Nick blinked several times. "I beg your pardon?"
Liza said earnestly, "After I lost the relationship I had with Meredith, I naturally looked toward my own mother. That was a mistake. But at the time I believed we could have that daughter-mother relationship that so many girls take for granted."
She gave a rueful smile that caught Nick's heart.
"I was wrong, but it took several years for me to realize that. By that time, I knew the Meredith I loved had disappeared, either, like Emily believed, through deception, or because of some mental illness." She shrugged. "I was so desperate to replace that feeling, I thought I could have it with my own mother. I decided any kind of relationship with Mother was better than nothing. So I let her have her way."
"And that makes it your fault?" He didn't buy her theory.
She shrugged again. "It's a sin of omission rather than commission, but it's a sin, no less. Lately, I've been trying to change our relationship. Mother's resisted."
They were interrupted by another fan, and Nick ground his teeth. When the woman finally left their table, he said, "Finish your salad and let's get out of here."
With a sigh of relief, she put down her fork. "I'm ready. I didn't want to suggest leaving because I was afraid you'd yell at me to eat more," she said with a teasing look that caught his breath.
"I would, but you're not going to get to eat much now, with all the crowd coming in." He waved to the waiter and signaled for the bill.
"I can sign it to my room," she said.
"No. I'll pay." It was a macho thing, he knew, but he paid nevertheless.
Once they reached her room, he offered to pack for her, but she refused. "I'm an old hand at packing. It won't take me long."
"Why are you traveling alone? Don't most performers have assistants, or maids, or aides or something?" He'd wondered about that.
"I used to have an assistant. But she and Mother didn't get along. Besides, I'm low maintenance. It's easier that way." While she talked, she opened the closet and began removing clothes.
He grabbed her suitcase and lifted it on the bed.
"Thanks." She opened the lid and laid the clothes into the bag, folding them over. Then she moved to the drawers and emptied them. After gathering her belongings from the bathroom, she announced she was ready.
"You are fast," he commented, smiling at her.
"Let's get out of here."
He was amused at the fact that she only had one large bag and a small carry-on. His ex-wife had never traveled with less than three bags, even for a weekend.
At the hotel reception, Liza efficiently took care of her bill and graciously accepted the hotel manager's compliments. She didn't forget to tell him she was going to her apartment in New York to recover from her illness, in case anyone inquired after her.
"And is the doctor taking you to the airport?" the manager asked solicitously.
Nick saw the benefit of Liza's plan as she explained that she intended to take a taxi. She didn't want to bother the doctor any more than she had.
The manager immediately offered the use of the hotel limousine, insisting when Liza protested the necessity.
Nick was pleased. He'd worried about letting Liza out of his sight. He'd feel better knowing she was being cared for by one of the hotel employees. When Liza looked at him, he nodded in encouragement.
"Thank you. I appreciate that."
The manager picked up a phone. By the time Liza had paid her bill, the chauffeur had arrived and took charge of her bag.
Nick walked her to the door of the limo. There, he bent and kissed her cheek, murmuring, "I'll be right behind you."
As she nodded, she said, "Thank you for your excellent care of me, Dr. Hathaway. I'll be sure to tell my mother how helpful you've been." She gave him a brilliant smile and got into the big car.
Nick stood there, watching the limousine drive away.
"She's something, isn't she?" one of the bellboys said, standing near Nick.
He was irritated by the man's comment, but he couldn't disagree. "She sure is."
* * *
Liza felt the loss of Nick's comforting presence at once. The cavernous back seat of the limousine, while elegant, only emphasized her isolation.
The driver rolled down the tinted window that divided the car. "Are you returning to New York, ma'am?"
"Yes, I am."
"I'll hurry. The last flight out leaves in forty-five minutes."
"Thank you. I'll appreciate that." His words had her changing her plan. Instead of waiting outside for Nick, she'd have to go inside the airport and pretend to hurry for her plane. She might even buy a ticket. That would keep the police from realizing she hadn't returned to New York for a little while.
The driver would suspect something at once if she lingered.
She hoped Nick would wait.
When they reached the airport, she offered the driver a handsome tip and signaled for a skycap.
"You can check your bags out here," the driver suggested.
"Thank you, but I want to be sure there's a seat left for me before I do that," she improvised. She turned back to the chauffeur. "Thank you again. You've been very helpful."
"My pleasure," he assured her.
She looked over his shoulder, searching for Nick's black Mercedes, but she didn't see it. As she'd planned, she hurried inside to the ticket counter. The reservation clerk assured her there were plenty of seats available. She pulled out a charge card and paid for a ticket. Unfortunately, that meant she had to check her large bag.
"Shall I tag that bag also?" the clerk asked politely, pointing to her smaller bag.
"No, I'll carry it on," she said, her gaze lingering on the large bag as it was placed on the conveyor belt. With a sigh, she silently said goodbye to most of her belongings.
"You'd better hurry to the gate," the clerk warned. "They'll start boarding any minute."
"Thank you," she said with a smile and turned around.
There was a line of people behind her waiting their turn at the counter. Her gaze traveled down the line without even realizing she was doing so. She was turned in the direction of the gates, wondering when she'd be out of sight of the clerk, when a memory forced her to look back.
The second person in line was a big man, looking like his face had been rearranged by numerous fights. And he was wearing a dirty blue shirt. With a gasp, she turned to get out of sight before the man looked for her.
Because she knew he was the one who'd come to the hospital.
The man with a knife.
Six
The Saratoga Springs airport, while small, had all the normal amenities, including traffic. Nick was five cars back of the limo when he first entered the airport, but he fell farther behind as cars whipped in and out, their drivers hurrying to catch flights.
When he finally reached the area where Liza should be, the limo was pulling away from the curb. With a sigh of relief, he pulled to a stop and scanned the sidewalk. When he didn't see her, his heart began thumping louder and panic started to creep in.
Where had she gone? She was supposed to wait for him here. Could she have changed her mind and decided to really go to New York? No, he silently protested. She wouldn't do that.
And if she did, he'd follow her.
That realization, razor sharp with no wavering, told him he'd invested more into Ms. Liza Colton than he'd intended. No, it was only because he was concerned about her as a patient, the doctor in him argued.
He didn't take time to question that statement. The important thing now was to keep Liza safe.
What should he do? If he parked the car, he'd have to go to one of the nearby parking lots. He saw one of the skycaps come out of the building. Putting his car in park, he stepped out and waved to the man.
"Yes, sir," the man said with an ingratiating grin.
Nick reached for his wallet. Since he didn't have any luggage that needed carrying, he'd have to compensate the man for his time.
"
I need information," he said, handing the man a ten-dollar bill. "Did you just see a slender brunette get out of a limo?"
The man's eyebrows rose and he studied Nick. Finally, he said, "I might have."
"Did she go in the building?"
"Of course. She had to hurry to make her flight."
Nick's heart fell. Surely she wouldn't leave without telling him. He couldn't believe—
Over the man's shoulder, he saw a white-faced Liza appear in the door, frantically searching for him.
"Thanks," he hurriedly said. He wanted to go to Liza, but he figured the skycap would watch him. When the man's attention was claimed by another traveler, he hurried to his car and opened the back door.
By that time, Liza had seen him and was almost running to the car. He hustled her into the back seat. "Lie down!" he whispered.
He rounded the car and slid behind the wheel just in time, for a policeman was walking toward them. Nick pulled into the traffic immediately.
"Are you all right?" he asked, watching in the rearview mirror.
"Yes, but—but he was there!"
"Who?"
"The man from the hospital!"
"What?" Nick wanted to hit the brakes and reach back for Liza. Her voice was trembling. But the best thing was to get them away from the airport as quickly as possible. "Where?"
"He was the second person in line behind me. He had a baseball cap on with his hair hidden beneath and he wore the same blue shirt. I'm sure it was him."
"Did he see you?"
"I'm sure he did. That's why he was in line. He was buying a ticket to New York, too. But he didn't watch me walk away. I think he assumed I was going to the gate." Her voice was still breathless, but he could hear a weariness creep in.
"You bought a ticket to New York?"
"The chauffeur told me the last flight was in forty-five minutes and I had to hurry. I couldn't stand outside waiting for you, so I decided if I bought a ticket it might cover my tracks better."
Nick breathed more easily. She hadn't planned to run away from him. A good thing, too, since the man had been watching for her.
"Is anyone following us?" she asked, sounding even more tired.
Nick looked in the rearview mirror. There was a minivan behind, and he could see several children inside. A stretch limo, much like the one she'd ridden in, pulled alongside, then passed them.
"No, there's no one around us, except a family. But I think you should stay down anyway. We don't want anyone to see you with me." When she didn't answer, he risked a look over his shoulder. Her eyes were closed, her breathing even.
She'd gone to sleep.
It was amazing she hadn't collapsed earlier, considering her physical condition and the long day she'd had. Of course, she'd had a lengthy nap, but the body didn't snap back all that quickly when it wasn't receiving the proper nutrients or rest.
He picked up his car phone and called home. "Bonnie? You might prepare some kind of dessert or snack for our guest. I'm bringing her home now."
"I have a chocolate pie I baked this afternoon, just in case," Mrs. Allen assured him.
He wasn't sure in case of what, but he wasn't going to complain. "Good. Oh, and Bonnie? You can't tell anyone we're having a guest."
"Why?"
"I'll explain when we get there."
* * *
When strong arms encircled her, Liza snuggled in close, enjoying the security she felt, without ever opening her eyes. She vaguely remembered something scaring her, but she felt safe now.
Movement began to rouse her, reluctantly. A bright light did the rest. She slowly opened her eyes, blinking at the change. "What…Oh! Dr. Hathaway!"
"I thought you were going to call me Nick?" he asked, his voice soft, but she heard it rumble through his chest.
"Is she sick?" someone else asked.
Liza lifted her head, realizing she had her arms around the doctor's neck as she did so. "No, I fell asleep," she assured the woman, turning toward her.
Nick's housekeeper was older, maybe as old as sixty, but she wore a warm smile that lit up her pale blue eyes. She was dressed in a comfortable housedress, her rounded form motherly.
"Liza, this is my housekeeper, Mrs. Allen. Bonnie, this is Liza. She's going to stay with us for a while."
Liza noted that he didn't give her last name. He probably thought his housekeeper wouldn't recognize her.
"Liza Colton, as I live and breathe!"
"You know who she is?" Nick asked, startled.
Liza said nothing as he put her feet on the floor. There had been a lot of publicity about her performances. Her mother was good at that.
"A 'course I do. I even heard she was sick and had to cancel her last show. Are you all right, lovey?"
"I'm getting better," Liza said, noting that the huskiness in her voice had returned. "Just a little tired." Her gaze turned to Nick's face as she added that last. He was frowning.
"After you eat a snack, you're going straight to bed."
"Eat? But I had dinner."
"That was a couple of hours ago. Bonnie has made her famous chocolate pie. You'll eat a piece of it."
Chocolate pie was the best medicine a doctor had ever prescribed for her, so she nodded.
"Maybe you should get dressed for bed and I'll bring the pie to your room," Mrs. Allen offered, beaming at Liza.
Liza began to smile, liking the picture the woman had drawn, when she suddenly realized its flaw. "I don't have any clothes!"
Nick and Mrs. Allen stared at her.
"But your suitcase—" Nick began.
"Is on its way to New York," Liza finished, discouragement in her voice. "I have my makeup bag, my toothbrush, comb and brush. Shampoo and all that stuff. But no clothes."
"Damn! I hadn't thought of that."
Mrs. Allen gave Nick a strange look. Then she reached out and patted Liza's shoulder. "Don't you worry. Sit down and eat a piece of pie, and we'll find you something to sleep in. First thing tomorrow Nick can buy you some new clothes."
Liza sat down, glad to do so. Her legs still weren't strong.
Nick, with his fists cocked on his waist, looked at Mrs. Allen. "Tomorrow's Sunday. There won't be many stores open until the afternoon."
"The bargain stores will be. You can just pick up a few things and let her find more clothes later."
"No! No, she can't go out shopping."
"But, Nick," Liza began in protest. But he stopped her.
"You can't be seen, Liza. Even Bonnie recognized you, and she doesn't pay all that much attention to the comings and goings of celebrities. We can't take that chance."
He paused before adding, "And you need to call the airline and ask them to collect your suitcase in New York and hold it for you because you took another flight."
She suddenly remembered what had frightened her earlier. That man at the airport. The one who was looking for Emily. And had come into her room with a knife.
Now she wished she'd never remembered.
* * *
Nick saw her shudder. The stress and exhaustion were taking their toll. She needed rest and it was up to him to make sure she got it.
"I'll pour her a glass of milk while you cut the pie," he told his housekeeper, which got her moving. He did as he'd said and put the milk in front of Liza.
"You're always giving me milk to drink," she said, a plaintive note in her voice.
"I can make you some—"
"No," Nick said, interrupting Bonnie. "She needs to drink milk until she gets stronger. I want her to have milk at every meal."
Both ladies looked exasperated with him, but he didn't care. He was Liza's doctor, and it was his responsibility to get her well. To protect her. He wanted to pull her back into his embrace and promise her no one would scare her again.
The memory of holding her in his arms as he carried her into the house warmed him. She didn't weigh much. But what there was of her packed a strong sensual punch. He hadn't hungered after a woman like this since
the first days of his marriage to Daphne. Before he'd realized what she was.
"I'll have some coffee," he said as he opened a cabinet and took out a mug. "You want some, Bonnie?"
After an uncertain look at their guest, his housekeeper said, "I'll drink a little milk."
"Oh, no!" Liza protested. "It's all right if you have coffee. I like milk."
"Are you sure?" Bonnie asked anxiously.
That smile that always warmed his insides appeared on Liza's beautiful face. "He's a tyrant, but it's for my own good."
Bonnie gave a satisfied nod before she told Nick she'd take coffee, too. Then she brought three pieces of pie to the table.
The cozy threesome chatted lightly while they ate. Nick was grateful his housekeeper didn't ask any of the questions he was sure she had in mind. He didn't want anything to disrupt Liza's sleep when she finally got to bed.
When he signaled it was time for Liza to go upstairs, she looked at the two of them. "If either of you have a T-shirt I could borrow, I could sleep in that."
"Of course, you can have a T-shirt," he said at once, trying not to think about one of his shirts sliding down her silken skin.
Bonnie added, "I might even be able to find some—undergarments that Nick's wife left behind. There's a box in the storage room." She ignored Nick's stare.
He didn't realize there were any of Daphne's things still there. "There are?"
"Nick's wife?" Liza repeated.
He met her wide-eyed green gaze.
"I was married. I'm not now." He hadn't meant to sound so curt, but he didn't want to discuss the miserable years he'd shared with Daphne.
Instead of asking any questions, Liza looked at Bonnie.
"Don't mind him," she said with a smile. "He's touchy, but he doesn't mean any harm."
Feeling the women had closed ranks on him, Nick pushed away from the table. "I'll get a T-shirt." He hurried from the room.
When he returned to the kitchen, he found it empty. Assuming Bonnie had escorted Liza to the guest wing of the old house, he went back upstairs and turned right.
He tapped on the only door in the hallway that was closed.
Bonnie opened the door. "Oh, good. She's really tired."
The Doctor Delivers Page 6
