SARA TURNED TO find Grant watching her from the door. Was something wrong? When she’d left him in the study he’d been a bit gloomy but otherwise fine. Now there was an odd look on his face, as if he was debating whether or not to say something.
“Sara, could you come and sit down for a minute?” He moved toward the table.
Trepidation grew in her. What could be going on? She wiped her hands on a dish towel and joined him.
He looked at her intently and finally asked, “Do you have a place to move to tomorrow?”
Whoa, she hadn’t expected that question. What had brought that on all of a sudden? She’d told him briefly about being evicted but he’d said nothing more until now. She hated this subject. It made her sound like she couldn’t handle her life. Still, she needed to answer honestly. “No. We’re going to a motel until I have a chance to find one.”
“Do you have a boyfriend, a serious relationship or are you married?”
That question truly came out of nowhere. It was worse than being asked about the eviction. The man was making her dizzy with all the twists and turns in the conversation. He was getting far too personal. This discussion had taken a decidedly uncomfortable direction. Kim had assured her Grant was a good guy, but was he some closet pervert? She was the nanny, not his live-in good time. She narrowed her eyes at him. “What exactly does that have to do with anything?”
“I just don’t want there to be any conflict with your time.”
What was that supposed to mean? Was he implying she hadn’t been giving Lily the best care possible? It didn’t matter because she was leaving in a few days. But why the concern now?
She sat straighter, giving him a pointed look. “I can assure you Lily has had my undivided attention and will have it until I leave.” Unlike what she’d seen from him. “And not that it’s any of your business but, no, I don’t have a love interest.”
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”
What was going on? She was missing something here. “My love life?”
“Yes. No. Sort of.”
She pushed her chair back, preparing to stand.
He reached out a hand as if to stop her. “Please listen to me.”
She settled again but kept her look focused on him. “Then get to the point because I’m not seeing it.”
“Is there any reason you can’t get married?” He leaned toward her as if her answer was supremely important to him.
She’d had just about enough of this integration. He was starting to scare her. Grant looked like a normal guy so why all the irrational questions? If she hadn’t needed the final week of pay, she’d leave right now. “No. Why?”
As if he’d sensed her apprehension, he eased back in the chair and stated in a firm, calm voice, “My stepmother’s family wants to take Lily away from me. My lawyer believes I need to be married if I have any hope of keeping Lily. I know this may sound nuts and is completely out of the blue, but would you consider marrying me?”
Sara’s back went ramrod-straight. Her breath caught and her heart thudded. She lunged off the chair, almost butting into him as he stood also. “You have to be kidding! You are nuts. You couldn’t even remember my name when we first met. We’ve only known each other a week. You must have some over-the-top ego that leads you to believe that because I saw you in your underwear and we shared two meals together, I’d want to marry you.”
He blinked a couple of times. “No. You have the wrong idea. It would be a business agreement only. We would be married just in name. It would only be on paper. As soon as I have custody and can find a permanent nanny for Lily, we can go our separate ways. Easy. I would make it well worth your while. You’re being evicted. In exchange for marrying me I would see to it that you have a place to live. I’ll buy you a house of your choice.”
Sara paused. A house? He’d buy her a house? No more worrying about bad rental apartments or looming evictions? She shook her head. No, it wasn’t an option. “You are crazy,” she said.
Still, the carrot he dangled in front of her was tempting. No more worrying about her father having a home, or her. No more moving. Also she had to admit she was proud of Grant for going to such lengths to keep Lily. He was truly committed to the child. She had to admire him for that. “We don’t even know each other.”
“No, but we don’t have to. I’ll go about my business and you can take care of Lily like you are doing now. We just have to make it through the court hearing.”
“When will that be?”
The tension in him visibly eased, as if he knew he’d captured her interest. “I don’t know. Maybe in a month.”
That was a long time. Marriage, even on paper, was a commitment she wasn’t sure she could make. That was one of the reasons she wasn’t in a relationship. She could never get past the beginning stage. Her fear of doing something wrong and being left was too strong.
Could she handle being around Lily for that amount of time and not have it rip her heart out when she had to leave? Would the pain be worth the prize of a house? But how long and how many more moves would she and her father have to make before they could settle somewhere permanently if she didn’t agree?
“I don’t know.” She’d been big hearted before and had carried Emily, and what had it gotten her? Heartache when she’d given her up. If she agreed to Grant’s plan she was afraid she was in for more anguish on a much grander scale. Having a baby had been huge, but marriage? She was old-fashioned, still believing you should love someone before you married them.
“The court would see you as the perfect mother. I can already tell you’re great with Lily. I think we can get along for a month or so.” His gaze caught hers.
She moved away until the backs of her knees touched the chair. “This is risky. You need to think about it carefully. Don’t you have someone else you could ask? I don’t think I’m the person for the part.”
“I know this is a radical idea but my lawyer assures me that it’s the difference between me keeping Lily or not.” His gaze found hers. “I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t think it was the only way.”
Somehow it hurt to know he was only offering marriage to keep Lily. It would be so much easier to say yes if he cared about her. But how could he? They didn’t even know each other. Why couldn’t somebody want her for herself instead of what she could do for them?
“Committing to someone you don’t know is a major step.” Just as she should have thought through agreeing to being a surrogate mother. It was a life-altering event.
He spread his large hands. “If you agree, will it be any different for me?”
No, it wouldn’t. And she and her father would have a place of their own. This was the chance to see him settled once and for all. Her opportunity to find her own happiness and not always be worrying about him and their finances. “I suppose you’re right.”
“Then you’ll do it?”
The offer was tempting. Too much so. No, no, no. She couldn’t go there again. Become involved so deeply in someone else’s life. How could she not when she was thinking of marriage? But this was to help Lily and her father. She would make the sacrifice and deal with the fallout when the time came. She gave a reluctant nod.
His eyes sparkled. “Great. I’ll arrange a moving van first thing in the morning for pick-up on Saturday. Tell your father not to worry about anything. He’ll be moving in here for a while until you can find a house you like.”
He had it all planned out, just like that. She hadn’t moved past the idea that she’d agreed. “Thank you. I’m sure he’ll appreciate it.” Even to her own ears she didn’t sound like she believed it.
Grant stepped away, then turned to face her. “I’m asking you to put your life on hold for a while for me. It’s the least I can do. This is a huge place and we have the room.”
“Dad can’t make it up the stairs.”
“I was thinking of letting him have the pool house. That way, he’d have his own space.”
Stunned, she said, “Thank you. That would be wonderful.”
“Then it’s a deal.” He stuck out his hand.
Sara looked at it for a few seconds then placed hers in his much larger one. He closed his around her fingers. She felt an odd sense of well-being, security. As if Grant would take care of her.
“A deal.”
“Only thing is that we have to keep our agreement between us. No one else needs to know.”
“How am I going to explain all of this to my father?”
Grant shrugged. “Tell him it was love at first sight. I’m sure you’ll come up with something. I have to let my lawyer know it’s all settled.” He headed toward the hallway.
If a tornado had picked her up and whirled her around, she couldn’t feel more out of control. What was she getting herself into?
Now she had to call and explain what was going on to her father. But what could she tell him that he would believe? She hated lying. The only thing she could hope for was that her father would be so excited about having a place to live that he’d overlook the fact that she was marrying a man she didn’t know. If her father knew the truth he’d disapprove. She didn’t think she could convince him it was love at first sight, but she would try.
Being careful what she revealed, she called her father and shared what she could. She finished with, “Dad, I’ll be there to help pack on Saturday morning and the moving van will be there that afternoon.”
“I’m shocked but happy for you, baby girl.”
Sara agreed with the first part of his statement and just wished she felt the same way about the last.
* * *
Saturday morning Grant woke with a terror in his heart greater than the idea of getting married created. Sweat beaded on his face. He was going to have to look after Lily all day without help. What did he know about caring for a baby? Nothing.
Sara was in the kitchen, finishing feeding Lily, when he walked in.
“I’ll let you take over now.” Sara placed a used bottle in the sink.
Grant went stone still. He had to start this minute? His heart rate picked up. He’d rather be doing two surgeries at the same time than be left alone all day with a baby.
She turned from the sink and studied him. “Is there something wrong?”
“Wrong?” he croaked.
“You’ve gone pale.”
Could he admit it? Did he really have a choice? “I don’t think I can handle Lily on my own all day. Can we come with you?” He sounded pitiful even to his own ears.
“Uh?”
“I don’t think it’s healthy for her to be left in my hands all day. I don’t know the first thing about taking care of a baby.” He rushed to add, “We would stay out of the way. The movers should do all the work for you anyway. I’ll feed and diaper Lily. I just need to know I have backup in case something goes wrong.”
* * *
Was Grant kidding? The look on his face said he wasn’t. Sara had never seen someone appear more alarmed. For a second she was afraid she might have to pick him up off the floor. If they left right away she could get done what she needed to do before the movers arrived. Would taking Grant and Lily along really be that big a deal? Yes, it would, but she felt sorry for him.
“I guess that’ll be okay.”
A smile spread across his face. “I’ll get Lily and we’ll meet you at the car. Why don’t we take the SUV? That way we’ll have plenty of room and you can haul anything you don’t want the movers to touch back here.”
Sara couldn’t help but grin at his enthusiasm. It was better than the sickly look he’d had on his face minutes before. And worlds better than the displeasure on his face when he’d pointed out there were no pictures of him in the house. “I’m afraid it’ll be a rather dull day for you.”
“I think it’ll be a better time for me and Lily than the one we’d have here without you.”
“Well, all right.” Still, he would have to learn to do it himself some time. She wouldn’t always be around.
“Great. Tell me what I need to do to get Lily ready and we’ll go.”
It wouldn’t be much of a day off if she had to give him orders the entire time. “You need to change her and get her dressed.”
A perplexed look came over his features.
“Take her to the nursery and start undressing her. I’ll be up when I’m finished here.”
“Okay. But don’t be long.”
With an exasperated sigh Sara rinsed the bottle. She had her work cut out for her. Packing and seeing about Grant and Lily. By the time she made it to Lily’s room, Grant had the baby’s clothes off. They had been discarded and were in a pile on the floor. With a clean diaper in his hand, he was at least making an effort to put it on Lily. Maybe he’d be better at taking care of Lily than she was giving him credit for. At least he was trying. Giving him time to figure it out on his own, she went to the chest of drawers and pulled out an outfit.
“Done.” Grant threw his hands up as if he had scored at a sporting event.
Sara walked to the bed and peered down at Lily. The diaper was cock-eyed and the tabs were backwards instead of facing the front but the diaper was on.
In an effort not to discourage Grant, Sara patted him on the back. “Good job.”
A bolt of awareness shot through her. Touching him reminded her of the time she’d stuck her finger in an electrical socket as a child. His back was solid, muscular. Strong.
“Hand me her clothes.” He was so focused on what he was doing he had no idea of the effect he’d had on her.
Relieved that was the case, Sara gave him the onesie she’d picked out. “For a man who didn’t tell me her name a week ago and only started holding her recently, you’re sure getting into this.”
He turned to her. “Sometimes a man can be stupid.”
“Hey, I’m not going to touch that statement with a ten-foot pole.” And she knew well how quickly a person could become attached to a baby.
Grant gave her a sarcastic smile.
Half an hour later they were at the carport ready to get into the SUV. Grant said a harsh word under his breath.
“What’s wrong?” Sara patted Lily on the back. She concealed a smile, knowing full well what the problem was.
“I have to move the car seat. I wish I’d never put it into the car. You need a mechanical engineering degree to put one in correctly.”
Sara laughed out loud at his rant. “I tried to tell you.” When was the last time she had truly laughed? It was nice. Freeing. “Lily and I will wait over here on the steps while you put your expensive education to work.”
“Thanks a lot. The least you could do is offer to help.”
She made a move as if to hand Lily to him. “Do you want me to?”
Grant squared his shoulders. “And strip me of my manhood? Strapping in a car seat is the twenty-first-century equivalent of bringing home the meat.”
Laughing and still holding Lily, she made her way to the stoop to wait. Based on the first few meetings with Grant she wouldn’t have thought he could be so much fun. It didn’t take as long as she’d have imagined for him to get the seat in place. He did struggle some and said a few expletives that could burn a roof but the seat was finally secured.
“My hero,” Sara murmured as she placed Lily in the seat.
He glanced at her. “I heard that.”
They were headed down the drive when he asked, “Which way?”
“Toward Englewood.”
He made a right. “So tell me about your dad,” Grant said as he made the turn.
“Well, he likes to read, work crossword puzzles and loves sports. He worked at a machine shop until he was hurt.”
“So what have you told him about us?”
Was there really an us? A marriage in name only didn’t constitute an us. “Just that we are getting married. Thankfully I didn’t have to explain much because he was so concerned about us having to move he didn’t ask many questions, but he will. I did say it was love at first sight.”
“And when he finds out the truth about the marriage?”
“He won’t like it but he’ll understand. He’s my greatest supporter.”
“That must have been a nice way to grow up.” His voice took on a regretful note.
The need to comfort him was strong but she wasn’t sure he would accept it. “It was. I’m sorry about what happened between you and your dad.”
With a shrug of a shoulder he muttered, “I’ve learned to move on.”
She was confident he hadn’t. It was much too raw when he talked about his father. Maybe it was best to change the subject. “So tell me about Lily’s mother. I saw her portrait over the mantel. She was beautiful and obviously much younger than your father.”
“She was. By twenty-five years.”
“Interesting. Where does a man meets someone so much younger than him?”
“When his son brings her home. Evelyn was my girlfriend.”
“Oh.” That was where the bitterness toward his father came from.
“Exactly.” He made the word sound like a piece of tile breaking.
“No wonder you’ve had such a hard time warming to Lily.” She paused then added, “And they left Lily to you?”
“Not exactly. They didn’t have time to make out a new will. I got her because there was no one else to take her.”
“So why’re you going to such lengths to keep her? Marrying someone you don’t know and buying a house? If the aunt and uncle are nice, maybe letting them adopt her would be best. You could always visit.” The second she’d said the words she knew she was wrong. That hadn’t worked out for her. She still missed Emily. She’d only been the surrogate mother, but that didn’t matter. Would Grant feel the same regret she did if he gave up Lily?
“Lily belongs with me. I’m her brother, her family.” His tone permitted no argument.
They lapsed into silence, broken only by her giving directions.
* * *
Grant had no idea why he’d told Sara about Evelyn. He hadn’t confessed that humiliation to anyone. What power did this woman have over him that he said and did things so out of character? What made him think she was any different than Evelyn?
Sara indicated an apartment complex entrance and he pulled in. She pointed right to the parking lot in front of a building. He drove into a slot.
As Sara unbuckled her seat-belt, ready to step out of the car, she said, “I’ll get Lily. You take out the stroller and grab the diaper bag.”
“Hold on a minute.”
Sara gave him a questioning look.
“I’ve been thinking that we might need to act like we’re in love in front of your father. You know, the typical touching and kissing that he would expect from a couple who’s so eager to get married.” If it had been any other situation Grant would have laughed at the horrified look on Sara’s face. “Come on, Sara. The idea can’t be that bad.”
“I guess you’re right.”
“Don’t you think we should practice a little so that you don’t act surprised in front of him when I kiss you?”
“You plan to do that?”
“I don’t want him to guess this isn’t anything but a love match.”
She seemed to study his lips. He shifted in the seat slightly. He was used to women begging for his kisses and she was acting as if it were a death sentence.
“I guess we could. We just don’t need to get carried away.”
“I’ll promise not to if you don’t.” Grant leaned toward her and to her credit she didn’t back away. Her lips were moist and inviting. Her hands remained in her lap. With great effort he kept the kiss a simple touch of the lips.
“Okay, we have a lot to do and need to get going.” Sara was already in the process of opening the door.
Right. What he wanted to do was pull her back to him and give her a proper kiss. To his satisfaction he noticed the small tremor of her hands as she released Lily from her car seat. The chaste kiss had affected her after all.
Soon their little party was headed up the walk toward the building. Before they could get to the door a short, balding man hurried toward them from the direction of an adjacent building. He called out, “Ms. Marcum!” Sara’s steps slowed as he came nearer.
“Is everything okay?” Grant asked, putting a supportive hand at her back.
“Yes, it’s just the manager.”
Grant stopped pushing the stroller and she placed Lily in it.
The man came up to them. “Ms. Marcum, you and your father will be out today?”
Grant was developing a dislike of the man already.
“Yes. That’s why I’m here. The moving van will arrive this afternoon.”
“Good. I expect you to leave the apartment in the same condition you found it in when you moved in.”
“Look.” Grant pushed the stroller forward, drawing the man’s attention. “Why don’t you just stay out of Ms. Marcum and her father’s way for the rest of the day?” He pulled out his wallet and handed the man some bills. “That should cover any issues you happen to invent—I mean, find. Now, if you’ll excuse us, my fiancée and I have packing to do. Sara, why don’t you push Lily?”
She did as he asked and started up the walk. Grant followed.
“I could have handled him myself,” Sara hissed.
“I know, but I enjoyed putting that open-mouthed look on his face.”
“Dr. Smythe, I think you might like being a tough guy.”
He shrugged. “He’s a jerk. Which one of these apartments is yours?”
“Right this way. There’s Dad now.”
A man using a walking stick was headed in their direction. He was tall, slim and had a head of thick brown hair neatly combed into place. From his carriage he looked like a no-nonsense type of person. Sara must have acquired her personality from him.
“Hi, little girl,” her father called.
“Hey, Daddy.” She picked up her pace, meeting him halfway with a hug.
Neither of his parents had ever given Grant that type of reception.
When father and daughter let go of each other, Sara’s father turned his attention to Grant and Lily. “So, who do we have here?”
Grant moved up closer to Sara and extended his hand. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Marcum. Grant Smythe.”
The man gave Grant a firm handshake and a steady look. “I’m Harold. You’re the doc my little girl is planning to marry so suddenly?”
Grant wasn’t particularly comfortable with lying to the man but he couldn’t take a chance on the truth slipping out. Putting an arm around Sara’s waist, he smiled at her. “I am.”
Sara’s eyes widened but she didn’t flinch.
Harold continued to study them before he said, “Rather quick, isn’t it?”
To her credit, Sara stepped closer to Grant and squeezed his arm. “That’s what love at first sight is all about.”
Her father grunted and gave Grant a pointed look. “I know this isn’t a good day to discuss this uninterrupted but I expect to later.” Her father’s attention turned to Lily. “And this must be Lily.” Harold smiled down at Lily, who cooed and kicked.
Grant was relieved that Harold had dropped the subject of the marriage for the time being. When he picked it up again Grant would be prepared. By Harold’s tone of voice Sara had obviously told him a lot about Lily. How much had she said about him?
“She’s a pretty thing. Any chance I can hold her? I’ve always wanted a granddaughter,” Harold said.
Grant didn’t miss Sara’s wince. What had caused that?
“Let’s go in, Dad. You need to get off that leg and I need to get started with the packing.”
They walked toward a ground-level apartment. Sara pushed the door, already open, wider. Grant let her father enter first and then pushed Lily through in her stroller.
The apartment wasn’t large but despite the packing boxes he could tell it had been orderly and well kept.
“Grant, have a seat.” Harold indicated the sofa. Boxes were stacked here and there around the room.
The furniture looked comfortable but worn. Parking Lily beside it, Grant sat and Sara’s father took a seat in a recliner nearby.
“Dad, I told you I’d take care of the packing when I got here.”
“I know, baby girl, but I’m not an invalid. A nice couple was moving in down the way and they gave me their boxes.”
“Okay, I’m going to take a couple to my room and put some things in them that I’m particular about.” Sara headed down a short hallway. “Anything you missed that you’d like me to box up for you?”
“I have my personal stuff packed and marked. The other is to be stored.”
“Can I help you?” Grant asked.
“I’ve got it for now.” Sara looked from her father to Grant and back again with concern in her eyes before she left. She must be worried about Harold’s reaction to their marriage.
“Grant, I appreciate you giving me a place to stay on such short notice.”
“Not a problem,” Grant assured Harold.
“So, you take in people all the time?” Harold didn’t pull any punches.
Something told Grant that the older man saw more than he let on. “Sara told me about you having to move out. I have plenty of room. I take care of my family. She and you are that now.”
Harold nodded his head sagely. This man wasn’t being fooled.
“Sara says you’re a surgeon.”
Now, this was a subject Grant could warm to. “I am. I do liver transplants.”
“Keep you away from the house at night?”
Grant resisted the urge to squirm. What was Harold getting at? “It can. Why?”
“Sara isn’t a fan of staying by herself at night. She shouldn’t be alone in that great big house she’s been telling me about. Now I can keep her company.”
“Daddy!” Sara’s voice was high with reprimand as she came into the room with a box in her hands. “I’ve been just fine. Don’t be giving Grant a hard time.”
Why hadn’t she said something about being afraid? After her story about her mother he knew she didn’t like being alone, but he should have guessed that there was fear there. He wasn’t surprised the lights were ablaze when he came home at night. Not once had she let on she was scared.
He met Sara’s eyes. “I’ve not been home a few nights but I promise I’ll try to do better.”
Harold nodded. “How about me getting my hands on that cute little girl?”
Sara lifted Lily out of the stroller and placed her in Harold’s arms. He smiled down at Lily and bounced her up and down before giving his daughter a hard look. “You make sure the next one of these you have you keep. I need all the grandchildren I can get.”
Sara has a child?
A stricken look came over her face. She looked away. “Daddy, point out where the boxes are that you want to take to the house so I’ll know which ones to tell the movers about.”
“The ones in the hall.”
Sara went to them and marked them with a large black pen. Over the next hour she worked while Grant assisted when she would let him.
Harold brought up the subject of sports and he and Grant had a heated back and forth about a new baseball player in town. At noon they all shared a simple meal Grant had ordered in.
Soon afterward the movers arrived. Grant directed them to the boxes Sara had marked. Not long afterwards he said, “I think we need to get out of here. We’re just in the way.”
“I have a few more things to see about in the kitchen. Why don’t you change Lily and I’ll tell Dad we’re ready to go.”
Grant wasn’t excited about the prospect of the chore but he’d promised to do his part if she brought him along. With Lily in his arms, he went to the living room to fetch the diaper bag.
Not much later, Sara joined him with a bag in her hand. “Are you sure I don’t need to stay here until the movers are done?”
“Positive. I spoke to the lead man and he knows what needs to be taken care of and where to bring the boxes you marked.”
A mover squeezed past them, forcing Sara to step closer to him. Grant saw Harold just behind the man. Wrapping his arms around Sara, Grant kissed her on the forehead. He liked the feel of her body next to his. Too much. He was starting to enjoy this playacting. He was disappointed when she moved away.
“Dad, it’s time to go,” she called.
“I’m ready when you are, baby girl,” he said from behind her.
Grant pushed the stroller toward the SUV, leaving Sara and her father to follow. They joined him at the vehicle. After they had Lily settled in the car seat, the stroller stowed and were in their seats, he took Sara’s hand across the console and asked in a cheerful tone, “Home?”
“Yes.” Sara’s voice was a little high but she grasped his hand in return. It felt right.
To his amazement, after a long time he was starting to think of the house he’d grown up in as home. He glanced at Sara, then into the mirror at Lily and Harold in the seats behind him. If he hadn’t known better, looking in from the outside, they were a family. That was something he’d never planned to have.
By the next afternoon Harold was settled in the pool house and Grant had helped Sara move her things to her room. They had all just finished a light lunch while Lily swung nearby.
“So what should we do this afternoon?” Grant asked.
Sara gave him a questioning look.
“What?”
“I just figured that you had somewhere to be. Golf course, ball game, country club.”
Normally he would but for some reason he wasn’t interested in that kind of thing today.
“Nope.” He glanced at Harold, who was watching them closely. “I thought I’d spend the day with you guys.”
Sara made a little choking sound but soon recovered. “Well, I was thinking what a beautiful day it is and how much I would enjoy a walk along Lake Michigan.”
It had been forever since he’d spent any time near the lake, or outdoors at all for that matter. “Sounds good to me. Since you didn’t really get a day off yesterday, I think you should get your choice of what we do.”
She scoffed. “And I think any time you’re around you’re the one making the choices.”
“Not this time.” The grin she flashed him made his heart flutter.
He scooted the chair back. “I heard they redid Shoreline Park. We’ll go there. How does that sound?”
“Wonderful.”
An hour later he pulled into the crowded parking lot of the park. Sara had fallen asleep on the way over and woke when he stopped the car. Harold had chosen to stay behind, saying he’d prefer a nap.
Grant had never spent an afternoon at a park with a newborn and a woman but found he was rather looking forward to it. That had happened more and more often in the last few weeks.
“We’re here?” She blinked at him.
“We are. I’ll get the stroller out, change Lily and we’ll be ready to go.” Grant opened the door and climbed out.
“I’ll see to Lily.”
Grant made a mental note to say thanks to Kim for sending Sara his way. By the time he had the stroller out, she was almost through changing Lily. She handed the tiny wrapped up bundle to him to strap in. He had Lily settled and watched as Sara checked and double-checked the contents of Lily’s bag, making sure they had everything they might need. Was Sara this meticulous about everything? Kissing? Touching? Making love?
Those were thoughts he shouldn’t be entertaining.
Sara didn’t strike him as a woman who hopped into bed with just anyone. Or a person who moved on to the next guy. She was more the big-hearted, committed type of person. Her devotion to her father alone said she wouldn’t be interested in a short-term affair.
Yet Grant didn’t intend to have anything but a casual affair with a woman. He’d been hurt and he wasn’t opening himself up for that again. No matter how nice Sara was, could he trust her? She might say all the right things then leave him just as Evelyn had. He wouldn’t risk it.
Not now, not ever.
* * *
Sara looked out over the blue-green water of Lake Michigan. It rippled calmly against the shore. Although the sun was shining, there was a nip in the air. Couples were walking hand in hand along the paved path.
She’d held hands with Grant yesterday. It had been for her father’s benefit but she’d still enjoyed it. Even though Grant’s actions had been playacting, a tingle had gone through her with each of his touches. She was going to have to get control of herself or she would be in more trouble than she’d imagined.
Families with their children on bikes zig-zagged their way past them. She waited for Grant. She turned to find him putting a second blanket over Lily before he locked the SUV. He’d come a long way from the first few days after she’d met him. She especially liked the change in him toward Lily. The man was starting to grow on her, even though she didn’t like to admit it.
She was enjoying her day. Now that she better understood Grant, she could appreciate why he’d been so angry and had snapped at her when they’d first met. His family life hadn’t been easy either. She felt sorry for him, which she was confident he wouldn’t appreciate. On top of being horribly wounded by his father, now he was responsible for Lily. He must almost be at his tipping point.
Watching Grant push the stroller, she noticed he was a natural. He would make a good father to Lily. Would she have been a good auntie if she’d stayed in touch with Emily? She’d made her decision. Lifting her chin, she reminded herself that time in her life was behind her. Those thoughts should be buried and not brought up again. Unfortunately, being around Lily seemed to have resurrected them all. She had to keep her emotions in check or these two people would break her heart.
Sara refused to ruin a wonderful day by going there. She focused on Grant.
“What?” he asked. “Why’re you looking at me that way?”
“I was just thinking that you’re really picking up on this baby stuff.”
He didn’t meet her eyes as if he felt embarrassed. “I don’t know about that. I still think there’s a lot to learn.”
“There’s always more to know.”
He shrugged. “Let’s just say that Lily and I are figuring out how to get along.”
“I’m glad. She deserves people around her who care. Every child does.”
He didn’t say anything for a few paces. “Your father implied you’ve had a child.”
Sara didn’t want to go into all of that with Grant yet if she didn’t he’d probably keep pushing until he had an answer. She would make it short and to the point. “Some close friends wanted to have a baby but couldn’t. I had it for them.”
He stopped strolling. “You were a surrogate?”
“Yes. Now you know what my father meant by that comment yesterday.”
“Really?” His voice held his obvious shock. “I had come up with a number of scenarios but that wasn’t one of them.”
“I don’t imagine it would be.”
“So what made you decide to make such a monumental choice?”
“You mean like marrying someone you hardly know so that he can win a custody case?”
Grant gave her a sheepish look. “I guess I deserved that. I really shouldn’t be surprised.”
She stared at the ground. “What does that mean?”
“Just that you have a big heart and you’re a nurturer by nature. That was such a commitment.”
There was that word. Sara had only been committed for nine months, then she’d run. Just as her mother had. Commitment wasn’t in their blood. “You’re right. So few people understand that.” Including her. She shivered.
“Are you cold?” Grant asked. Before she could answer he pulled the light blue cable-knit sweater he wore over his head and handed it to her. “You should be warmer with this.”
She took the sweater. “But you’ll be cold now.”
“I’ll be fine. My shirt has long sleeves.” He checked on Lily.
Sara pulled the sweater on and adjusted it around her body. Grant’s body heat surrounded her like a blanket of warmth. “It’s a little big.”
“Do you mind...?” Grant removed the collar of her shirt from inside the sweater and pulled it up around her neck. He brushed a lock of her hair back. “Perfect.”
If she’d been cool before, she wasn’t any longer. Both inside and out. Heat had flooded through her the second Grant had stepped close. She stuffed her hands into the pockets of her jeans to stop herself from reaching for him. If he really understood who she was, that she’d run first chance she got, he’d have nothing to do with her.
Grant’s mouth came towards hers.
Sara’s breath caught. Should she let him kiss her? More importantly, did she want him to?
His breath brushed her lips.
They tingled in anticipation. This wasn’t for practice. For her father’s sake. If she allowed it their relationship would change from one of business to something personal. Could she handle that? Would a kiss be worth the emotional upheaval? But what of the pleasure?
“Help, someone help!”
Grant’s head jerked back. A woman came running toward them.
“See to Lily,” he ordered Sara, as he rushed toward the frantic woman.
Reaching her moments later, he nodded as the woman said between gasps, “There’s been a bike accident. I saw it happen from here. Bad.”
“I’m a doctor. Show me where. Then call 911.”
She pointed on up the winding path. The injured people weren’t visible. He glanced back to see Sara pushing Lily along the path at a bouncing pace. Grant took a more direct route over the grassy area.
A minute later a group of people gathered on the path came into view. As Grant approached he assessed the situation. There were two damaged bicycles lying on the ground, one just off the path and the other still on the cement. Taking a closer look, he could see two men were involved. Thankfully, both still wore their helmets. At least he wouldn’t be dealing with bad head injuries.
Just as Grant arrived at the crowd another biker rode up and jumped off her bike.
“George, are you okay?” she was asking the man lying in the grass.
There was a groan from George, so Grant went down on one knee beside the other man, who had no one with him. The biker’s arm was twisted into an unusual position beside him.
“I’m a doctor. What hurts?”
“My arm. I think it might be broken. Also the side of my face hurts.” The man turned his head to show Grant. A couple of layers of skin were missing from temple to jaw.
“Lie still. An ambulance is on the way. I’m going to leave you to check the other guy. I’ll be back to help you with that arm. Hang in there.”
Grant moved to the other biker. “I’m Dr. Smythe. How’re you feeling?”
“Mouth busted.” Blood streamed out of the right side of it.
“His leg has a big gash. I’m his wife.” The woman beside him pointed down at his leg.
Sara pulled up beside them with the stroller. Lily was crying, probably from her rather wild ride. “How can I help?”
“Just take care of Lily and watch for the ambulance.” Sara was already picking the child up. “We need something to use as a compress on this cut,” Grant said to no one in particular.
A baby diaper was thrusted into his face. He looked up to find Sara holding it.
“It’s adsorbent and you can possibly attach it around the leg, using the Velcro.” Sara handed Lily to the woman who had told them about the accident. Lily’s cries were beginning to calm as the woman jiggled her.
Sara had already returned to going through Lily’s diaper bag. “What kind of injuries does the other man have?”
“Broken arm. Face lacerations.” Grant finished applying the diaper. “Hold this firmly. Like this.” He showed the man’s wife.
Sara was already moving toward their other patient. She dropped the bag on the ground beside the injured man and continued going through it as Grant joined her. “I’ve got a bottle of water, a clean burp pad.” She looked further. “An extra blanket.”
“Roll the blanket. We can fashion a sling out of it. Where’s that ambulance?” Grant grumbled. To the biker he said, “Okay, we’re going to sit you up. I’m going to support your arm. Sara here...” he looked at her for a second “...is going to put a sling around it. You’re going to be fine. You may have to hold off on the biking for a few weeks but you’ll be at it again soon.”
Together he and Sara worked slowly and methodically to ease the man into a sitting position and get the arm immobilized. To Grant’s relief, the sound of an ambulance siren filled the air.
Sara stood. “I’ll direct them in.” She was gone.
A few minutes later the ambulance pulled across the green to where they were. Grant explained to the emergency responders what had been done for both men. As the ambulance left, Sara, with Lily in her arms, came to stand beside him.
“You and Lily okay?” he asked.
“We’re both fine.”
“We’d better go. It’s getting dark.” Grant collected what contents of the bag remained, walked over to the stroller and brought it back to where Sara stood. She placed Lily in it and covered her. They started down the path in the direction from which they had come. “I appreciated your help. The diaper was quite brilliant.”
“Thanks.”
“You were an impressive emergency nurse.”
She chuckled. “I’ve not done much of that since I was in school.”
“I know what you mean. It’s a completely different animal from a sterile OR. We made a good team.”
She smiled. “We seem to be doing that rather often.”
What kind of team would they have made during their almost kiss? Something told him that it would have been more explosive than their practice one. Even now a keen feeling of disappointment filled him. He still wanted to kiss Sara. If he did he would be breaking his agreement to keep their relationship strictly business. Surely one real one wouldn’t matter? But would he be satisfied with that? He was afraid he might not be.
Did he dare take the chance?