by Leanne Banks
Bridget swore at the phone and tossed it on her bed. She didn’t want to share Ryder with her sister or anyone else at the moment. She was appalled to admit, only to herself, that she’d missed Ryder and the twins terribly during the last few days. It had taken every bit of her self-control not to dash over to his house to hold the babies or to visit Ryder at the hospital. She knew, however, that she was growing entirely too attached to all three males. And now Ryder would have to face an inquisition from both her sister and her brother-in-law. She wouldn’t blame Ryder if he ran screaming.
Deciding to give him the easy way out, she sent him a text message. Change of plans. My sister and her husband insist we join them for dinner. I’ll understand if you can’t join us.
When he didn’t immediately answer, she suspected he was trying to word his response and took a shower, feeling glum, bordering pouty. Amazing how one phone call from her nosy sister could send her mood into the pits. When she got out of the shower, her cell phone dinged to indicate a message.
I’m in. Where?
Her heart turned cartwheels and she gave him the name of the restaurant along with a warning that her sister’s interrogation could rival the American’s CIA. Although she much preferred sharing an evening with Ryder without the company of her sister, she couldn’t deny she was excited to get to see him, period.
That night, Bridget fought a surprising spate of nerves on the way to the restaurant. “Tell us more about your doctor,” Tina said.
“You’ll meet him soon enough,” she said. “He’s very work-oriented, but he’s making adjustments now that he’s the guardian for his twin infant nephews.” She deliberately changed the subject. “Stefan told me Phillipa will be coming for a visit soon. He sounded worried. Have you had a chance to talk with her?”
“I’ve called, but she hasn’t returned my call, which has me concerned. What about you?”
“I just left a message telling her I was looking forward to seeing her. She may need to relax a little before she’s ready to talk. I didn’t want to put any more pressure on her. I wondered if it was related to her studies, but Phillipa has always thrived under academic pressure.”
“I think a little quiet time at our ranch will help her and we can come into town for a little fun. Of course, you could spend more time at the ranch, too,” Tina said in a pointed voice.
“I have a task to complete and I can’t do it from the ranch,” Bridget said, refusing to give in to her sister’s dig. “Now I’m in the process of trying to lure medical specialists to come to Chantaine so we can attract more medical doctors to our program.”
“And what about your Dr. McCall? How would he feel about visiting Chantaine?”
Bridget laughed at the thought, yet felt a twinge of sadness at the same time. “He’s far too busy with his work at the hospital and with the twins. I can’t imagine his even considering it.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Tina said. “Maybe because the two of you are so close—”
“Not that close,” Bridget said flatly.
“If you’re looking for doctors who would like to combine a vacation with teaching in Chantaine, I might know a few,” Zachary offered.
“Oh, that would be fabulous. Please do let me know of any of your connections,” Bridget said.
“Zachary recruited an obstetrician to the small town close to the ranch, so he might be able to give you some tips,” Tina said.
“Part of it is finding the right person. Not every doctor wants to practice in a big city hospital. You may have your heart set on Texas Medical Center, but the truth is some highly qualified doctor in a backwater town might like the idea of spending some time on an exotic island with easy access to Europe.”
“Thank you,” she said, her mind already exploring possibilities. “I hadn’t thought of that.”
Tina squeezed her husband’s arm. “What an intelligent, resourceful man.”
“Well, I got you, didn’t I?” he said and Bridget felt a twinge of longing. How would it feel if Ryder acted the same way toward her? Biting her lip, she gave herself a hard mental shake. She had other plans. Italy beckoned.
She arrived at the exclusive restaurant and was seated with Tina and Zach. Ryder arrived fifteen minutes later, appearing distracted as he strode to the table. “Sorry,” he said and leaned down to kiss her full on the mouth. “I’ve missed the hell out of you,” he whispered.
He turned to Tina and Zach. “Your Highness,” he said. “Your Highness’s husband.”
Both Tina and Zach chuckled. “Please call me Tina,” she said.
“And I’m Zach,” he said, rising to offer his hand.
“Excuse me if I’m checking my cell phone messages. I have a patient teetering on the edge tonight. He’s diabetic and I would have preferred not to operate, but this wasn’t an optional procedure.”
“Is this the same patient you were watching last night?” Bridget asked.
“Yes,” Ryder said. “He improved, but I’m concerned about circulation to his extremities.”
Bridget automatically extended her hand toward his beneath the table. Ryder responding by clasping it against his knee. “If you need to leave,” she began.
“I can stay for now. I just need to check my messages,” he said.
“We’re glad you could join us,” Tina said. “You’ve certainly captured Bridget’s attention and that’s not easy to do.”
Bridget fought a rise of heat to her cheeks. “Tina,” she said.
“Really?” Ryder said. “That’s encouraging news because wherever she goes the men are chasing after her.”
“I told you that’s just because of my title,” Bridget said.
“Not true,” he said.
“Exactly,” Tina said, and Bridget felt her sister study her intently.
Bridget picked up the menu. “I wonder what the specials are tonight.”
The waiter took their orders, Ryder frequently checked his phone messages and even excused himself once to make a call.
“Is this what you want for your future?” Tina asked. “He’s been half-focused on his phone throughout the entire meal.”
“He could have cancelled, but he came. If someone important to you was in the hospital, wouldn’t you want to know his doctor was this conscientious?”
Tina frowned. “I suppose. I just can’t see you being happy with someone so intent on his career.”
Bridget leaned forward. “Ryder and I haven’t made any mention of commitment,” she whispered. “We’re just enjoying each other’s company.”
“As long as he’s not enjoying the company too much,” Zach said.
“I’m not pregnant, if that’s what you’re asking,” she said.
“Low blow,” Tina said.
“You deserve it,” Bridget said, feeling pushed to the edge. “Stefan told me you tattled about me seeing Ryder. I would have expected better from you.”
“It’s my duty to look after you,” Tina said.
“Isn’t that the same thing Stefan said to you?” Bridget challenged.
Tina gasped in offense. “Well—”
Ryder reappeared at the table, relief written on his face. “Good news. My patient’s condition is improving.”
“Excellent news,” Bridget said as the waiter cleared the plates from the table.
“Excellent,” Tina agreed, though she shot Bridget a sharp look. “Bridget tells me you’ve recently taken over the guardianship of twin baby boys. That must have been traumatic for all of you. My sympathies on the loss of your brother and sister-in-law.”
“Thanks,” Ryder said. “Bridget has actually helped smooth the waters with the twins. She found a nanny who has been a perfect fit. Until she stepped in, I was scrambling. I had several quit on me. With my profession, I need dependable childcare.”
“Well done, Bridget,” Tina said, appearing impressed and vaguely surprised.
“Your friend Keely helped. She gave me the name of the top nanny agency in Dallas,” Bridge
t said.
“But Bridget interviewed the candidates and selected the final choice,” he said.
“Bridget isn’t known for her affinity for babies,” Tina said.
Thanks for nothing, Bridget thought.
“Neither am I,” Ryder said bluntly. “But she stepped right in. She’s been a lifesaver. The boys adore her.”
“And what about you?” Tina asked. “What are your intentions?”
“Tina,” Bridget scolded.
“It’s a good question,” Zach said, backing up his wife.
Bridget balled her fists in her lap. “You do not have to answer that question, Ryder.”
Ryder placed his hand over hers underneath the table. “I don’t mind answering. Bridget and I have just met. Neither of us know what the future holds. Based on the demands our lives place on us, I know our relationship is temporary.”
Bridget’s heart fell to her feet. Even though she agreed with Ryder’s assessment, hearing the words wounded her to the quick. She was temporary.
The interminable meal finally ended fifteen minutes later. Ryder shook hands with her sister and brother-in-law, then brushed a kiss against the corner of her mouth. “Miss you,” he murmured just for her ears. “Call me.”
A few moments later, she sat in the back of her brother-in-law’s SUV, still feeling shell-shocked.
“I can see why you like him,” Tina said. “He’s his own man and clearly isn’t after you because you’re royalty. Plus, it doesn’t appear that he intends to keep you from going to Italy,” she added with a low laugh.
Bridget couldn’t muster the careless response she should have been able to toss back to her sister. Silence stretched inside the car.
“Bridget, are you okay? Why are you so quiet?” Tina asked, turning around to look at her.
Bridget thanked heaven for the darkness. “I’m just tired,” she said.
“Are you sure? You were always such a night owl.”
“I’m sure,” she said, trying not to resent her sister for pressing Ryder. It had been so much easier for her when her relationship with Ryder had remained undefined. Some part of her must have craved the sense of possibility with him. He was so different from any man she’d ever known. Ryder and the babies almost made her rethink Italy.
Blessedly, Zach pulled in front of her hotel. Relief rushed through her. If she could just get upstairs without another inquisition. “It was so wonderful seeing both of you. Thank you for dinner,” she said and stepped outside the car when the valet opened her door.
Tina rushed outside her door. “Bridget,” she said, studying her face. “I know something is wrong.”
“Nothing is wrong,” Bridget said, pushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. “I told you I’m just tired.”
“I don’t believe you,” Tina said. “I can sense you’re upset.”
Bridget lost her patience. “Why should I be upset? You just grilled my boyfriend and me. I had a perfectly wonderful evening planned with him, but instead we went to dinner with you and might as well have been sent to walk across coals.”
She watched her sister’s face fall in desolation. “I’m so sorry,” Tina said. “Zach and I just wanted to make sure this man wasn’t going to take advantage of you.”
“Would you have wanted Zach to receive the same kind of grilling you gave me?”
“I didn’t know you felt the same way about Ryder that I felt about Zach,” Tina said.
“It doesn’t matter how you judge my feelings. It matters how I judge my feelings. I’m an adult. I don’t need my sister, brother, brother-in-law and everyone else legislating or judging who I see.” She lifted her chin. “Have a little faith in me for a change.”
Tina’s eyes turned shiny with tears. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I did the same thing to you that I didn’t want done to me.”
Bridget took a quick sharp breath. She hated to hurt her sister, but Bridget needed Tina to believe in her. Just a little. “Yes, you did. Do you really believe I’m so stupid that any man can get my attention?” she asked, then continued before her sister could continue. “I know I acted like a spoiled brat when I had to come back from Italy after two weeks to cover for you, but I still came back and I still covered. I’m not a total ditz.”
“Oh, Bridget,” Tina said, shaking her head and clasping Bridget’s hands. “I never thought you were a ditz. I always knew you were underestimated. I owe you a huge debt for stepping in for me and also dealing with Stefan. I just don’t want you to be hurt.”
Bridget bit the inside of her lip. Too late for that, she thought. “I won’t be,” she reassured her sister and gave her a hug.
“Don’t be mad at me,” Tina whispered.
“I’m not,” Bridget said.
“Promise?” Tina asked.
“Promise,” Bridget said.
“You’ll never bring another man around me, will you?” Tina asked.
“It’ll be a while,” Bridget said with a rough laugh. “I need to hit the sack. Long day tomorrow. I love you.” She waved to Zach and gave her sister one more hug, then walked inside the hotel toward her suite. When she got inside, she collapsed on her bed and gave in to her tears.
Bridget soldiered through her appointments the next day. Just after four-thirty as she was headed back to her hotel to change for a dinner appearance, she received a call from Suzanne.
“Your Highness, I probably shouldn’t call you, but I thought you should know,” the nanny said in a tear-filled voice.
“What is it? What’s wrong?” Bridget asked.
“It’s Travis. His fever shot up to 105 degrees,” she said. “We had to take him to the hospital because it was too late for the pediatrician.”
Bridget’s heart sank to her feet. “Where is Ryder?”
“He’s at the hospital,” she said. “In the emergency room with a pediatric specialist.” She gave a muffled sob. “I’m at Ryder’s with Tyler.”
She fought the urge to hyperventilate. Nothing could happen to that baby. Nothing. “I’m going to the hospital.”
“Ryder didn’t tell me to call you,” Suzanne said.
“Well, he bloody well should have,” Bridget said and told her driver to head for the hospital.
Ryder had never felt so helpless in his life as he watched his nephew, now his son, suffer the tests necessary to make him well. Travis screamed at the top of his lungs. “I’m sorry, Dr. McCall, but I think we’re going to need to do a spinal tap.”
Sweating everything but blood, Ryder nodded. “Do what you have to do to make him well.” Ryder was well aware that Travis’s condition was deteriorating. He couldn’t remember feeling this kind of terror ever before.
After the spinal, Ryder heard a ruckus outside the examination room. A nurse entered. “I’m sorry, but there’s a woman outside. She says she’s a princess. She insists to be allowed inside with you and your son.”
The nurse may as well have hit him with both fists. She’s a princess. It was Bridget. A crazy sliver of relief slid through him. Your son. The words echoed inside his brain over and over. “Let her in,” he said.
Seconds later, Bridget burst into the room wearing a hospital gown. She glanced from him to Travis, who was curled up exhausted on the table. Ryder would have preferred his cranky cries to his silence. He touched the baby’s arm.
Bridget touched Ryder’s.
Struggling with a terrible sense of desperation, he covered her hand with his.
“Can I hold him?” she asked.
“Not yet.” They’d been instructed to wait to hold Travis, who was hooked up to an IV.
“He’s going to be all right,” she said softly as she held Ryder’s hand. “He’s a strong baby.”
“He’s always the one to cry the loudest and the longest,” Ryder said, surprised at the strength of the fear he was fighting. Medically, he understood everything that was being done, but some part of him felt it wasn’t enough. There had to be more. There had to be a way.
A few m
ore moments passed. Bridget squeezed his hand and took a deep breath. “Can we hold him now?” she asked the nurse when she entered the room.
“For just a few moments,” she said. “Take care for his IV.”
Bridget sat and held Travis. His vital signs showed less stress within a moment of her cuddling him. Ryder took his turn holding the baby a while later and he was surprised to see he had the same effect on him.
Sometime later, the pediatrician strode into the room. “Lab results are back. Strep,” he said. “With antibiotics, he’ll be better in no time.”
“Are you sure?” Bridget asked. “He seems so listless.”
The pediatrician smiled gently. “With the right treatment, these little guys recover so quickly they make me look like a miracle worker. You just need to make sure everyone who’s been exposed to him receives preventative treatment, too.”
“Tyler,” Bridget said to Ryder.
“And Suzanne and the other sitters. Thanks, Carl,” he said to the pediatrician. “I know you stayed late for this. I owe you.”
“I’m glad it was so easy,” he said and glanced at Bridget. “And I don’t believe I’ve met your wife.”
Ryder felt a twist of awkwardness, but rushed to correct his colleague for Bridget’s sake. “She’s not my wife, but we’ve been damn lucky to have her around. This is Bridget Devereaux.”
Carl nodded. “You clearly have a calming effect on the baby. You must be a natural.”
Bridget laughed wryly. “I’m not sure I’d call myself a natural, but I’m relieved Travis will be okay. Thank you so very much.”
“No problem. We’ll have him stay the rest of the night. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’ll be ready to be released by midday. I’ll talk to you later,” he said and headed out the door.
Ryder stared at Bridget tenderly holding his nephew, his child, as if Travis were her own child. Something inside him shifted. Stone walls he’d long considered closed cracked open and he felt a burst of sweet oxygen in places that had felt dead. The expansion inside him was almost painful. For a second, he looked away to gather his defenses, to put himself back together the way he needed to be.
