She glanced at him, and he saw a little frown between her eyebrows. Wanting to get rid of it and win her full approval, he nodded solemnly. “It sure is, but I have a little problem with the logistics of returning to the States.”
“Well, I hope you can figure something out, because if you are a match, she’s probably going to need it.”
“I know. Her doctors are saying she can’t stay on dialysis much longer.” He stood up. “I thought dialysis patients lived normal, productive lives.”
“Have you ever seen what these patients go through? If you’ve got some free time, I’m going to be off in an hour.” She tilted her head and pursed her lips, as if taking his measure. “I can take you to the ward and you can see for yourself.”
“Haven’t had a better offer all day,” he replied, with a devilish grin.
She didn’t smile back. “I’ll meet you in the lobby, near the flower shop, at two.”
Ryan was there at two, admittedly not so much because he wanted to see what dialysis was like, but because he was hoping to score a date with the nurse, who had told him her name was Natalie. She took him to the hemodialysis unit, telling him that the patients came three times a week for four hours at a time.
He knew basically what dialysis did—sent a patient’s blood through a machine that removed waste, chemicals, and fluid from the blood, and then returned it to the patient. Seeing the actual procedure, however, was much different from just hearing about it.
He watched as the nurses placed a soft plastic tube into an arm or a leg of a patient, and Natalie explained they were joining an artery and a vein under the skin. Some patients had a catheter inserted into a large vein in their neck, a treatment sometimes used for long-term care.
Ryan stayed for four hours watching the patients—the four hours it took for the treatment. He would never want to live like that, and he damn well didn’t want his niece suffering unnecessarily either.
He might be selfish and stubborn, but he wasn’t a complete asshole. He couldn’t let Callie spend half her life hooked to a dialysis machine if he had a chance to make her better.
And that was why, two weeks later—after finding out he was a perfect match, Ryan was doing the unthinkable. He was on Qantas, hydrating himself with Scotch and water on the long flight home. His nerves were strung tighter than a high wire, but the booze helped, or so he told himself after the fourth.
Like some damned washed-up knight in tarnished armor, he thought, sipping booze for courage. He didn’t mind the doctors cutting his kidney out, but he sure in hell didn’t want to face anyone from his distant past. Was it possible to keep his homecoming a secret? He hadn’t told anyone he was coming, not even Leila. If she didn’t know, she couldn’t very well spread the word. If all went well, Callie could have her new kidney and he could get out of Dodge before anyone knew he was there.
Before he agreed to the transplant, he’d tell Leila that he didn’t want his family to know who the donor was. It was small payment for such a big favor.
* * *
Ryan rented a car at Newark Airport and drove to Princeton. After a few wrong turns he found Leila’s home and knocked on the door, feeling a little anxious, a little stupid, and more than a little curious. What was his niece going to be like? She looked adorable, but he knew that girls, especially teenage girls, could be little terrors. What if he didn’t like her? Would he still want to donate one of his body parts to a snippy, bad-mouthed teenaged brat?
He didn’t think so, but then, he’d never been in this predicament before. Besides, he wasn’t doing it just for her, although she might be the primary reason. He was doing it for his brother, who was probably beaming down on him right this very minute.
He heard someone’s footsteps and hoped it was Leila. He’d like to see her first and give her a moment to appreciate what this would mean for her daughter.
The door opened and a stout sixtyish woman stood there with an expectant look on her face. “Hello? Can I help you?”
He wondered if she was a housekeeper, but then he didn’t know if they could afford such a luxury. Had Nick left them well off? He hoped so. At least it would be one less thing for them to worry about.
“Yes, my name if Ryan, and I’m here to see Leila. Is she home?”
“Who is it, Grandma?” A young girl came into the hall and stopped when she saw him.
“I don’t know, dear. Does your mother know any men by the name of Ryan?”
The girl, pale as death and as slim as his finger, stepped up to him. Her mouth fell open and her brown eyes widened. “Are you Uncle Ryan?”
“Oh, my dear Lord,” the woman murmured. “Of course. I’m so forgetful these days.” She put a hand to her chest. “Do come in. I’m June Hollander, and this here is Callie. We weren’t expecting you, but we are certainly happy to see you.” Her wide smile spread across her broad face. “Leila will be thrilled that you came.”
Ryan walked in, feeling like a prized bull that was up for auction. The two pairs of eyes on him were both curious and full of awe. He’d never been hero worshipped before, but he imagined it felt like this.
If he’d been a preening man, he would have preened, but instead he walked hesitantly into the hallway, not knowing which way to turn.
“Come sit down.” June led him into the living room, which had two sofas and matching chairs set around a fireplace.
Leila and her daughter lived in a renovated Victorian house, which he knew was common in this part of Princeton. The house sat on a nice tree-lined street and was close to the university and town. Due to its proximity to both, he knew the home would not be cheap.
He was pleased that she had comfortable means.
“Can I get you something to drink?” June asked. “Did you just arrive or have you been here a while?”
“My flight landed a few hours ago. I’d love a beer, if you have one.”
“I don’t think we have beer,” June said, shaking her head. Her eyes narrowed and she made a clicking noise with her tongue. “You might prefer a nice cup of tea.”
“I’m not much of a tea drinker, I’m afraid.”
“Well,” she said flatly, “seems to me that if you’re here to donate a kidney, you shouldn’t be drinking. Don’t you agree?”
He didn’t like her tone, or being told what he could or could not do. “As a matter of fact, I asked my doctor that question and he assured me it was fine.” He gave her a steely look. “But I’ll take a soda, unless you think the caffeine will be bad for the kidney.”
Callie giggled. “It’s okay, Grandma. Lighten up. He’s come all the way here for—” Her voice trailed off.
“Yes, of course.” June blushed. “I’m sorry if I sounded rude, but this girl means the world to me. I’ll go get that soda.”
She hurried away, leaving Ryan with Callie. He sat on one of the couches and sneaked a glance at the girl. She hadn’t stopped staring at him since he’d walked in.
She sat down beside him. “Don’t mind Grandma,” she whispered. “She’s a bit pushy but she means well.”
“I’m sure she does.” He sat stiffly, feeling uncomfortable with the girl. He folded his hands in his lap, not sure what to say, or why he’d felt this strong obligation to come. His family had never done anything for him.
“You don’t look like my dad,” she said suddenly. “You look like you live on a surfboard.”
“I’ve done some surfing, but I spend more time on my dive boat than I do on a board.”
“Cool.” Callie shifted on the couch so she could look at him better.
Cool. Yeah, it was kind of cool, and he was glad they’d found something to talk about.
“How about you?” he asked. “Ever done any surfing?”
“Nope. Dad said he’d teach me to sail, but then he died. We stopped going to the Hamptons after that, and Mom doesn’t like the Jersey shore.”
“Maybe one day I could show you how to sail,” he said, surprising himself. “Teach you to surf too.
”
“Yeah, maybe.” She looked skeptical, as if the idea of living that long was not something she wanted to entertain.
They both heard the front door open, and turned to see Leila walk into the hall. “Mom?” she called. “Whose rental car is that out front?” She turned toward the living and spotted him seated next to her daughter.
“Ryan,” she breathed. “My God. I prayed it was you.”
He stood, stuffing his hands in his pockets. “You must have a closer connection to Him than I do. He’s never answered a single prayer of mine.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Leila strode over to him, barely restraining the urge to hug him. “Thank you for coming.” Oh God. She wanted to kiss him, she was so damn happy to see him. She tried to temper her enthusiasm. “And you’ve met Callie and my mother?”
“Yes. Callie and I were just getting acquainted. She was telling me that her dad wanted to teach her to sail and I offered to do it.”
“Why, that is very nice of you.” Her heartbeat picked up its pace. “I hope that means you’re planning on staying here for a while.”
“Not all that long. I thought I’d surprise you both and donate one of my kidneys. I got two of the darn things, and what in the world do I need with two?” He grinned at his niece. “What do you say, Callie? I know I’m not young and beautiful like you, but will you accept a crusty old kidney from me?”
Callie made a face. “How crusty is it?”
“I don’t know. Why don’t we let the doctors have a look and see for themselves? If it’s a fit, it’s yours.”
June came in, carrying a tray with sodas and home-made cookies. She placed the tray on the table, beaming at Ryan. “This is a wonderful thing you’re doing.”
Leila brushed tears from her eyes. “Ryan. Would you mind if I hugged you?”
He had trouble meeting her eyes. “No need for that. I’m just doing the right thing for a change.”
She didn’t care. She put her arms around him and hugged him for all she was worth. Her mascara might be running onto his shirt, but she would wash it later for him. Right now, she wasn’t letting go.
“Ryan, oh Ryan, thank you, thank you.” She looked up at him, hoping to convey her deepest gratitude. He was saving her daughter’s life and he would always be a hero in her eyes.
“It’s okay. No big deal.” He disengaged himself, looking embarrassed. “Really, I’m only doing the decent thing here, not anything special. So let’s not make a big deal out of it. And I would consider it a huge favor if no one knows but the four of us.”
“Whatever you say.” Leila smiled through her tears. “But you will stay here, won’t you? We have a quest bedroom upstairs, and I won’t hear of you staying in a hotel.” She put a hand on his arm and left it there. Seeing him was one thing, but feeling him made it all the more real. “You’re family.”
“I made a reservation at the Nassau Inn.” He shrugged. “I’m kind of used to having my own place.”
“Oh, please stay,” Callie said. “Pretty please? I mean, you’re my uncle and I’ve never met you, and I’d like to get to know you before we do this thing together. Who knows? It might be our only chance.”
“Callie, will you please stop talking that way,” Leila said a little too sharply. “The transplant will go silky smooth, and you’ll be healthy once again. We only talk positive in this house. I won’t hear anything else.”
Even as she spoke, she dug her fingernails into the palms of her hands. Of course, she was terrified too. The operation, any operation, could go terribly wrong, and this required two people, two surgeries side-by-side, so had twice the risk. If anything happened to either one of them, well, she wouldn’t be able to bear it.
“Sorry, Mom.” Callie made a little face at Ryan, and he winked.
“I’ll stay if it means that much to you, Callie,” he said, looking past her, at Leila.
Leila felt her cheeks warm. She looked away from him, wondering why her heart had started hammering the way it had. She mustn’t let her gratitude for this man make her crazy. Yet every time she looked at him, her stomach got little flutters of excitement.
Then again, why not? She had a right to feel emotional, and excited, and happy beyond her wildest dreams. Her daughter was going to get her miracle transplant and all was right in her world.
“Would you like to get your bag out of your car and I’ll show you to your room?” She hoped she sounded more normal than she felt. If her voice reflected her feelings, it would be doing cart-wheels.
“Sure. Callie, me luv, want to help?”
Callie nodded and pushed herself off the couch. “You bet. Until I get your kidney, I’m your willing slave.” She laughed. “What were you going to do if you didn’t like me?”
“Dunno. I was wondering that myself.”
Leila watched the two of them go out the front door, and then turned to her mother. “Oh, Mom. Isn’t he wonderful? Can you believe this? Pinch me so I know it’s real.”
“It’s real, all right. And it’s wonderful. But watch yourself, Leila. He’ll be going back to Australia when this is all over, and I don’t want to see you broken hearted.”
“What are you talking about? I’m only thrilled for Callie’s sake. I’m just grateful.” She knew she was protesting too much, but couldn’t stop herself. “I can love him like a brother-in-law, can’t I? There is nothing wrong with that.”
“Just be careful.” June’s mouth was set in a grim line. “I saw how you looked at him.”
“Don’t be silly. If I have stars in my eyes, it’s because I’m so darn happy and grateful, that’s all.”
Callie walked back in holding a stuffed toy—an adorable koala bear. She rubbed her cheek against its soft fur.
“Ryan says I can come visit him next summer. Can I, Mom?”
Leila was aware of her mother’s eyes on her and jutted her chin out. “Sure. I don’t see why not. I think it’s a wonderful idea. Don’t you, Mom?”
“I do, indeed,” June answered, watching Ryan. But there was a look of concern on her face.
Leila gestured to his bag. “Is that all you’ve got? Just the one carry-on?”
“I figured it’s all I’d need for the time I’ll be staying.” He shifted his feet, like a man who wanted to flee.
“Your room is right across from mine,” Callie told him. “We have to share a bathroom. Hope you don’t mind.”
“Nope, but I’m a bit of a neat freak. I hope that won’t bother you.”
“Not if you don’t mind my mess,” she answered back.
Leila led the way upstairs. In keeping with Victorian style, the staircase was narrow. She noticed that Ryan took it slow, so his bag wouldn’t scrape against the walls. His consideration touched her. But then, everything he did or said practically moved her to tears. She knew she was off-the-charts emotionally, but it couldn’t be helped. “Grateful” didn’t even begin to express the depths of her feelings for this man. Her heart was bursting.
“Pretty house you’ve got here,” he said.
“Thank you. After Nick passed away, I sold the bigger house and found this. It had been on the market for close to a year. I fell in love with it at once. I like to think the house was waiting for me to make it a home.”
“Do you always romanticize things like that?”
“Sure.” They were in his room, and she turned to look at him. “I’m guessing you don’t.”
“No. I’m more of a realist. The most romantic thing I’ve ever done was to buy that boat and carve out a new life for myself.”
He placed his bag on a chair next to the bed, giving the room a quick glance. Was the room big enough for him? she wondered. The double bed took up most of the space. She hoped he wouldn’t mind being crowded, because she didn’t want him to leave.
“The Barrier Reef is definitely a place of dreams,” she said.
“I guess you could call it that.”
“You’re a lucky man, Ryan.” She spoke with mor
e enthusiasm than the comment warranted. “I hope you realize that.”
He didn’t move his feet, but Leila could swear he took a step closer. She could feel him even though they weren’t touching.
“I’ve never thought of myself as lucky. Until now.”
His voice was low, the meaning unclear, but a thrill ran through her. She tried to squelch it, telling herself it wasn’t his words that excited her, but the way he said them, with that faint Aussie accent he’d picked up. It had nothing to do with how he looked at her, or the remembrance of his kisses, or that she guessed he was flirting with her.
She gulped. “I would say that you’ve made us the lucky ones.”
Now he did step closer, close enough to touch. His warm fingers grazed her face and then lifted her chin so she had to look at his eyes. “I’m glad I’m here. I came for Callie, but it’s real nice to see you again too.”
“Why?” She didn’t know why she asked, or what she wanted to hear, but the word was out before she could stop it.
“I’m not sure. I want to help you both. Nick would have wanted me too.”
Neither moved. They gazed into each other’s eyes, his hand still touching her face. She didn’t know what he was thinking, but her hormones were raging like a horny teenager’s. Obviously, she’d been celibate for much too long. She really needed to get laid.
She took a step back, putting some physical and emotional distance between them. “I hope this room will be comfortable enough for you.” She sounded like a prissy schoolteacher, and felt foolish. He had her behaving not at all like herself. Excited and womanly one moment, flustered the next.
The flirtation had to stop, but it was important that he liked her, if only because they’d be spending a lot of time together. “It’s not the Nassau Inn, but the price is right. And I serve the best breakfast in town.”
ESCAPE INTO ROMANCE- 4 Book Bundle Page 9
