“YOU FEELING BETTER, buddy?” Jake studied the bright eyes of the tiny patient lying in his bassinet in the NICU. “I hope so, because I don’t like my patients being sick.”
Max grabbed his finger as Jake pressed the stethoscope to his chest. Bacterial meningitis in infants was terrifying. Jake thanked God every day he made the call to get this child to the hospital when he did. Otherwise, the outcome could have been very different. But after several weeks in the hospital, it appeared Max would make a full recovery. Kate would be relieved to hear he was doing better.
Kate. What an amazing woman. Tough, yet graceful. Compassionate, yet God help anyone who gave her shit.
Yup, she was definitely a treasure.
A firm tug on the stethoscope tubing pulled him from his thoughts. He made a funny face at his patient. “A-boo-boo-boo.”
Max’s eyes widened as he kicked his legs.
“I think we might be able to spring you from this joint tomorrow.”
Jake wrapped the child in his arms, kissing his temple and breathing in the sweet special scent God gave His littlest children.
“You really love babies, don’t you?”
Startled by the unexpected voice, Jake glanced over his shoulder to find a pretty, young nurse smiling at him. Short, dark hair framed a pleasant, round face. “I love all kids.”
“Yeah, but infants hold a special place for you.”
Jake glanced back at the child he held. “Okay, I’ll admit it. They do.”
The nurse walked around the bassinet and offered her hand. “I’m Donna.”
She couldn’t have been more than five feet tall, but her curves were certainly eye-catching. At six-foot-one, he towered over her. He liked that.
“Jake Harris.” He cradled the baby with one hand and shook hers with the other. “It must be tough working in the NICU.”
“Sometimes, but when you get a calling, you can’t ignore it.”
Jake was impressed. Not many people were tough enough to deal with ill babies. A strong woman was exactly what he needed. “What a great way to look at it.”
Jake studied the nurse closely. She seemed like a decent person. Sweet, pretty, and not the least bit scary... maybe she wouldn’t mind sharing a cup of coffee.
“You wouldn’t happen to be free for lunch, would you? Maybe we could grab a bite?”
She offered a brilliant smile. “That would be great. Is noon okay?”
“Perfect.”
The ringing of the wall phone prevented Donna from saying anything else, but he could tell by that smile she was pleased.
Yeah. For now.
With one last kiss to the baby’s tiny fist, Jake went to leave the intensive care nursery.
“Jake? They need a pediatrician in delivery.”
His stomach clenched. “Aren’t there any other pediatricians on call?”
“They’re unavailable.”
With a deep breath, he croaked out, “Okay.”
Sweat broke out over his body as he headed for the elevators. If he could change any part of his job, this would be it. He’d delivered a few babies when he was an intern, but the few seconds between birth and the first cry were the worst. He didn’t know how OBs did it every day.
Jake hopped onto the elevator and laid his head against the wall as he rode to the first floor. The doors opened and he hurried for the labor and delivery ward.
He headed for the nurse’s station for information about the patient, but stopped short when he saw the woman standing behind the high counter. “Kate?” He quickened his step over to her. “What are you doing here?”
The woman turned to him and smiled, her brows lifted in question.
Not Kate. But damned if she didn’t look just like her. “Sorry. I thought you were someone else.”
“I noticed. I’m her sister.”
Yes, now that he was closer, he could see the difference. Kate’s eyes were a darker shade of chocolate, sleepier, and her lips a deeper pink. “Are you and Kate twins?”
She rounded the counter with a file in her hand. “No. We’re close in age, but not that close.” She studied him with open curiosity. “How do you know my sister?”
“I’m her boss.”
“Dr. Harris. It’s so nice to meet you.” She offered her hand. “Susan O’Sullivan. You’re my sons’ pediatrician.”
Jake gestured toward her large tummy. “I’ll have a new patient soon.”
She rubbed her belly. “Very soon. Today’s my last day before maternity leave, and it hasn’t been a good one.” She searched through the file in her hand. “Nancy Lu went into premature labor. Seven weeks. We tried to stop it, but when her water broke and I saw signs of fetal distress, I made the decision for a section. They’re prepping her for surgery now.”
“I better get scrubbed up then.”
She gripped his arm. “Could you let me know how mom and baby girl are?”
Jake patted her hand. “I will.”
After he washed and put on scrubs, he entered the O.R. and went straight over to the expectant mother. “Hello, Mrs. Lu. I’m Dr. Jake Harris. I’ll be taking good care of your daughter once she’s born. So no worrying allowed, okay?”
She bit her trembling lip and nodded. Tears slid down the side of her face.
Jake stood by the mother’s side, his hand on her shoulder as the obstetrician performed the surgery. Once the baby was born, he took the child in his arms and placed her on the table. He suctioned her nose and mouth and waited, the stethoscope to her chest. A small cry echoed throughout the O.R.
After he checked her heart rate and muscle tone, Jake took note of the baby’s skin color. Except for a bluish hue to her hands and feet, her skin was a healthy pink. Once his exam was complete, he handed the reins over to the O.R. nurse.
He returned to the mother, hoping to be out of the room before the nurse brought the baby over to her parents. “Your daughter’s lungs sound good. She’s only four pounds, three ounces, so I’d like to admit her into the intensive care nursery, just for observation.”
Mrs. Lu tears came faster, this time he was sure, with joy. She gripped his hand, smiling through her tears. He fought the urge to yank away, a lump forming in his throat. The nurse placed the baby girl into her proud papa’s arms. Jake turned away and waited for the new mother to release him.
He left the room without looking back.
***
“You almost ready to go, Kate? Our train leaves in thirty minutes.” Her brother-in-law tapped his watch.
She collected her cell phone and made sure it was fully charged before turning to Rob, dodging her nephews as they tore through her living room. “Are you sure about this?”
He crossed his arms and glared at her. “Shouldn’t I be the one worried my kids are being left with a babysitter?”
“I know, I know. I trust Alex and Drew, but—”
“But you’re a mom.” He patted her back. “You’re allowed to worry.”
She snatched her youngest nephew and nuzzled his neck. Tony let out a shriek of glee. Marc stood next to her, hopping up and down, his arms raised. “Me next!”
Kate released Tony and grabbed Marc. “Oh, I could hug you both forever.”
“Do it while you can. With Susan home, she’ll be hovering around them.” Love filled Rob’s eyes as he watched his sons run from the room. She remembered seeing the same look from William whenever she caught him staring at their children.
A look she’d never see again.
The doorbell rang. “Alex, can you get that?” Kate hollered and then turned to Rob. “You are so blessed—” Horrified when her voice broke, she put a hand over her mouth. Where the hell did that come from? One minute she was fine, the next filled with sorrow. “I’m sorry.”
“I know, honey.” Rob hugged her.
She hated to cry in front of anyone, but she didn’t pull away. It was so nice to be in a man’s arms, if only for comfort.
Her brother-in-law kissed her temple. “Okay?”
She nodded.
“Mom?”
Kate focused on her son, standing with Jake. She moved from Rob’s embrace. “I thought you were on call at the hospital.”
“I just got back.” His face appeared carved in stone, his shoulders stiff.
“Is something wrong?”
His eyes shifted to Rob before seeking hers. “I just stopped by to tell you Max is going home tomorrow.”
Kate put her hand over her heart as a wave of relief swamped her. “Oh, thank you, God.”
“I don’t believe we’ve met.” Rob extended his hand. “Rob O’Sullivan.”
“Jake Harris.”
After they shook hands, Rob stared at Kate expectantly.
“Oh, sorry, this is my boss. He just moved in next door.” She turned to Jake. “Rob is my brother-in-law.”
“Are you Susan’s husband?” Jake asked. His shoulders relaxed, and his easy smile returned.
“Have you met my beautiful wife?”
“Earlier today.” He glanced at Kate. “I mistook her for you.”
She punched Rob’s arm. “You’ve done that a time or two, haven’t you?”
“Well, you, Valerie, and Susan all look alike.”
“Oh, please, you should know your own wife.”
Rob nudged Jake’s arm with his elbow. “Does she give you this much trouble at work?”
“I don’t know why I keep her.”
Kate shot her brother-in-law an angry glare. “Don’t we have a train to catch? The Mets are waiting.”
“Mets?” Jake’s face brightened.
“Ah, have we found another silent sufferer?” Rob asked.
“Oh, I dunno about silent, but I do suffer.”
The two men chatted for a few minutes about pitchers and statistics. Her boss seemed so happy talking to another guy. One over the age of eighteen.
“A bunch of us are headed to CitiField. It’s a shame we don’t have another ticket. You could tag along.” Rob glanced at his watch. “We’d better head out. Nice meeting you, Jake.”
A thought attached itself to Kate’s brain and wouldn’t let go.
“Have fun.” Jake reached for the doorknob.
“Jake, hang on a sec.” Kate turned to her brother-in-law. “I wasn’t going to say anything because I know how much you spent on those tickets, but I feel a migraine coming on.”
His face turned to a mask of sympathy. “Oh, man, that sucks.”
“I can’t fathom that long train ride and then sitting through a nine inning ballgame…”
Rob patted her shoulder. “Don’t worry about it.”
“I was thinking, instead of wasting the ticket, maybe Jake could go?”
Rob glanced over at Jake, his empathy turning to a glimpse of eagerness. “Would you like to come? Kate’s brother, Logan, is going and a few other friends. I’m sure they’d love to meet a fellow sufferer.”
Jake stared, wide-eyed for a moment before he said, “Yeah, that’d be great.”
“Cool.” Rob turned to Kate and kissed her cheek. “Feel better, okay? And let Alex and Andrew take care of the kids.”
“I will. Have fun.” She walked them to the door.
Jake headed up the rear. Just as she was about to shut the door, he caught her eye and mouthed, “Thank you.”
***
The landscape blurred as Jake stared out the window of the moving train. Rob, Logan, and a few of the others chatted around him, but otherwise the car was empty, and Jake took a few minutes to himself, knowing the closer they got to Queens the more crowded the train would be.
Lunch with Donna had been okay, but they hadn’t hit it off like he’d hoped. She was nice enough, pretty, but anyone who referred to The Beatles as ‘those four old guys’ and preferred Miley Cyrus to Pink wasn’t the girl for him.
But Kate. Man. He still couldn’t believe she’d given up a free ticket to CitiField just so he’d have something to do for a change.
With that in mind, he turned away from the window. Kate had done a lot for him. He wanted to make the most of this opportunity, and staring out at the flying scenery was no way to make friends.
Dianna Sheldon, the only woman in their group, plopped down across from him and opened a large box of raisins. “So my new neighbor is the handsome doctor everyone’s talking about?”
Oh God. Was she coming onto him? Jake attempted to inch farther into the corner of his seat. He’d thought she was with that other guy, Sean something-or-other, since they’d been glued to each other’s side since he met them back at the Seashore Cove train station. “Well, I-I am a doctor.”
“Uh-huh. And you are handsome.” She popped a raisin in her mouth. “And blushing.”
“It—I—well…” Jake slouched in his chair. Change the subject. That usually works. “I—um, I love your cupcakes. Kate begrudgingly shared one with me.”
Dianna leaned forward with a sultry grin. “Oh, yeah? You live across the street from me. Maybe you can come over and do some… tasting.”
Jake gulped. Well, that didn’t go as expected. “I—”
“Down, Princess. The man’s new in town.”
Sean Donovan—that was his name!—sat beside Dianna and stole a bunch of raisins from her box. He smiled when she slapped his hand, his blue eyes sparkling.
Jake sat up straighter, admiring the ease they shared. “Good advice from your boyfriend.”
“We’re just friends,” they said in unison, as if they’d said it many times.
Ah, yes, Rob had told him about these two. Born on the same day, same hospital, they’d been friends all of their twenty-nine years. Everyone in town had a bet going to see how long it took them to realize they were made for each other. Now he could see why.
He could also see she wasn’t a threat.
Jake arched a brow, his tension quickly abating. “So she’s available?”
Sean paused, his mouth open, poised and waiting for the dried fruit. “Yeah. Sure.”
“Forget it, scrubs. Doctors are too cerebral for me.” Dianna smirked and held the treat out toward him. “Raisin?”
Jake let out a laugh and waved her offer away. “I’m too wounded.”
“What’s so funny?” Tucker Donovan, Sean’s younger brother, stood next to Jake’s seat, gripping the metal bar spanning along the top when the train pulled into the next station. Tucker’s hair was nearly black, Sean’s a dirty blond, but their eyes were the same startling light blue. “Dianna picking up guys again?”
She threw a raisin at him, her frown turning into a smug grin when it bounced off his nose. “No, in fact, I turned him down.”
Tucker lightly punched Jake’s arm. “Sorry, dude. But count your blessings. She would’ve broken your heart in a few months anyway.”
He glanced up and grinned. “I consider them—”
Before Jake could finish, Tucker dove head-first into the bench behind him.
“What the hell?” Jake threw a startled glance at Dianna and Sean, but they just sat there, popping raisins as if this was common behavior for Tucker. A leggy blonde walked by, her skirt as short as law would allow without it being considered a misdemeanor.
Sean took the box from Dianna and tipped it over his mouth, swatting the bottom with his hand. “She’s gone.”
Jake swung around in his chair and came eye-to-eye with Tucker, peeking over the edge of the seat. “Did she see me?”
Dianna crossed her arms over her chest. “I have a feeling, if she had, you wouldn’t have to guess.”
Tucker duck-waddled around the bench and slid in beside Jake. “I need to move to a bigger town.”
“Or you could stay in a relationship with a woman long enough to learn her name.”
“Nah, I’ll leave that sappy shit to Sean.”
Sean let out a loud snort. “One day, little brother, you’re going to eat those words.”
Jake tuned out the brothers’ friendly banter. He wished he could be more like Tucker. Living for the moment and not worrying about the future. But Jake wanted—no, needed—a relationship. A family.
Easier said than done.
***
Alex sat next to Drew on the edge of the pool, water up to their knees as they kicked. After an intense game of hide-and-seek, Tony and Marc needed some time in the shallow end to cool down.
Alex glanced around to make sure his mother wasn’t within earshot and leaned over to his brother. “This is going too slow. At this rate, I’ll be in college before Mom and Coach hook up.”
“You’re the one watching those dumb soap operas. Did they give you any ideas?”
“I’m beginning to think it’s a waste of time. They’re always getting themselves into these stupid precarious situations. Very unrealistic.”
“I have no idea what you just said.”
“For instance, getting trapped somewhere seems to be a big plot device.”
“Plot what?”
Alex shook his head. “It’s no use. There are no mountains on Long Island so a mudslide is out. We don’t have a walk-in safe, and they’ll never get stuck on a deserted island.”
“Well, we do live on an island.” His face lit up. “He could save Mom from drowning.”
“Get real, dude.”
Drew sat back with a frown. “We could always have a bad storm. Mom hates thunderstorms.”
“Yeah, but it’s unlikely Mom and Coach will be together during one. We won’t have any snow for at least five months, if at all, so a blizzard’s out.”
“Man, we don’t get any fun on this stupid island.”
Alex stared up at the fading sky. “You know, I saw this one show where a couple was in a house without air conditioning. They were really hot and had to take off some clothes.”
“Are you sure you’re old enough to be watching stuff like that?”
He laughed. “The woman liked it when the guy took off his shirt, and he practically drooled when she rubbed an ice cube over her face and neck.”
Drew curled his face into a grimace. “Why? I mean, I get her liking the no shirt thing, but what’s up with the ice cube?”
“Damned if I know. I guess it’s sensual or something.”
“Adults are weird.”
“Yeah, well, wait until you’re an adult. Then you might not think so.” He sat back on his elbows with a sigh. “We’re going to have to watch for opportunities. In the meantime, we have some brainstorming to do.”
***
Later that evening, Alex sat alone by the pool, listening to Coach’s waterfall and still tossing ideas around in his head. Boy, this matchmaking gig was hard. And his mom certainly didn’t make it easy. He didn’t know why he felt Coach would be good for her. Maybe because of the way she acted around him. Like how he felt and what he thought actually mattered to her.
“Hey, Bud. You’re out late.”
As if his thoughts had conjured him, Dr. Harris’s voice echoed from across the yard. Alex searched him out in the dark and finally found him on the side of his house placing a bag in the garbage bin.
“Hey, Coach. How was the game?”
After he replaced the lid on the can, Dr. Harris hopped the fence, walking toward him. “Well, they lost. But at least I wasn’t the only one shouting and throwing out four letter words. So what’s new? Where’s your mom and Drew?” Coach took the chair beside him.
“Mom is in bed, I think, and Drew is, where else?”
“Playing video games.” Dr. Harris chuckled. “That kid is something else.”
“I wish I were more like him sometimes.”
“Hey, you’re no slouch, Alex.”
“Oh, I’m smart and can play sports, but put Jaime Marsh in front of me and suddenly I’m Forrest Gump. I have no idea how to talk to her.”
Coach shifted in his chair. “I wish I could help you, but I’m not what you’d call suave around the ladies either.”
That surprised him. Dr. Harris had always appeared confident to Alex.
“So how do you deal with it?”
“Damned if I know. But I can tell you what my dad told me. Just be yourself, and don’t be afraid. The worst they can say is no.”
They chatted for about an hour. Alex couldn’t believe how easily he could talk to Coach, how fast he trusted him enough to share his secrets. No wonder everyone liked him.
Coach stretched and checked his watch. “It’s getting late, Bud, and I need to get up early tomorrow.”
Alex stood along with him, feeling better than he had in a long time. “Thanks for listening to me, Dr. Harris.” He paused, wondering how much he should reveal. Might as well go for broke. “Usually, when I need to talk, I visit my dad.”
He patted Alex’s shoulder. “It makes you feel better to talk to him?”
“Yeah, I just sit at his grave and tell him what’s on my mind. Mom doesn’t know. I don’t know how she’d react. She doesn’t like going there.”
“Well, she won’t hear about it from me. Sleep well, Pal.”
Alex watched him jump the fence with a grin. He had shared a lot with Dr. Harris tonight, but he also learned a few things, too. Coach was awkward around women.
If he was ever going to get together with Mom, he was going to need a lot of help from him and Drew.