by Robyn M Ryan
Cassie Johnson. “The One” he didn’t want to—could not?—live without? Tom sighed as he stopped at the nurses’ station to look over patient charts. The intricacies of neurology diminished when he compared it to love.
Amelie returned to Toronto mid-January. She’d emailed Cassie once from Montréal. Her parents had learned the truth about her grades in Paris—and she had an edict to come up with a satisfactory plan to make up the lost credits. Cassie shared her schedule at the community college and sent her the links to apply and course selections. Amelie loved the option of online courses and only needed a year’s worth of credits to catch up. She planned to accomplish this in two semesters.
“I’ve played the twin card with Cliff—he’ll let me stay with him and will pay the tuition. One condition—I quit my job and devote the time needed to score all A’s.”
Cassie chuckled. “You can do that—though it may cut into your time with your hot French guy.”
“We’ll see. Chance didn’t bother to contact me the entire time in Québéc. Not even on New Year’s Eve. I may not have time for him.”
At Caryn’s suggestion, Cassie invited Amelie over when she returned to Tampa. With the Suns out of town for a long road trip to the West Coast before the All-Star break and bye-week, Caryn felt Amelie might feel lonely at the condo. Amelie arrived the next day with a small overnight bag, her class schedule, laptop, and textbooks.
“I hope I can get ahead in my course work, so Cliff lifts my home arrest when he gets back.”
Cassie laughed and showed Amelie the guest room she’d prepared for her friend. “It’s easy to work ahead on the online courses. I wish all of mine were online—especially algebra.” Cassie made a face. “Dave’s tutored me a couple times, but when I think about retaking the placement exam, I panic. I don’t want to stay in remedial algebra.”
“Tom’s good at math, isn’t he?”
Cassie shrugged. “I assume he’s good at every subject, but I haven’t asked him about algebra. He’s so busy at the hospital, I don’t want to waste any time I can spend with him on algebra. Would you?”
Amelie quickly unpacked her suitcase while Cassie curled up on a chair near the French doors to the pool deck. “So, you and Tom— serious?”
“Well, we’re exclusive and everything.”
Amelie raised an eyebrow. “So, you’re in love?”
Cassie felt her face and neck warming. “We haven’t told anyone yet. Still feels like a dream come true. He is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
“So, he’s amazing in bed?”
Cassie knew her cheeks had reddened. “I think so.”
“No details?” Amelie teased.
She shook her head with a giggle. “Amazing pretty much sums it up.” Cassie glanced at her wrist. “I need to check on the twins and see what Caryn wants to do about dinner. Make yourself at home. Let me know when you need the WIFI password.”
Amelie hugged her impulsively. “I’ve missed you and spending time with Caryn and the twins. Thanks for keeping me from feeling sorry for myself at that condo.”
44
Caryn caught Cassie’s eye while they prepared the twins’ dinner plates, then nodded toward the playroom—their former great room—where Amelie interacted with Jenna and Daniel. The twins giggled and brought their favorite toys to place in her lap.
“Attitude adjustment,” she said. “Wouldn’t believe it without seeing it.”
“I guess facing her folks about what happened in Paris affected her more than she’ll admit. She’s definitely more fun to have around. Not so hung up on herself,” Cassie whispered.
“I noticed.” Caryn winked. “How nice for you.”
Andrew’s ringtone sounded on Caryn’s phone, and Cassie excused herself and joined Amelie and the twins. Daniel concentrated on lining up blocks, while Jenna threw a nerf ball back and forth with Amelie.
“I can’t believe how much they’ve changed! When did they begin to walk?” Amelie asked.
“Christmas—perfectly timed for their grandparents to see their first steps.” Cassie handed a block to Danny, who carefully aligned it with the others.
“Do you have trouble keeping up with them now?”
“They keep us on our toes. Their mission is to open every cabinet or drawer within reach—I can’t manipulate the childproof locks, and they somehow get passed them. Now, they’ve discovered how to open doors. So, we have to triple check that the doors to the pool stay locked. I’m sure a fence surrounding the pool is coming soon. Our little shark here,” Cassie said, indicating Daniel, “would spend all day playing in the water if he could.”
“I’ll feel better when that fence gets installed. You know how I obsess over that pool.” Caryn added as she walked toward them. “Let’s get you guys cleaned up for dinner.” Jenna fussed and reached for her mom, and Amelie smiled at Caryn.
“Could I take Danny, please? You don’t mind, do you, Cassie?”
“No, I’ll put up their toys. Just be careful—Daniel likes to kick when you pick him up.”
Tom entered the front door just as Cassie stowed the last basket of toys on its shelf. “Too late for a snowball fight?”
“Sorry…but you’re just in time for Jenna and Daniel’s dinner. If they see you, they’ll insist you sit with them.” Cassie walked to him so she could greet him properly. “Did you have a quiet day?”
“Somewhat. Mostly follow-up visits with discharged patients. You know, we’re still treating some of those injured in that massive pile-up.”
Cassie shivered. “But they’re recovering, right?”
“Head injuries can take longer to heal than broken bones.”
“Our first date—I hate that the accident’s part of the memory of that wonderful, romantic evening.”
Tom hugged her and kissed her temple. “That was just the first of a lot of romantic adventures—no bad memories attached to the rest, I hope?”
“Like going to Disney? I’ll never forget that surprise…or New Year’s Eve…anytime we go to the Bistro by the Bay. Yeah, you’re a romantic guy.”
Tom brushed the hair away from her face. “Just around you, babe. You have plans for dinner?”
Cassie bit her lip with a rueful smile. “Amelie’s staying here a few days. She’s lonely with Cam on the road trip. And she’s taking courses like I am, so she hopes to get ahead on the online courses.”
“Unless Caryn has something already in the works, I’ll see if she’ll lend me the kitchen…”
“Tom, you have carte blanche in the kitchen,” Caryn said with a laugh as she came around the corner. “I have plenty of options, but nothing planned yet. Be my guest—I’d love something from our Top Chef.”
“First, we need to feed the munchkins.” Cassie stepped away and rounded the counter to the kitchen. She watched as Jenna waddled toward her uncle and raised her arms.
“I think she will say ‘Tom’ before ‘mom’—she loves her Uncle Tommy,” Caryn said with an affectionate smile for her honorary brother.
“She just misses Andrew,” Tom scoffed. “I’m a look-alike substitute, right, Jenna?” As if on cue, she squirmed and demanded to get on the floor. She must have sensed her twin’s approach as she headed toward the corner before any of them heard or saw Daniel with Amelie.
Tom laughed as he watched her drop to her knees. She could crawl much more quickly than walk. Jenna called out what sounded like babble, but Daniel responded as he met her in the living area. “Makes you wonder what they’re plotting,” Tom commented.
“Mayhem,” Amelie answered. “Danny is one stubborn little man.”
“Double dose of stubbornness from Andrew and Caryn.” Tom winked when Caryn shot a look his way. “The right type of stubborn, of course. Never give up.”
“Good save,” Cassie retorted with a grin. She watched Amelie greet Tom as she set the twins’ plates on the counter. A little too happy to see him? No, don’t even go there. There’s nothing to worry about with y
our hockey doc. Even though Amie’s looking at him like she wants to jump him.
She flushed when Tom glanced at her as if he’d read her mind. His lips twitched with a smile and his eyes darkened when they met hers. Goosebumps danced across her skin when he continued to hold her gaze several beats longer than necessary. She flashed a smile. Message received, doctor.
During dinner, Tom questioned Caryn about her and Andrew’s plans for the bye-week. “Did you have to reschedule everything when Andrew learned he’s on the All-Star team?”
“Lucky for us, the game’s in Miami, and Drew assures me it’s a quick flight to St. John’s. So, we’ll enjoy South Florida for a few days, but still have plenty of days in the Virgin Islands.” Caryn looked at Amelie when she heard the audible sigh. “I hear it’s exquisite. Though, those beaches on the French Riviera must be spectacular.”
“Not when the entire country’s trying to claim a spot,” Amelie replied with a laugh. “It’s much more beautiful in the fall after la rentrée, back to work and school. Fun for a few days’ break during the fall.”
“Still insisting on taking my niece and nephew with you?” Tom asked Caryn as he poured white wine into Amelie’s empty glass. “Can I convince you with more wine?”
Caryn shook her head. “Not ready to leave Jenna and Daniel yet…even though both grandmothers keep coming up with reasons why Andrew and I need to get away by ourselves. Maybe next year.” She exchanged a smile with Cassie. “So much less stress since Cassie’s coming with us. Plenty of opportunities to take time for ourselves.”
“So, you’re just going to leave me behind like stale bread.”
Cassie giggled at Tom’s botched analogy. “Maybe like yesterday’s news?”
“Whatever you say…you’re leaving with no thought to Jenna and Danny’s uncle.”
“If you can get the time off, we’d love for you to come,” Caryn said. “The house we’re renting is huge. When’s the last time you took a vacation?”
Tom shrugged but didn’t reply as Amelie looked at Cassie. “How’d you get permission to miss classes? Two of mine have no cuts.”
“I’m working ahead as much as I can, so my professors are on board with that. The online courses are not a problem. I just need to test out of the algebra class. Dave’s FaceTimed with me a couple times to help in test prep.” Cassie paused as she sipped her wine. “If I don’t, I’ll try again next semester. Not a big deal.”
“I didn’t realize you might have to drop a class," Caryn interrupted. “I don’t want to interfere with your classes.”
“I hadn’t decided to take classes when we talked about the Virgin Islands,” Cassie reminded her. “I don’t mind waiting until next semester to test out of algebra. Seriously.” She pretended to glare at Tom when she heard his quiet chuckle.
“But what you can take is limited until you complete that course or test out,” Amelie added.
“I said I didn’t care.” Cassie’s voice had an edge to it. “Dave thinks I’m about ready to retake the test.”
“We can discuss it then,” Caryn said. “We’d love for you to join us—you can’t imagine how much—but your courses come first.” She smiled to lighten the tone. “It’s all a moot point when you ace that test, anyway.”
Amelie excused herself after helping to clean the kitchen after dinner. “I need to work on homework—you don’t mind, Cassie?”
“Not at all! I like to study out by the pool—nice and relaxing. Unless certain people cause distractions by swimming laps.” Cassie looked at Tom with a hint of a smirk. “Present company excluded.”
“Oh, of course,” Amelie giggled, with a glance at Tom. “Cannot imagine who could distract you around here.”
Cassie felt her cheeks warm. “Make yourself at home. I’ll check in with Caryn and see if she needs help with the munchkins.” Cassie glanced at Tom over her shoulder. “Want to say good night to your nephew and niece?”
Caryn had just closed the door to the nursery when Cassie and Tom approached it. “Asleep already?” Cassie whispered.
“All the excitement must have exhausted them. Not complaining, mind you.” Caryn’s eyes shifted from Tom to Cassie. “Do you have any plans?”
Cassie shook her head, but Tom reached for her hand. “While Ms. Amelie hits the books, let’s go for a walk.”
“Twist my arm.”
Caryn laughed at their antics. “Good idea. I have a FaceTime date with my husband—can this road trip get any longer?”
“Just look forward to the bye-week and All-Star game,” Cassie suggested. “You’ll have, what, ten days of togetherness?”
“Not sure that’s enough time to catch up, but we’ll make the most of it.”
45
“So, you really will ditch me and run off to the Virgin Islands?” Tom teased Cassie as they walked around the front of the subdivision.
“Could you possibly get the time off?”
“Maybe part of the time—like the All-Star weekend. I seriously doubt I’d get ten days approved.” Tom placed his arm around her shoulders and pulled her against him for a kiss. “So, what do we need to do to get you through this algebra class?”
“Ideally, I test out. I tried once, and my score wasn’t high enough. So, I’m stuck in remedial algebra for the semester unless I try the test a second time or drop the course.”
“How many times can you take the test?”
“Three. After that, I must complete the course. I don’t want to use up all my chances this semester. I’d rather drop it, keep working on my own, then try the test again before the summer semester—or when I feel more confident.” She pulled back and looked up at him. “It stinks—I can’t transfer to any of the major courses until I complete that requirement.”
Tom saw the frustration in her expression. “Don’t get discouraged. There are plenty of brilliant writers and creative people who struggle with math. And you, my love, are brilliant. I can help you follow-up on the topics Dave’s working on with you. Yes, even including your favorite—the quadratic equation.”
“I hate wasting our time together on remedial math.”
Tom chuckled at her expression. “I have some incentives in mind that could take the sting out of this. We can work a certain amount of time, then enjoy an incentive.”
A speculative smile crossed her face. “You going to share these incentives with me?”
“Nope—my surprise, but I can promise not to disappoint.”
Tom spoke with his supervisor, Dan Forster, about taking time off around the upcoming All-Star break and bye-week.
“You set the schedule, Tom—talk it over with your colleagues,” Forster said. “I have no objections. If you get creative with your schedule and swap shifts with a few other doctors, you might pull it off. You’re the first to volunteer when anyone needs a shift covered, so call in some favors.”
He wanted to surprise Cassie if everything worked out. And he absolutely must talk with Caryn to confirm they truly had the space available at the rented house. Andrew may not want another person tagging along…unless he decides with two adults taking care of the twins, they’ll have more opportunities to go off by themselves, during the day or at night.
Would he enjoy experiencing the island paradise with Cassie? No question. Even if we have little time to ourselves, any amount of time together trumps not seeing her for at least a week. When Tom approached Caryn, she said she’d already spoken with Drew. He had “no reservations” and asked Caryn to think about going out on a boat for twenty-four hours or visiting St. Thomas and St. Croix on day-trips.
Caryn laughed softly when she relayed that message to Tom. “I think his new goal is to convince me that Danny and Jenna will happily survive twenty-four hours without me.”
“You know they’ll be in good hands. Cassie’s a second mother to your ‘munchkins.’”
“Yes, and they adore their Uncle Tommy…not to mention our personal physician. If I ever leave them, I’d put you and Cassie at the
top of the list.” Tom saw her cut her eyes toward him, a teasing glint in her expression. “So, about you and Cassie…”
“Yes?” Tom forced himself to keep a neutral expression.
“You complement each other perfectly. Do you think you’re…” Her voice trailed off, and her eyes asked the question.
“An exclusive couple? Definitely.”
“Have you thought about the future?”
Tom shrugged. “Somewhat, but I want her to chase her dreams. I’ve been there, done that—but Cassie hasn’t. She needs the opportunity to chart her own course for the future. When the time comes, I plan to step back and watch her soar.”
“Keep in mind that Drew and I had a similar situation. His moving to St. Louis for two seasons tested our commitment to each other. In the end, we both sailed the same course.”
“We could follow in your and Andrew’s footsteps, or discover our goals take us separate ways.”
“Does Cassie know how you feel?”
“Yes, and we’re both thinking about the future.” Tom reached for his water bottle and took a long drink. “Nothing permanent yet, but the thought’s planted.”
“You may discover Cassie’s dreams include staying in Tampa.” Caryn smiled as she snacked on a cracker.
“You know something I don’t?” Tom challenged, his tone light.
“Just an observation. You know—woman’s intuition.”
Caryn’s questions about his relationship with Cassie stuck in Tom’s mind. Nothing new, but I need to get a sense of Cassie’s dreams for the future. I’ve already followed my dream; I’ve taken the route I chose to become a doctor. Cassie’s just beginning her journey.
He posed the question one evening when they took a walk after dinner. “You’ve never shared your dreams for your life, Cassie. You have so much talent, I can see you succeed in any career you chose. When you were younger, did you dream about what you wanted in your future?”
