by Laura Iding
A baseball game. A family event. Nothing special. Certainly not something he wouldn’t have hesitated to invite anyone to. Hadn’t he just said the patients even joined the fun?
“Sure.” Her house wasn’t all that far from the park. And the game might help Ben take his mind off his broken arm. Her son was already starting to chafe at the restrictions. “We live so close to the park we can walk over to watch.”
“Great.” Seth’s fingers brushed hers, and she told herself not to be an idiot—the touch was likely by accident. “I’ll look forward to seeing you this weekend, then, if not before.”
If not before? For a moment she didn’t understand his comment, but then belatedly realized he meant he’d see her at work. When she brought in another patient to the ED, as she had the first day they’d met. It hadn’t even been a full week since they’d taken care of their female heart attack patient together, and yet she already felt as if she’d known him much longer than that.
Her problem, not his. “Bye, Seth.” She turned and walked away before she made a bigger fool of herself than she had already.
Seth was just being nice. Taking pity on a single mother with a young son who were new to the area and didn’t know many people in the community yet.
Reading anything further into his casual invitation to watch the hospital baseball game was just asking for trouble.
CHAPTER FIVE
SETH didn’t see Kylie again until Wednesday, toward the end of his shift. A page had come, regarding a motorcycle crash, and when she arrived with the patient a few minutes later he realized her unit must have been the first responder to the scene.
“Nineteen-year-old male with multiple contusions and road rash. Also has a right broken tibia.”
Kylie spoke calmly and succinctly as she reported. He admired the way she kept her head in an emergency.
“We kept him on the long board to rule out back or neck injuries. He was wearing a helmet. He woke up during transport and has been answering questions appropriately.”
From the extent of the road rash, he could see riding a motorcycle in shorts and a T-shirt wasn’t smart. The guy was lucky he’d been wearing the helmet or he would have been in far worse shape. Seth stepped forward to take charge of the patient, although it seemed Kylie had things pretty much under control.
“All right, let’s get a full set of labs and vital signs. Then get ready for a trip to the scanner.”
“I suspect he might have a history of seizures,” Kylie murmured in a low undertone, as if she didn’t want the patient to overhear. “When we arrived at the scene I thought for sure he looked postictal. But when I asked him about having a seizure disorder on the ride over he denied it.”
He lifted a brow. “Hmm. I don’t think he’s supposed to be riding a motorcycle if he has a seizure disorder. And it makes me wonder if a seizure is what caused the crash,” he mused. Turning to the nurse who held the numerous lab tubes in her hand, he added, “Make sure they run a full tox screen. I want to know if he has any medication in his system.”
“Maybe this is a new onset of seizures?” Kylie asked with a perplexed frown.
“Not very likely. Although I guess anything is possible. I’ll know more when we get his labs back.”
Seth liked the way Kylie stayed around after bringing her patient into the ED. She didn’t do a dump and run, like many of the other paramedics did. She made sure every aspect of the care was fully transferred over to the hospital staff and all questions answered before leaving.
They found the patient’s ID and discovered his name was Dustin O’Malley. Seth knew the kid’s parents—mostly because John O’Malley was in charge of the local hardware store and had helped Michael with some renovations on his house. He’d thought Dustin had gone off to college, but apparently the young man was home for the summer. He asked for Dustin’s medical records to see what his history might be. Sure enough, Seth read that Dustin did have a well-documented seizure disorder.
Did his parents even realize he’d bought a motorcycle?
Dustin was lucky. He’d escaped without too serious an injury. But next time a seizure at the wrong moment could cost him his life.
Once Seth was satisfied that Dustin’s vital signs were stable, he sent him off to get a CT scan of his entire body.
He checked on another patient while Dustin was in Radiology. When he returned to the trauma bay Kylie was loading the long board onto the paramedic gurney. Quickening his pace, he caught her arm before she could leave. “Hey, wait a minute. How did Ben’s eye appointment go?”
She smiled, but he noticed her eyes were shadowed with worry. “The appointment was fine, except Dr. Greenley saw something that might be abnormal and he wants to make sure it doesn’t get any worse. We have to go back for a follow-up visit in another week.”
Something abnormal? Like maybe a detached retina? He’d been worried about that himself, it was no wonder she was concerned. “I’m sure he’ll be fine,” he reassured her. He almost offered to go with her to the follow-up appointment, but caught himself in the nick of time. What was he thinking? There was no reason for him to go to Ben’s appointment. Bad enough he’d invited her and Ben to Saturday’s game.
“Yes, he’ll be fine,” she repeated, although she didn’t sound convinced.
He fought the insane urge to pull her into his arms. The day of their lunch meeting he’d been tempted to kiss her. There was something about Kylie that had gotten under his skin. He needed to get his inappropriate physical reaction to her under control, and fast.
“Well, if you need something let me know.”
She looked surprised by his offer, and he inwardly cursed, realizing he wasn’t doing a very good job of hiding his feelings.
In the past it had always been easy to keep women at arm’s length. So why this strange urge to force himself into Kylie’s life?
Before she could respond, Nanette Drake, a pretty paramedic with bright red hair, whom he’d dated a couple of times in the past, came up and put a casual arm around his waist in a half hug. “Hey, Romeo, long time no see. How are you?”
“Romeo?” Kylie echoed with an arched brow.
Damn. He really detested that nickname. It had been started by an ICU nurse, Rachel, who’d been upset by his no-strings rule. Showing his aversion to the nickname, however, would only encourage people to use it more. So he kept his mouth shut, although it wasn’t easy.
Especially now, beneath Kylie’s slightly accusing stare.
“Romeo because our Seth Taylor has quite the reputation with the ladies,” Nanette teased.
He knew Nanette wasn’t being purposefully mean, but he wished she’d shut up.
“Oh, really?” Kylie murmured, taking a step back, as if she wanted to leave.
“No. Not really. Nanette likes to exaggerate.” He glanced away, not wanting Kylie to see the truth in his eyes. He’d never apologized for being who he was, and he didn’t intend to start now. No matter how much it irritated him to have Kylie thinking the worst.
His pager went off, announcing the arrival of another patient. “Excuse me, ladies, I need to go. I’ll see you Saturday, Kylie. Nanette, don’t tell her too many unflattering stories about me.”
“Only the true ones,” Nanette promised with a laugh.
He scowled, seeing the withdrawal in Kylie’s eyes moments before she turned away to head back out to the paramedic rig.
Yeah. Only the true ones. That was exactly what he was afraid of.
“Seth is a nice guy, but not the kind of man you want to get involved with,” Nanette said as they loaded their gear inside the ambulance. “He’s the type who plays the field, never getting serious about one woman.”
“I’m not looking to get involved,” Kylie said, desperately trying to think of a way to change the subject. She really, really didn’t want to hear the details of what had transpired between Nanette and Seth. “After my son Ben’s father left, I learned it was better not to count on anyone but myself.”<
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“Ben’s father ran off on you?” Nanette’s sympathetic gaze caught hers. “What a jerk.”
Kylie shrugged. What could she say? Tristan had been a jerk. “I’m over it. Honestly I’d rather be alone than have to share custody of Ben with some guy who’d resent every moment.”
“I can certainly understand that. And I give you credit,” Nanette said. “It can’t be easy raising a child alone.”
No, it wasn’t easy. But since she’d moved to Cedar Bluff her worry ratio had diminished considerably. After the horrible crime she’d experienced firsthand in Chicago, the nice, laid-back atmosphere of the town was perfect for them. Even the hospital had a calmer atmosphere than Chicago General. There were still times late at night when she’d wake up, her heart pounding from the all too familiar nightmare, but all she had to do was to open her window and gaze up at the stars, fill her head with the scent of fresh clean air and she felt better.
Even considering Ben’s recent accident with his bike, she was glad she’d made the move.
She didn’t need a man in her life. All she needed was a safe, secure place to raise her child. And, luckily for her, Ben had adapted to their new home with an easy flexibility.
Thankfully, Nanette dropped the subject of Seth as they made their way back to base. Still, their interaction at the hospital lingered in her mind. Romeo. It just figured the first guy she’d been attracted to since Tristan left would have to be a man who’d earned the nickname Romeo. Which was exactly why she needed to stay away from him.
Nanette had hugged Seth with the familiarity of old friends, but clearly her partner had spent some time with Seth on a personal basis. She had no reason to doubt Nanette’s claim that Seth was known for dating lots of women and committing to none. Hadn’t she sensed the same thing about him after their first meeting?
Better to know the truth now than to find out later, once she was emotionally involved. Seth was exactly the type of guy she needed to avoid.
She’d promised to go to the baseball game and she would—but only because Ben would enjoy the outing. She’d be polite to Seth. Friendly. She could certainly use friends as she built a new life for herself and for Ben here in Cedar Bluff.
Satisfied with her decision, Kylie used her downtime between patient runs to work on setting up a demonstration of the hypothermia machine.
Work helped to keep her focused on what was important.
The following Saturday, Kylie realized she’d underestimated the appeal of the annual hospital baseball game. Cedar Bluff Park was jam-packed with people. If she and Ben hadn’t walked the short distance from her house they would never have found a parking space.
As it was, the game was already underway as she and Ben found seats on the doctors’ side of the bench. She sat next to a woman named Marla—her daughter, Raelynn, and Ben were in the same day care center. After exchanging quick greetings, she turned her attention to the game. The nurses must have been first up at bat, because they were already winning two to nothing.
She’d never figure out how Seth had managed to pick her and Ben out of the crowd, but shortly after she and Ben got settled in their seats he jogged over to greet them.
He looked great. Better than great. Wonderful. Sexy.
Her heart stumbled in her chest, and she had to look away so he wouldn’t see the stark longing in her gaze.
Romeo, she reminded herself. Seth wasn’t interested in relationships. He wasn’t there to see her. He was just being nice.
Friendly.
“Hi, Kylie, Ben.” Seth wore a bright blue T-shirt that said “MD” on the back. The nurses were in matching red shirts with “RN” on the back. “Glad you could make it.”
“I said we would,” she responded, trying not to sound defensive. “And you told me the nurses always got more support.” She swept a skeptical glance over the packed sidelines. “I’d say the support is about even.”
“The crowd is larger than last year,” Seth admitted. He caught her gaze with his. “Will you and Ben wait for me after the game? There’s a whole group of us going out for pizza afterwards.”
“Yeah, Mom. Pizza!” Ben shouted with glee.
She silently damned him for asking in front of Ben. If she declined, she’d be the bad guy, left to explain to a six-year-old why they couldn’t go. The last thing she wanted to do right now was to spend more time with Seth. But at the same time she couldn’t remember the last time Ben had been so excited. A friendly gathering after the game would hardly be personal if everyone else was going, too.
She finally relented, unwilling to disappoint Ben. “Sure. I guess.”
“Great.” Seth’s gaze flared with pleasure, despite her less than enthusiastic tone, and warning bells went off in her mind, making her shift uncomfortably in her seat. Why did she suddenly feel as if she’d accepted an invitation to go out on a date with him? Marla’s quick smile didn’t help her feel any better. Cedar Bluff wasn’t exactly a big place. Surely the rumors would start buzzing if she was seen out with Seth? Just what she didn’t need.
Vowing to make sure she sat by someone else, she almost didn’t hear him say, “I’ll see you after the game, then.”
“Sure. Good luck.” She shadowed her eyes with her hand as Seth jogged back over to the dugout.
“He’s next up at bat, Mom,” Ben pointed out, as Seth picked up a bat and took several practice swings.
“I see him, Ben.” She wished she didn’t. Because watching Seth’s backside as he waited for the pitch was a little too intriguing.
The pitcher—one of the nurses who’d managed to strike out the first batter—took her time, as if attempting to psych Seth out. Finally she threw the ball and Seth swung at the first pitch, hitting the ball dead center with a loud crack, sending it sailing over the nurses’ heads. The nurses in the backfield took off running, but their efforts were in vain as the ball flew well out of their range.
Ben shouted at the top of his lungs as Seth ran the bases. Seth flashed them a cheeky grin and waved as he ran past the third base marker, then slid into home with a flourish.
The nurses’ side of the bench groaned, while the physicians’ side cheered.
“A home run! Did you see that, Mom?” Ben’s voice was full of awe. “Dr. Seth hit a home run.”
“I saw it,” she replied absently. Unfortunately she couldn’t seem to tear her gaze away from him as Seth’s teammates congratulated him with a series of high fives and he headed toward the dugout.
He went down into the dugout, disappearing from view and breaking the invisible hold he had on her. Taking a deep breath, she swallowed hard. She was in trouble. Deep trouble. She liked Seth. Too much.
Staring at her feet, she tried to think of a way to get out of the post-game pizza party. As much as she didn’t want to disappoint Ben, she needed to protect herself.
She’d been alone for a long time. Any man’s attention would probably make her feel this way. Maybe she needed a fling with some other guy? Someone who could take her mind off a certain rather athletic ED physician.
Ben was oblivious to her discomfort as he continued to loudly cheer for Seth’s team.
The game was tied at the bottom of the last inning. Still seated on the doctors’ side of the bench, Kylie found she was impressed at how well the nurses held their own—especially when men dominated the physician players. Beside her, Marla was rooting almost as loudly as Ben, and she soon figured out her husband must be on Seth’s team.
Seth was up at bat again, and the nurses’ team had sent in a relief pitcher to give the previous one a break. He stood in the batter’s box, waiting for the pitch. The first ball went way wide, nowhere near his bat, so he didn’t swing. The pitcher tried again. This time her pitch went wild in the opposite direction, heading straight for Seth. He ducked to avoid getting hit, but too late.
Kylie heard a loud thunk as the ball hit him, the sound carrying all the way to her seat. For a long moment he stood there, but then slowly sank to his knees, h
is hand cradling his head.
Her heart jumped into her throat.
One minute he was thinking about slamming the ball over the back fence to win the game, and the next he was lying flat on his back, staring up at the sunny sky.
His jaw throbbed. Seth squinted against the brightness, gradually remembering what had happened. Rachel’s second pitch had gone wild, smacking him in the face.
Rachel also just happened to be the nurse who’d gifted him the Romeo moniker. Had she hit him on purpose? Nah, he didn’t really think so. Pushing aside the well-meaning doctors and nurses who’d gathered around, he sat up, gingerly sliding his jaw back and forth. Man, he hoped nothing was broken. Like his mandible or his teeth.
“Seth? My gosh, are you all right?”
Kylie’s earnest expression was a little fuzzy as she hovered over him, but knowing she’d rushed to his side when he was injured made him want to smile. If his face hadn’t hurt so much, that was. “Fine,” he said in a gruff tone, embarrassed by all the attention.
He’d have felt better if he’d gotten smacked after hitting a game-winning home run.
She helped him upright, and damned if he didn’t feel a little dizzy. He tried to brush off the sensation, but as he took a step found himself leaning against Kylie.
He heard the umpire making arrangements for a pinch hitter to take his place. He wanted to protest—because, darn it, he’d wanted to be the one to score the win.
“Just sit down here for a minute,” Kylie was saying, as she led him down the few steps into the shaded area of the dugout.
“I’m fine,” he said, taking the seat farthest away at the end, to stay out of the other players’ way. “I just feel stupid—like I should have been able to avoid getting hit.”
“Why? Because you think you’re Superman or something?” she asked in an exasperated tone.
He didn’t notice who’d taken his turn at bat. He was too focused on Kylie. In her casual clothes, jeans and a tight-fitting short-sleeved shirt, she looked beautiful. “You mean I’m not?” he said lightly.
