job offer.”
“The accident and the worry about your brother must have been draining. I wish you’d asked for help.”
‘I’m used to managing on my own.” She blinked a few tears away. “Life’s on track now.” Hopefully, Caleb’s presence wouldn’t cause another destructive cycle in her life. “Thanks for the offer of the house. Why did you buy the place?”
Lauren laughed. “To prove to a very stubborn man that this rich woman wouldn’t go jetting off. How’s your brother?”
“Settling in.” Suzanna sighed. “I’m worried about his lack of physical improvement. So is he. Being wheelchair bound frustrates him. I hope when he’s discharged, he can enjoy life in a small town.” She led the way to the kitchen. “What would you like to drink? I have coffee, iced tea, soda and juice.”
“I’ll have iced tea.”
“That’s new. You always used to opt for soda.”
Lauren chuckled. “You’re right. Rebellion against my nannies who had all carbonated beverages on their no list. Since my time in all those hot countries, I crave iced tea.”
Suzanna filled a glass with ice and used the single cup coffee maker to brew a drink for herself. “Thanks for this.” The doorbell rang. She answered and greeted Megan and Cate. “Come in. Lauren’s in the kitchen.”
Megan hugged her. “Great place to be. Jenessa and Liz stopped at the Hot Doggery for our dinner. Chili dogs and cheese fries.”
“Can’t wait to taste them.” She led the way to the kitchen. “Help yourselves to drinks.”
Cate used the coffee machine and filled a mug. “Your brother is charming.” She sat at the table. “There’s been an interesting development.”
“What?” three women asked.
“Dr. Winstone came to the office before I left. He’ll be working in the pool with Jon until he’d discharged or one of the PTs becomes certified. Rick is pleased. He thinks this will speed your brother’s recovery.”
Megan grinned. “Is he still hot? He was three years ahead of me in high school and two years behind Alex. They were friends.” She leaned forward. “I believe he’s a Leo. Suzanna, if he is, he would be perfect for you, my Aquarian friend.”
Suzanna shook her head. Why had he done this? She wouldn’t fall for his line again. At one time, she had thought Megan’s predictions were true. Then he’d shown his true nature. “Impossible. I’ve too much going on. A new job and a teen age brother to raise. No men for me.” Especially not Caleb Winstone.
“We’ll see.” Megan winked.
Cate finished her drink. "Let’s help with the unpacking until dinner arrives. Where do you want us?”
“There are boxes in here and the dining room. Also some linens and clothes to go upstairs. Jon’s clothes will go in the dresser in the study. The ones to be hung will go upstairs. Thanks for having the dresser moved down.”
“Made sense,” Lauren said.
“I’ll need to go to the grocery store but thanks for stocking the fridge.”
Lauren laughed. “Have you checked the upright freezer and the pantry in the basement?”
“I haven’t been down.”
“Come with me.”
Suzanna followed her friend. The first thing she saw was the washer and dryer. She cheered. “No more Laundromat.”
“And little shopping to do.” Lauren pointed to the supplies of canned and other staples on the shelves. There were rows of cleaning and laundry supplies as well as paper goods.
“Why?”
“My welcome to Eastlake. I did the same for Liz and Cate when they lived here.”
Suzanna hugged her friend. “Thank you. I never realized how much I missed you all until now.”
“Gets to you, doesn’t it? When I became ill in India, all I could think of was returning to Eastlake.”
“Food’s here.” Someone called from upstairs.
Suzanne dashed up the stairs a few steps behind Lauren. She hugged her remaining friends. “I guess Rick isn’t included in the reunion.”
Cate laughed. “He’s moved on. There’s no reason for us to have a token male.”
Suzanna studied her friends. When she saw Cate’s impish grin, she knew her friend teased. “So, where is he? I missed him when he was in to see Jon.”
“He’s running our daughter to the Community Center to sign her up for the holiday activities. Then they’re going shopping.”
Suzanna turned to Liz. “How are the twins?”
Liz rolled her eyes. “Up to something mysterious with Jeff. I think they’re making Christmas presents in the basement.”
Lauren nodded. “Timmy and Alex are with them.”
Suzanna carried paper plates to the dining room. As a group, they unloaded the food. She placed two foil wrapped chili dogs and a small container of cheesy fries aside for Jon. She took her first bite and sighed. “They’re as great as they were when we gathered at the Hot Doggery after class. I missed them. Tried several in the city but they never tasted the same.”
Lauren laughed. “I dreamed of chili dogs in every country I went with the international health agency. There’s no food in the world to match these.”
Liz chuckled. “My boys would eat them every day.”
Suzanna settled back and listened to her friends’ chatter about families and Eastlake Community. Jenessa talked about how she and Eric had bonded over an attempt by Jim Bishop to force a nurses’ strike. He’d wanted one of his companies to buy the hospital and he could take charge of the large trust fund.
“You should be glad you don’t have to deal with him,” Jenessa said. “He’s ruthless.”
Liz related her arrival of nurse manager of the Orthopedic unit. “Delores did everything she could think of to turn people against me. Then, she forged Jeff’s signature to a prescription for a med that could have killed someone. I still fight her ghost.”
“Even after you fired her?” Jenessa asked.
“Didn’t. She quit. Stormed out after we confronted her. I’m handling her two friends who are left.”
“I’m sure you’ll succeed,” Suzanna said.
Lauren talked about returning to school for her Master’s. “Going part-time only. Most of my hours at the hospital are spent training the nurses in triage.”
Suzanna leaned forward. “Is the ED that busy?”
“With two major highways nearby, sure is. My work in the field came in handy.”
Suzanna turned to Megan. “Where are you working?”
“Oncology for now.” Her voice trailed off.
The tone of her voice troubled Suzanna. Megan’s usual attitude was upbeat and cheerful. Why had her spirits dropped?
Jenessa reached for a fry. “Tomorrow evening, we’re going to the Pirate’s Cove for dinner. Join us.”
Megan nodded. “Come so I won’t be the only one flying solo.”
“Really,” Cate said. “
What happened to the drug rep?”
Megan wrinkled her nose. “I’m not into one night stands whenever he’s in town.”
Suzanna leaned forward. “I’ll come. What time.”
“We’re meeting at six thirty,” Liz said.
“Attire?”
“No jeans,” Cate said. “Nothing formal. Say casual dressy.”
Suzanna nodded. “I have just the outfit. I’ll meet you there after I spend time with Jon.” She rose and collected the paper plates.
Before long the others located the boxes to unpack. Three of them carried the cedar chest up to the master bedroom. Lauren moved the coat tree to the other side of the foyer and placed the marble table. She found a vase of silk flowers for the top.
Within an hour, all was in order. The gang left. “See you tomorrow,” Suzanna called.
She went inside, zapped the dogs and fries. After loading them into an insulated bag, she left to visit her brother.
Chapter 3
On Saturday morning, Caleb opted for breakfast in the kitchen with Mabel, who’d given him more pleasant memories during his childhood and teen years than any member of the family, rather than face one or both of his parents. She turned from the stove when he entered the kitchen and he noticed the gray now streaking her brown hair. “Your usual?”
He nodded and filled a mug with coffee. “Are they in there?”
She nodded. “And you really should sit with them, but you always did prefer the kitchen.” She slid two eggs on a plate and added strips of crisp bacon. “You’ll need to face them sooner or later.”
“Not on an empty stomach.” He winked at the older woman who’d always listened to his failures and triumphs without passing judgment.
“We’re always glad to have you home.”
“I’m glad to be back in town but I’m going to find an apartment.”
"Makes sense. They’re going to be upset.”
“I know.” He used the toast to mop the plate and finished his coffee. “Guess I’d better face them. Breakfast was great.”
The Leo-Aquarius Connection Page 3
