Читать книгу Finding Her Prince - Robyn Donald, Nancy Robards Thompson - Страница 18

Nathan rang Cindy’s doorbell for the third time. He knew she was in there; her car was in the driveway. If she didn’t answer in the next thirty seconds, he would break in.

Finally the door opened and she stood there in shorts and an oversize T-shirt. Her eyes were red-rimmed, as if she’d been crying.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“This showing up unannounced is getting to be a bad habit,” she said, not actually answering the question.

“So is not calling me.”

“Why are you here?”

“Dina Garrett told me you left work early. And why.” He’d broken speeding laws getting over here after hearing.

“You went to my supervisor?”

“Because I couldn’t find you and no one had seen you. It wasn’t time for your shift to be over and you’re not the irresponsible type. I figured your immediate boss would know what was going on.”

“Oh.”

Yeah. The woman had looked at him as if he were an ax murderer. Dina was very protective. Apparently Cindy inspired that feeling in someone besides him.

“So … Did you see the doctor?”

Tears welled in her eyes as she nodded without embellishing.

“And?” he prompted.

“I was cramping. She was concerned. I’m on bed rest for a few weeks.”

That meant the pregnancy was still viable and the baby was okay. Relief washed through him, followed by anger.

“Why didn’t you call me?” he demanded. “I’m a doctor.”

“Not mine,” she countered.

“I have every right to know what’s going on.” He would have driven her to the office. Been there to support her. But she kept shutting him out and that pissed him off.

“If there had been anything to tell you, I would have. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m supposed to stay off my feet. And not worry about anything—” Her voice caught and she put a hand over her mouth.

Nathan swore under his breath as he lifted her into his arms and shouldered the door closed.

“What are you doing?” she demanded.

“Getting you off your feet.” He looked around the room. There was a small sofa, a wooden rocking chair and not much else. “I’m taking you to bed.”

“Put me down.” There was an edge to her voice.

“I didn’t mean that.” Not really. Not now that the pregnancy had turned risky. But before this, the thought had crossed his mind more than once. “That didn’t come out right. I’m going to put you in bed.”

“The love seat is fine.”

He glanced at it, a green overstuffed little sofa with tiny yellow and coral flowers. The first time he’d been here, having Cindy had been his only focus. Then he found out the condom broke and other details about the room disappeared. Now he took it all in.

The floor was wood, a medium-tone pine. A stand in the corner of the room held a small old TV. By the front door was a tiny mahogany occasional table with a mirror above it, right next to where he’d backed her against the wall and taken her. A bed would have been nice, but he couldn’t wait. And he couldn’t regret the most mind-blowing sex ever. Now there was going to be a baby. His responsibility was to take care of the mother in his arms.

That was why he was here. Because of the child.

In front of the love seat there was a cedar chest with a coaster and a glass of water. Five wadded-up tissues were scattered over the scratched and scarred top of the wood. She had been crying.

He walked over to the love seat and gently set her down. Now he felt the need to do more. To fix something. “Are you hungry?”

“No.”

“Did you eat lunch?”

“A little.”

That didn’t sound good. “I’ll fix you something.”

“I haven’t been to the grocery store.” Her eyes filled with tears again.

Nathan moved the glass out of the way, handed her a tissue, then sat on the cedar chest across from her. “Talk to me, Cindy.”

She dabbed at her eyes with the tissue. “I’d just finished my assignment in the NICU and started cramping.”

He knew from Dina that there’d been a confrontation with one of the NICU nurses just before Cindy doubled over. That made him want to put his fist through the wall. She had tried to tell him, but he’d blown her off.

“Go on.”

“The pains wouldn’t go away and I got scared and called the doctor. She did a thorough exam and said everything looks okay. That probably extreme tension caused the episode. Then she said to be on the safe side I should stay off my feet for a few weeks. Then we’ll reevaluate after the pregnancy stabilizes.”

He nodded. All good advice. Err on the side of caution. Every doctor takes an oath and vows to “first do no harm.” “Then rest is what you should do.”

“In a perfect world,” she cried.

“You’re not seriously thinking about ignoring her advice.”

“No, but—”

“What?” he demanded.

“The Family Medical Leave Act will preserve my job, but if I don’t work, I don’t get paid. Without money I can’t pay my bills. I’m terrified for the baby, but what am I going to do?”

“First, you’re going to calm down,” he said, concerned that she was working herself up. “Then you’re going to let me help you.”

“I can’t let you do that.”

“I can afford it.” Chump change for him.

“This isn’t your problem. It’s mine,” she protested.

“You didn’t get pregnant by yourself. I want to do something.”

“I’ll figure it out. But I appreciate the offer. Really.” She reached over and touched his hand.

His skin burned where her fingers squeezed, and the contact threatened to fry his concentration. He shook his head and struggled to focus. She needed his help. Because not working would give her lots of time to stress over everything she couldn’t pay. But if he’d learned anything since getting to know her it was that stubborn was her middle name. Picking a fight over how he could help wouldn’t be following her doctor’s orders. So he had a better idea.

“You’ll move in with me,” he said. “The pantry, fridge and freezer are full. You can eat pickles and ice cream to your heart’s content. I’m in and out, but I can monitor your condition—”

“No.”

Nathan waited for more and when she didn’t elaborate, he tried to figure out what was going through her mind. “I have lots of room.”

“It’s not about that.” She folded her hands in her lap.

“Then what’s wrong with the plan?”

“So many things, so little time.” Her answer was no answer at all.

Nathan stared at her—the big, beautiful eyes looked bruised and battered. Her full mouth with its defined upper lip trembled. The escalating need to pull her into his arms made him increasingly uncomfortable. But it wasn’t just because he wanted to comfort her. The truth was that if she wasn’t on doctor-ordered bed rest, he might have carried her to bed and made love to her properly.

Her spirit and courage in the face of adversity were admirable and he should be grateful that she was giving him an out. Every instinct he had urged him to take it and run like hell, but he wouldn’t turn his back on his kid, like his parents had with him. He was determined to be there and make the environment safe for his child.

To do that, he had to first of all not argue with the woman carrying that child. She’d drawn a line in the sand, so he had to find a way around it.

“Okay. We’ll stay here then.”

Some of the bruising left her eyes when suspicion replaced it. “We?”

“You won’t come to my house and I’m not leaving you alone. That means I’m not leaving.”

“You can’t do that.”

“Why?”

“I didn’t invite you,” she said.

“With all due respect,” he answered, “how are you planning to stop me?”

“Logistics for one thing.” She folded her arms over her chest. “There’s nowhere for you to sleep. Certainly not in my room.”

“Never crossed my mind,” he lied.

“And the other two bedrooms are set up for an office and storage.”

He shrugged. “Don’t worry about me. I’m a big boy. Been taking care of myself for a long time.”

“Nathan, no—”

He shushed her with a finger to her lips, and the touch seemed to shock her into silence. “You’re not supposed to worry. So, forgive my bluntness, but shut up and relax.”

Three days later Cindy wasn’t exactly relaxed, but that was less about pregnancy and more about Nathan invading her space. It was early in the morning and she was still in bed, putting off getting up because she knew he was still there. Nathan had spent every moment he wasn’t at the hospital in her house. Every morning since he’d refused to go away she’d walked out of her bedroom and peeked into the living room expecting him to be gone. And every day he wasn’t.

Yet she knew he couldn’t keep this up. He was a guy. Sooner or later he’d get bored with her as his latest charity case and bail. She wished he would get it over with—before she got used to him. Before it would hurt like crazy when she found out she’d been right, before she was alone again and less prepared to be that way.

Maybe she was borrowing trouble. Maybe today was the day he’d be gone. Today would be okay because she was ready for it, expecting him to disappear.

She threw the sheet off and slid out of the queen-size bed. After stopping in the bathroom, she tiptoed down the hall and through the kitchen. Peeking around the corner, she first saw his feet, then the rest of him dressed only in boxers. There was a sheet on the couch and he was still asleep, but probably that was from complete exhaustion. The sofa wasn’t anywhere big enough to accommodate him, yet there he still was.

He looked a little dangerous, she thought, and a lot dashing with the shadow of stubble on his jaw. He was all rumpled, sleepy, sex appeal, and an unmistakable tug on her heart made her hope this was the last time she would find him here.

His eyelids flickered and he stretched, then suddenly sat up when he saw her. “Are you okay?”

“Fine.” In the physical sense that was true because there was no more cramping. But emotionally she was a mess.

“You’re not supposed to be on your feet. Are you hungry?”

“Yes,” she admitted, admiring the expanse of broad male chest covered with a dusting of dark hair.

“I’ll make breakfast. Go back to bed,” he ordered.

After three days she knew resistance was futile, so she went back to bed. Before long the smell of eggs, turkey sausage, potatoes and toast drifted to her. Over her protests he’d grocery shopped and stocked her pantry. She had to admit the delicious aromas made her mouth water.

Then Nathan appeared in her doorway. He’d dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, but his feet were still bare, his hair rumpled and the stubble unshaved. He held a food-filled tray, and she held in an appreciative sigh. Her mouth was watering, but it had nothing to do with the food.

“Breakfast is served.” He set the tray on her legs and started to leave.

“Can I talk to you, Nathan?”

“Sure.” The bed dipped from his weight when he sat on the edge, just inches from her leg. “What’s up?”

“This isn’t working.”

He frowned. “I can make something else for breakfast—”

“No. I mean this arrangement. You have to be exhausted from not having a bed to sleep in.”

“I have to admit I’m not lovin’ the love seat.”

“That’s what I’m talking about.” Sort of. She had to convince him to go away. “And I don’t need you hovering over me. I haven’t had any more cramping. So, really, you can go back to your place.”

“I’d like that,” he agreed. Much too easily. “On one condition.”

“Anything.”

“You come, too.” He must have seen her start to protest because he held up a hand. “It has more room and everyone would have an actual bed to sleep in.”

“Don’t think I’m not appreciative because I am.” Except for her family and three best friends, no one had ever been there for her like this. “But this is my home.”

“Okay. No problem.” He rubbed a hand across his chin. “Maybe I’ll pick up an air mattress. My mother will understand why I’m not at the house.”

“Your mother?”

“She dropped in unexpectedly. She does that sometimes,” he said.

“You should go be with her. No need to babysit me.”

A gleam slid into his eyes. “Actually, you’d be doing me a big favor if you moved in. Mom and I could use a buffer.”

“You’re not close?”

His mouth pulled tight. “She has her own interests.”

Shouldn’t her interests include being with her son? None of her business, Cindy thought. “I wouldn’t want to intrude. It would be such an inconvenience.”

“Look, Cindy, I’m serious about Mom and me needing someone to take the edge off. But here’s the bottom line. You and I both want the baby to be healthy. That depends on your ability to stay off your feet and reduce your stress level. I intend to make that happen. Where it happens is up to you.”

She knew when to say when. Stalemate. Impasse. Someone had to blink, and apparently it would be her. She couldn’t stand the thought of him being completely exhausted because she was too stubborn to compromise. There were other babies and parents depending on him.

“All right,” she said. “Your place it is.”

Nathan pulled into the driveway of his really big house before Cindy had time to process that she’d actually agreed to move in with him. He’d packed her things and wouldn’t let her lift a finger, which was seven different kinds of sweet.

Now here they were. Parked beside a BMW SUV in his driveway. It was a reminder that he already had a guest. Her stomach clenched.

“Did you tell your mother about the baby? Does she know you’re bringing me here?”

“Yes.” He pulled the keys from the ignition, then looked at her. “And yes.”

“Good.” At least there wouldn’t be that awkward moment where she had to stand quietly by while he explained the unexplainable.

When she started to get out of the car, he said, “Stay put. You’re not supposed to be on your feet.”

“Then how am I going to get inside?”

A shimmy of anticipation danced up her spine when she remembered him sweeping her into his arms to carry her inside at her house. But the romantic notion dissolved when he emerged from the front door pushing a wheelchair.

“Be still my heart.” Cindy wondered what kind of damage was done when a romantic fool dropped back to earth. But she sat in the chair.

It was a beautiful June day and already getting hot, so the cool air that washed over her when he pushed her inside felt good. When her eyes adjusted from bright sun to the dim interior, she saw that travertine tile went on forever in the entryway. There were high ceilings with crown molding and pale wheat-colored walls.

An older but very attractive woman walked into the entryway. She was tall and slender with a short brunette bob. Her eyes were hazel, and it was obvious that Nathan got his coloring from his mother. And his fashion sense. Her white capris were crisp and spotless. The black and white striped silk blouse was trendy and fitted. Even her sandals coordinated with the summer ensemble.

“So here you are,” she said, her eyes narrowing on Cindy.

Nathan’s voice came from behind the wheelchair. “Shirley, this is Cindy Elliott. Cindy, Shirley Steele, my mother.”

They shook hands and Cindy felt at a disadvantage in the chair. Even standing she would be shorter, but at least she wouldn’t have been loomed over.

Nathan leaned down. “I’m going to get your things out of the car and put them in the guest room.”

Moments later he walked inside with her two suitcases then disappeared down the hall. He returned and glanced at his watch. “I have to get to the hospital. Shirley, will you get Cindy settled?”

“Of course.”

“I’ll be back later.” He looked down at her with a warning expression on his face. “Take it easy.”

Nothing about this was easy to take, especially being left alone with his mother. But he walked out the door and it was just the two of them.

Cindy didn’t know how to be anything but direct. She got up from the chair and met the other woman’s gaze. “This pregnancy was an accident.”

“So I’ve been told.”

“I didn’t even want to go out with him.”

“Technically one doesn’t have to actually go out for something like this to happen,” Shirley commented, her tone guarded. “But why did you? Go out with him.”

“He was relentless and I said yes to get him out of my life.”

“Yet here you are in his home. So we can see how well that worked.”

“I didn’t want to move in.” Cindy refused to look away, even though that’s what she desperately wanted to do. “But he’s so darn stubborn and he wouldn’t leave me alone. He’s exhausted and the only way he’s going to get any rest is for me to stay here. That’s the truth.”

“All right then. Nathan is a grown man and knows what he’s doing.” Shirley glanced over her shoulder. “I take it you know your way around?”

“Actually, I’ve never been here before.” Cindy stopped there, not wanting to explain the one-night stand at her house.

The older woman looked just the tiniest bit surprised when she asked, “Would you like a tour?”

“Are you going to make me use that stupid chair?” Cindy glared at the thing.

“I think that’s about my son being overly cautious. Stay off your feet means don’t do the trampoline or go bungee jumping, not be an invalid.”

Cindy nodded. “I think so, too.”

“All right then. Follow me.” Shirley turned and started walking away. “This place has five bedrooms and a guest house. That’s where I stay.”

Interesting. Nathan didn’t really need her to be a buffer between him and his mom. There was plenty of space for the two to peacefully coexist. This house was big enough for its own zip code.

Cindy noted that the living and dining rooms were separated by the wide entryway and filled with dark cherry wood furniture and fabrics in earth tones. White plantation shutters covered the windows. The family room was right off the kitchen and had a fireplace on one wall. A huge leather corner group sat in front of a gigantic flat-screen TV.

“My whole house would fit in this room,” Cindy said, still in awe.

“The bedrooms are down this hall,” Shirley said.

She pointed out the master bedroom at the back of the house, and Cindy politely glanced through the doorway, although it felt like invading Nathan’s privacy. The room was huge, with a king-size bed across from a sunken conversation area and fireplace. A little twinge that could be jealousy told her it was best not to think about all the women who’d no doubt “conversed” in here with him.

Across the hall there were two more bedrooms connected by a bath. Her suitcases were visible in the first room.

“This is where you’ll stay.” Shirley walked through the bathroom into the connecting bedroom. “This gets the morning sun. And there’s that charming window seat. I think this would make a wonderful nursery.”

Cindy glanced at the L-shaped desk with the computer on top. There was an eight-foot couch and a wing chair in another corner. Clearly it was set up as an office.

“It would certainly work. But I’m not staying here permanently,” Cindy protested.

“But you and Nathan will share custody.”

It wasn’t a question except in Cindy’s mind. If she had to judge by her experience, Nathan wouldn’t be around long enough to share custody or anything else. But telling his mother that didn’t seem appropriate.

“I believe children should know both of their parents,” Cindy said diplomatically. “If at all possible.”

“I’m glad you feel that way because I’ve jotted down some ideas for a mural in here.” Shirley picked up a sketch pad from the desk. “Would you like to see?”

It felt a little weird, but, “Okay.” She looked at the drawings of cuddly zoo animals on the first page. “These are too cute.”

“Those are generic,” Shirley explained. “The next page is cars, fire trucks, airplanes. Boy stuff. Then there’s the sports-themed sketches. Followed by fairy tale characters and princess pictures. Nathan can make a decision when he finds out the sex of the baby.”

“These are really good.” Pretty amazing, really.

She flipped through the pages, each set of sketches more impressive than the last. Knowing whether the child was a boy or girl would narrow down themes, but they were all so adorable, making a decision wouldn’t be easy.

“You’re incredibly artistic,” she said.

“Not really. I just had lots of time to practice.” Shirley’s pleased expression instantly disappeared.

Cindy felt guilty because it was the first time the other woman had smiled and something she’d said had made the warmth dissolve. “You have a lot of natural talent. I don’t think practice alone would be enough to do this.”

“It is if you have the time. My husband left me.” She shrugged. “Because I wasn’t being a wife, I had a lot of time to work on other, creative endeavors.”

But you were a mother, Cindy wanted to say. If the marriage wasn’t working, why didn’t this woman’s time and energy get channeled into the young son who must have been hurt and confused about his deteriorating family? She’d never understood before how priceless her carefree childhood had been but kept the revelation to herself. In fact, she didn’t know what to say.

But not saying anything made this more awkward than watching Nathan explain their complicated association to his mother.

Shirley must have felt it, too. “I’ve kept you on your feet too long. You should rest.”

Alone, Cindy walked back into the room where she’d be staying. The bed was queen-size, covered with a floral quilt and a striped bed skirt in green and white. A tufted bench sat at the foot with her suitcases resting on top. There was an oak dresser with a mirror over it and matching nightstands. Very comfortable and should have been cheerful.

Cindy remembered what Nathan had said about being an unaccompanied minor. She’d assumed both of his parents had demanding careers, but that wasn’t the case. He was a handsome doctor, brilliant and wealthy. Yet she felt sorry for him. And that was stupid. It could potentially weaken the hard crust around her feelings. And that would be a disaster.

If she made it through this pregnancy and delivered a healthy baby, it would be in no small part because of Nathan’s support at this traumatic time. She would be forever grateful to him, but they were having a baby, not a relationship. That’s the only reason she was living in his house.

The emotional health of her heart depended on remembering that.