His Pregnant Nurse

by Laura Iding

  “Luke, this is Dana. I thought you’d want to know, I’m at the hospital with Caryn. She fell and started to hemorrhage. They’re keeping her overnight in the hospital in case something happens to the baby.”

  Luke didn’t remember driving to Trinity, but after he arrived at the hospital he nearly yanked the computer from the woman behind the information desk when she couldn’t find Caryn’s room fast enough. When she’d finally given him a firm destination, he rode the elevator to the eighth floor, tapping his foot impatiently as the car stopped several times on the trip up. He dashed straight to her room, barreling through the door without knocking, raking her room with a wild gaze, somewhat relieved to find her sitting up in bed, her hands cradling her stomach.

  Seeing her so vulnerable robbed him of speech.

  “You called him?” Caryn accused, piercing Dana with a dark scowl.

  “Yes.” Dana squared her shoulders, ready to take the heat. “Because I know he cares about you, Caryn.”

  “You shouldn’t have called him,” she said to Dana. “And you shouldn’t have come,” Caryn added in a curt tone to Luke, her gaze sliding past him. “This doesn’t concern you.”

  “What happened?” Luke forced the words through a throat constricted with fear. She looked so tiny lying in the hospital bed. It was all he could do not to pull her close and reassure himself she was really all right.

  Caryn closed her eyes as if she couldn’t bear to look at him. Trying not to feel hurt by her rejection, he turned to Dana, silently demanding an explanation.

  “She was painting the walls of her nursery and fell off the ladder. The spotting started a few hours later, so I brought her in.”

  “Has Dr. Kingsley been in to see her?” Luke asked.

  “Yes. So far the baby seems fine. They plan to watch her here over night. As long as the bleeding doesn’t get worse, she should be all right.”

  “Thank God.” Dizzy with relief, he crossed over to Caryn’s bed, tucking his hands in his pockets to keep from reaching for her. “Do you hurt anyplace else? Your head? Your neck? Back?”

  “No.” she wouldn’t meet his gaze, but continued to rub her stomach in soothing circles, as if she could hold the baby in place by will alone. “A little achy maybe, but nothing serious.”

  He nodded, wishing there was something he could do to ease her discomfort. But she hadn’t wanted him there. Wouldn’t have called him, even if she’d lost the baby. The thought broadsided him with the force of a tsunami.

  “Well?” Her sharp tone caught him off guard.

  “Well what?” He regarded her cautiously, not wanting to mess this up like he had the confrontation with Debbie.

  “Go ahead—say I told you so. This is my fault. I shouldn’t have been on the ladder.”

  He remembered his panic the first time he’d seen her standing on it, painting the wall. If he’d had his way, she wouldn’t have been anywhere near a ladder. Maybe he hadn’t liked the necessity of her doing the work but he was darned if he’d give her another reason to feel guilty.

  The last thing Caryn needed after the scene with Debbie was more guilt.

  “No.” He shook his head. “If you want to start passing around blame, then hand it over here.” At her puzzled frown he continued, “I pushed you into something you weren’t ready for.” From the other side of the room, Dana raised an interested brow and looked as if she was trying hard not to listen. “If I hadn’t interfered in your life, hadn’t tried to take over, we would have painted the room together and you wouldn’t have been on the ladder in the first place.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous.” Caryn’s voice was heavy with exhaustion but at least she didn’t seem angry any more. “You staying overnight had nothing to do with it. My ladder, my house, my problem.”

  He didn’t know what to say to convince her otherwise. Luckily, Dana came to his rescue by changing the subject.

  “Have you called David’s family, Caryn?” Dana asked.

  “No. It’s too late tonight—I’d rather wait until the morning.” He couldn’t blame Caryn for putting it off. Was Dana aware of Debbie’s accusations? He suspected not.

  “Don’t worry about it.” Dana crossed over to give Caryn a quick hug. “I have to go, I’m scheduled to work in the morning.”

  “Thanks for being there, Dana.” Caryn returned the hug.

  “You’re welcome. Goodnight. See you tomorrow.” Dana stood and tossed Luke a sympathetic look before leaving them alone.

  “I’m staying.” He leaned back in the chair and stretched his legs out.

  “They’re not going to let you stay,” Caryn protested. “Especially when there’s no reason. I’m fine.”

  He didn’t bother arguing, because there was no way he was leaving her alone. Whether Caryn wanted to admit it or not, this wasn’t something she wanted to face all by herself.

  She flipped off the television and settled back against the pillows. He crossed over to turn off the overhead lights then returned to his chair beside her bed.

  In the darkness he thought of all the things he wanted to say. But he’d promised to go slowly. He reached over, patting the side of the bed until he connected with her fingers. She didn’t respond and he expected her to pull away, refusing even this small measure of comfort.

  She didn’t.

  Her fingers tightened almost imperceptively around his. He brushed his thumb across the back of her hand. Closing his eyes, he let his head drop back against the chair.

  The slight tangible connection was enough for now.

  Plenty of time later to convince her he wasn’t leaving her alone ever again.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CARYN hadn’t expected to sleep a wink, but when she opened her eyes she realized it was already morning. She vaguely remembered the nurses coming in throughout the night to check on her but she had obviously fallen right back to sleep afterwards. Glancing over, she saw Luke was still beside her, his feet propped on the edge of her bed, his head at an awkward angle as he slept in the chair.

  As promised, he’d stayed all night. Nonplussed, she stared at him. She was amazed he’d come straight over the minute Dana had called him.

  Actually, she wasn’t surprised. Not really. The reason she’d been upset with Dana for calling Luke had been because she’d known he’d come. She’d expected him to yell at her for being so stupid as to climb the ladder in the first place, but he hadn’t. Instead, he’d tried to take the blame.

  Luke to the rescue. Saving her from her own foolishness.

  But had he really tried to save her this time? Thinking back, he’d rushed into the room like a wild man, his gaze raking over her until he’d been satisfied she wasn’t hurt.

  In that moment he hadn’t looked like a white knight riding in on his charger to save the day. Instead, he’d resembled a man flailing around for a life-preserver before he drowned. And when he’d touched her, held her hand, she hadn’t pulled away.

  For once it was nice to feel like she had something to offer him.

  “Good morning,” Marion greeted her, breaking into her troubled thoughts. The doctor’s eyebrows rose when she saw Luke blinking his eyes groggily beside her. “How are you feeling, Caryn?”

  “Better than yesterday,” Caryn acknowledged. “No pain and no more bleeding since last night.”

  “Wonderful.” She gave Luke a pointed glance. “I’m afraid I’ll have to ask your guest to leave so I can examine you.”

  He stood, stretching the kinks from his neck. “Dr. Kingsley, I’m Dr. Luke Hamilton, one of the critical care fellows here at Trinity.” He reached over to shake her hand.

  “Nice to meet you, Dr. Hamilton.” Marion smiled at him. “I hope you don’t mind leaving us alone?”

  “Of course not.” Luke didn’t argue, but turned toward Caryn. “I’ll be back in a little while.”

  “It’s not necessary for you to stay,” she told him quietly. “I’m fine. I’m sure I’ll be discharged soon.”

  “I’
ll be back in a little while,” he repeated, turning away and heading for the door.

  Stubborn man, she thought as she watched him walk away.

  “Friend of yours?” Marion asked as she donned a pair of gloves.

  “Yes.” There was no point in denying it. Marion knew the true identity of her baby’s father and, while she was sure the doctor was curious, Caryn was relieved she didn’t ask any more questions.

  After doing an extensive examination, Marion pronounced her healthy enough to be discharged.

  “I’d like you to stay home from work for at least a few more days, just to make sure things are fine.”

  Caryn hid her dismay. A few days wasn’t too much to ask, but she needed to make that second mortgage payment and soon. Obviously risking her baby wasn’t an option so she nodded, shoving aside the worry. “I understand.”

  “I’ll write you a note for work. If you need anything more formal, let me know.” Marion washed her hands at the basin. “Don’t do anything strenuous at home. And for heaven’s sake, stay off the ladder.”

  Caryn flushed, knowing that her fall had been the result of being emotionally upset while being up on the ladder, rather than any clumsiness on her part. But she nodded again. “I will.”

  The door to her room opened and she glanced up, expecting Luke. But Virginia and William Morgan, David’s parents, walked in.

  “Caryn, how are you? How is the baby?” Virginia enveloped her in perfumed hug.

  “We’re both fine.” Caryn’s heart sank when she saw them, although their kind concern made her realize that Debbie couldn’t have shared her suspicions with her parents. Debbie’s absence, though, was a clear statement of how David’s sister still hadn’t forgiven her.

  Maybe Luke was right. She should tell them the truth, especially before Debbie did.

  “When your friend Dana called, we came right over,” Virginia continued, her eyes full of reproach. “You should have gotten in touch with us last night.”

  “I didn’t want you to worry over nothing.” Caryn managed a weak smile even as she cursed Dana’s helpfulness.

  “I tried to tell Virginia that, but she doesn’t listen to me.” William’s acerbic tone earned him a narrow glare from his wife.

  “You don’t listen to me either.” Virginia rounded on him. “I told you I had a premonition about Caryn and the baby last night, and look what happened.”

  “You’re always having premonitions, they rarely come true,” William muttered. “For heaven’s sake, Caryn and the baby are fine.”

  Caryn ignored their mild bickering. “Will you both, please, sit down? I have something I need to tell you.” She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I care about you very much, and I don’t want to hurt you. But the truth is, David and I broke off our engagement the night before his accident.”

  She braced herself for a reaction similar to Debbie’s, but Virginia and William glanced at each other and then nodded. “Yes, dear. Debbie mentioned that to us,” Virginia admitted.

  Surprised, she stared at them. “She did? I don’t understand. Aren’t you upset with me?”

  “Why would we be upset? You’re still carrying our grandchild, aren’t you?” William asked in his gruff voice.

  “Yes.” No matter what Debbie thought, it was the truth.

  “What happened between you and David is not our business, we care about you and our grandchild,” Virginia added. “Don’t you know we love you like a daughter?”

  Caryn waited for the familiar guilt to return, because she still hadn’t told them all her secrets, but it didn’t come. All she felt was relief. They didn’t need to know everything else—nothing good would come of hurting David’s parents with the truth.

  She placed a hand over her stomach, feeling better than she had in a very long time. Free. She was finally free of the secrets. “Thanks,” she murmured. “I care about both of you, too.”

  They exchanged a glance. “Debbie’s been very upset. We’ve spent the night talking her out of donating a kidney to David.”

  Momentarily speechless, she stared at them. “Donating a kidney to David? Why?”

  Virginia’s smile was sad. “His kidney failure got worse after his bout with Crypto. I think Debbie thought she could buy him more time.”

  Good heavens, that must have been what Debbie had come to tell her that morning, Caryn realized. No wonder the poor woman had been upset. “Good. I’m glad you talked her out of it.”

  “It wasn’t easy,” William muttered.

  Caryn glanced around, wondering where Luke was. “I guess I’d better get dressed. Dr. Kingsley is letting me go home.”

  “Please, take care of yourself, Caryn,” Virginia said.

  “I will.” And she would.

  “Here, we have something for you. We want you to use this money to help support the baby.” William pushed a check into her hand.

  “No, I can’t take this.” She handed it back.

  “We cashed out the life-insurance policy we had on David,” William said in a gruff tone. “Your son or daughter deserves it.”

  She didn’t want to take the money, would rather dig herself out of debt on her own. Yet most of the debt wouldn’t be there if not for David. And the next payment on the second mortgage was due, so she reluctantly accepted the check. The balance would be set aside in a college fund. “Thank you. Very much.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  She didn’t know where Luke had disappeared to, but she finally managed to convince Virginia and William she was fine. The minute they’d left, Luke strode in.

  “I’ll take you home,” he offered.

  “Were you outside my room the entire time?” she asked.

  “Yeah.” Luke rubbed a hand along the back of his neck. “I heard you telling them about your break-up with David. I was ready to jump in to support you if they got out of line.”

  She had to laugh. Typical Luke, trying to ride to her rescue. Only for some reason his actions didn’t bother her so much now. Not if he allowed her to support him, too. “I didn’t need your help, they’re fine. I feel so much better now that they know. And they’ve given me a little money, plus offered to buy some things for the baby.”

  An odd expression filtered across his face. “Good. That’s good.”

  “Is something wrong?” she asked.

  “No. Are you ready?” Luke glanced at his watch. “I’m sorry to rush you, but Mitch is covering for me while I take you home, then I need to return to the unit.”

  “I’m ready—just need a minute to get dressed.” Caryn refused to be disappointed by his need to get to work. Relationships were two-way streets and it was her turn to support him. His career, like hers, was important. When she emerged a few minutes later, his eyes widened in frank appreciation.

  “You’re wearing your new clothes,” he murmured.

  “Yes.” She smoothed a hand over the swell of her belly in the pink clingy top. The clothes were tasteful yet trendy, and she couldn’t hide how much she preferred the items Luke bought for her over Debbie’s and Renee’s baggy hand-me-downs. “They’re beautiful.”

  “Only because you’re the one wearing them.” Luke cleared his throat and glanced away, breaking the sizzling tension. “I’ll let the nurses know you’re ready to go.”

  Caryn stoically tolerated a wheelchair ride down to the lobby while Luke went ahead to get his car. They didn’t say much on the short ride home. He insisted on escorting her into the house, and the warmth of his hand on the small of her back made her think of all kinds of things they could do in bed that weren’t exactly bed-rest but was close.

  “Thanks again.” Settled on the sofa with a book, she smiled at him. “You’d better get to work, I’m sure Mitch is waiting.”

  “Yeah.” He hesitated, looking as if he wanted to say more, but then he turned to leave. At her front door he paused, glanced back, his gaze enigmatic. “You’re OK here alone?”

  “Yes. I promised Dr. Kingsley, no more
ladders.”

  “I’m glad.” He opened the door. “I’ll, uh, check on you later.”

  “Are you sure nothing is wrong?” She thought he was behaving oddly.

  “I’m sure. Take care of yourself.” He stepped outside and then closed the door softly behind him.

  She bit her lip against a shaft of longing, tempted to call him back.

  Was he still planning to keep their dinner plans for that evening?

  As he hadn’t mentioned it, she had no way of knowing for sure.

  Luke did his best to concentrate on patient care, but he kept replaying the scene he’d overheard in the hospital between Caryn and David’s parents over and over again.

  He was glad she’d told them the truth, but listening while Caryn had taken the money they’d given her had bothered him. Not because she didn’t deserve it but because selfishly he wanted to be the one to provide for her.

  He wanted to marry her. Create a family with her.

  Why had she insisted on taking things slowly? More than anything he wanted to rush full steam ahead, taking their relationship to the level of something more permanent.

  Mitch walked into the physicians’ lounge with his lunch. “I heard about Caryn. How are you holding up?”

  “It was a rough night of worrying but at least she’s fine now,” Luke responded.

  “It’s scary, thinking about how fragile life is,” Mitch mused. “We deal with life and death every day but when it hits at home, it can knock the foundation right out from under your feet.”

  “Exactly right.” He knew Mitch had lost someone close to him, his son. “There’s nothing worse than sitting around, feeling helpless.”

  Mitch raised a brow at his serious tone. “Have you finally told Caryn you’re in love with her?”

  “I…well…” He stopped. Because it just hit him that he’d never said the words to her. He’d never told her exactly how he felt. “Not exactly. She said she wanted to take things slowly.”

  “Luke, you’re missing the boat here.” Mitch frowned and shook his head. “Dana talks to Caryn so listen up. She only said that bit about taking things slowly because she doesn’t know how you feel about her.”