“It’s getting late, Cal.” She opened the door. “Thanks for coming over.”
“Thanks for letting me.” He stopped in front of her, feeling the heat outside mix with the cool air within. When cold air mixed with hot, it created just the right conditions for a tornado.
This woman had a mouth made for kissing and he knew that from personal experience. He’d missed a lot about Emily after she walked away from their affair, and kissing was right at the top of that list. Apparently the adrenaline of euphoria was still pumping through him, which was the only explanation for what he did next.
Cal slid an arm around her waist and pulled her against him as he lowered his mouth to hers. The touch drained the tension he hadn’t even realized was coiled inside him. He tasted surprise on her lips just before the surrender in a mix of tongue and teeth and teasing. Her breasts nestled against his chest, making him fervently wish they were skin to skin. His fingers found the hem of her shirt and he was just about to slide it up when she pressed her hands to his shoulders.
It was a signal, a negative one and not what his body was hoping for. In the combination of outside and inside light he could see that Em’s pulse and heart rate were as elevated as his own and there was some satisfaction in that.
He stepped back and sucked air into his lungs before saying, “That was a combination thank-you and good-night.”
“I knew that,” she said, her voice husky and breathless at the same time.
“I’m going now.”
“That would be best,” she agreed.
“Thanks for letting me come over and not giving me a hard time for spoiling Annie.”
“Good night, Cal.”
After she shut the door, he realized the inherent problem with what just happened. She didn’t believe his lame excuse for kissing her any more than he did.
Chapter Five
Emily had terminated her per diem status at the same hospital where Cal worked immediately after the disastrous conversation when she’d tried to tell him about her pregnancy. At the time she’d thought it the best thing, although she loved this hospital. Now that he knew about Annie, there was no reason to avoid him, and Em had activated her employment status at Mercy Medical Center.
Earlier that morning when she’d walked to the facility from the parking lot that overlooked Mercy Medical Center Parkway she realized how much she’d missed this place. The beautiful bell tower outside evoked spirituality and charm even before setting foot inside the building. In the lobby, a perfectly lighted painting of a single yellow rose and the inspirational words carved over graceful archways continued the theme of peace.
Within the walls of this hospital, the dedicated staff channeled the power of working together into healing the mind, body and spirit of the patients. Another thing she was beginning to realize was how much she’d missed Cal and seeing him at work. As a representative of social services, she was called in if there was a suspicion of child abuse, elder mistreatment or a financial need. She was on her way to the E.R. right now because Cal had asked for a social worker to see one of his patients.
Her mind should be on her work, but just the thought of Cal made her mouth tingle with memories of his kiss. A combination of good-night and thank-you, he’d said. It was less complicated to take him at his word, but their mouths had been way too familiar, way too eager, way too impatient for more, and the kiss had gone on far too long to believe the touch was that simple.
Her stomach knotted—a combination of nerves and anticipation. When the E.R.’s automatic doors whispered apart, she walked through them and saw him at the information desk, talking to the nurse manager. Rhonda angled her chin toward the entrance, and Cal glanced over his shoulder, before straightening to face her.
Emily stopped at the desk. “Hi, Rhonda. Cal.”
The curvy, brown-eyed blonde nodded. “The name badge is a big clue that you’re working.”
“Yes. Social Services is understaffed because of vacations and called me in to help out.”
“I see.” Rhonda gave her a cool stare.
“Where’s Annie?” Cal asked. “With Lucy? Or Patty?”
“Not exactly. They have work and school respectively. Annie’s at Nooks and Nannies, a day-care center.”
“So what happens to Oscar and Henry?”
“They’re at the day-care center, too, while their moms are at work on-site. Ginger Davis, the president and director, runs a program on the UNLV campus that utilizes early childhood education students who get hours toward their certification to work in that field. She offers child care at a free or reduced rate for moms who qualify for assistance.”
He didn’t argue, but happy didn’t come close to describing his expression. Glancing over his shoulder he said, “Weren’t you on your way to lunch, Rhonda?”
“Was I?” she asked, looking from him to Em.
“You were, and I recommend sticking to that plan while things are quiet here. There’s no one in the waiting room and you can’t count on that to last very long.” He nodded, a small movement that let her know he was okay. “The asthmatic is finally stabilized. I’m going to watch him a little longer to make sure he’s okay before signing the discharge order.”
“He doesn’t need to be admitted?” she asked.
“Not this time. But he’s had too many E.R. visits.” He looked at Emily. “And that’s what I need to talk to you about.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll be back,” Rhonda said, sliding off her chair.
Emily felt the wariness and missed the warm acquaintance she used to enjoy with Cal’s right-hand gal. “Have a nice lunch, Rhonda.”
Her only response was a quick wave before the woman rounded the corner to the cafeteria.
She looked up at Cal. Somehow the man managed to make the blue scrubs look less like pajamas and more like a sexy, heroic, knight-in-shining armor suit. But that would imply he was acting and the stethoscope he wore draped around his neck was a prop. Nothing could be further from the truth. He cared passionately about his small patients. And that was why he’d sent for her—not her specifically, but someone from Social Services.
“What can I do for you?” she asked.
His gaze darkened for a moment, like it had after their kiss. “It’s the third time in ten days this kid’s been in the E.R. for asthma. This time we just barely kept him from being admitted, and possibly put on a ventilator.”
“How can I help?”
“The problem is that when he gets here the attack is so severe he needs immediate intervention because he hasn’t used rescue meds. The family recently lost their medical insurance when Dad was laid off from his construction job.”
Em remembered what he’d said about not wanting to see the same patients in the E.R. “What does the little guy need?”
“To learn how to manage the condition. The family has to understand that maintenance medications are necessary to stop an episode that could result in hospitalization, which is pretty traumatic, not to mention expensive. The ultimate goal is to minimize or prevent permanent lung damage.”
She tapped her lip. “There’s an asthma education program at the clinic where Henry and Oscar go. It’s run by a pediatric pulmonologist. He does lung volume screenings as well as instruction for the parents or caregivers on how to deal with the illness so that the child can lead as normal a life as possible.”
Cal nodded. “Who’s the doc?”
“Nick Damien.”
“I’ve worked with him. He’s good.” He thought for a moment. “Is there any cost?”
It was her job to know what programs and services were available in the community to meet the patients’ needs when they left the hospital. Discharge planners were assigned to follow each admit to make sure care was given in a timely fashion to eliminate unnecessary cost. Because of Helping Hands and the girls she mentored, she had an even more personal knowledge of this particular program.
“The doc, and whatever staff he brings in, donate the
ir time and it’s a free clinic. I’ll check into it further and speak with the parents for you.”
“Good.”
“All right, then, I’ll get right to it.” She started to turn away and felt his hand on her arm.
“Wait, Em.” He removed his fingers from her skin and curled them into his palm. “Since you’re here, there’s something else I’d like to run by you.”
“Okay. Sure.” She sounded like a nervous schoolgirl. Too eager. Too adoring. A puppy too anxious to please. It was that darn kiss. The good news was that she hadn’t collapsed into bed with him, like the very first time he’d kissed her. The bad news? She had desperately wanted to collapse into bed with him.
He folded his arms over his chest and leaned against the high desk. “Look, I know you don’t like the idea of moving into my house with Annie. But I’ve been thinking. What if I—”
“Don’t even say it,” she said, holding up a hand. “You can’t live with us. How would that look? What kind of example would that set for the girls? It’s out of the question.”
“Okay.” He blinked at her. “Actually I was going to ask how you’d feel about me throwing Annie a first birthday party. A family party. At my house.” He watched her reaction for several moments before adding, “You shouldn’t feel bad about thinking the worst of me.”
“Why?”
He ran a finger down her hot cheek, just to show he didn’t miss the embarrassment. “It will work in my favor.”
“Oh?”
“When you feel guilty about going to the bad place, I’ll probably get what I really wanted in the first place.”
“You think so?”
“Before you say no, at least think about it.”
He was probably right, because she had a lot to feel guilty about and owed him. But letting down her guard wasn’t easy. “This is all a big adjustment, considering that contrary to what you told me there really is a circumstance that would compel you to commit.”
He blew out a breath and rested his hands on lean hips. “How much longer are you going to punish me for saying that?”
“Just stating the truth. We both made mistakes. But we have Annie to think about and I don’t want to make any more where she’s concerned. The thing is that I’d sort of figured to celebrate Annie’s first birthday with the girls and their kids. Oscar and Henry aren’t related by blood, but she’s close to them.”
“Lucy and Patty could come with the boys,” he offered. “I’d also like to ask my folks. And my brother. I know it’s probably not a good idea to overwhelm Annie with everyone at once, but since I’ve been making progress, I’ve been thinking that it’s time she met her grandparents and the rest of her family.”
Wouldn’t that be fun? she thought. His E.R. manager already wanted to cut her heart out with a spoon and Em could only imagine how his parents felt. But Annie should know her whole family. “I really think that’s—”
“Look, Em,” he said, an irritated expression sliding into his eyes. “If you can keep finding speed bumps to the idea, I’m not opposed to playing the guilt card. I’ve missed out on a lot with Annie this first year of her life and so have my folks. They’d like to meet their granddaughter.”
“Now who’s going to the bad place? I was just going to say that it’s a good idea. Annie deserves to meet everyone on your side of the family.”
“Okay, then.” He nodded as the tension seemed to drain out of him. “I’ll get back to you with the details.”
“Sounds good.” Yeah, right. It wasn’t easy to let him back in when she’d reconciled herself to the fact that he didn’t want her or any responsibility that might come along with her. For Annie’s sake she had to try. “Now I better go meet with your patient’s family.”
“Yeah.” He started to lead the way to the trauma bay before turning back to her. “Do you have an appointment for your ultrasound yet?”
She nodded. “Right after Annie’s birthday.”
“That’s two weeks. They can’t get you in sooner?”
“The department is busy and I can’t say I’m sorry to wait. Rebecca said two weeks won’t impact the outcome, especially if it’s benign as she suspects. If it’s bad news, I don’t want to know before Annie’s big day. I’d rather be the queen of denial.”
“All right,” he said, uncertainty dark in his eyes.
He’d always wanted to fix things, and she recognized the impulse now in the look on his face. The expression was enough to send her to a place where Cal actually cared. Probably he did, but only because she was the mother of his child. Oh, how she wished it could be about her in a very personal way. But somehow she’d have to resolve that feeling and stop hoping for more than she had a right to expect from him.
* * *
Em turned left from Tropicana Avenue into Spanish Trail and stopped at the guard gate. After giving her name to the uniformed security guy, he checked his list and waved her through. She’d been feeling a huge, black dread about this day for the last two weeks, ever since she’d agreed to have Annie’s first birthday party at Cal’s place. On Sunday. With his family. What had she been thinking? It didn’t matter what she’d thought. There had been no choice and here she was, on her way to family day.
There were a number of separate communities housed in this development—condominiums, all the way up to million-dollar houses. Cal had one of the latter and she knew it backed up to the golf course. Only the best for Mercy Medical’s resident playboy.
After turning right, she navigated her way through the streets, remembering the route as if she’d visited only yesterday. The homes ranged from sprawling, stucco-covered ranch style to the lofty, two-story variety all fronted by sentinels of mature palm trees lining the streets. Her little compact, although in pristine condition and meticulously maintained, looked out of place when she passed driveways where Lexus, Mercedes and BMW vehicles lived. She’d been here many times, but had never before felt like the riffraff police would pull over and ask what she was doing there. It wasn’t necessary to be a shrink to understand that this feeling was more about seeing Cal’s family again.
He’d have told them the whole story. Em was the one who’d neglected to tell him about his daughter and expected they were less than pleased with how she’d handled the situation. Maybe it was the guilt police she should watch for in her rearview mirror.
She parked in front of his two-story, sprawling, white-stucco home with the red-tile roof. The expansive front yard was a combination of green grass and rocky desert landscaping, with a wooden bridge over a dry lake bed. It was perfect.
Em went to the rear passenger side of the car and gently unbuckled a dozing Annie from her car seat.
“Hey, big girl.” Em smiled as her little one rubbed her eyes. “I’m glad you had a power nap. It’s a big day for you. Not only are you a whole year old, you’re going to meet your grandparents and your uncle Brad.”
“Da?” Annie’s big blue eyes opened wide.
“Yes. Daddy will be here. This is his house.” The big, beautiful place where he wanted his daughter to live but Mommy had put a big, fat no on the idea. “Mommy has good reasons. You might not understand when you see the impressive interior. But my reasons made perfect sense at the time. You have to trust Mommy.”
“Da?” Annie pointed a pudgy finger at the house.
“Okay. We can do this.”
Armed with a fully loaded diaper bag and her one-year-old daughter, Em marched up the driveway, past Cal’s folks’ economical SUV and his brother’s expensive, two-seater red Mercedes. Somehow she’d get through this, she thought, pulling on her emotional armor.
Beside the huge, double doors with oval etched-glass inserts was a button that she pushed to ring the bell. Annie leaned over to imitate the action, but Em held on tight, and then the door opened and Cal was there.
Annie blinked up at him and smiled. “Da?”
“Hey, sunshine.” He held out his arms and the little girl eagerly went to him. He kissed her c
heek as if he’d been doing it since the day she was born. “How’s my girl?”
“Couldn’t be better,” Em answered for her.
He looked past her. “Where are Patty, Lucy and the boys?”
“They couldn’t make it.” Better to be vague than tell him what they really said. The invitation had pity written all over it and they’d feel uncomfortable. So Em was here without backup.
“Too bad. Maybe another time. The kids would enjoy the pool.” He took the diaper bag, then backed up with Annie so she could come inside. “The folks are here.”
“Yeah,” she said, a knot in her stomach. “I noticed.”
She followed him through the imposing, two-story-high entryway that divided the formal dining and living rooms. The family room and kitchen combination had been her favorite part of the house. It had been love at first sight, not unlike the way she’d once felt about Cal.
The remarkable amount of space didn’t make the room any less inviting. A granite-covered island as big as a small country dominated the kitchen, which had a stainless-steel refrigerator, oven and dishwasher. Separating this from the family room was a bar with six stools. The walls were two-tone olive green with white chair rail dividing the light shade on top from the darker one on the bottom.
A big, overstuffed brown leather corner group filled one corner in front of a large-screen plasma TV. Neutral beige carpet flowed throughout the house making the already extraordinary floor plan seem even more spacious. The rectangular mahogany coffee table held a pile of presents in pink birthday paper.
Carol and Ken Westen were standing in front of the bar, with Brad beside them. Cal’s brother was eighteen months younger and maybe an inch shorter, but still more than six feet tall with dark blond hair and blue eyes. Both of the Westen boys had gotten the cleft in their chins from Dad. Brad was just as good-looking as Cal, in an edgier, cockier way.
“Hello, Emily.” Carol smiled, but it was tense around the edges. The boys had gotten their sandy blond hair from her, although Mom’s was lighter, thanks to regular coloring and highlights.
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