“I’m doing great,” Maeve confirmed. “Sorry I didn’t tell you in December but I’m not the type to throw a pity party.”
“That’s a lot to go through,” Paige pointed out.
“Darling, I’m a nurse. I’ve seen it all.” Maeve’s remark reminded Paige that her sister was in her midforties. Hard to believe. “And June Bug—” her pet name for Juno “—swamped my kitchen with casseroles and pies. She gave me all the mothering I could’ve asked for. Maybe more.”
They chatted for awhile longer about her husband and four kids, including a married daughter with a toddler. After the call ended, nostalgia and longing swept over Paige. Even though common sense warned that the euphoria of a reunion would quickly wear off, she couldn’t wait to see her sisters again.
In the doorway, Jared reappeared. “Listen, I’m on my way out, but I had to let you know the good news. Lori took a pregnancy test and it’s positive.”
“That’s wonderful!” Paige decided to hold off on sharing the news of her own pregnancy. “Congratulations, Dad.”
“We’re over the moon. And it’s another credit for you in the contest.”
“As if that mattered!”
“It puts you in third position, right after Owen and Mark,” the father-to-be said cheerfully. “In any case, we’re glad you’ll be delivering her. Lori feels comfortable with you.”
“I’ll be honored.” Only after Jared vanished did it strike Paige that she might be gone by then.
Erica was scheduled to deliver in November, the contest climaxed in December, and now Lori was expecting a baby next spring. How could Paige bear to miss those events?
She lurched to her feet. Time to check on her patients in labor. Her decision would have to wait.
* * *
ON THE COMPUTER SCREEN, Mike watched the engineer’s thin face crease with outrage. Home from a camping trip, Doug Loughlin had returned his call a few minutes ago via Skype and immediately made a damning connection. Unless there were holes in his story, it was likely to derail Roy’s political career…and indirectly, Mike’s.
“Of all the people I wouldn’t have suspected, Mayor Hightower is near the top of the list.” Behind the man, the camera showed his home office bristling with electronic equipment. “I feel like flying out to California and strangling him. He played me for a fool.”
“You’re certain of this?” Although he’d heard the account once, Mike wasn’t satisfied. With so much at stake, he’d better review the details. “Walk me through it again.”
“No problem.” The engineer plunged ahead. “Like I said, I didn’t think twice about leaving him alone in the house while he staged it for buyers. Frankly, I was impressed with his initiative. My wife had gone to Phoenix to look for a new house. It seemed like a big favor that he was willing to pack away some of the stuff and rearrange things a little.”
“You’re certain about the laptop?”
“In retrospect, I was an idiot,” Doug grumbled, clenching his hands atop his cluttered desk. “It was defragging and I needed to run errands, so I left it on. Of course, it finished before I got back, so it was just sitting there, unguarded.”
By itself, Roy’s being alone with the laptop proved nothing. “And you clearly remember…”
“When I came in, like I told you, he was in my office. He pointed my attention out the window, yammering about how I needed to get the bushes trimmed. Later I found a message on the screen about failing to disconnect a device properly. The kind of warning you get if you pull out a flash drive in a hurry.”
“But you thought nothing of it?”
“Obviously, I should have. But after I walked him to the door, it must have been ten or fifteen minutes before I sat down to work. When I saw the warning, I didn’t associate it with Roy’s being in the room. I’d copied a file earlier and I figured I’d made the mistake myself. I do tend to get distracted.”
“I understand.” Around Mike, the early-evening light etched deep shadows onto the brick patio.
“What happens now?”
“I’ll take this to Reese tomorrow,” Mike said. “After that, it’s up to him.”
“The man stole our prototype!” Doug fumed. “He cost us a bundle. Not to mention betraying our trust. He deserves to be marched away in handcuffs.”
Probably true, although more investigation would be needed. If Doug himself had committed the theft, he had reason to lie about the mayor. But Mike’s instincts sided with the engineer. He just wished that Roy Hightower’s downfall wasn’t likely to create a problem for Chief Walters.
He’d finished entering his notes and was rewatching the video of the mayor’s announcement, since he’d missed a few parts the first time, when a flash of blue at the corner drew his gaze to Paige’s coupe. Through the windshield, the sight of her cloud of red hair lifted his spirits, as did the bouncy strains of an oldie pop song resounding from her stereo.
After the car disappeared into the garage, Mike could have kicked himself for gawking. Not to mention missing part of the video all over again.
Paige cut across the patio carrying a large supermarket sack. “Roast chicken and vegetables,” she called. “I brought plenty in case you’re hungry.”
“Sounds great.”
She paused to study the moving figures on his laptop. “I can’t stand that man!”
“Which one?”
“Hizzoner the mayor,” she grumbled. “He was the swing vote on the halfway house. I’ll never forget his smug look when he referred to us as ‘that type of neighborhood.’ As if the fact that we have small cottages and a lot of renters means we aren’t entitled to security.”
“I’m not one of his fans, either,” Mike said. “Now about that chicken…”
They moved to the kitchen, falling into a comfortable rhythm as he set the table while she fixed iced tea. She was humming the song he’d heard playing in her car, and her green eyes sparkled.
“How’d your day go?” Mike asked.
“Lots of healthy babies and one of my fertility patients is pregnant.” She set out the aromatic containers of food.
The news startled him. “Sheila?”
She blinked. “What, since yesterday?”
It did seem rather soon. Plus, he doubted she saw regular patients on a Sunday. “Must be someone on staff, which would explain why you ran into her on a weekend.”
“Good guess.” She didn’t add any details, but that would be an invasion of the patient’s privacy.
Mike had the same type of issue to deal with. He kept trying to figure out how to salvage his future chances for an endorsement even though his research was about to publicly humiliate Chief Walters. Paige’s feedback about Mrs. Hightower had been right on target after he spoke about the case hypothetically. Why not do the same now?
Once they were seated and had taken the edge off their appetites, he spoke up. “I’d like your opinion about something.”
She set down her fork. “Is this personal?”
“No, it’s business. Why?”
“Between Dermot and my sisters, I’ve had enough personal drama for one day. I’m not sure I have the emotional energy to handle any more. But business would be okay.” She took a second helping of steamed broccoli and cauliflower.
“You talked to your sisters.” While Mike disliked the reminder that she might be moving out of state, he didn’t want to be left in the dark. “What happened?”
“Long story. Let’s get back to what’s eating you.”
Being shut out of her private life bothered him. But he’d asked for that, hadn’t he? Plus, now that he’d brought up his problem, might as well see it through.
Choosing his words carefully, Mike explained that he had to expose wrongdoing and, in the process, uninte
ntionally harm a third party whose high opinion he valued. “He might be important to my future business plans, plus I hate to embarrass him, but I don’t see how to avoid it. My first obligation is to my client.”
“Communication might soften the blow. Would your client agree to give this guy a heads-up, or would that spoil your plans?” She regarded him sympathetically.
Mike hated being blindsided, and no doubt the chief did, too. Now that he thought about it, they should notify the local police first anyway. “You’re a genius,” he said. “Don’t go to Texas. I rely on your advice.”
“You can email me,” Paige joked. “I promise not to bill you.”
He felt a jolt of alarm. “Have you definitely decided to leave?”
“Still pending.”
Relief. But short-lived unless he made her see how much she would regret moving, and not only because—he hoped—she’d miss him as much as he’d miss her. “Judging by what you’ve told me, your family will drive you crazy. I’m sure they’re fine in small doses, but pretty soon you’ll feel trapped and hemmed in. Like you don’t know who you are anymore.”
She peered at him through lowered lashes. “That sounds like the way you feel about becoming a father. Am I right?”
She understood him all too well. “That doesn’t make me wrong about you and your family,” he countered.
Paige sat there looking beautiful and sorrowful, like a painted madonna come to life. “I’ll decide by the end of the month. How’s that?”
“You’re asking my permission?”
“No. But I did promise you could stay for the summer. And since it’s your baby, even though you’re not responsible, I’ll give you a fair chance to weigh all considerations.”
He reached across the table to take her hand. “Paige, leaving here would be a mistake. For your own happiness.”
She waited. Hoping he’d give her a personal reason to stay? The words refused to come.
If it were only a matter of the two of them… But she’d been right about what fatherhood meant to him. A twenty-year prison sentence. “I’ll get the ice cream from the freezer.” Mike arose and, as the moment passed, imagined he heard a door shutting, leaving him outside.
Outside of prison, he reminded himself, and rummaged through a drawer for the scoop.
Chapter Sixteen
“You’re the most terrific doctor in the world!” Sheila Obermeier beamed at Nora from the examining table. “This has to be record time.”
“It certainly happened fast.” Reaching out, Paige helped her patient sit up. “Congratulations. And please credit Dr. Rattigan, too.”
Less than three weeks after Gil received an injection for his low hormone count, the couple had achieved a pregnancy. It wasn’t even the end of July, by a few days. Paige was more aware than usual of time passing because of her self-imposed deadline to reach a decision.
The petite woman tugged the hospital gown tighter. “If not for your advice, Gil would never have agreed to see Dr. Rattigan.”
“Is everything okay between you two?”
“Yes. Actually, things are better than they’ve been in a long time. He was embarrassed when it turned out his hormones were low, but I remembered what you said about stroking his ego. So I told him that my hormones fluctuate all the time.”
“Good response.” Paige admired the woman’s quick thinking.
“He’s decided to join a gym and get in shape,” Sheila noted. “I think you were right about him feeling inadequate compared to Mike. You know, they have more in common than I realized. They’re both old-fashioned masculine guys, even though they show it in different ways. How’re things going with him, by the way? I got the impression you two were involved.”
Paige didn’t like to discuss her personal life with a patient. Dodging the issue struck her as futile, though. “Nothing long-term. As you know, he doesn’t want kids, and I do.” Carefully, she added, “In fact, I’m expecting a baby. By choice.” Word of Paige’s condition had spread through the hospital these past few weeks, it being almost impossible to hide the signs of pregnancy from the nurses.
“It isn’t his?”
“I used the sperm bank.” That was true, as far as it went.
“How did he react to that?” Sheila asked.
“As I said, our long-term goals don’t mesh.” Enough about Mike. “Now, let’s discuss your prenatal care.”
By the time Sheila departed laden with pamphlets and vitamin samples, it was a few minutes past five o’clock. Paige went to check with her nurse. Although Sheila was the last scheduled patient, there was usually someone who had to be worked in on a Thursday with the weekend fast approaching.
However, Keely informed her that the waiting room was empty. “Now that there are two doctors, you’re caught up.” The heavyset nurse fiddled with a chart. “That temp nurse is doing okay for Dr. Franco, I suppose.”
“I hear she’s fine.” When Nora returned to work a few weeks earlier, she’d brought in a temporary staffer until Bailey returned or gave notice. Still, Paige had to be fair about this. “I’d understand if you’d rather work with Dr. Franco than with me. We arranged things this way because you and I are both full-time.”
The woman’s dour features seemed to be fighting a battle. Finally the tiniest hint of a smile broke through. “I’d rather stay with you. I hope you aren’t planning to leave. I heard you might be.”
Lately, Paige had been missing family less and seeing more reasons to stay. Yesterday, she’d been surprised by the heartfelt swell of applause at a staff meeting when Dr. Tartikoff announced that Paige had moved into second position in the contest, ahead of Mark Rayburn and Zack Sargent. Then there’d been Cole Rattigan’s admiring remark when, after thanking her for referring Gil Obermeier, the renowned urologist had said he was impressed with how much she cared about her patients.
Staying in California would be lonely at times. No sisters around to pinch-hit with the baby and, unless Mike chose to tell his folks, no connection to them, either.
Yet the grumpy nurse’s unexpected vote of confidence seemed to fit a puzzle piece into place. With a profound sense of relief, Paige announced, “Actually, Keely, I’ve decided to stay here. My family’s great but they can be overwhelming. I’ll be happier going it alone.”
“You won’t be alone,” the nurse said. “The people around here are like a family.”
Paige barely hid her astonishment. Grim-faced Keely had antagonized Dr. T during a brief stint in his office and, whenever she joined a table of other nurses in the cafeteria, sat scowling as if she disapproved of their chitchat. Who would have guessed how she felt about them?
“Yes, they are,” Paige agreed.
“And you’re a big part of that.”
From Keely, that amounted to high praise. “I’m glad you like working for me,” Paige said.
“You’re not fluttery like some of the other women doctors, and you’re not bossy like the men.” Keely had circulated as a temp for much of the time she’d worked at Safe Harbor, Paige had heard. “I like it here.”
“Great.” She gave the nurse a hug. After a moment’s hesitation, Keely hugged her back.
Afterward, in her office, Paige was collecting her purse when Nora popped in, her face alight. “Sorry for eavesdropping but I overheard you and Keely. I’m glad you’re staying!”
“Sign me up,” Paige responded cheerfully.
“I don’t mean to be nosy… .”
“You mean about Mike?”
“Well, yes.”
“I wish I could say there were romantic considerations, but that isn’t it.” Paige waved her friend into a chair. “I grew up afraid of getting lost in other people’s ideas of who I was. But when the reality sank in that I’m going to be a single
mother facing the future alone, I got scared. Turned out to be temporary. It’s not like me to run from a challenge.”
“You aren’t staying because you feel you have to prove anything, are you?” Nora probed. “Because you’re one of the most popular and respected doctors at the hospital.”
“Thank you. That means a lot.” Paige laughed, amazed at how free she felt. “I do feel like I belong here. And who knows? Maybe someday I’ll meet the right guy.”
Nora didn’t say anything about Mike. And much as she liked her new partner, Paige wasn’t about to volunteer anything further about the private, tender and very painful place in her soul that belonged to him.
“How about sharing a bottle of sparkling apple juice to celebrate our new partnership?” Nora asked. “I have some at home.”
“You’re on.” Out they went, together.
* * *
ALTHOUGH HE’D WORKED for Kendall Technologies for almost a year and a half since buying Fact Hunter Investigations, Mike had never been invited to the owner’s home until Thursday evening. As he parked near the harbor, he wished he knew what this meant.
Three weeks ago, Reese had received the report on the Doug Loughlin interview with fury. Outraged by the mayor’s thievery, he’d been eager to go straight to the FBI, but had listened to Mike’s urging that they take the case first to Jon Walters. Finally, he’d agreed.
“I realize you’d prefer to avoid antagonizing your former boss,” Reese had said. “I’ve met the man a few times myself, and I respect him. But he’s close to Roy. If he tips off the mayor and screws this up, I’ll hold you responsible when the FBI goes Dumpster-diving through my files.”
Mike had almost regretted putting himself on the line. On the other hand, he wasn’t just doing this for himself. In a theft case—even one with international implications—he considered it proper to notify the local police first. So with Reese’s permission, he’d called the chief and, after he explained that this was a sensitive matter, Walters had met them at Kendall Technologies.
In Reese’s plush office, Mike had broken the news to the chief. He’d explained about the theft of a prototype medical tool by a Russian company, and laid out Doug’s testimony. He’d also mentioned Roy’s close association with Yelena.
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