by Kay Lyons
“What kind of revelations?”
“He wants her.”
“Now wait a min—”
“He’s finally admitting it?” Joe smirked at him. “After that speech you gave me about never marrying?”
“Joe,” Ashley murmured, her tone chiding. “Bryan wasn’t serious about that.”
Once again Bryan pretended he didn’t hear her and tried not to wonder how many other private conversations Joe had shared.
“So why are you here,” Joe asked bluntly, “and not with Melissa, talking about whatever is wrong?”
“I’m here because I’m so damned confused I don’t know what to do.” He pointed a finger at Joe. “And if you laugh, so help me I’ll kick your sorry butt to the pond and back.”
“Boys, keep your voices down so you don’t wake the whole house. And, Bryan? The swear jar is on the counter behind you. As to what you do about Melissa—you kiss her senseless and show her what she’s missing. Make her want more from life than what she has now.”
“I can’t.”
“Can’t?” Ashley’s surprise showed. “Why not?”
“She doesn’t want me to.” They didn’t have to know he was just as afraid of Melissa’s cancer as she was.
“You’re Dr. Love. Surely you know how to make a woman forget her common sense?”
Joe snickered, his hands caressing Ashley’s neck in slow, soothing motions. “Didn’t work with you.”
“That was because I was already in love with you,” she told her husband. “But we all know how women are around Bryan, and Melissa’s no different. He’s had to do something right at some point.”
“Thanks for sparing my ego.” Bryan shook his head at them. “But I’m not kissing her again.”
“Again?” Joe asked.
“Why not?” Ashley demanded. “If you feel this strongly about her—so much that you come knocking on our door at midnight—why wouldn’t you kiss her? Make her forget about everything, Bryan. Her fears, her upset and especially about the scars that make her so self-conscious. She likes you but she’ll never admit it. She’s afraid to.”
His body ached at the thought, the visions in his head so hot he stalked over to the door and stared outside until he got himself under control, all the reasons they shouldn’t be together lining themselves up in his head. “What does her being scarred have to do with anything?” They didn’t answer, and Bryan glanced over his shoulder to find Ashley openly gaping at him.
“You can’t be serious.” She glanced up at Joe, then back at him. “You’re serious?”
Joe chuckled but raised his hand to his mouth, coughing weakly.
“Please tell me men really aren’t so oblivious,” Ashley continued. “You’re a doctor, for pity’s sake. Didn’t you take a class on relating to your patients? Women’s perceptions and emotions? Using your sixth sense to see beyond their words or something?”
“I have a feeling I’m not going to like this,” he muttered to no one in particular.
“I’d say you’re right,” Joe readily agreed.
Ashley pulled the bottle out of Issy’s mouth and set it aside before sitting the baby up on her lap to burp. “Melissa is scared because of the cancer and her past, yes, but it’s also because she’s scarred while you, on the other hand, are perfectly gorgeous.”
Joe scowled down at his wife. “Hey.”
“Not as gorgeous as you,” she corrected without removing her eyes from Bryan. “But in Melissa’s eyes your looks are a definite disadvantage, not an asset.”
“You mean she doesn’t feel she’s…” He slowed to a halt, finally beginning to understand and getting angry because Melissa didn’t see herself the way he saw her. He squeezed the muscles of his neck and grimaced. She was beautiful, but how could he show her that, counter that without—
“Attractive,” Ashley confirmed. “Bryan, she’ll probably never tell you this and I’m not sure I should, but…Melissa didn’t have reconstructive surgery.”
He stared at Ashley in surprise. She hadn’t? “Why not?”
Now she looked away, her focus on burping her baby girl. “Well… you need to ask her, but before you go spouting this back to Melissa, I’m not telling you any of this,” she instructed firmly. “I just want to help you both, but she’s probably too embarrassed to tell you and you’re too—”
“Arrogant?” Joe supplied with a grin.
“I’m not sure what he is, but he needs to know everything Melissa is dealing with so he can understand.”
“I do understand.” Although at the moment Ashley’s wanting him not to tell Melissa now she’d shared Melissa’s secret was the only thing that made sense.
“It boils down to this—your timing sucks. Her dad is giving her a hard time about moving on because he’s decided to marry again, and Melissa’s started a new job with a boss who’s…well, you. She’s stressed and trying to adjust.”
“If the job is too much for her—”
“Bryan, it’s not the job! It’s life. It’s the busybodies here who can’t keep their mouths shut and talk in front of her like she’s invisible. It’s seeing gorgeous models on every magazine in the grocery aisles and being bombarded with cleavage when she turns on the TV or walks down the hallway at work.”
Ashley stated that last bit with a glare, leaving no doubt in his mind that Melissa had told her about the incident with Amanda Warner. He squeezed his neck harder and hoped they didn’t see the uncomfortable heat surging up his neck.
“It’s being torn between liking you, but believing she can’t compete with the women you’ve boi—uh, dated. That should her interest in a man become more, they’ll leave the moment they get a look at her naked.”
“A decent guy wouldn’t—”
“Exactly. But, Bryan, the job at your practice is so important to her because of that. Melissa doesn’t think she’ll ever have anything else. She believes she isn’t attractive enough for a man to want her, scars and all, and that’s why she’s afraid to risk the one good thing that’s happened to her in how long? But if you can get her to think—to believe—in a future, maybe her other fears will be conquered, too.”
His thoughts raced, too confusing and contradictory to fathom.
“I’ve already told you things I shouldn’t have, so I’m going to say this: You screw this up and you not only screw up your office, you mess with Melissa’s self-esteem forever.”
“Which means,” Joe added, his tone low and barbed, “don’t mess with Melissa at all unless you can stick it out.”
Bryan’s gut formed into a knot of unease. Through the years he’d seen plenty of examples of patients who’d made the same decision as Melissa, but they weren’t Melissa. Did it matter that she didn’t have breasts?
Remembering her impassioned speech that day in the office about how every man was obsessed with breasts made sense. He wanted to go to her house right now and tell her what other attributes he found attractive. The things he liked about her.
“Put yourself in her shoes,” Ashley continued softly. “I’m quite sure she feels torn between having a good working relationship with you, and how it made her feel when you kissed her. Did she like it? Did you?”
“Yeah.” And he wanted to kiss her again. Wanted more. But Joe was right.
He had to make sure he could handle the consequences of a relationship with her. Absolutely sure. Melissa wasn’t the casual kind of woman he was used to dating. Yes, he wanted her—scars and all. Wanted the woman she’d become because of them.
But if something happened to her in the future?
Melissa was right in that aspect; maybe things should be handled on a day-to-day basis.
“Then make her feel beautiful, Bryan. Every woman out there wants her man to love her just as she is. Melissa is no different.”
He wanted her to have that. For her sake if nothing else. He wanted to prove to her what a beautiful, passionate woman she was. Show her. “I’ve got to go.” He stalked for the door, his hand o
n the knob. “I’ll think about everything you’ve said, but I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t mention this.”
“We won’t say a word about how you showed up here wanting to talk about her,” Ashley reassured him with a grin that didn’t last. “But, Bryan…whatever you decide, take it slow. You are both special to us and we don’t want either of you hurt.”
Bryan nodded dazedly before crossing the threshold onto the porch. “Thanks for the talk. And for listening.”
Outside, he moved to the steps but paused long enough to look back. Through the window he watched Joe wrap one arm around the back of the chair where Ashley sat, then proceed to tilt the chair backward and kiss her.
Bryan chuckled when the kiss ended with Joe’s smiling triumph at Ashley’s dazed expression. He’d seen the same look on Melissa’s face. Once. But did he have the courage to kiss her senseless and not walk away?
Only one way to find out.
* * *
HAL SLID HIS KEY into the lock of Ellen’s house, more tired than he had been in years. The investigation into the break-ins and beatings of elderly citizens was going nowhere, and between Ellen’s upset and Melissa’s silent treatment, he wanted nothing more than to crawl into a cave for some solitude.
Inside the house, he’d just set his hat on the table when he heard a low moan. He listened intently, heard another moan and then the sound of gagging. What the—
He ran through the house and took the stairs two at a time. Through the bedroom, into the bathroom. “Ellen? Sweetheart, what’s wrong?” He dropped to his knees on the linoleum beside her. She barely moved, and didn’t acknowledge his presence at all. He checked her pulse and found it faint, but rapid. Her skin was clammy and lax. She’d been sick for a while.
Hal slipped his arms around her and picked her up. Ellen groaned when he turned to carry her into the bedroom and, despite his urge to rush, he made sure not to jostle her too much.
“Hal? G-go away. Oh, please. I don’t want you to see me…like this.”
“In sickness and health, Ellie.” He laid her on the bed and grabbed a tissue from the nightstand to wipe her face. “How long have you been like this?”
“Since this afternoon.”
Anger overtook his fear. “Why didn’t you call me? You’ve been lying on the bathroom floor all this time?”
A low groan was his answer. Lights flashed from nearby, drawing his attention, and he left the bed long enough to spot Booker’s car pulling in next door.
Out carousing and just getting in for the night, no doubt. He opened the window, hoping the fresh air would get rid of the smell of vomit and make Ellen feel better.
“Booker! Get up here! Ellen’s sick!”
Chapter 14
THE DOC LIFTED a hand to acknowledge his words. “Be right there!”
Hal left the window open and pulled the throw off a nearby chair so her sweat-dampened body wouldn’t chill. He brushed her hair back from her forehead, praying hard. Was it the baby? A virus? Food poisoning?
He left her long enough to wet a washcloth to bathe her forehead and face, pleased to see a little color return to her pale cheeks.
“What’s going on?” Booker asked, coming into the bedroom with a black bag in his hand.
Hal stood, reluctant to let go of her again. “I found her on the bathroom floor a few minutes ago. She’s been there all evening.”
“Ellen, did you throw up a lot today?”
She gave him a weak nod.
“You look dehydrated. Let me listen to your heart and get some readings, and see what’s going on. Did you eat anything today?”
“Some. I had lunch with Hal, but felt nauseous all day.”
“What about yesterday? The last few days? Eat anything different or unusual?” Another no. “Anything going on that I need to know about? Medications? Problems you’ve been having?”
“She’s pregnant.”
With two words he’d rendered the doc speechless. Booker sat there, his eyebrows high on his forehead, shock evident on his face.
“Uh…congratulations. She’s had this confirmed?”
Hal nodded. “Is it the baby?”
Booker’s frown returned. “I don’t know yet. Ellen, are you cramping? Bleeding?” He grabbed a pressure cuff and slipped it around her arm. “Have any unusual pain?”
“No. J-just sick. My stomach won’t settle at all. I’ve had spells…off and on the last couple weeks.”
“That’s it? You’re sure you’re not spotting?”
“I—I checked,” she whispered, her cheeks red against her pale face. “I don’t hurt there or…anything.”
“I’ll call the squad.”
“No, Hal… Bryan, please, I’m just sick—nauseous. That’s all.” Her face turned red as a beet. “Please, I don’t want people to find out just yet.”
The doc hesitated. “You very well could have a bad case of morning sickness that isn’t limiting itself to the morning, but you need to be checked out by your OB.”
“Tomorrow. Please, I’ll go tomorrow. First thing.”
Booker hesitated. “Tell you what, how about you let me look you over a bit more and then we’ll decide if you need to go to the hospital?” Without waiting for an answer, Booker put a stethoscope into his ears and listened while he took her blood pressure. “It’s a little low, but normal for the day she’s had.”
The doc glanced at him and stilled before looking away. “Chief, why don’t you go grab a bottle of cold water for her? And some crackers or toast?” He jerked his head toward the door. “I’ll finish checking her out while you get her something to replace the fluids she’s lost.”
Without a word, Hal stumbled from the room, his footsteps dragging like an old man’s. He reached out to put his hand on the stair railing but realized he couldn’t see it. Lifting the hand to his face, he rubbed, only then discovering the tears.
An hour later, Hal watched while the doc teased a blush into Ellen’s cheeks and checked her blood pressure one last time. After he’d returned with two bottles of water and a box of Saltines, Booker had gone next door and retrieved some Gatorade. While he was gone, Hal had helped Ellen clean up and change into a fresh nightgown, fussing over her and loving every minute of it.
Already she looked better and, although pale and embarrassed at Booker finding out she was a pregnant bride, she smiled and laughed at the doc’s comments. And for once, he wasn’t jealous. Booker treated Ellen with respect, like a sister, same as he’d done with little Anna Pritchard.
Booker got up with one last teasing remark and ordered Ellen to rest and drink as much fluid as possible. Then he grabbed his medical bag from the bedstand and headed toward him. Hal stepped back into the hall and followed the doc down the stairs to the kitchen to see him out. “Thanks for coming.”
“Anytime. And congrats again on the baby.”
He accepted that with a nod. “Thanks. Ellen’s been worried about things lately. Stressed over what people will say once they find out and a few other things.”
“There’s a lot of that going around. Stress, that is.”
“Meaning Mel?” He narrowed his gaze. “She’s worked for you a couple weeks now. Has she talked to you about the wedding?”
“Some.”
“You going to tell me what she said?”
“No,” the doc countered steadily. “I talked to Melissa as a doctor and as a friend, both of which entitle her to her privacy.”
“Guess I should be glad she’s talking to someone.” He nodded reluctantly. “You did good in there with Ellen. Thanks.”
“Anytime.” The doc turned to go but paused, his hand on the doorknob. “Chief? Ellen and Melissa aren’t the only ones stressed. Finding out you’re going to be a father again must’ve come as a shock.”
“Watch it, Doc.”
“Just giving some professional advice. You take care of yourself so you’ll be around to see that baby grow up.”
“I’ll do that.” He figured this was
as good a time as any to broach what was on his mind. “But my stress level would lower quite a bit if I knew you weren’t going to mess around with my little girl. I was angry that day at the B and B and desperate for help to get her to see what she’s doing to herself, but I don’t want you getting the wrong idea.”
“I understand. I respect your daughter, Chief.”
He might respect her, but Booker wasn’t standing there denying he wanted her or agreeing to leave her alone, either. Hal looked closely at the doc’s face, wondering how many heart-stopping surprises he could take in one night. “She’s not your kind of woman.”
Booker smiled. “What kind do you think I like?”
“Loose. Easy. The kind you can sleep with and never think about again because you know they’ve moved on to someone else, too. Mel’s not like that.”
An indecipherable expression crossed Booker’s face before he smoothed his features. “I know that, Chief.”
“She had cancer.”
“I think everybody knows that.”
Hal took a step and stared into the doc’s eyes, searching, but not finding what he’d expected. “She’s too good for you.”
Booker rubbed his chin as though in deep contemplation. “For once, Chief, we completely agree,” he murmured. “The worst person in the world she could fall for would be a guy like me, but the last thing I’d ever do is intentionally hurt her.”
“Then don’t. Leave her alone.” When Booker didn’t respond, he grabbed the doc’s shirt and hauled him closer still. The man didn’t protest, didn’t squirm. Didn’t even blink. He simply looked resigned to his fate as if he knew he deserved whatever lay in wait for him in the days ahead. Hal shook his head and started laughing.
“You sure you’re okay, Chief? You’ve had a stressful night.”
“And it just got worse,” he muttered, still chuckling, shaking his head and wondering how on earth he could laugh at a time like this. “Heaven help me, you’re in love with her.”
Booker shook his head in denial. “We’re just friends.”
Hal let him go. “Then I guess that means I can give Nathan my blessing to try again?”
