Noah caught Gunnar’s arm. “Sydney’s not up to talking with anyone right now. I’m sure you understand.” He wasn’t letting any of these men near her.
Yosten looked down at the hand clamped around his arm and back up at Noah. His anger was controlled, but visibly there. He was bigger than Noah and more muscular, but Noah felt confident he could handle Yosten. It would only get dicey if anyone else entered the mix. Or if they were armed.
For a second, he and Gunnar eyed each other in open animosity. Then, with a measuring stare that promised retribution, Gunnar Yosten stepped back, breaking Noah’s hold on his arm.
“Another time, then.”
“Definitely.”
Tamping down the adrenaline rush, Noah waited until Yosten was back on the porch before he called out, “You can leave the house keys in the mailbox. I’ll pick them up when I come back.”
Yosten didn’t turn around to acknowledge his words. Noah spotted Barry Fairvale watching the exchange through the living room window.
Adrenaline still fired his blood when Yosten disappeared inside and he could finally stroll across the grass to Sydney’s car. He half expected the sound of a shot, but nothing happened as he slid inside the car and saw Sydney’s shattered expression.
“Hey.” He laid his hand against her cheek. “Are you okay?”
“Who are those men?”
“The blond one said he was Gunnar Yosten.”
“Laura’s Gunnar?”
“You don’t know him?”
Sydney shook her head. Her troubled stare remained glued to the house. “Laura and Jerome talked about him, but we’ve never met. No wonder Laura didn’t want to go out with him. I thought the two of you were going to come to blows.”
“For a minute there, so did I.” Noah sat back. “He wanted to come and talk to you.”
Sydney gave an involuntary shudder. “Why? What are they doing here, Noah?”
“They claim Jerome hired them to do repairs. I gather you don’t know anything about that?”
“No.”
“According to Fairvale, you and Jerome were going to move here.”
Her mouth opened, then snapped shut. She started to say something when her attention passed him through the windshield. A police car was silently approaching. The officer cranked down his window as he pulled to a stop beside Noah’s open door. “Everything okay here?”
Noah stepped from the car. “I’m Noah Inglewood.” He nodded toward the house, wondering which one of the neighbors had called the police. “My brother and I were co-owners of this property.”
“May I see some identification?”
Slowly, Noah reached for his wallet and flipped it open. Both his military ID and his driver’s license were on top.
The officer nodded quick acceptance. “Officer Jackstone.” He looked toward the car expectantly.
“My brother’s wife, Sydney. We came out to look at the house. We weren’t aware that Jerome had hired Yosten to make any repairs. Sydney and I came up here for a little peace and quiet so I’ve asked Mr. Yosten and his crew to call it a day.”
Officer Jackstone was a sharp young man. He sent a glance toward the house and offered a brief nod of understanding. “Would you like me to hang around for a few minutes and make sure everything is okay?”
“Yes, thank you. I’m going to take Sydney over to see Dr. Martin and grab a bite to eat. Then we’ll be back.”
“The Perrywrinkle is pretty decent if you don’t want to travel far.”
“The Perrywrinkle?”
“The old Perry place. New guy in town bought the estate and turned it into a pretty decent restaurant and bar. They do a mean steak and lobster.”
“Thanks. Would you mind collecting the house keys from Mr. Yosten for me?” Their eyes met in another moment of understanding.
“No problem. Are you coming back here after dinner? I could drop them off around eight-thirty.”
“Thank you. We’ll be here.”
“Happy to be of help, Major Inglewood.”
As Noah climbed back inside the car, the police cruiser turned up the driveway. Sydney waited expectantly.
“What was that all about?”
“I’m not sure, but I get the feeling the local police share my unease about Gunnar Yosten and his crew. Officer Jackstone is going to stick around and collect the house keys for me.”
“Good thinking.”
He started the car. “Glad you approve.”
Sydney replaced her seat belt and settled back in her seat. “Where are we going now?”
“I thought we’d stop by Doc Martin’s and see if she’s in. She can take a quick look at your hand and be sure you didn’t do any more damage this morning.”
Sydney stiffened. “I’m quite capable of selecting my own doctors, Noah.”
“Hey, I know that. But you’ll like Les. She and I went to school together. Besides, she’s the only game in town since her father passed away.”
“I don’t think so.”
He drove around the corner and pulled into the small lot at the side of Leslie’s home office. “I was also thinking of the baby, Sydney. After what happened last night and this morning, I thought you’d want to make sure everything is okay.”
Her hand automatically went to her stomach in a protective gesture. “Everything’s fine.”
“Sydney, will you humor me? Les is a nice lady. She won’t hurt you.”
“I’m sure she won’t, especially since I have no intention of letting her look at me.”
He turned off the engine and released his seat belt. She sat rigidly beside him. Noah sighed. “I’m issuing orders again, aren’t I?”
“So it would appear.”
“I apologize. I’m concerned for your welfare, Sydney. Like it or not, your body is carrying…” He hesitated over his choice of words and she jumped in to fill the gap.
“The last of your family line. Yes, I know.”
This time the sarcasm surprised him. “Don’t you want the baby, Sydney?”
Noah held his breath. Her answer was critical—to both of them.
“Wanting a family is what drew Jerome and me together in the first place,” she said, twisting her wedding rings around and around on her finger. “But this isn’t…this isn’t how I thought things would go.”
Noah waited, sensing the tightrope of emotions she walked.
“Jerome and I were having problems. I won’t go into details since they don’t matter anymore, but Jerome had this doctor friend. He’d just opened a fertility clinic outside Frederick and we…well, Jerome practically demanded we use him. I didn’t like the man, and he told us the procedure didn’t work. I wasn’t supposed to be pregnant, Noah.”
“The doctor told you this? That it didn’t take?”
“That’s what he said. But the surgeon at the hospital says I am pregnant and that’s the only way it could have happened.”
She lifted her chin defiantly, daring him to contradict her. Noah had no intention of doing so, but he wondered about that statement. Did she mean it literally, or in the sense that she didn’t play around on her husband?
“All the more reason to go in and see Leslie,” he told her.
“Excuse me, but I think it’s all the more reason not to see another doctor I know nothing about.”
Noah scowled. “This is hardly the same thing, Syd. The hospital didn’t make a mistake.”
“I know that.”
She was feeling backed into a corner, he realized. An independent woman, Sydney didn’t like others making her choices. He couldn’t blame her.
“Okay, so what do you want to do? Do you have another doctor? One that you want to go and see?”
Sydney shook her head.
“Leslie’s dad was the only doctor in Fools Point when I grew up. I have no idea how good a doctor she is, but if it means anything, Les was serious and dedicated even in high school.”
“That’s not exactly reassuring, Noah.”
&n
bsp; “I only suggested this because you look so tired. I thought having a local doctor take a look might be reassuring after everything that’s happened, but it’s your body, your decision. We could drive up to Frederick and have someone look you over if you want.”
Sydney sighed. She hadn’t meant to sound so ungrateful. Noah wasn’t Jerome. He probably couldn’t help his take-charge attitude. He wasn’t really demanding, only suggesting. What could it hurt to go in and give this woman a try?
“You never answered my question, you know,” Noah said.
“What question is that?”
“Do you want the baby?”
His tension told her how much her answer mattered to him. Of course it did. She was going to be the mother of his only living relative. Having this baby would tie them irrevocably together. She wasn’t sure she was ready for meaningful ties to Noah Inglewood, but there really wasn’t any choice.
“Of course I want my baby.” And he was the second person to question that. How could anyone think she wouldn’t want her own child? Were they worried she wouldn’t be able to support a child?
“If my hand doesn’t heal and I can’t manage with just my left, I’ll find another career.” She tried for a negligent shrug. She would not think about that possibility.
Noah shook his head impatiently. “Your hand’s going to heal, Sydney. And I plan to see that the two of you are taken care of.”
“I don’t need anyone to ‘take care’ of me,” she snapped. “I’ll manage. I’m quite good at taking care of myself.”
“It won’t just be yourself anymore, Sydney.”
She knew. The idea was terrifying. It was also exhilarating. “I’ve always wanted children.”
He sat back looking strangely pleased. “Okay then.”
“Okay, what?”
“I think you ought to give Leslie a try.” He held up a hand as she automatically began to protest. “Or some other doctor. You pick, but you should know that your eyes are all squinty like you’re in pain. You have very expressive eyes, Sydney. I don’t want to see you in pain if there’s something you can do.”
She found herself absurdly pleased that Noah cared enough to notice her eyes. Of course, he was simply looking out for his niece or nephew. Still…
Sydney stared at the doctor’s large frame house. She hadn’t gone inside the day Jerome had stopped by to pick up something he needed before they drove on to the clinic, so she’d never met Dr. Martin. Technically, it wasn’t fair to judge the woman just because Sydney hadn’t liked the other doctor Jerome had selected.
“She won’t see us without an appointment.”
Noah opened the car door. “Want to bet?”
“Noah, this isn’t the military. You can’t ride rough-shod over a doctor.”
He smiled. She just couldn’t get over the transformation of his face each time he did that.
“This is a small town,” he said. “They do things differently here. But if she says no, we’ll make an appointment and come back. There are only a couple of cars here right now.”
“There’s only room for a couple of cars,” Sydney rejoined. But Noah didn’t hear her. He was already coming around to the passenger side to let her out. Sydney sighed. He meant well. Of course, that was what she’d told herself about Jerome.
Sydney let Noah help her from the car, partially relieved that the decision was made. She was tired. And her head did hurt. So did her hand.
The receptionist looked up as they entered. Long, ebony hair drifted down her back like a cloud of silk. She had a natural, exotic beauty that was nothing short of breathtaking. When she looked up at their entrance, incredible blue-green eyes stared at them in question. Sydney checked Noah’s reaction to the woman and saw only surprise on his face.
“Jasmine?” Noah asked.
The receptionist smiled pleasantly, looking vaguely puzzled. “Yes?”
“Noah Inglewood.”
“Noah! Oh my gosh, I didn’t recognize you.” She glanced from him to Sydney, obviously pairing the two of them in her mind while taking in Sydney’s somewhat battered condition curiously.
“That’s hardly surprising. The last time I saw you would have been about fifteen years ago.”
The young woman smiled radiantly. “I’d have been what, thirteen? I’m amazed you even recognized me after all this time.”
“Hey, you were gorgeous even as a gawky teenager—which I definitely had no business noticing back then. Besides, you have your dad’s smile. He still coaching these days?”
She flashed another wide smile. “Oh, yes. He swears he’s going to retire every year, but Mom says it’ll never happen.” She waved her hand and smiled at Sydney to include her in the conversation. A large diamond engagement ring sparkled on one finger. Ridiculously, that symbol made Sydney relax.
“I was sorry to hear about Jerome,” Jasmine was saying. “Have you been back to the house?”
Noah nodded. “We just came from there. Look, I know Leslie isn’t expecting us, but I was wondering if we could see her for a few minutes.”
Jasmine’s glance fell sympathetically on Sydney.
“She’s in with Clyde Newby right now and little Mickey Banks is waiting.” Jasmine glanced at an antique wall clock. “And she’s supposed to close at five.” It was already seven minutes after.
“That’s okay,” Sydney offered. “We can make an appointment and come back.”
Jasmine flashed her one of those brilliant smiles. “Is this an emergency?”
“Definitely not,” Sydney said firmly.
“Well, let me at least go tell her you’re out here.”
Noah stopped Jasmine by simply focusing his attention on her. Sydney had a feeling that technique would probably work on most women—including herself if she wasn’t careful. She was already having difficulty maintaining an emotional distance from Noah.
“Thanks, Jasmine. If she has the time, would you ask if I can speak to her a minute alone first?”
Bitter disappointment burned right through Sydney. So he was like Jerome after all, needing to be in control, trying to dominate her life. What had she expected? “I can speak to the doctor for myself, Noah.”
Jasmine blinked. “Uh, let me go check with Leslie.”
Sydney pushed a finger into the rock wall of his chest. “Don’t you dare presume to speak for me, Noah. Not ever. If you want to give orders, go back to your unit. I am not in the military and I am not under your command and you have no rights whatsoever where I’m concerned. Is that understood?”
Though she’d tried to keep her voice down, the mother and child sitting in the waiting area watched her curiously. The door at the end of the hall opened and someone started out. She’d always hated being the focus of strangers’ attention, but she would never again let another man treat her like some sort of possession.
Especially not Jerome’s brother.
Giving his chest a hard shove with the heel of her hand, she turned and strode back outside, letting the screen door slam behind her. She was shaking from head to toe. Where had these blasted tears come from? She never used to cry!
“I get the feeling an apology isn’t going to cut it here,” Noah said quietly at her back. He came outside with barely a sound. “But I’m sorry to have upset you all the same, Syd.”
“I’m going home,” she said without turning around.
She could feel him weighing his response to that.
“You’ll need the car keys,” he finally said in that same quiet tone. “Jerome really did a number on you, didn’t he?”
She whirled, wiping tears from her cheeks. “What—?”
“He was a spoiled selfish child who only got worse after Dad died. Jerome always liked things his own way. He knew how to use his charm and good looks to get what he wanted. When I heard he married, my first thought was, that poor girl. But I assumed he’d pick a flashy spoiled type like himself, not someone like you.”
She didn’t know what to say. Noah had just
defined his brother’s character exactly. And Noah looked genuinely contrite. She had to remind herself that Jerome had often looked contrite as well when she first started standing up to him.
“I’d like my car keys, Major.”
Without hesitation, he pulled them from his pocket and dropped them into her hand. “Planning to leave me stranded here without a car?”
His half smile was almost sad. She steeled her heart against that look.
“If it means anything,” he continued, “I have something I personally need to ask Les about.”
“I thought military men used military doctors.”
“We do.”
Sydney waited. Noah offered no further explanation.
“You know, I really hate it when you do that,” she told him.
“Do what?”
“Go all cryptic.”
The door opened and a wizened man with a gap-toothed smile stepped out. “Hello there, young Noah.”
Sydney stepped to the side. Young Noah? Well, perhaps from this man’s perspective. He could have been anywhere from sixty to a hundred.
“Hello, Clyde. How are you?”
Clyde grunted as they shook hands, then he nodded in Sydney’s direction. “Better than you, boy. Better than you. You’re gonna have your work cut out for you with this one, yes indeedy. This one’s got a mind of her own.”
He chortled as he turned and walked leisurely toward Main Street, his bent frame moving with surprising agility.
Noah scratched the back of his head a bit sheepishly. “Clyde is something of a Fools Point legend. He owns and runs the only movie theater in town. He and Lyle have been together ever since I can remember.”
“Lyle?”
Noah shrugged. “Nobody ever knew for sure if they were ‘that way’ or not, but the two of them are a fixture around here. Lyle runs the gas station.”
The screen door opened again and Jasmine stuck her head out. “Les will see you both in about ten minutes. I’ve gotta run. I left two forms on the desk. If you’d just fill them in and leave them for me, I’ll make up your files tomorrow morning.”
“Thanks, Jasmine,” Noah began, “but there’s been a change of plans.”
“I’ll see they’re left on your desk,” Sydney cut in, surprising herself as much as Noah. She walked back inside and took a seat in the empty waiting room.
My Baby, My Love Page 10
