Doctor's Orders Box Set (Babies in the Bargain, Right Name, Wrong Man, No More Lies)

by Risk, Mona

  “Only Mom came. I asked her not to tell my father. For three months I couldn’t get myself to say anything to him.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I was afraid to disappoint him.”

  “Did you think that he would stop loving you because you made a mistake?”

  “Uh, no, but...yes.” She looked into Luc’s eyes and saw the parallel he was establishing. She was still afraid to lose someone’s love now because of a past mistake. “I see what you’re getting at.”

  Luc shook his head and smiled. “You are a patient, right now. Leave the diagnosis to me.” Serious again, he nodded for her to continue.

  “Dad noticed that I was depressed. He thought it was due to flunking my exams.” She bit her lip and lowered her head. Dear Dad. She’d always been the apple of his eye. “He tried to reassure me that the next year would be better at UC.” Thinking about her father and his kindness brought a surge of tickling to her eyes. She blinked several times to suppress her tears.

  “When I started crying, he knew there was something else and gently probed. I spilled the whole thing in one breath.”

  Luc hadn’t stopped studying her features while she poured out her soul. He probably reached his conclusion as he jotted some notes on his pad. “And your dad understood, right?”

  She chuckled, a laugh that sounded bitter to her ears. “First, he said he was going to kill the son of a bitch. Then he wanted to sue him. Then he took me in his arms and said he couldn’t wait to be a grandfather. He and Mom tried their best to make me forget my Chicago experience. They lavished me with tenderness. Later, they took excellent care of Melissa.”

  “Did they worry about the opinion of their friends and neighbors?”

  “Not really. Mom cut the gossip by saying it was an unfortunate but lovely mistake. And nobody dared to question her. My dad was the town’s respected pediatrician.” Olivia shrugged and dismissed the idea with a flip of her hand. “I went to school at UC. For four years, I drove back and forth. When I was accepted into medical school, we realized I wouldn’t have the time to drive. Dad rented an apartment for me.”

  Luc didn’t comment. He’d seen her little studio. A very impersonal place with no pictures or signs of a daughter.

  “You didn’t try to take Melissa with you?”

  “It wouldn’t have been fair to transplant her from the comfortable big house in the countryside to a tiny apartment in downtown Cincinnati. Her loving grandmother was always home for her while I’d have had to leave her with babysitters. The arrangement was hard on me but so much better for her. And the school system was by far more superior in our small town than in downtown Cincinnati.”

  “Why did you choose to keep your daughter a secret from your friends?”

  She fidgeted, annoyed by the question. “I told you, I was afraid. Someone may have known a friend of a friend of Jeremy’s. I just couldn’t take any chances at him finding out about Melissa’s existence.”

  “And when we dated?” He arched his brows, his gaze fixed on her.

  “Stop here, Luc. You’re getting personal. I won’t discuss my relationships. Any of them.” She crossed her arms, in full control of her emotions now.

  “Them?” His eyes narrowed under his scowl.

  “Luc!”

  “Okay.” His hand raised, he pacified her with a conciliatory gesture. “But you did tell McMillan at one point in time, yes?”

  “When I accepted the position at CUH, I mentioned I had a daughter. I didn’t volunteer any information. No one asked details about my private life. Tony knew of course.”

  “And now? Would you worry about people, I mean, friends or colleagues meeting Melissa?”

  She thought about the question carefully. “Now?” She bit her lip, thinking about Melissa’s loveliness and maturity. “No, I really don’t mind.”

  “But you worried when I found out?”

  She shrugged. “Only because it triggered too many questions on your part. Otherwise, I’m proud to introduce her to my acquaintances.”

  “Good.” Luc relaxed against the back of his chair and smiled. “I agree with you. I would be very proud of her if she were mine.” He leaned forward. “What if someone, a friend of Jeremy’s or a relative of his, recognizes her?”

  She fixed a questioning look on him. “The grandfather?”

  “Yes.”

  “I don’t want him to...to make contact with her. I can’t even stand the idea.”

  “Why, Olivia? The old man would not hurt her.”

  Luc was right. Rutherford Senior would cherish his only great-granddaughter. “He seemed to like her a lot. He’d probably love her if he knew her identity.” Olivia rubbed her throat, a new guilt spiking her heart.

  “If the grandfather offers his protection and affection to Melissa would you accept it?”

  Would she accept the old man’s affection for her daughter? Olivia laced her hands together and swallowed. Would she let him grant them his protection against Jeremy?

  She closed her eyes, thinking hard about this new facet of the situation.

  Yes, she should.

  She opened her eyes and stared at Luc. He was a damn good psychiatrist. “I think I’m going to talk to Melissa.”

  “Are you sure you are up to it?”

  “I can’t afford to wait too long. I need one more session with you to plan what I will say. I want her relaxed and in a good mood when I talk to her. This weekend I’ll take her shopping for her party. I’ll spoil her. New dress, shoes, purse, whatever she wants. A whole weekend for her.”

  “You will talk to her after the father-daughter dance?”

  “Yes. After the dance.” She wouldn’t spoil her daughter’s fun. Olivia was sure Luc would be a father to be proud of, a welcome contrast to Jeremy, when Melissa found out about her natural father.

  The session was over. Olivia stood to leave and stole a glance at Luc’s handsome face while he scribbled on his pad. A dark strand of hair curled on his forehead when he bent his head. Yes, a father to be proud of. And a husband to...

  The white shirt draped across his broad shoulders, stretching over the firm pecs. She licked her lips and suppressed the urge to touch and rub and feel.

  He raised his head, his gaze straying toward her. Hunger simmered in his eyes.

  She took a step forward.

  “We are done for today.” He averted his gaze, gathered his papers, and turned toward the door with a grunt.

  Was he avoiding her? Now, when she wanted him so badly?

  No way. She had to do something. Fast.

  Tomorrow she’d call the school and volunteer her help during the father-daughter dance. And while buying things for Melissa, she’d choose a sophisticated dress for herself.

  She wanted to share Melissa’s fun but wouldn’t tell Luc. An expert at keeping secrets, she lowered her lashes to hide her new longing and hoped he’d enjoy her surprise.

  Be honest. What do you really want?

  To be around Luc.

  To feel and act like an attractive woman in a non-professional setting.

  Could she lure him back to the idea of love, commitment and marriage?

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Today is the day.

  Luc smacked his fist against his palm several times. He’d been preparing for Jeremy’s interview for the last ten days. He’d read similar cases, studied different patients’ symptoms, diagnoses and treatments, and was pretty sure he’d numbed any personal feelings. He checked the clock on the wall. Jeremy would be here in an hour. One last thing to do, notify Olivia to stay out of the way.

  Luc reached for the phone, then thought better of it. He’d go to her office and tell her about Jeremy’s appointment for this afternoon. He hadn’t seen her today and missed her presence.

  What was the matter with him?

  Why would he seek her today when he’d made every effort to avoid her for the past week? He needed some space to sort out his feelings and understand hers before he co
uld come up with a decision concerning a possible relationship.

  He’d thought it would be easy enough to stay away from her with both of them extremely busy since McMillan’s departure. Oddly enough, he’d bumped into her in every corner of the building, as if she’d done it on purpose to test his self-control.

  Last week, when he drove away from her apartment, he’d come to the conclusion that Olivia was not a person he could play games with. Now, he was tired of quelling his feelings, frustrated at reining his lust and supremely upset at himself for his stupid suggestion of a fling.

  A fling. To think of it, he really hated this word.

  He strolled to the end of the hallway and knocked on her door.

  “Come in.”

  He walked in and stopped in front of her desk. Olivia was working on her computer, just like the first time he’d seen her in her office. She stood, came toward him and dazzled him with a lovely smile.

  “Luc, a pleasure to see you. You’ve been practically invisible this past week.”

  “Bonjour.” Was it his imagination? Her eyes seemed brighter, their almond shape accentuated by a skillful dark line, her eyelids painted in light green. Had she been using mascara before? He’d never paid attention. Today she was a knockout, with a brush of pink on her cheeks and moist lipstick on her mouth.

  And she wore a dress. A fluffy silk dress that skimmed her knees and fluttered around her legs. The moss green color enhanced the golden streaks of her hair.

  “I...I...” Coming here was not a good idea after all.

  Olivia waited for him to continue his sentence. Smiling and serene, and not helping at all. He had to say something. He looked at the wall for inspiration and noticed a silver frame. She’d kept his first gift all this time, hanging right in front of her desk. His blood raced a little faster. “You still have the painting of the Eiffel Tower?”

  “It’s been here for years.”

  How had he missed it the two times he’d come to her office? Easily. The first time he had eyes only for Olivia after such a long separation, and the second time he’d been struck by Melissa’s resemblance to Jeremy.

  “It’s so pretty, isn’t it?” She smiled coyly. “I wanted something French in my office. A reminder of my French boyfriend.”

  Luc swallowed hard. His Adam’s apple somersaulted in his throat and knocked the air out of his lungs. If he didn’t know better, he’d swear she was flirting with him. He perched his hip against the desk and laid his hand on it as he shook free of the ludicrous thought. The word flirt didn’t exist in Olivia’s vocabulary. Not the Olivia he knew ten years ago, and even less the one he’d found now when he returned.

  “It is very pretty.” Mon Dieu, she was the one à croquer. Pretty, good enough to eat. “Your dress is...trés jolie.”

  Merde. He’d stuttered. Him? The suave Frenchman accomplished at flattering women with twirling sentences.

  “Thank you.” Olivia stepped closer and put her hand on his.

  His whole body hardened.

  Good thing the mothers were not invited to the dance. Olivia in an evening dress would tempt a saint out of chastity. And Luc’s recent chastity weighed heavily on his senses.

  He needed Olivia. Body, mind and soul. He stared at her hand, cradled it and sucked in a deep breath, before releasing her. Now was the wrong time to play with fire.

  He rammed his hands into his pockets and straightened, recalling his self-control stat.

  “I came to tell you that I will meet with Jeremy at three o’clock.”

  Olivia’s hand flew to her throat. She sobered up, her lovely smile wiped off her face at the imminence of the dreadful meeting. Her lower lip puckered, covering the upper one as she opened wide eyes. A mix of fear, anger and insecurity seethed in her aqua gaze. “I better leave right away. Before...” She lowered her eyelids. “I’m picking up Melissa and we’re going shopping. Thank you for taking care of this.”

  He hated himself for spoiling her joyful mood.

  “Have fun. Give Melissa a hug from me.”

  “I will.” She gathered her purse in haste, yanked her raincoat from the coat rack and opened the door. He followed her and waited for her to lock her office.

  “Everything will be fine.”

  She didn’t answer. He walked her to the main door of the building, wondering if she’d even heard his reassuring words, then he stopped by his office to collect Jeremy’s file before heading to the Crisis Center. He settled in the consultation room and waited for his new patient—the curse of Olivia’s life.

  ****

  By three fifteen, Luc shrugged and stood. He wasn’t going to worry if Jeremy was a no-show today. Just as he made up his mind not to waste more time, the door opened.

  Jeremy Rutherford entered. Head high, a confident smile on his face, the man walked in as if he were visiting an old acquaintance and extended his hand. “Jeremy Rutherford. Dr. Lucien, a pleasure to meet you.”

  Luc shook his hand and shoved away the thought that he was dealing with the man responsible for Olivia’s misery. He surveyed Jeremy with an inquisitive look. “Please, have a seat.”

  Dressed in an expensive polo shirt, tailored slacks, and shiny black loafers, Jeremy was handsome, well built, a sportsman for sure, the type women fell for at first sight. No one could mistake him for a patient. But Luc had seen it all.

  Jeremy sank in the chair and folded his left leg over his right knee. “I’m here only to please my grandfather. To be honest he’s the one who should have his head examined. But he’s eighty-five. I guess it’s considered normal to become senile at that age.” Jeremy threw his head backward and burst out laughing.

  Luke ignored the unsavory joke and raucous laughter. “My understanding is you need a diagnosis to be cleared of abuse charges.”

  Jeremy flipped the air with his hand. “Not to worry. I have the best lawyers for that.”

  Luc extracted a printed form from under his pad and handed it to Jeremy with a pen. “We need you to sign here.”

  “What’s this?”

  “Your consent for evaluation and therapy. I can go through it with you if you want.”

  Jeremy tapped his palm on the desk. “Hey, I’m here just because the old man threatened to cut me out of his will. You can evaluate all you want, but I’m not going through lengthy therapy. I’m saner than you are.” His mouth twitched as he sneered. He lowered his leg and scraped his shoes against the carpet with a rasping noise that grated on Luc’s ears.

  “I can’t start this session without your signature.” Resting his elbows on the arms of the chair, Luc clenched his fingers and feigned indifference. He’d be delighted if Jeremy decided to leave.

  “You’re wasting my time,” Jeremy bellowed, his smooth veneer melting away under pressure.

  “Likewise,” Luc said, his voice impassive. “You can leave anytime, sir.”

  “Hey, you know I can’t. I need my grandfather’s money.”

  The grandfather had been right. Money, the ultimate stimulant for good behavior, would keep Jeremy here. Luc nodded. “These are official procedures.”

  “Fine. Give me the damn paper.” He scribbled his name without reading the terms and conditions. “Go ahead, start.”

  “What prompted you to come here, Mr. Rutherford?” Luc drew little lines on the pad to while away the time and keep his patience in check.

  “I told you.” Jeremy exhaled loudly. “The old man...”

  “What events triggered Mr. Rutherford to ask you to come to us?” Luc lowered his eyes for a glimpse at his watch. At this rate he’d be here all night.

  “Didn’t he tell you?” Jeremy was determined to be difficult.

  Luc suppressed a sigh and shook his head. This was going to be a continuous battle if Jeremy didn’t cooperate. “Only what you tell me counts. I am not interested in the stories of other people.”

  “So you’re going to believe only what I say.” Jeremy smirked. “Hey, I like that. Okay, here’s my story. The usual.�
�� He rotated his ruby ring around his finger. “I met this woman, Greta. A Swedish beauty. Great shape. Legs to die for. Blue eyes—”

  “Just the events, please.” Luc wrote Greta on his pad.

  “We dated for a couple of years. I treated her nicely. Gave her everything she could dream of. She was happy with me. But what d’you know. The little tramp became greedy, wanted more. She stopped taking her pill to trap me into marriage.” He narrowed his eyes, anger gushing with his words. “And I don’t like to be trapped.”

  “What did you do?” Luc asked as he jotted a single word again, trap.

  Jeremy shrugged. “I got angry, of course.”

  “And what did you do?”

  “Well what do you expect an angry man to do when he’s very upset?”

  “Tell me exactly what happened.” Upset. Another word to add on the pad.

  “If you insist. But I warn you. This is confidential. You can’t go to the cops with this information.”

  “Everything you say here is confidential. I am your doctor.”

  “Good. So I got upset. I slapped her and told her to get an abortion. I was good enough to give her the address of a doctor who’d helped a few friends before. She argued we should keep the baby and get married. The trap.”

  Luc’s throat constricted. It was almost Olivia’s story unfolding.

  “You see what I mean. I got very upset, and beat the hell out of her to teach her a lesson. The next day I discovered she’d run away. With my money.” He flipped his hand. “I didn’t care about the money, as long as I didn’t see her again. The bitch went to the police. Can you imagine she filed a complaint against me, after I’d pampered her for two years?”

  “Have you ever thought about having a child, Jeremy?” Luc squinted at his patient as he waited for the answer. How would Jeremy feel if he discovered he had a daughter now?

  “What would I do with a child? It can be such a nuisance. My parents were never around to take care of me. I was raised by nannies. None of them stayed long.”

  Hmm, would that explain Jeremy’s behavior? Luc scribbled raised by nannies.