She looked at him for a moment then barely nodded her head, tilted her chin upwards, closed her eyes and moaned.
“Great, I hoped you’d be happy to see me.”
“Your grandmother was discharged today, why are you still here?”
Raymond placed a Styrofoam cup on the table then took a seat across from her. He smiled infectiously, but Hope refused to relent. “I came to see you, of course.” She looked away deciding not to answer. “I never got the opportunity to thank you for helping my grandmother.”
Hope remained silent.
“I also want to apologize for my behavior. I shouldn’t have kissed you in the exam room like that.”
Ray reached out and stroked her cheek. It was just as soft and inviting as he remembered.
Hope sighed and leaned back, suddenly aware that she’d allowed him to touch her face, her scar.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
“No, it’s me.” She looked away then shrugged her shoulders like an embarrassed teen. “Look, I’m not looking for anything right now. I just got out of a very difficult relationship and I-”
“I understand.”
She looked away again.
“Are you on duty?”
“Just getting off.”
“Want to grab a bite to eat?”
She debated. “That’s probably not a great idea. The last time…”
They both smiled remembering the Japanese restaurant and the rainy night.
“I can’t promise you what will or won’t happen tonight, Hope. You know how I feel about you.”
“Sure. Dinner sounds wonderful. I have to check an X-ray first. I’ll meet you out front.”
Raymond nodded. “I’ll see you soon.”
Hope stood to leave. Suddenly, her thoughts were interrupted by an all too familiar call, code blue in the ER trauma unit. Instinctively, Hope jumped up as if propelled by an unseen force. She hurried to the doorway.
Abruptly set in motion, the once calm nurses’ station had transformed into mayhem. Hope took center stage and looked perfectly at home in the madness.
The child looked up into her eyes pleading for relief. Hope connected instantly. His eyes looked empty, on the verge of death. Hope shouted orders. You’re not dying, not today, not on my watch.
Raymond watched Hope in action, admiring her tenacity and fight. She’d won this round.
When things had calmed down, Hope looked up into Raymond’s eyes. She shrugged as he nodded his understanding. They stood there for a moment. Until her attention was drawn back to her patient. Raymond walked away.
Chapter Eighteen
The twelve-hour hospital fundraiser began at noon with the warmth of the sun beaming down on the garden in the famous Spotlight NYC restaurant. It was the perfect day and the perfect place. As the sun shone high in the sky, so did the spirits of those in attendance. The first guests to arrive were greeted with lavish floral arrangements and centerpieces on each table, and the open courtyard provided the perfect setting.
Touted as a must-attend event, the entire day was one long who’s who of power, privilege and influence. A continuous crowd of luminaries flowed in and out throughout the day. Prominent among them was the Barclay Medical Corporation board of directors, who were suitably impressed. The organizers did a fantastic job promoting the event. They had lined up the kind of entertainment, celebrities, socialites and public figures that rivaled the Oscar’s red carpet. Everyone who was anyone made an appearance at some point during the day.
The affair was organized into four separate events that were designed to allow hospital employees who wanted to attend an ample opportunity to do so. The garden party was the first event. It was followed by an English high-tea party at four o’clock in a small dining area. Afterwards, an elegant dinner at dusk was served. And finally, the showstopper was the night-light show.
Guests proceeded through the French doors, into a wondrous vision of grandeur. A tent-covered courtyard was furnished with large linen tablecloth-draped round patio tables. Each table was topped with a glass hurricane candle and freshly cut flowers. Attendees circulated around the open pavilion area like a movie set for The Great Gatsby.
Outside the tented pavilion, an arbor created a canopy between the courtyard and main dining room that was heavily laden with vines of grapes for the picking. Miniature lemon trees potted in ornate Italian urns atop pedestals decorated the open area as honeysuckle bushes completed the decor. The air was scented with lemons and sweet fragrant honeysuckle. Rows of white rose bushes in white-boxed planters lined the walkway and eight-foot trellises covered the basket weave, brick walkway at the entrance.
Classical music played softly in the background, and attendees chose from a buffet table of party favors as they departed.
***
“This place is incredible,” Faith said, as she looked around at the restaurant. Cordoned off and lined with a deep blue carpet, the entrance to the event was announced by beautiful signage. Security stood outside the frosted glass door and asked to see invitations as attendees arrived. “Can you imagine working here every night?”
Hope nodded her agreement. “It is beautiful.” Faith and Hope stood in line behind several familiar faces.
“I hope you’re gonna be in a better mood than that all night.”
“There’s nothing wrong with my mood.”
“Ever since you and Raymond had your little date, you’ve been grumpy, and cranky.”
“I have not. And it wasn’t a date.”
“Do you think he’ll be here tonight?”
“I have no idea and could care less.”
“Uh-huh, that’s why you’re looking around so much.”
“Faith, I’m warning you, if you don’t…”
“Hope,” Dennis crooned in his richly toned baritone. Both Hope and Faith turned around to see Dennis standing behind them.
Hope smiled instantly as Dennis’s eyes went from face to face. The resemblance was evident. With his eyes glued to Faith, he took Hope’s hand and brought it to his lips and gently kissed it. “A pleasure to see you again doctor.” Then, he turned to Faith and smiled seductively. “I don’t believe we’ve met.” He took Faith’s hand and repeated the action.
“Faith, this is Dennis Hayes, he owns the Spotlight. Dennis, this is my sister Faith Adams, she’s a pediatric nurse at the hospital.”
“The pleasure is all mine, I assure you.” Dennis brightened as he eyes remained fixed on Faith. “Both of you in medicine, how delightful. Your parents must be very proud.” He stepped between Hope and Faith and placed their hands in the bend of his arm and escorted them to the front door. He nodded at the security and continued inside. “Shall we?” Dennis escorted the two women through the foyer and up to the main reception area.
Dennis had pulled out all the stops.
Spotlight NYC, the newest and hottest restaurant and nightspot in Manhattan, was the perfect location for the hospital fundraiser. Centrally located, it offered an eclectic mix of uptown cache, downtown chic and sophisticated style.
With a simple plaque at the door that read, “Check Your Ego Here,” the word had quickly gotten around that everyone was welcome. It was the place to be.
By nine o’clock the dance floor was packed solid. Faith returned to Hope’s side after several dances with Dennis and other friends. She fanned her face with her fingers as Hope handed her a cocktail napkin.
“This place is incredible,” she yelled above the loud music then leaned in closer. “Guess who’s here?”
“I’d rather not,” Hope said indifferently.
“That’s right,” she said, “he’s right over there surrounded by about a dozen women.”
“Drop it Faith.”
“Girl, why didn’t you tell me before that you knew Dennis Hayes?”
Hope shrugged her shoulders. “We actually just met a few days ago.”
“He is so cool. I wonder…” Hope noticed that Faith smiled in a way that told her she wa
s very interested.
“Don’t you dare,” Hope warned.
“What?” Faith asked innocently.
“You know exactly what. Don’t you dare go after him.”
“I wasn’t even thinking about it, but, now that you mention it,” she began then burst into laughter. “Oh my God, you are not going to believe who just walked in.”
Hope tried to turn. “No, don’t look, wait a second.”
Hope stood still. She waited until Faith glanced back in the direction of the front entrance. “Okay, hurry up, look.”
Hope turned quickly expecting to see Raymond and instead saw someone entirely different. “What is he doing here?”
Faith shook her head “Good question, I thought he was in California with a wife, and kids and white picket fence.”
“Apparently not.”
Hope turned back around. “There’s no way I want that man to see me here.”
“Why not?”
Their conversation was interrupted.
Recognizing the voice, Hope turned nonchalantly. Her eyes sparked seeing Hugh Wescott’s son.
“Hello Hope, Faith.” Hope eyed him as Faith rolled her eyes and turned her back and walked away.
Hope nodded her greeting. “Nolan.”
“You haven’t changed a bit.” He smiled through thin pressed lips. “How’ve you been?” She didn’t answer so he continued. He looked around the room. “I assume you’re here alone?” His smirk was evident.
“Can we drop the pleasantries?”
“Hope, it’s been years. Can’t we at least be civil. The past is the past. Let it go. You’ll find someone just as I have.”
“If you expect friendship, I suggest you look elsewhere. If you’re looking for forgiveness, then tough luck.”
“Forgiveness for what? You knew the marriage was a farce just as I did. It didn’t take a blind man to see that it was a mistake.”
“You’re right. It didn’t take a blind man. It took your father.” She turned to walk away when he reached out and took her arm.
“That was petty and completely uncalled for.”
She seethed. “I don’t usually use this kind of language. But, I think I’ll make an exception. I’d advise you take your hand off me and leave me the hell alone.” He removed his hand when she gave him a warning look.
She turned around and came face to face with Raymond’s very forbidding face. “Here’s your drink darling.” He handed Hope a wine glass then leaned down and kissed her briefly. Nolan’s mouth gaped open.
Raymond glared at Nolan as he wrapped his arm around Hope possessively. Suddenly nervous, Nolan extended his hand to shake as Hope introduced them. “And you are?” Raymond asked Nolan.
Hope, not sure who she was more annoyed with made the introductions. “Dr. Raymond Gates this is Nolan Wescott.”
“Dr. Wescott,” Nolan corrected. Raymond nodded and shook appropriately then turned to Hope. “Shall we dance darling.”
“Dr. Gates?” Nolan asked. “Are you by any chance the plastic surgeon?”
“Yes.”
Thoroughly impressed, Nolan’s demeanor completely changed. “Of course, my father is Dr. Hugh Wescott. He mentioned that you were on staff at Golden Heart. It’s an honor to finally meet you. Your work is very well-known in California and I am constantly amazed by your father’s work.”
“Thank you.”
Nolan turned to Hope. “So Hope, I’m glad to see that you’re finally going to get the thing on your face removed like I suggested.”
“I beg your pardon?” She hadn’t been listening to him but then suddenly realized what he was implying. She made a motion to walk away when Raymond took her hand and held her to his side.
“Dr. Wescott,” Raymond began in his most condescending tone. “Although our relationship is none of your concern, I’m going to let you in on a little secret. A man, a real man, looks at Hope and sees beauty in its purest form.” He turned to look at Hope admiringly. “If I could I would stop time for this woman. I treasure every second, every moment that I am blessed to spend with her.”
He turned directly to Hope piercing his eye to hers alone. “A lifetime with you will never be enough for me. I would gladly give everything I posses for just a smile, a touch, a whisper.” He picked up her hand and gently caressed her as his kissed each finger. “I am yours for eternity.” He turned back to Nolan. “There is nothing on this perfect face that I would dare touch.” He turned his back to Nolan and guided Hope to the dance floor.
Nolan stood with his mouth wide open for some time. It wasn’t until someone bumped into him did he realize that he was still standing in the same spot staring at the loving couple on the dance floor.
“What are you doing here? Tickets were sold out months ago,” Hope asked as Raymond held her too close.
“I was invited.”
“By whom?”
“Dr. Gates.” Hugh Wescott hurried across the room, “I’m delighted you could clear your schedule.”
The song ended and Raymond and Hope parted. “Hello Hugh,” Raymond said as Hope turned away to look around the crowd. The men shook hands.
“Good evening Hope.”
“Hello Hugh.” She turned to Raymond. “Thanks for the dance,” she said pointedly, glad for Raymond’s timely rescue from her ex. “If you’ll excuse me,” Hope said having had her fill of Wescott men for the evening. She found Faith talking to several staff members from the pediatric ward with Dennis at her side. Hope spent the remainder of the evening as far away from Raymond, Nolan and Hugh as she possibly could. And since Hugh and Nolan barely left his side, it worked out perfectly.
After an hour, Raymond was finally able to lose the doctors Wescott. He searched for Hope. He found Faith and Dennis just as they were about to disappear into his office. The two of them had been completely inseparable. But Hope was nowhere in sight.
Raymond began to wonder if she hadn’t already gone while he was being tormented by Hugh and Nolan. Then he spotted her talking outside on the terrace.
Later that evening, tucked away in a secluded nook, Raymond had finally been able to talk Hope into sitting down with him. “I called you several times.”
“I know.”
“You obviously got my messages. Do you want to tell me why you’ve been avoiding me?”
“Do you want to tell me why you snuck out in the middle of the night like that?”
Raymond honestly had no idea what she was talking about. “You could have at least said good-bye or left a note.”
“What? Oh, Hope I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you by leaving like that. I had an early morning meeting and I didn’t want to disturb you. You were sleeping so peacefully that I didn’t want to awaken you. But you’re right, I should have left a note. I’m sorry.”
Hope looked away more angry with herself. She’d expected a more sinister excuse.
“Are we okay?” He took her hand and held it to his lips. “I would never do anything thing to hurt you. I hope you know that.”
“I do.”
After that, Hope and Raymond spent most of the evening talking.
“I’d love for you to see Crescent Island.”
“I can’t believe I’ve never heard of it. Exactly where is it again?”
“A few miles off the coast of Virginia. There’s a ferry that’ll take you across the Chesapeake. It’s one of the most beautiful places in the world.” He took her hand lovingly. “You really have to visit one day soon.”
“I might surprise you and just show up one day. How often do you go down there?”
“Unfortunately, not as often as I’d like. I try to visit at least once every two months. I usually drive down and visit my dad in Baltimore, then keep on going down to Virginia.”
“Wow, the way you describe the island, it sounds incredible. The history is so unique.”
“It is.”
Hope spotted Faith on the dance floor partnered with Dennis. She smiled at how much fun they seemed
to be having. “They look like they’re having fun.”
Raymond refused to take his eyes off of Hope. “So tell me about you and Faith. Is there another sister named Charity?”
“No, it’s just the two of us.”
“What about your mom and dad? Were you raised in the city or elsewhere?”
Hope took a deep breath. She hated this part—the questions, the getting to know each other part. “My dad deserted us when we were young. My mom remarried, than she died a few years later.”
“So you grew up with your stepfather?”
“No.”
“What happened to him?”
“He’s in the state penitentiary doing a life term for first degree murder.” Raymond began laughing until Hope’s expression didn’t change.
He instantly stopped. “You’re serious aren’t you?” She nodded slowly. “Hope, I’m sorry. That must have been extremely hard on you and your sister.”
“Faith and I were raised by our mother’s mother in Harlem. She’s a retired seamstress. We haven’t seen my stepfather in over twenty years.”
Raymond went silent, then, as if speaking his thoughts aloud continued, “It’s hard growing up without parents.” Hope gave him a how-would-you-know look. Raymond saw her skeptical expression. “My mother died of breast cancer when I was young.”
“But you still had you father.”
“No, I didn’t. Not really. He was so devastated when my mother died that he couldn’t care for me. I was sent to live with Mamma Lou on Crescent Island. My cousin Tony’s mother had died the year before so he was already living there. We grew up together.”
“What about now? I know your dad is still at John Hopkins Medical Center, right? Are you two close?”
“Yeah, we are now. He’s the director of Neurology Critical Care at Johns Hopkins. After my mother died, he threw himself into his career. I hardly ever saw him. It was like not even having a father.”
“What about your maternal relatives?”
“I never really knew my mother’s family. They kind of slipped out of my life when my mom died.” A heavy moment of silence hung between them until Raymond continued. “So looks like we have something in common. We were both raised without parents.”
One Sure Thing (Mamma Lou Matchmaker Series) Page 16
