Trying not to show how keyed up he felt, Jason shook hands with Patrick and inquired after Natalie. “She’s occupied at the moment,” the administrator said without elaborating.
“Did the fund drive reach its goal?” Jason asked.
“No comment.” Patrick’s expression gave nothing away. “Everyone’s going to learn the facts at the same time.”
“Trying to pry out the juicy details?” inquired Noreen McLanahan. The elderly board member-cum-volunteer sparkled with diamonds shown to advantage by a black silk pantsuit. “This man’s full of secrets tonight. He’s promised us lots of surprises. Oh, Dr. Carmichael, have you met my beau, Hugo Oldham?”
“I haven’t had the pleasure.” He shook hands with the balding, tuxedoed man on her arm.
They were soon joined by Alfred and Eva LoBianco, both radiant. Gradually, the room filled with people. Heather hadn’t arrived yet.
Jason hoped she wasn’t going to prove difficult tonight. He’d made his decision and, although it had come at the last minute, it didn’t feel rushed because it had been building inside him for a long time. Now that he’d made it, he didn’t know why he’d ever hesitated. He just hoped that she would trust him.
When she entered the ballroom, Jason felt a shimmer in the air. A moment later, he spotted her near the entrance.
As he made his way toward her, he drank in the high color on Heather’s cheeks and the gown with the scarf he’d picked out. She might have strolled right out of a dream. In fact, she had appeared in one of his dreams wearing that dress, but she hadn’t kept it on very long.
“May I have this dance?” He offered his arm when he reached her.
Heather hesitated. “Oh, go on!” said her friend Amy, who stood nearby.
“I’d be delighted.” Laying her hand on the sleeve of Jason’s tuxedo, Heather glided beside him to the dance floor.
Gazing down at her hair, he saw that the curls framed her face softly. Her airy fragrance floated in the air.
It was a good beginning, Jason reflected. He just hoped her good mood wasn’t going to give way to an explosion later on.
THE TUXEDO did a magnificent job of showcasing the man. Heather barely managed not to melt right into Jason’s arms.
She had no idea what the orchestra was playing or who else had showed up at the party. The only thing she noticed was Jason’s hand branding itself onto her waist as he guided her around the dance floor.
Despite her high heels, Heather’s cheek only reached to his broad chest as they moved to a slow number. She imagined she could hear his heart beating.
She flashed back to the week after his arrival, months ago, when she’d imagined his heart had formed of green ice. How much she’d learned since then!
There was nothing cold about Jason Carmichael. He blazed against her, surrounding her with warmth. His mouth brushed the top of her head and she heard him murmur an endearment.
Longing flooded Heather, to be alone with him, to hear him tell her that he loved her and wanted to be with her always. What an idiot she was!
She forgot her reservations as the music swelled. Jason was a skilled dancer and Heather floated, leaving reality behind as she let him carve a path through space and time.
Beneath his tailored clothing, she felt the masculine hum of energy. Desire hovered just out of reach, like a promise not quite ready to be fulfilled.
When the song ended, they stayed where they were, ignoring the other people on the dance floor. Through the windows, Heather saw that darkness had completed its descent. Lights twinkled from moored yachts and the Serene Peninsula curved like a half-moon across the bay.
“Heather.” Jason’s breath tickled her ear.
“Mmm?”
“Later, I’d like to talk to you privately,” he murmured.
A tiny flame of hope lit within her. “I’d like that, too.”
“There’s something I have to explain,” he said.
The flame flickered and died. No explanation was necessary for a declaration of love. He must have decided to accept Dr. Cocteau’s offer. Heather’s throat clamped shut, cutting off any reply.
“Ladies and gentlemen.” In front of the now-silent orchestra, Patrick had taken the microphone. “I’m sorry to interrupt the fun, but I’ve got a few things to say.”
Everyone gathered closer. Jason kept one arm around Heather’s waist. She hoped she could hear Patrick’s remarks through the tumult in her brain.
To one side, she noticed Loretta answering questions from a young woman with a tape recorder and a pad. Nearby, a cameraman took aim at Patrick. The local press, she gathered.
“As you all know, this gala celebrates two major events,” the administrator continued, his voice ringing out and his manner relaxed. “The first is the opening of the Doctors Circle Infertility Clinic. If anyone hasn’t met him yet, I’d like to introduce its director, Dr. Jason Carmichael.”
Jason waved one hand in response. He blinked in surprise as cheers filled the air. The man had probably never been popular before, Heather thought. Well, he’d earned it.
After providing some background on the staff, Patrick went on to cite the nine-month-long Endowment Fund campaign. “Although Doctors Circle is on sound financial footing, we’re banking on the fund to assure our future,” he said. “By raising thirty million dollars, I hoped we could both guarantee the continuation of our current programs and support future expansion.”
“Did we make it?” someone called.
“Here’s the tricky part,” Patrick said. “Bear with me a minute.” He recounted the kickoff campaign last fall, Alfred LoBianco’s generous donation, the ten million dollars raised in matching funds, and other contributions from the community.
“As of last week, we found ourselves still five million dollars short,” he said. “If we couldn’t make up the difference, we would also lose five million dollars in matching funds.”
The room went quiet. Heather could feel the tension in Jason’s encircling arm. Apparently he cared about Doctors Circle despite the likelihood that he wouldn’t be staying very long.
“Our center has an angel,” Patrick said after a long moment. “Her name is Noreen McLanahan. She and some of her friends, including Mr. Hugo Oldham, have come up with the money. I’m pleased to announce that the Endowment Fund has met its goal!”
The room shook with shouts and applause. Standing to one side, Noreen blushed and Hugo ducked his head.
Jason was hurrahing along with the best of them. For this moment at least, he stood together with his fellow staff members, sharing their triumph.
Heather added her applause to the din. She’d suspected that, one way or another, Patrick would find a way to raise the money even if he couldn’t do it within the prescribed time period. Still, she was proud of him and grateful to everyone who’d contributed.
Doctors Circle, the place she loved and considered home, was now solid as a rock. Women could continue to receive the care they needed regardless of their financial situation. Babies born in Serene Beach would come into the world as safely as possible.
Patrick held up one hand to stop the cheering. “I have one more announcement to make.”
Heather went cold. Was he going to tell them about Jason’s receiving the honor of an invitation from Dr. Cocteau?
“Actually, I have two announcements,” Patrick said. “The first is that, having achieved my goal of putting Doctors Circle on sound footing, I plan to step down as administrator as soon as a replacement can be found.”
A shock wave ran through the room. Faces went white. “He can’t do that,” Jason said. “We all depend on him.”
Heather was tempted to point out that that was how his staff members felt about Jason as well. She couldn’t, though. She was too distraught.
How could the center lose Patrick? He was not only the man who’d rescued it from the incompetence of his predecessor, he was also a father figure to all of them.
“I won’t be going far,” Pat
rick said. “I’ve decided to resume my pediatric practice and I’m going to do it at Doctors Circle. As you know, Dr. Dudley Fingger has been filling in as temporary head of the Well-Baby Clinic. Dudley has indicated he’d like to spend more time with patients, so, if the board approves, I’m going to appoint myself to that position.”
Murmurs of approval and relief rolled back at him. At least he’d still be around, Heather thought. If the new administrator didn’t measure up, he or she would no doubt find Patrick riding herd.
“Now, on to my second announcement,” he said. “This is more personal. My wife Natalie isn’t with us tonight because she went into labor a short time ago. Is there a doctor in the house?”
Amid the laughter, Heather said, “I think that’s my cue.”
“Call in and see how far along she is.” Jason wasn’t eager to let her go, she was pleased to find. “This is her first baby. She might not need you for hours.”
Heather dialed Labor and Delivery. The charge nurse, who was keeping close tabs on Natalie’s progress, told her labor was progressing quickly.
“She’s asking for you,” the nurse said. “I think it’s a good idea for you to come in now.”
“I’ll be right there.” Heather rang off. “I’ve got to go.”
“You’ll make quite an impression, dressed like that.” Jason indicated the sleek gown.
“I keep a change of clothing in my office,” she said.
“New office or old office?”
Heather didn’t see what difference it made. “The old one. I haven’t moved everything yet. Darn! The building’s probably locked.” Although the Birthing Center operated twenty-four hours a day, that wasn’t true of the office buildings.
“Patrick has a passkey. I’m sure he’s heading that way himself.” Jason strode over to the administrator, who nodded and spoke into the microphone again.
“Everybody have a good time and party as long as you like. I’m going to be with my wife,” he said. “Loretta Arista’s in charge of the festivities in my absence. She’s prepared a press release about the fund-raising campaign and my stepping down, and will answer any further questions.”
As he moved toward Heather, Amy said from nearby, “I’ll call Natalie’s mother.”
“Thanks. I’d forgotten to do that.” Patrick came abreast of Heather. “Well, Doctor? Let’s go see about our patient.”
She spared one last, wistful glance at Jason, who gave her an encouraging thumbs-up. It would have been fun to dance with him some more, Heather thought. Heaven knew when they’d get the chance again.
It wasn’t as if he was leaving right away, she told herself. They’d have plenty of time to talk. She just wasn’t sure what they were going to talk about.
MELISSA ASHLEY BARR weighed seven pounds, four ounces. She had her mother’s blond hair and blue eyes, and her father’s gift for playing to an audience. As Patrick held the baby up in the nursery, Heather could have sworn Melissa smiled at her grandmother and assorted relatives and friends, although the infant was much too young for such interaction.
“I’ve examined a lot of babies in my time,” Patrick said, turning away from the glass with his daughter in his arms. “I’ve never seen one who was such a ham before. Have you?”
“Absolutely not.” Heather refrained from mentioning that Ginger had also been a shining example of infant perfection. There was no such thing as objectivity when it came to one’s offspring, she supposed. “Are you going to stop back by the gala?”
“I’ll let them manage without me, but you go ahead,” Patrick said.
“Thanks.” Heather went to strip off her protective clothing. She was tired after several hours at the Birthing Center, handling not only Natalie’s delivery but also that of another patient.
Was Jason still at the yacht club? Even though she wasn’t eager to hear his bad news, Heather hated to give up this chance to spend time with him. It wouldn’t hurt to swing by and have a bite to eat, she told herself.
Eagerness speeding her step, Heather returned to her old office and changed into her evening dress. She was picking up her purse when the cell phone rang inside, making her jump. What timing! she mused as she answered, “Dr. Rourke.”
“Dr. Carmichael here.”
Her pulse speeded at his deep, familiar tones. “Natalie had a baby girl. You can tell everyone at the party.”
“I’m not at the party,” Jason said. “I had to leave on some business of my own.”
Her spirits took a nosedive. “I guess there’s no point in my going back, then.”
“Actually, you could do me a favor if you don’t mind,” Jason said. “I left an envelope on my desk that I’m going to need first thing in the morning. It’s marked Urgent. I’d appreciate it if you could bring that home with you and leave it on my doorstep.”
What on earth could he need urgently on a Sunday morning? Heather didn’t like to pry, however. Besides, another problem had occurred to her. “The building must be locked.”
“I called Patrick and he said he’d leave the side door open, the one near my office,” Jason said.
“You think of everything.”
“I do my best.” He sounded pleasant but a bit preoccupied.
It irked Heather that he wasn’t as bothered as she was that they’d lost the chance to dance some more that night. Trust Jason to be the most unromantic man on earth!
“Okay, I’ll pick it up,” she said. “I’ll drop it at your town house.”
“Great!” Jason said. “This means a lot. Oh, one more thing. Would you call me when you pick up the envelope? I think it’s on my desk but there’s a possibility I stuck it somewhere else.”
“If it’s not there, I’ll call.”
“Call either way,” he said. “I can’t tell you how important this is. Humor me.”
What was going on? Heather felt as if they were playing some kind of game, but surely the great Jason Carmichael didn’t stoop to practical jokes. “Fine. I’ll call.”
“Do you have my number with you?”
“Give it to me again.” Heather had no intention of letting Jason know she’d programmed his cell number into her phone. His ego was big enough already.
After reciting it for her, he signed off with, “Talk to you in a few minutes.”
Heather grumbled to herself as she went outside, setting the door to lock behind her. Did the man have any idea what time of night it was? He ought to do his own fetching and carrying. No wonder Coral had staged a palace revolt!
She smiled to herself, remembering the secretary’s elation yesterday after she’d refused to fetch Jason’s sandwich. The fact that the doctor had accepted her refusal without comment had made the point more clearly than either Edith or Heather could. Being assertive was not going to harm Coral’s career.
She crossed the courtyard beneath a bright May moon. A couple of pole lights cast their glow across the silent fountain and empty seats. At one end of the plaza, the illuminated Birthing Center pierced the darkness.
Inside, new mothers were dozing and babies were staring around at their brand-new world. What a magical place, she thought.
The side door to the East Wing opened easily. Heather was glad to find the corridor lighted. Patrick must have flipped a switch when he unlocked the place earlier.
Jason’s office was lit up, too, she found. There on the desk, as promised, sat an envelope marked Urgent. It was thick and oddly weighted, she discovered when she picked it up. There seemed to be a small object inside.
Remembering her instructions, she rapid-dialed Jason’s number. “What’s this all about?” she asked when he answered.
“What’s what all about?” His tone of mock innocence failed to reassure her. “Oh, before you leave, you might want to look in your office. The new one.”
Although Heather was tempted to try to pin him down, it would be faster to comply. Whatever game was afoot, no doubt she’d find the answer at the far end of the hallway. “Fine. Do you want m
e to call you when I get there, too?”
“It will be self-explanatory,” he said. “See you later.” Click.
Whatever Jason had planned, he’d gone to a lot of trouble. Her curiosity fully aroused, Heather marched along the corridor. If she hadn’t been wearing high heels, she might have broken into a trot.
Chapter Seventeen
Reaching her office, Heather opened the door and found the room dark. As she reached for the light switch, she inhaled a perfume so fresh it might have come from…
…a whole bank of roses. As the room sprang to life, she saw bush after bush, each in full bloom, the containers swathed in colored foil. Arranged on tiers of portable stands, they transformed her office into a garden.
“I hope you like them.” Jason moved into view. From the proud carriage of his head to the straightness of his back, he looked every inch a man in charge.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
“Look in the envelope.”
Heather tore it open. Out fell a key, which she managed to catch, and a note. Her hands were trembling so hard it took two tries to unfold it.
Across the paper slashed Jason’s bold handwriting. “This is to unlock our house. It’s a blank key because we’re going to choose the house together.”
“A house?” The words stuck in her throat. Heather’s brain was stuck, too. She couldn’t absorb all this, or perhaps she didn’t dare to.
“Complete with roses,” Jason said. “Isn’t that what you had in mind?”
Was this his way of placating her so she would accept a relationship on his terms? “Not if it’s only temporary.”
“Who said it’s only temporary?”
“On Wednesday, you were talking about needing elbow room and how plants can grow in air,” she said.
Jason shifted toward her. “I was raised to believe that my worth depended on my accomplishments. And those accomplishments had to be external, out there for the world to admire. I admit, it’s taken me a while to realize that that’s not what’s really important.”
Prognosis: A Baby? Maybe Page 20
