CARYN knew she’d overreacted the moment Luke closed the door behind him as he left.
But she didn’t call him back.
Mortification still clogged the back of her throat when she thought about the gifts he’d brought her. Then he’d asked her to go to the ball and she hadn’t known what to say. Was she ready to take this next step in their relationship? What if she was mixing up her feelings for Luke with the fear of being alone?
So she’d avoided giving him an answer. Then he’d yelled at her and she’d yelled back, calling him a bully. Logically, she knew Luke wasn’t David, but when he’d come across so strong, ordering her to get down, her knee-jerk response had been automatic. When David had moved in with her, he’d taken over almost every aspect of her life, running things the way he’d wanted.
She believed Luke did care about her. But she really wasn’t a charity case, no matter how Luke obviously thought otherwise. A helping hand was one thing, but basically coming into her house and taking over was something else entirely.
And where would she draw the line? What was next? Paying off her second mortgage?
No. She really was capable of standing on her own two feet. Calmer now, she finished painting the wall, then cleaned up the mess and put everything away. When she returned to the living room, she noticed Luke’s gift boxes still sitting in the middle of her coffee-table.
Against her better judgment she picked up the pink maternity top and held it against herself. The shimmery blouse matched her coloring perfectly. The urge to try on the new clothes was overwhelming.
But she couldn’t keep them. Dropping the top back inside its box, she turned away.
She needed to make Luke understand that she wasn’t some damsel in distress that he needed to rescue.
Instead, she’d rather be the woman he was attracted to.
Caryn returned to work on Friday, but her path didn’t cross Luke’s. Her patients were stable and the residents assigned to take care of them were capable enough, answering her questions and writing the orders she needed.
A part of her longed to see Luke again but another part of her knew he’d expect an answer to his invitation. If the offer was even still open. For all she knew, he’d invited someone else.
“Hi, Caryn.” Michelle found her just before lunch. “I have something for you.” She handed Caryn an envelope.
“What is it?” Caryn asked with a frown.
“An invitation to the charity ball on Saturday night. There’s a special thank-you for all the staff members who helped out during the Crypto emergency.”
“Oh, I’ve heard about that. Thanks, Michelle.” Caryn tucked the invitation into her purse. She could easily imagine wearing the dress Luke had bought her, even though she knew she couldn’t keep it. “I’ll have to think about going.”
“Please, do. You deserve some fun after the long shifts you put in here,” Michelle urged. “I’m going, I have a babysitter to watch Brianna.”
“Great.” Caryn’s smile faded as she walked away. Was she brave enough to go alone? Why not? If she was really going to do this single-parent thing she had better get used to doing things on her own.
Luke would be there, of course, but she couldn’t expect to avoid him for ever. The typical critical care fellowship program was for three years and she wasn’t leaving a job she loved because of him.
Caryn had to work again on Saturday, but she was off on Sunday, which was a good thing because if she decided to go to the ball, she wouldn’t have to be up early the next day.
Later that evening, she did a load of laundry and walked past the gift boxes she’d never gotten around to returning to Luke. The boxes seemed to draw her gaze every time she went past until finally she stopped and opened one.
Giving in to temptation, she drew out the black dress, took it into her bedroom and put it on. The silky fabric draped her figure, clinging to her plump breasts in a way that emphasized her curves. She didn’t want to buy maternity stockings, so she tried a pair of thigh-highs with modest heels, and then critically surveyed her reflection in the mirror from all sides.
If not for the modest bulge of her stomach, she didn’t really look all that pregnant, she decided. And Luke’s dress flattered her figure far more than the boxy dress of Debbie’s she’d tried on the previous day.
Turning away from the mirror, she sighed. Who was she kidding? She wanted to keep the dress. Maybe she could just pay him back. Because no matter how much she tried to tell herself otherwise, she knew darned well she wanted to look nice, attractive, and sexy.
For Luke.
Caryn’s stomach fluttered with nerves as she parked her car and mounted the steps leading to the hotel. This was one of the oldest, most elegant hotels in Milwaukee, the place where all the famous people stayed while they were in town. She’d known about the hotel for years but had never once been inside the grand ballroom.
Until now.
Elegant chandeliers sparkled brightly overhead and shimmery fabric draped the walls. A band played background music as people milled around, tasting various hors d’oeuvres, until it was time for dinner. Rumor had it there would be after-dinner dancing as well. Caryn noticed there were many physicians and upper-management types in attendance, but not quite as many nurses. She ran into Dana and Mitch just as they were about to sit down for dinner. She eagerly joined them, relieved to sit with someone she knew.
Luke snuck into the empty seat beside her before she could blink. “Hi, Caryn,” he greeted her in a low, husky tone. “You look beautiful tonight.”
“Thanks.” She flushed and could have kicked herself for her instant physical awareness of him, but, darn it, he’d caught her off guard. The mere sight of him stole her breath. Luke in a tux should be declared illegal. A sensual danger to women everywhere. She was suddenly very glad she’d worn the silky dress.
Luckily, Mitch quickly engaged Luke in conversation, leaving her to concentrate on eating her meal without spilling a good portion of her salad greens topped with a light raspberry vinaigrette dressing into her lap. When Luke leaned toward her a few minutes later, she caught a whiff of his spicy aftershave and thought he smelt better than anything on her plate.
“Thank you for keeping the dress,” he murmured. “It suits you perfectly.”
She fingered the fabric of her dress, knowing deep down he was right. “You have very good taste.”
His lips quirked in a smile. “For once we agree.”
Caryn gulped her water, glad she wasn’t able to have anything stronger, considering Luke’s attentiveness was enough to drive her senses haywire. She had no idea what she ate for the main course of their meal, but it must have been good.
The after-dinner program was short, but after the CEO of the hospital gave his heartfelt thanks to all the staff who had pulled together during the Crypto crisis, there was a standing ovation. Luke winked and caught her hand in his and she ducked her head, knowing he was remembering the lingering kisses and the night they’d shared in his call room.
The CEO had no idea that working through the Crypto crisis hadn’t been all bad.
As the banquet staff cleared tables off the dance floor, Caryn debated slipping away. Not because she was afraid to dance, but did she really want to be a third wheel to Dana and Mitch if Luke decided he needed to mingle and talk to other guests?
“Where are you going?” Luke asked when she stood.
“I, uh, thought I’d better get home.”
“Already?” Luke quickly rose to his feet. “Are you really too tired? Won’t you stay, at least for a little while longer?”
“Ah…sure. Why not?” She honestly didn’t put up much of an argument as she wanted to stay more than anything. When the band began to play, she glanced over at the dance floor, noticing many couples already heading there.
“Dance with me?” Luke asked, taking her hand once again in his.
She nodded and allowed him to lead her onto the dance floor, feeling like a modern-day Cinderella. Luke pulled her into his arms, his arms strong and warm around her. She expected her rounded stomach to get in the way, but their bodies fit together perfectly as if she weren’t pregnant at all.
“I’m glad you changed your mind about coming tonight,” Luke murmured. “And about the other day, I’m sorry. I never meant to be a bully.”
Ashamed at how she’d overreacted, she shook her head. “You weren’t, not really. I’m the one who’s sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”
“No, you were right. I was trying to tell you what to do. Being bossy comes naturally to physicians.” He held her gaze with his. “Forgive me?”
How could she not? “Of course.”
He bent his head and kissed her, just the lightest brush of his mouth on hers, but the way his arms tightened around her she realized he was holding himself in check in deference to being surrounded by people they both worked with.
He lifted his head and slid a hand down into the small of her back, urging her closer. Heat pooled in her groin as they brushed against each other, swaying to the beat of the music.
She realized the song had ended when he slowed to a stop. “Caryn?”
“Hmm?” she tipped her head back to see him.
“Will you let me take you home?”
She sucked in a breath, knowing this was about more than just simply offering her a lift, but the knowledge of what she was really getting into didn’t stop her from nodding. “Yes.”
“Great.” The relief on his face was almost comical. He grabbed her hand. “Let’s go.”
She wanted to laugh at his eagerness, but the anticipation flickering through her veins understood his barely repressed urgency. “Wait.” She tried to marshal her thoughts. “I should probably let Dana and Mitch know.” She glanced around for the couple as Luke led the way back toward their table. “Where did they go? They were just here.”
“I see them. Sit here for a minute and rest your feet. I’ll tell them we’re leaving.” Luke threaded his way through the crowd.
She sat and clutched her evening bag with tight fingers. She forced herself to relax. During this whole evening Luke had treated her as a woman, as someone he was attracted to instead of someone he worried about.
This was exactly what she’d wanted.
Watching him saying something to Dana and Mitch, she smiled, tempted to kick off her heels but more worried that if she did, she’d never get them back on. She moved from side to side, trying to stretch her back muscles, which lately had been tightening with spasms for no reason.
Finally the impatient waiting was over. Luke returned and offered his arm. “Ready?”
“Sure.” She took his arm but as they made their way to the front entrance a tiny kernel of doubt crept in. The valet service would fetch his car, but then hers would be stuck there. She didn’t want to be left at home, dependent on Luke for a ride. “Maybe I should just drive my own car home,” she murmured. “Then I don’t have to figure out how to get my car back.”
“How about we take your car home instead?” Luke suggested. “I’ll leave my car here. I can get one of the residents to give me a lift later.”
Once more she was surprised at his thoughtfulness. Had David ever once gone out of his way for her? Not that she could remember. She grinned in relief. “If you don’t mind, that would be great.”
The valet parking attendant pulled up in her very steady, dependable sedan and she didn’t say anything when Luke took the keys, obviously intending to drive.
Surely she could give up this little bit of control? Especially when he was making such a great effort on his side.
Caryn settled into the passenger seat and was pulling the seatbelt crosswise over her body when her back spasmed again. “Oh!” she yelped before she could stop herself.
Luke reacted as if she’d screamed. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” she hastened to assure him, regretting her outburst as she awkwardly reached around to rub her back. “I’m fine.”
“You don’t look fine,” he said, dividing his attention between her and the road. “What if you’re having some sort of premature contractions?”
She sighed. “They don’t feel like contractions.” The tightening in her muscles eased. “Seriously, I’m fine.”
The expression on his face didn’t lighten. “You need to talk to your doctor about this.”
“I was just at the doctor two weeks ago. I’m not due to go back for another two weeks,” she reminded him. “Besides, the spasm is over. Between painting and dancing, I must have strained a few muscles I wasn’t using before.”
Luke didn’t look entirely convinced. “Promise me you’ll call your doctor,” he repeated stubbornly.
“Why are you so worried?” she asked in an exasperated tone.
There was a long pause. “I’m not. I just don’t want you to ignore any signs or symptoms of potential complications.”
She arched her brow. “Potential complications?”
“The first sign of placenta previa is sharp stabbing pain,” he said in a low tone. “And it could be anywhere, even your back.”
She stared at him. The oddly tense expression on his face made her think the comment wasn’t a random one. “Did you know someone who had placenta previa, Luke?”
He didn’t answer as he pulled into her driveway.
Rather than push the issue, she gestured to her house. “Do you want to come in for a few minutes?” she offered. The sudden serious turn in the conversation made her wonder if the rest of the evening might not end as she’d hoped. “I’ll make coffee.”
“Sure.” He climbed out, coming around to get her door. He walked her inside. “You don’t have to make coffee just for me. I’ll have whatever you’re having.”
“Herb tea.” She scrunched her face in disgust. “I guess it’s better than nothing.”
“I’ll get it.” He steered her to a chair and gave a gentle push. “You need to get off your feet.”
She slipped off her shoes and sighed as her toes stretched comfortably without the pressure. Did feet grow along with the rest of your body when you were pregnant? She wasn’t sure.
Luke gathered cups and teabags, heating the water in the microwave. It was odd to watch him moving around her kitchen as if he belonged there. She frowned, remembering those first few days with David. David had moved in and taken over and she’d very quickly known she’d made a mistake.
Luke looked comfortable in her kitchen. In her house. In her life?
“Here you go.” Luke placed a steaming mug before her, and then grabbed a second one for himself as he took a seat next to her.
She took a sip of her tea and eyed him over the rim. “Luke, you mentioned having a sister who died. Was she the one who had placenta previa?” she asked again.
He rubbed a hand over his eyes and slowly nodded. “I shouldn’t have said anything. I don’t want to scare you.”
Too late, she thought. I’m scared. “What happened? Obstetrics wasn’t my best subject but I do know a mother doesn’t have to die as a result of placenta previa.”
Pushing his untouched tea to the center of the table, he sighed. “Lisa was several years younger than me. I was in the second year of my residency program and trips home had almost completely fizzled out.” He shrugged. “I didn’t know Lisa was pregnant, she didn’t tell me.”
“So how did you find out?”
“My mother actually called me because Lisa suddenly experienced severe pain and bleeding.” Luke stared at his hands, reliving the past. “They’d called for an ambulance to take her to the hospital. When she got there they discovered she had a placenta previa.”
Caryn knew this was when the placenta broke away from the uterine wall. She sucked in a breath. “The baby?”
“Didn’t make it. And worse, after they delivered the stillborn baby Lisa continued to hemorrhage. I rushed over and they asked me to do a blood transfusion on the spot because we shared the same blood type and they were afraid she had built up antibodies in her system, which were complicating things.”
Luke to the rescue. “Didn’t your blood help?”
“Yeah, but I got there too late.” He lifted his head, gazing at her with red-rimmed eyes full of anguish. “She died before the hospital staff had a chance to get my donated blood transfused into her. We lost Lisa and her son.”