Читать книгу The Miracle Twins - Lisa Bingham - Страница 10

Lucy had expected Nick to take her to an eating establishment where the menu was bolted to the wall. When they’d dated, he’d had a penchant for mom-and-pop hamburger joints, old-fashioned drive-ins and diners.

He surprised her by driving to a secluded Italian restaurant in the heart of the city. It was located in a renovated warehouse on a block populated by up-scale boutiques and legal offices.

Inside, the atmosphere was quiet and sophisticated. Tables laid with heavy linen cloths were situated in intimate niches lined with potted plants. Muted murals adorned the walls and waiters wearing crisply starched shirts, black vests and ties circulated around the room.

As they stepped through the door, Lucy hung back, feeling decidedly grubby in her timeworn jeans and white button-down shirt.

“What’s the matter?” Nick inquired.

“I’m not dressed for this place,” she whispered.

“You look like you have plenty on to me.”

“But I’m not…fancy enough.”

Nick took her hand and pulled her toward the maître d’. “You’re fine.”

It was obvious that Nick was a regular customer. The maître d’ greeted him effusively and ushered them to a table near the window. Outside, a courtyard garden had been strung with fairy lights and strategically arranged spotlights.

Lucy was entranced. She’d nearly forgotten that there were places like this in the world. Places where people could feel as if they’d stepped into a fantasy.

“Will this be all right?” the maître d’ asked. Nick glanced at Lucy and she nodded.

“Yes, thank you,” he said.

When the man moved toward Lucy, Nick intercepted him to pull out Lucy’s chair. Lucy couldn’t remember the last time she’d been on the receiving end of such gentlemanly courtesy.

“Thanks,” she murmured, sinking onto the cushioned seat and allowing him to push her closer to the table.

Nick’s hand touched her shoulder, his fingers brushing against her hair as he went to his own chair.

Her mood softened even more at the gesture. When Lucy was on assignment, she made sure her gender wasn’t an issue. She carried her own equipment and stoically put up with rough conditions and the lack of privacy. Nevertheless, she couldn’t deny that Nick’s attentions made her feel special.

Feminine.

Alive.

As Nick settled into his place, she grabbed her menu and held it up in front of her, praying he wouldn’t see the moisture that had suddenly gathered in her eyes.

Dear sweet heaven, what was wrong with her? She’d spent most of the day sleeping, so she couldn’t blame her sensitivity on jet lag.

Telling herself she was just feeling stressed, she fastened her attention on the list of appetizers. Even so, she couldn’t seem to control the letters that swam before her eyes.

“Everything here is good,” Nick said, oblivious to her distress. “But if you order a salad, I’ll personally sic the chef on you.”

His comment made her snap out of her thoughts, but she couldn’t afford to speak just yet. Not when her voice might emerge as a croak.

Was it a coincidence that Nick had brought her here? Or had he remembered that Italian food was one of her weaknesses? She loved everything about it—the intoxicating aromas, the combination of spices, the rich sauces, the fresh meats and cheeses.

“Well, what do you think?”

Quickly blinking the last vestiges of tears from her eyes, Lucy focused on her menu. After reading only the first few items, she expelled a sigh of pleasure. “I have died and gone to heaven,” she said under her breath. At that moment, she vowed to stop worrying about the man who sat across from her, the appropriateness of her attire, or her unusual sensitivity. Her only concern would be which delectable concoction she’d taste first.

“If you look near the bottom of the menu, you’ll see they have a sampler of some of the most popular dishes.”

Lucy’s stomach growled in anticipation.

“There’s also soup, a side salad with a house dressing, bread sticks…. Just make sure you leave room for dessert.”

“Dessert?” she breathed, her eyes already scanning the list on the back cover.

“They have a raspberry lemon cheesecake that will make you weep.”

As if you aren’t on the verge of tears already.

By the time the waiter returned to take their orders, Lucy had managed to whittle her choices down to a somewhat manageable size. In the end, she chose a sampler of lasagna with red-pepper noodles, spinach and walnut ravioli in a white sauce and chicken picatta.

Once the waiter settled a tureen of minestrone soup and a basket of fresh bread in front of them, Lucy eagerly began filling their bowls.

“So when was the last time you had a decent sit-down meal?” Nick asked as she began smoothing herb butter on her bread.

Lucy shrugged. “It depends on your definition of ‘sit-down.’ It’s been at least a year since I’ve had Italian.”

“A lifetime, then, considering your love of Italian food.”

So he had remembered.

“Tell me about the twins.”

To her shame, Lucy realized that she had momentarily forgotten about the babies who were en route to Salt Lake City.

Wrenching her brain away from the way the subtle lighting seemed to caress the angular lines of Nick’s features and bring back to her responsibilities, she asked, “What would you like to know?”

“I suppose you’d better start at the beginning. How did you become their guardian?”

She took her time answering, swallowing a spoonful of soup before saying, “I was reporting on the humanitarian conditions in the war-torn regions of the Congo in Zaire, and I did a series on the orphanages in the area. I’d only been there a week when an orphanage run by a group of Franciscan nuns contacted me. At the time, the twins were just a few days old. Their mother had died in childbirth and the nuns feared that their own meager medical facilities were inadequate for the situation. They were hoping that, with my connections, I could help arrange for the girls’ care in the United States.”

“Yet it’s taken weeks to get them here. What kind of attention have they had in the meantime?”

Her forehead creased as familiar concerns pushed to the fore. “They were transferred immediately to a larger hospital, but it’s taken that long to process the reams of paperwork. I have copies of their medical files for you, but other than simple X rays, they haven’t had any tests to determine if they can be separated. The hospital was more worried about getting the children stabilized. The twins were losing weight and having trouble maintaining their temperature. At one point, Hope, the smaller girl, caught an infection, which set them back a bit.”

“What exactly do you know about conjoined twins?”

Lucy paused, then set down her spoon. Resting her arms on the table, she clasped her fingers together. “To be honest, the research I’ve done has been far from reassuring.”

“Why is that?”

Reluctantly, she met his gaze, knowing that she wouldn’t be able to mask her fears.

“Since my resources were somewhat limited, I was forced to get most of my information from the Internet. With some searching, I was able to find some medical texts, but first I had to wade through page after page of historically dated, sensationalist garbage. The most disturbing are the references to so-called Siamese twins being used in circus sideshows or being kept hidden from polite society.”

“It upsets you.”

“Yes, it upsets me. Faith and Hope are children, not oddities to be ogled or dismissed.” She took a deep breath. “And yet, if it weren’t for the nuns, they could have been trapped in a similar situation.”

“So you’re intent on a separation?”

“Only if it’s in the twins’ best interests.”

“And if it isn’t?” he asked carefully, knowing there were be no guarantees that such an operation would be successful.

“Then I can accept that prognosis. I would like them to have healthy and productive lives, whether that means as separate individuals or not. But no matter what happens, I intend to make sure they’re given the dignity and respect that every human being deserves.”

Nick nodded. “And what will happen to them after you’ve done as much as you can?”

The words were spoken with great care, as if he expected a heated reply.

Lucy sighed, leaning back in her chair. “Because of the death of their mother, the sisters arranged for me to become the girls’ legal guardian. If—no, when their condition is stable—I’ve been assigned the task of finding suitable adoptive parents for them. I’ve taken a six-month leave of absence from work…”

The waiter appeared to take away their empty soup bowls, interrupting Lucy. It was evident from the way she’d spoken that Lucy was anticipating a time when the twins would be healthy individuals, but Nick was relieved that she realized a completely positive outcome might be unattainable.

Yet he was well aware that totally preparing oneself for the realities of such a serious operation was not entirely possible. There were so many obstacles that lay in the children’s paths—the least of which was whether or not they could tolerate the surgery. If the option proved feasible, the process of preparation and recuperation from the invasive procedure could take months, even years.

What would happen in that time? Lucy had said she intended to find adoptive parents for the babies—but what if the children grew attached to her? Since their own mother had died in childbirth, it was Lucy who’d been the most constant influence in their lives.

The waiter finally stepped away, leaving each of them a small dish of gelato to clear their palates after the soup course.

“Tell me more about the twins themselves,” Nick prompted.

He watched with rapt attention as Lucy began to tell him about “her girls.” As she regaled him with stories of their distinct personalities and physical development, he was struck by how…maternal she sounded. It was a side of her that was new to him. Lucy had always focused single-mindedly on her career. She ate, drank, slept and breathed reporting. Long before she’d left him, she’d made it clear that children weren’t part of her plans for years to come—if ever.

Yet, since her return, he couldn’t honestly remember Lucy talking about her work. Any mention of her reporting at all had been in connection with the children. It was as if she’d turned off her professional drive for the time being.

Although Nick found this unexpected parental facet of her personality intriguing, it merely added to his worries. Chances were strong that Lucy would have to return to her job at CNC before the twins were fully recovered and ready to be adopted. The children were bound to be affected by her disappearance from their lives.

But although he felt some misgivings, Nick didn’t voice them. Now wasn’t the moment. After all, it had been Lucy’s job and the demands on her time and safety that had been the major hurdle in their relationship years ago. As for now…

It was none of his business how Lucy led her life or conducted her affairs. His only concern was the children and how best to care for them.

LUCY SETTLED ONTO the smooth leather seat of Nick’s Mercedes, deliciously sated. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d eaten such a wonderful dinner. Years, probably.

Leaning her head back, she closed her eyes. In her lap, she held a container with enough leftovers for a whole meal, perhaps two.

“When does the plane land?”

“Eleven.” A glance at the dashboard confirmed that they had more than ninety minutes before picking up the twins. First, they’d stop at Nick’s house and exchange his car for the van she had leased earlier that afternoon. Then they’d return to the Salt Lake International terminal where the children and their nurses would be processed through customs.

Lucy could barely contain her excitement. All her carefully made plans were about to be set in motion. After suffering through the overwhelming amount of red tape involved in bringing the children to the United States, she’d mentally prepared herself for the worst, knowing that at any moment a technicality could delay the situation yet again. But the plane had safely left Chicago and would begin its descent within the hour.

Lucy yawned as the Mercedes slowed. Realizing that she’d fall asleep if she allowed herself to get any more relaxed, she straightened.

“You’ve gone to a lot of trouble on behalf of the twins,” Nick said as they pulled in to the driveway and rolled to a stop.

Lucy shrugged. “I never really thought of it that way. I’ve done what needed to be done.”

He turned, his arm resting on the back of her seat. One of his fingers toyed idly with a lock of her hair.

“Why have you gone to all this effort? You aren’t related to the children and there are other relief agencies who could have assumed the responsibility of getting them medical care.”

His question pricked her heart. “Do you think so little of me that you’d expect me to turn my back on someone in need?”

He grimaced. “I didn’t mean to imply that I felt you were callous. I simply…” He sighed, his hand moving to the back of her head and resting there. “You’ve always been so driven by your career. Yet now, you’re willing to step away from it all for a pair of strangers. It’s a side of you I’ve never experienced before.”

She pulled away from him. “You must have thought I was really shallow.”

Tugging at the latch, she escaped from the car and strode toward the van. But she’d only taken a few steps before Nick caught her.

“Again, you’ve misunderstood.” With his hands on her shoulders, he drew her toward him. “I’m impressed by the fact that you’ve put your life on hold. I’m impressed by your dedication in tackling the hundreds of details it’s taken to bring them here. When we were engaged, I concentrated so intently on the passion of our relationship that I didn’t appreciate your giving nature until you were gone.”

The admission stunned her. He’d missed her? Even more shocking was his willingness to admit it.

Nick drew her closer, and Lucy didn’t have the will to resist. She pushed away the sensible part of her consciousness that warned her an embrace could only lead to trouble. Instead, she surrendered to the heat that flooded her body.

It had been so long since she’d felt this way. So very long.

When his lips touched hers, she rested against him, her hands absorbing the solid warmth of his chest through the soft texture of his shirt. Then she rose on tiptoe, drowning in the heady desire that Nick’s kiss created.

“Even when you’re a sack of bones, you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known,” he murmured when he pulled back to trail his lips from her cheek to her jaw, then down the sensitive arch of her neck.

“Flatterer,” she breathed, the sarcasm of her remark lost in the barely audible response.

She curled her fingers into his hair, drawing him up for another kiss. Yet, even as the passion raced through her, she wasn’t foolish enough to think any good would come from this moment. She was playing with fire and she would be burned. It was inevitable.

It was also the first time in years that she’d felt thoroughly alive….

But as much as she wanted to revel in the emotions she was feeling, Lucy knew she couldn’t. So much depended on her. She couldn’t allow herself to be sidetracked—especially not for selfish reasons.

Dragging her lips away, she whispered, “We need to go.”

“Okay.”

“Right now.”

He took a deep breath, nodded, then finally released her. “Fine. We’ll go. Right now.”

LUCY HAD THOUGHT that Nick would want to bring his own car so he could return directly home from the airport. But he seemed in no hurry, saying he’d come with her in the van, then take a cab from her hotel.

They arrived at Salt Lake International well before eleven o’clock and stowed the van in the short-term parking lot. Then they made their way to the appropriate terminal, where they began their wait.

From the outset, Lucy couldn’t stay still. She paced back and forth between the ticket counters and the baggage claim area, causing more than one security officer to eye her carefully.

Finally, Nick grabbed her wrist. “If you don’t calm down, you’re going to attract security’s attention.”

“Sorry.”

“They’ll be here soon enough, and from that point on you’ll be running nonstop. You should enjoy your last few moments of solitude.”

“You make it sound like I’m an expectant mother.”

He looked at her inquiringly. “Aren’t you?”

His words made her pause, but she shook her head. “I’m only one person in a team of caretakers.”

“And how is that different from a mother who relies on the help of nannies, family or day care to help with her children?”

“My role is temporary.”

He frowned. “Not to those little girls. Right now, you are the most stable influence in their lives. You’re their protector and their cheerleader—and they’re going to need one hundred percent of your commitment.” His eyes softened. “Something I think they already have.”

Warmth rose in her cheeks. Sometimes, she was sure her “commitment” bordered on an obsession. The moment she’d first held the children and felt their tiny bodies moving against her she’d known she could never let them down.

“Miss?”

She turned when a skycap approached.

“Are you Lucy Devon?”

“Yes.”

“I thought I recognized you from TV,” he said with smile. “I was asked to tell you that the party you’re waiting for has arrived safely and the children are well. They will be down as soon as they clear customs.” He held up a set of luggage tickets. “I’ll gather these and meet you by the baggage claim area.”

Lucy took Nick’s hand, urging him toward the base of the escalator where a group of people had gathered to welcome arriving passengers.

Within minutes, two dark-skinned women appeared on the landing. One pushed an oversize carriage-type stroller, while the other carried a large diaper bag and wheeled a small suitcase.

“It’s them. It’s them!” Lucy waved, bouncing up and down. Impulsively, she squeezed Nick’s arm, then ran toward the elevator.

At the sight of her, the weary women broke into smiles and called out.

“Lucy!”

“Hello!”

Nick remained behind, watching as the pair maneuvered the stroller and their belongings onto the elevator. As the car made its short trip to the lower level, they peered impatiently through the glass walls.

Finally, the doors slid open and they stepped out.

“Tamika, Kyro! Welcome!” Lucy hugged the two nurses, then bent to peer into the buggy. “Hello, sweet things,” she cooed. Her hand disappeared as she caressed the children, then she turned to the nurses again. “Any problems?”

“No, ma’am.” Tamika’s voice held a hint of her native dialect mixed with a clipped British intonation. “They slept most of the way.” Her lips twitched in a little smile. “Kyro was not so fortunate.”

Kyro’s cheeks took on a rosy hue. “I did not like—” she searched for the right words “—the height.”

Lucy offered her another hug. “Don’t worry, Kyro. No more flying for quite some time. I promise.”

Looking at Nick, Lucy gestured for him to come closer. “This is Dr. Nick Hammond. Nick, I would like you to meet Tamika and Kyro Tabumba. They’re recently graduated nurses who’ve been caring for the twins since their birth. And they’re sisters, as I’m sure you’ve already guessed. They agreed to accompany the children and serve as their nannies for a few months.”

The women shyly held out their hands and Nick shook them, nodding slightly. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

The women’s smiles grew wide.

“Would you like to be introduced to the twins?” Lucy asked.

“Of course.”

Lucy drew him forward until he could see two infants lying face-to-face. They wore frilly bonnets and were wrapped in a puffy quilt edged in candy-pink ruffles.

“May I?” Nick asked, indicating the blanket.

“Yes.”

He gently pulled the quilt down to reveal two tiny bodies in pink pajamas.

Even knowing exactly what he would find, Nick’s first full glimpse of the children was shocking. Great care had been taken to sew their outfits together, and the drape of the fabric hid much of what lay beneath, but it was still obvious that the children were fused from sternum to abdomen.

Automatically, Nick’s training took over as he made a quick examination. He was pleased to see that—although they had feeding tubes and their bodies seemed quite small for their age—the girls appeared stable and strong.

“They look like fighters,” he murmured, replacing the blanket.

“Yes, they are,” Lucy agreed proudly. “They’ve gone through so much to make it this far.”

“Shall we go get the luggage?”

Nick relieved the nurses of their carry-on bags while Lucy took control of the stroller. As the women marched ahead of him, Nick had to remind himself that he hadn’t formally committed himself to helping the twins. But as he followed in the wake of these three determined women, he knew it would be futile to resist. Not only would he have Lucy and the nurses to contend with if he refused…

But he’d have to explain himself to a pair of twins who had already wriggled their way beneath his professional detachment.