by Laura Iding
Her hesitation didn’t help his ego any. After what seemed like an hour, but was probably only a few minutes, she nodded. “Sure. We could do that.”
He willed his tense muscles to relax. “I’ll call you, okay? Besides, I’d like to check up on Ben—to see how he’s doing.”
“All right.” He was glad when she smiled.
“Take care, Kylie.” He wanted to pull her into his arms for a kiss, but figured that might be pushing it, considering Ben was sleeping right there. It would be just his luck the boy would wake up at the wrong moment.
“Bye, Seth.” She didn’t move toward him, but stayed right beside Ben, so he forced himself to leave.
But walking away from Kylie and Ben was far more difficult than he’d ever imagined.
The ED was busy over the next few days, but Seth didn’t forget about Kylie or Ben. In fact he hated the thought of Kylie going to see Greenley on Thursday. What if the guy asked her out again and this time she decided to go? Maybe she’d think Greenley was a better risk for a relationship than he was? The possibility haunted him, so he called her the night before the follow-up appointment.
“Hi, Seth.” He hoped he wasn’t imagining the warmth in her voice. “Ben has been asking about you.”
“He has?” The knowledge that Ben had missed him brought a surge of tenderness to his heart. Although he’d rather know that Kylie had missed him. “I’m off work tomorrow. Would you like company for Ben’s doctor’s appointment?”
“No. I’m sure you have other things to do with your day off,” Kylie chided. “However, if things do go well tomorrow, I was thinking of booking a babysitter for Friday night.”
Friday night? His heart leaped with anticipation. But wait, he was supposed to work Friday night. Thankfully there were a few people who owed him a favor. He’d never maneuvered a night off before. Hadn’t ever found a woman important enough to work around his hectic schedule.
“Unless you’ve changed your mind about dinner,” Kylie said, misinterpreting his silence.
“Not a chance,” he assured her. “I’d love to take you to dinner Friday. I was supposed to work, but I’m pretty sure I can switch with someone.”
“Oh, I should have thought to ask,” Kylie said. “If you can’t find someone to switch we’ll go another day. It’s not a big deal.”
He vehemently disagreed. Dinner with Kylie was a very big deal. Since he was supposed to work Saturday, too, he didn’t suggest a different night. “It should be no problem. I’ll call you tomorrow, just to confirm.”
“Sounds good.” There was a pause before she asked, “Ben wants to say hi.”
“Sure. Put him on.” There was a brief silence as the phone switched hands.
“Dr. Seth? How are you?”
Ben’s childish voice caused a lump to form in the back of his throat. “I’m great, but the better question is how are you? No more feeling sick to your stomach, I hope?”
“Nope. I’m all better. Except Mom won’t let me play outside with my friends.”
He lifted a brow at the querulous note in Ben’s voice. Poor Kylie had really had her hands full in trying to get Ben to rest. He found himself wanting to help in any way he could. “Ben, your mother is following the doctor’s orders. You’re not supposed to play outside with your friends. Not until we know your eye is fully recovered.”
“It doesn’t hurt, so it must already be fully recovered.”
“Pain isn’t the only thing to worry about. Remember when you had blurry vision?”
“Yeah,” Ben agreed reluctantly.
“Give your mom a break. If you behave yourself and listen to your mom, I’ll take you to the Packers-Bears game in Chicago next weekend.”
“Really?” Ben’s enthusiasm radiated through the phone line. “That would be so cool!”
Now that he thought about it, he realized he should have talked to Kylie about it first. “Ah, you’d better let me ask your mom about it, okay? I don’t know how she’s going to feel about going to a football game.”
“She’ll love it,” Ben said confidently. “Football is awesome. Here’s my mom. Bye, Dr. Seth.”
When Kylie came back on the line, he tried to think of an easy way to broach the subject. She was smart enough to figure out he’d overstepped his bounds, though.
“Seth, what did you just bribe Ben with?” she asked in an exasperated tone. “He’s promising to be good, but at the same time he’s hopping around like a jumping bean.”
“Kylie, don’t be upset. It just so happens I have tickets to the Packers-Bears game in Chicago next weekend. I thought it would be fun if the three of us went together.”
There was a long pause. “Seth, it’s not that I’m against attending a football game, but Chicago is a pretty long drive. I don’t think it’s a good idea. Especially considering Ben starts his first day of school the very next day.”
Well, that did complicate things. But the first day of school was fun, not exactly chock-full of hard work. “I was thinking we’d take the train down Saturday night. We could book a couple of hotel rooms so we don’t have trouble with traffic. After the game we can simply take the train back home. We won’t be out late, I promise.”
“Obviously you have everything planned out.” Her tart tone indicated she wasn’t too happy about it, either.
“Kylie, I’m sorry. I should have spoken to you first. But do me a favor—don’t decide anything right away. Think about it for a while. I know you’re not a huge football fan, but seeing the game in person, feeling the excitement of the crowd—it’s amazingly different when you’re sitting in the stands compared to watching it on television.”
“I’ll think about it,” she said slowly. “But no more promises to Ben without talking to me first.”
“Agreed.” He was glad she wasn’t too mad. “What time did you say your appointment was tomorrow?”
“Ten in the morning. But there’s no reason to come with us. I’m sure everything will be fine.”
“I don’t mind. I’ll be there to pick you and Ben up at nine forty-five. See you then.” He quickly hung up before she could argue.
Because there was no way in hell he was letting her go see Greenley without him.
CHAPTER TEN
KYLIE hadn’t really thought Seth would bother to drive over just to accompany them to Ben’s doctor’s appointment, but he did.
“I’ll drive,” she told him, when he sauntered up the driveway. Her dependable car sat in front of the garage, ready to go.
He didn’t try to argue, especially since there was no way Ben’s child safety seat would fit in his cherry-red Corvette. The car obviously wasn’t built for a family, considering Charlene didn’t even have a backseat. Just seeing him with his racy car only reinforced how wrong they were together.
No matter how much she liked him.
“So, Ben, how are you?” Seth asked, as she clicked on her seat belt and started the car.
“Good. Although I can’t play outside until this patch comes off.”
She had to suppress a grin. Playing outside at day care was Ben’s favorite part of the day.
“Have you been listening to your mom, like I told you?” Seth asked in a stern voice.
Ben nodded enthusiastically. “Yep. And I told all the kids at day care how we were going to the Packers versus Bears game.”
She tried not to think too much about the football game. She still wasn’t convinced it was a good idea to go. Especially right before the first day of school. Not that the kids would do much on the first day. But heck, she didn’t even like sports much.
Although the baseball game hadn’t been too bad. Not that she remembered much, except Seth’s home run and the heated kiss they’d shared.
Which wasn’t going to happen again, she reminded herself sternly.
The ride to Dr. Geoff Greenley’s office wasn’t far. Kylie wished Seth would wait in the car. It felt awkward to walk in with him, especially after she’d told Geoff she wasn’t se
eing anyone.
“Hi, Kylie, Ben.” Geoff greeted them cheerfully, although his gaze narrowed on Seth.
“Dr. Greenley—er—Geoff, this is Seth Taylor, a friend of ours.” Kylie made the introductions, somewhat annoyed at the way the two men eyed each other warily. For heaven’s sake, they looked as if they were ready to fight to see who would win the prize. She didn’t appreciate their male posturing one little bit. “Seth, you remember Geoff Greenley from Ben’s visit to the emergency department, don’t you?”
“Sure.” To give him credit, Seth stepped forward and offered his hand. “Nice to see you.”
“Likewise.” Geoff sounded anything but happy as he reluctantly returned the greeting. He brightened for Ben. “Are you ready to lose that eyepatch?”
“Yeah.” Ben reached up to finger the gauze, his tiny forehead puckering in a frown. “Will it hurt?”
“No, it won’t hurt at all.” Geoff patted the chair surrounded by the eye examination equipment. “Hop up here and I’ll take it off for you.”
Seth stood next to Kylie, toward the back of the exam room, his arms crossed over his chest. She flashed him an exasperated look, which he studiously ignored. What was wrong with him? Seth was acting like he’d come along for the sole purpose of staking his claim in front of Geoff.
Irritated, she focused on Ben, who was shielding his left eye against the bright light. If Seth thought she was impressed by his me-Tarzan, you-Jane imitation he was very much mistaken.
“Just give it a few minutes,” Geoff advised as he used his ophthalmoscope to peer into Ben’s eye. “Your vision will be blurry at first, but it should get better as we go along.”
And what if it didn’t get better? She had to bite down on her lip so she wouldn’t interrupt Geoff as he was asking Ben a whole series of questions.
“Tell me—is this better, or this one?” Geoff flipped lenses in front of Ben’s eyes as he proceeded through the examination.
Kylie was aware of Seth standing beside her. Although the inches between them felt more like miles. Maybe her agreeing to dinner was a mistake. She didn’t have to go. It wasn’t too late to cancel the babysitter. Although if she made a habit of canceling, Elise might not give her a third chance. Good babysitters were hard to find.
Back and forth, thoughts bounced through her mind like ping-pong balls. Should she? Or shouldn’t she go? Was this a mistake? Or could it possibly be the beginning of something special? She had no idea what to do, and tried to focus her attention on Ben’s answers to Geoff’s questions.
“His vision is great,” Geoff proclaimed, sitting back and grinning at Ben. “Both eyes have the same clarity of vision. He’s all healed.”
“That’s wonderful news,” she said, stepping forward to give Geoff a grateful smile. “Thanks so much for your help.”
Seth, who hadn’t uttered a sound since she’d introduced them, chose that minute to speak up. “By the way, Kylie, everything is set for Friday night. We have dinner reservations at seven.”
She stared at him, barely resisting the urge to kick him in the shins to shut him up. Why had he blurted that out? Without bothering to respond to his ridiculous statement, which had absolutely no bearing on the conversation at hand, she turned back to Geoff, who watched them warily. “Do you need to see Ben again, for any more follow-up visits?”
“Not anytime soon, unless something changes. I’d like to see him again in six months, though.” Geoff’s expression seemed a little hurt when he met her gaze, and she wanted to explain that her being here with Seth wasn’t what he thought.
Except it was.
Her stomach clenched with the realization. She could deny it all she wanted, but having dinner with Seth was a date. Worse, she wanted it to be a date.
Kissing him had made her long for more.
After thanking Geoff again, she hustled Ben out to the car. Seth walked beside her, seemingly oblivious to her pique.
“You didn’t have to do that,” she said half under her breath, mad enough to risk Ben overhearing.
“Do what?” Seth feigned innocence.
Suddenly she understood exactly what had happened to make Seth act like an idiot. “You overheard us talking that day in Ben’s room, didn’t you?” she accused.
Seth opened the back passenger door and gestured to the child safety seat. “In you go, Ben.” While she watched, he took the time to make sure her son was securely strapped in.
When he closed the car door, she grabbed his arm. “Didn’t you?” she asked again.
“You’d have to be blind not to see how he wants to be far more than Ben’s eye doctor. He wants to go out with you, Kylie. I needed to tell him to back off.”
“You needed to tell him? Why? You don’t have any claim on me, Seth.” For all her protests, she couldn’t ignore the warmth creeping through her insides at his fierce protectiveness. The idea of two men wanting her was an anomaly. But all she really cared about was Seth.
“Oh, really? Did something change? Are you interested in seeing him on a personal level?” Seth asked in a dangerously low voice.
She swallowed hard at the fierce intensity in his eyes, but couldn’t lie. “No.”
He stared down at her for a long minute. The tension sizzling between them was so thick she thought it might choke her. But then he simply asked, “Do you want to drive?”
“Yes.” She let out her breath in a huff. Annoyed with him—with all men—she stomped around to the driver’s seat.
They didn’t talk the entire ride back to her house. She parked in the driveway, avoiding his gaze. They all got out of the car, and once Ben had dashed into the house Seth turned to her.
“I’ll pick you up tomorrow at six-thirty.”
This was her chance to tell him to forget it, to explain how she’d changed her mind about going out to dinner—but her mouth didn’t follow her brain’s command.
“Fine,” she heard herself say. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” She spun away, following Ben inside before she broke down and invited Seth in.
But she couldn’t help watching through her front window as Seth climbed into his car, revving Charlene’s engine a bit before driving away.
She closed her eyes and shook her head. Men. God must have put them on the planet solely to drive women crazy. This was exactly why she’d avoided them for the past few years.
So why couldn’t she imagine going out with any other man? A guy like Geoff?
And, worse, why was she so looking forward to seeing Seth again Friday night?
Seth stared blankly at the ceiling above his head, although it was too dark to see anything clearly.
He was wired. Tense. Couldn’t relax enough to fall asleep, no matter how many deep breathing exercises he did.
It was all Kylie’s fault.
He hadn’t wanted to leave her house after Ben’s doctor’s appointment, but considering she hadn’t invited him in he hadn’t had too much of a choice.
Besides, he’d sensed she was still irked with him.
Hopefully she’d get over it. Seeing the expression of adoration on Greenley’s face the moment Kylie had walked in, he’d figured his timing had been perfect. At least now the guy knew she was seeing someone.
Maybe he’d avoided relationships in the past, but not anymore. Not now. Whether Kylie realized it or not, she was involved with him. A fact he intended to bring to her attention tomorrow night at dinner. No more of these meetings with Greenley. He wanted Kylie to admit she was involved with him, Seth Taylor, and no one else.
At midnight, he gave up and climbed out of bed. Wearing only his boxers, he padded to the living room and flicked on a single lamp before throwing himself onto the sofa.
Now what? He wasn’t in the mood to watch mindless television. Wasn’t sure he could lose himself in a murder mystery, either.
He wanted Kylie.
His body tightened painfully as he remembered their kisses. The way her curves had felt pressed against him. He stifled a groan. Don’t go
there, he warned himself. Thinking about Kylie and their physical attraction wasn’t going to help him relax—not in the least.
He let out a heavy sigh, his gaze landing on the box of family photos he’d split into three piles, for himself, Tess and Caleb.
Drawn to the box, he sat up and pulled it closer. He lifted the photos out, placing them carefully off to the side, until he reached the bottom layer. The place where he’d found the information on his mother’s first marriage to his biological father, Shane Andre.
The letters were still there, beckoning him. Reluctantly, yet unable to stop himself, he pulled them out. The paper was fragile, so he opened them with care, placing them in order. He figured if he was going to read his parents’ private letters he should start at the very beginning.
The first one was dated a few months after their wedding, according to the date on the wedding photograph. His father wore a blue dress uniform, which told Seth he must have been in the service when they’d married.
Dear Shane
I miss you so much! It seems like forever instead of just ten weeks since our glorious honeymoon on Sanibel Island.
My love, I have something to tell you. I wish we could talk in person, but I can’t wait any longer to share this news. I’m pregnant! We’re going to have a baby. Our baby. I hope you’re as thrilled as I am.
Please write me back as soon as you can. I hope you get your leave in the next four months, as they promised. I’d love for you to feel your son or daughter growing in my womb.
Stay safe, my love. Remember you have a family now to come home to. I love you so much!
Your wife, Jan.
The letter made his eyes burn. He could only imagine how difficult it must have been for his mother to be at home while his father was far away on active duty. The following letter was from his father.
My dearest Jan
I’m proud and thrilled to know you’re carrying our child! You couldn’t have given me a greater gift of love. I will get the four day leave I was promised in a few months, so we’ll make plans to meet soon. I can’t wait to see your belly round with the promise of our future.
