Chapter Six

Tony pulled into the driveway and parked his car. He’d been married for nearly three weeks and he was close to the fracture point. Living in close proximity to Carrie proved more difficult every day. Not that she created problems, unless the casual touches and enchanting smiles were designed to keep him on edge. Since the Halloween party, he’d been aware of every curve of her body. He’d spent evenings in the small office off the living room, claiming paperwork but engaging in full-blown fantasies.

He pounded the steering wheel. His emotions were tied in knots by lust and guilt. Last night, he’d finally read his copy of the will and discovered yet another stinger.

“If the marriage is proved not to be a true union, the money will be forfeit and distributed to the following charities.”

Surely she knew? She had a copy. They had to make love before the meeting with Mr. Hurcutt. The terms she’d set for the marriage had to be broken and he would savor the moment. Would he survive if she insisted on walking away after the money was hers? They had to talk, but he found the words difficult to express.

Shouts and laughter came from the backyard. He headed around the side of the house.

“Can’t catch me.” Carrie, a football tucked under her arm, charged past a group of boys.

Without a second thought, Tony joined the chase and grabbed her from behind. “Maybe they can’t, but I can.” She turned and her saucy grin sent an infusion of heat to his groin.

The grin slid from her face. Her eyes widened and the green darkened.

“Dad, you’ve spoiling the game,” Chad said. “You didn’t tell me she was a good runner. She should of been a boy.”

“I don’t know about that.” Tony’s hand brushed her breast and he felt her nipple tighten. His body responded.

So she wasn’t indifferent. It would make what they had to do less of a challenge.

Desire roiled his thoughts. He groaned and released her. His new knowledge raised a dilemma.

He’d promised her a marriage with no strings. Dumb move. Before he’d agreed, he should have told her how he felt. He should have told her about the plans and dreams he’d once had. He should have told her he loved her before he’d gotten involved with Marilyn. He hadn’t and so he’d blown their friendship and any chance for her love.

Did she understand a marriage in name only wasn’t enough? If Mr. Hurcutt learned they slept in different rooms, he could declare the marriage invalid. Their status, while not public, wasn’t a secret. The right question to the right person and Carrie’s inheritance would belong to charity. He knew his wife wouldn’t lie and he’d done enough of that. Why had her grandfather made such a strange will?

“Would you like to play?” she asked.

Her softly spoken question elicited a groan. He did, but not football, though touch played a major role in the game of his choice.

“Let me change.” Maybe action would dull his need.

“All right!” Chad shouted. “Dad’s on my team.”

Guilt rushed over Tony. He’d been so tied by his feelings for Carrie and his anger about Marilyn’s attitude, he hadn’t spent much time with Chad, not the way he had before the wedding.

He charged upstairs and changed into sweats. As he dashed back to the game, he had an idea. This weekend, they would make arrangements to re-do Chad’s room-- curtains and bedspreads--- bunk beds--- a new desk and dresser--- paint. The redecoration would be another way to show Chad how much he was wanted and a way to involve Carrie.

He paused on the back porch. Carrie and two of Chad’s friends were standing in a huddle. She looked up. “We’re going to slaughter you.”

“Want to bet?” he said.

“Loser does the dishes.”

“Deal!”

A half hour later, the sky darkened. Chad’s friends headed across the yard to their homes. Tony smiled. Tonight he’d have no complaints from their parents about Chad’s behavior. In fact, there hadn’t been one since Carrie had appeared at the door.

“I’m starved,” Chad said. “What’s for dinner?”

“Oh, no!” Carrie ran to the house.

Tony and Chad followed. The odor of burnt food filled the kitchen. “What happened?” Tony asked.

“The mac and cheese.” She opened the oven. “I was supposed to put the burgers in and take this our an hour ago. Now what?”

Tony switched on the kitchen fan. “I’ll broil the burgers. Won’t take long.”

“Bake, broil.” She shook her head. “I can’t even follow simple directions.”

“You’ll learn.” He brushed her cheek with a finger. “I’ll handle dinner. We’ll have chips and salad. Go wash your face. You look like the grubby pest of years ago.”

Carrie bolted. She felt like she’d been branded. She considered staying to change his mind about the grubby pest, but she couldn’t. He might desire her, but he didn’t love her. She pressed her hand to her cheek to hold the warmth close.

“Boy, didn’t we have fun,” Chad said. “You played good, but Dad and me were better.”

“Don’t gloat,” she said. “Beat you upstairs.”

“How come you don’t cook?”

“Never learned. My mother was always too busy to teach me.”

“Kind of like my mom, ‘cept she didn’t like to cook. Used to buy sandwiches at the store and order pizza and Chinese.” He sighed. “She’s been gone a long time. Sure hope she comes back soon. There’s something I have to ask her. Wonder what kind of presents she’ll buy me.”

“Oh...” Carrie swallowed. It wasn’t her place to tell him his mother was home. “Hazel’s going to give me cooking lessons.”

“Cool.” He reached the top of the stairs. “Beat you. Hazel showed me how to make toasted cheese sandwiches and soup from a can. Says every man should cook, do laundry and bathrooms.”

Carrie laughed. “She’s right.”

After dinner, Carrie did the dishes. Then she headed

to the family room to watch a show with Chad. When he and Tony went upstairs, she turned the TV off. She and Tony had to talk about Marilyn’s return. He couldn’t continue to hide the truth from his son or himself.

The man must be blind. If he’d face the truth about his ex-wife, the hurt would diminish. Did he feel guilty about something he’d done to that woman? She couldn’t imagine what.

She heard him on the stairs and left the family room to intercept him. So many evenings he’d vanished into his office, but not tonight and not before they hashed the problem and found a solution.

“Tony, I need to talk to you.”

He followed her into the family room and slumped on the couch. “I hope there’s not another problem.”

“Is Chad upset about his mother’s decision?” she asked.

“Not really.”

“Have you told him everything?”

“Sort of. He keeps asking how long he’s going to be here. I thought he was happy.”

“Maybe he is.”

“But he keeps nagging about when she’s coming home. How can I tell him she doesn’t even want him for weekends or the holidays?”

Carrie clenched her hands. She wished she could tell that witch a thing of two. “How can she just blow him off?”

“She doesn’t seem to have a problem with the idea. She’s much too enthralled with her rubies, silks, pregnancy and social obligations.”

“Why --” Carrie pressed her lips together. She knew why he’d married Marilyn. Love and Chad.

He married me because we’re friends.

Are you sure?

Of course.

She gulped a breath. “Those things don’t give her the right to ignore her son. I hope you’re not still paying alimony and child support.”

“Don’t know. My accountant takes care of my bills.”

“Did you tell him about Marilyn’s marriage and the change in the custody agreement?”

“Afraid not.”

“Are you crazy?”

He shrugged. “I thought -- never mind.”

Carrie’s shoulder muscles tightened. Had he thought Marilyn would return or that she wouldn’t marry Brinker? Maybe he believed she would change her mind about Chad.

“You should call your accountant and your attorney to make sure your rights are protected. Have you seen the custody papers?”

“She said her lawyer would send everything to mine.”

Carrie wanted to shake some sense into him. “She can’t be allowed to upset Chad’s life every time she has a whim.” Carrie gulped a breath. “I’d sure find a way so she could never see him again.”

“I can’t do that. She’s his mother.”

The anguish in his voice stopped her. Even after all this time, he still loved Marilyn. That sure blasted the chances of a happy new marriage for them.

“When are you going to tell Chad? You can’t keep pushing this away. He’s being torn in two directions. That’s a lot for a child to handle.”

He put his arms around her. “I’ve really made a mess of things.”

Though being in his arms felt wonderful, his reasons weren’t the ones she wanted to her. She eased away. “If you want me to be with you when you tell him, let me know.”

She walked to the window and stared at the moon.

“Would you go shopping with us? For his bedroom.”

“Sounds like a good idea. Cabbage rose wallpaper is a bit sissy for a boy. Is he excited?”

“Is he ever calm?” Tony laughed. “Right now, he’s dreaming of bunk beds.”

“The wallpaper needs to be stripped.”

“I’ll ask Hazel if she knows a handyman.”

“Why? I bet the hardware store has a tool to make the job easier. I’ll explore tomorrow and start the job. After breakfast, I’ll ask him what color he wants for the room and buy the paint.”

“You don’t mind all this work?”

“It’s fun. Keeps me busy. And you did say this was my house.”

“Guess I did.”

He joined her at the window. Questions arose but she kept them inside. For how long would the house be hers? When would he look at her and see more than a friend?

*****************************************

Carrie paused to look at the display of curtains and matching bedspreads. She saw several that might appeal to Chad. She turned to ask his opinion and discovered he’d disappeared. She spotted Tony, but where was Chad?

“Carrie, you got to come here.” Chad’s head appeared over the end of the upper bunk.

She headed toward him. “What are you doing up there?”

“Testing the mattress. You gotta tell Dad I don’t want a dorky bed. This is one I want.”

“Let me check it out.”

He scrambled down the ladder. “Look at the drawers

under the bottom bunk. I can keep stuff in them. The desk has a secret compartment. “Cool, right?”

She laughed and looked at the price tag. “You sure have good taste.”

Tony appeared. “Your new favorite? What about the red tubular or the one with a double bed on the lower bunk?”

“I changed my mind.” Chad hugged his father. “This is the one.”

“You sure?”

“Yes, yes, yes.”

“Then it’s yours.”

“Do you think there’ll be room at Mr. Brinker’s for them.”

“Whoa, they’re for our house. If your mother wants to duplicate the set, she can. You know, I might keep you with me forever.”

Carrie saw yearning in Chad’s eyes. Tell him, she thought. Was Tony wrong about his son’s wish to return to his mother? Did Chad want to stay with Tony? The question wasn’t hers to ask. She waited. Instead of speaking, Tony waved to the salesperson.

Carrie took Chad’s hand. “While your dad buys the set, let’s look at curtains and stuff. My treat.”

“You don’t have to,” Tony said.

“I want to...Oh, set up delivery for next Saturday.”

“Why?”

“So the room will be ready and someone will be home to accept delivery. Wouldn’t want to hang Hazel up all day waiting for them to come.”

“You won’t be there?”

“There’s something I have to tell you. On Monday...”

“Come on.” Chad pulled on her arm. “Let’s get the stuff so we can eat. I’m starved.”

*****************************************

Carrie sat up and glared at the clock. She was going to be late on her first day at the clinic. Why had she turned off the alarm? A few minutes had turned into a half hour.

She grabbed a uniform, washed and dressed. Usually, Chad’s pleas and Tony’s answers woke her. They must have been quiet this morning. After brushing her teeth, she dashed into the hall. There was nothing worse than being late for work.

She paused at the head of the stairs. Tony stood at the front door. “Wait,” she called.

“Can’t. There’s a slew of calls to make. We’ll talk this evening, or if I get a chance, I’ll call.”

She sighed. I tried to tell him when we were at the

mall. I started to say something when we got home, but he retreated to his den.

You didn’t try hard enough.

There wasn’t a good time.

Hah, you turned chicken.

She grabbed the banister. What if he hated the idea of working with her? She’d resigned from Children’s and WPH. She might be a woman without a hospital.

Her reluctance to tell him spoke of deeper problems, her fear of rejection and her belief in his love for his ex-wife. She and Tony lived a parallel existence rather like a pair of toddlers who played side by side with no interaction.

“What are you doing all dressed up for work?” Hazel asked. “Can’t just be getting in. Your car was here when I came.”

“I start at the clinic today and I’m going to be late.” She reached for her jacket.

“You aren’t leaving without breakfast. Clinic’s ‘bout five minutes away. He know you gonna be there?”

“No.”

Hazel laughed. “Sure wish I could be there to see his face. He’s not much for surprises, unless he’s the one making them.” She plucked the jacket from Carrie’s hands. “To the table. Why the clinic?”

Carrie thought of the responses she couldn’t voice. To be near Tony and make him think of her the way she thought of him. “They needed a nurse and commuting would be a drag.”

“Makes sense. Be good for the two of you to see more of each other. Sure ain’t sparking here.” She put a plate of French toast on the table.

Carrie ate several bites and drank a glass of orange juice. “I’m too nervous to eat. See you tonight.”

“I’ll be here when Chad comes from school. Once I clean up, I’m going home. Ben’s feeling poorly.”

“Is there anything I can do?”

“Just one of his spells. Weather’s changing. Always gives him problems.”

Carrie rose. “Call the clinic if you need us.”

“Sure will.”

Five minutes later, Carrie pulled into the clinic parking lot. She grabbed her purse and stethoscope and headed for Ruth’s office. “Sorry I’m late.”

The nurse manager rose. “Five minutes isn’t bad. Welcome. Did you come with Tony?”

“He left early. Something about a slew of calls.”

“Beth must have asked him to go on house calls with her.” She pointed to the closet. “Leave your jacket and purse here. I’ll assign you a locker later, but you’ll need to get a lock. We’ll head upstairs and pitch in while I show you around. Will Tony mind you working one weekend a month?”

“No reason for him to mind.” Carrie hung up her jacket. “Sounds like heaven to me. Except for vacations, it’s been ages since I had a full weekend off.” She pointed to the calendar. “I need next Wednesday off. Tony and I have an appointment with a lawyer.”

Ruth arched an eyebrow. “A lawyer?”

“Nothing drastic. It’s a long story.”

“And someday you’ll tell me.” Ruth wrote a note on the calendar. “You’ve got the day and you’ll be on for the weekend.” Once they were in the hall, Ruth locked the door. “So how did you and Tony meet?”

“I gave him a black eye.”

“What did he do?”

“Stepped in between his brother and me.”

“His brother attacked you?”

Carrie laughed. “You could say that. Jerry and I were six. He didn’t like sharing his mom with me. She watched me after school.”

“Then you’ve known him for ages. He’s one of the good guys.”

“Always has been.”

Carrie looked at Ruth’s softly rounded abdomen and held

back a sigh of envy. Years ago, she’d imagined holding a baby with Tony’s dark hair and blue eyes. Then he’d told her he was marrying someone else and she’d put the dream in storage. Dare she take it out again? Not unless she could persuade him to make a commitment, and not before he said he loved her.

On the twenty bed in-patient unit, Ruth gave Carrie a thorough tour with several stops to help the nurse and the aides with beds. Carrie welcomed the change of pace. When she and Ruth headed to the clinic, she felt a moment of uneasiness.

Jane was standing in the record room, pulling charts from the files. “Carrie, good to see you again.”

“And you. Slow morning?”

“Mondays are catch up times. There are usually a lot of house calls to make.”

“Did you have calls?” she asked.

“Not this morning. Beth and Tony are today’s team. He insists two staff members make all house calls. Some of our patients live in isolated areas and some of the living conditions are less than wonderful. We don’t argue with him.”

Carrie grinned. “Good thinking. He’s always had definite ideas about a lot of things.”

Jane nodded. “Amen. Don’t envy your dual role. Is he

cool with the idea of you working here?”

“He doesn’t know.”

“Can’t wait to see his face,” Jane said. “Sure gonna be a fun...” She cut off the sentence when Ruth scowled.

“Right.” The nurse manager turned to Carrie. “You’re a bundle of surprises. Why the secrecy?”

“Since I wasn’t sure about the job until Friday, I didn’t say anything. Then we had a hectic weekend.”

Jane sighed. “Sounds wonderful. The man’s so easy on the eyes. I may be happily married, but he’s starred in a few of my fantasies.”

“You bet,” Ruth said. She stepped into the hall. “We’d better move along. Examining rooms are on that side of the hall. Tony’s office and the staff lounge on this side. Lounge doubles as a lunch room.”

“Lunch,” Carrie said. “I forgot to bring mine.”

“Don’t worry. Today’s lunch is on us. It’s our welcome.” She opened the door of one of the examining rooms. The set-up is the same in all the rooms. Makes for less confusion. Supplies are in the cabinets above the sink and counter. Gowns, sheets in the lower ones. Teaching material is in the long cabinet.” As she spoke, she opened doors and allowed Carrie to browse.

Carrie closed the long cabinet. “So where do I start?”

“In my office with the policy and procedure manual.”

“Do I have to?”

Ruth nodded. “Yeah, you do. I’ll pick you up for lunch. This afternoon, you’ll assist in the clinic.”

***********************************************

Tony juggled the boxes of pizza he and Beth had picked up for the staff lunch. “What’s the occasion?”

“You should know.”

They wouldn’t. He groaned. They’d threatened to have a shower for him, but he thought they’d forgotten. “You take the pizza in. There’s something I have to do at home.”

She shrugged. “Makes more for us. Don’t you want to welcome the new nurse?”

“When did Ruth hire someone?”

“Friday, I think.”

“Why didn’t she tell me? Am I out of the loop?”

Beth laughed. “You’re joking, right?”

Joking? What was she talking about? Had Ruth told him about the new hire when he was tripping in some fantasy?

Beth pushed the lounge door open. “Lunch is here.”

“Surprise.” The shouts, the balloons and the streamers confirmed his earlier suspicions. He should have heeded the inner voice, but it was too late to retreat. He put the pizza boxes beside the cake he recognized as one of Hazel’s killer chocolate ones. At least there’d be a compensation for this foolishness. Men didn’t have bridal showers. Seems he hadn’t convinced his colleagues.

He glanced at the cake’s inscription. “Welcome. Congratulations.” Great. He had a fellow victim.

The lounge door opened. Ruth ushered Carrie into the room. Tony rolled his eyes. How had they talked her into this? The stack of presents was proof of his co-workers’ intentions. Then he noticed his wife was in uniform.

He crossed the room. “What are you doing here?”

“I tried to tell you -- at the mall -- at dinner -- last evening. Then this morning, I tried again, but you left before I could.” She chewed on her lower lip. “Do you have a problem with my working here?”

“No.” He looked away. A problem was easily solved. Her presence at the clinic was more like a catastrophe.

“I’m glad. At least it’ll give us something to talk about other than Chad and the house.”

He took her hand. “Welcome aboard. Sorry about the surprise party.”

“I think it’s great.”

“You don’t know this gang.” He handed her a paper plate. “Grab a slice or two before they’re gone.”

When the pizza boxes were empty and the cake demolished, Ruth clapped her hands. “First, let’s welcome Carrie Flynn, our new staff nurse. She’s also Tony’s wife. Don’t you just love togetherness?”

“And being here gets her off the night shift,” Beth said.

Jane laughed. “There are nights and nights. Now we come to the second reason for this party. Not long ago, Tony and I spent an early morning delivering babies. When I asked what he planned for the day, he said he was getting married and we weren’t invited. I was hurt until I learned it was a quiet home ceremony because Carrie’s mother is ill. But I couldn’t let him escape without one of our wonderful wedding showers. Tony, this is yours.”

“And we haven’t forgotten the bride,” Ruth said.

Tony groaned. He was sure they hadn’t.

“That’s nice,” Carrie whispered.

“You’d better wait before you say that.”

The first few presents were things for the house, but Tony knew his friends had something planned. A set of kitchen gadgets made him laugh. “She doesn’t cook.”

“Hazel will enjoy them,” Carrie said. “Until she teaches me how to use them.”

Beth reached for the last two packages. “Saved the best for last. Tony.”

He opened the package and nearly dropped the red silk boxers. “Nice, guys.”

“Gonna model them?” Jane asked.

“At home and in private,” Carrie said. “You’ll just have to use your imaginations.” She opened hers.

Tony sucked in a breath. His imagination went into overdrive when she held up a set of red silk underwear. He grinned. “I’ll model if you will.”

“At home.”

“Where else?”

Ruth laughed. “Going to heat things up a bit.”

Heat wasn’t the right word, Tony thought. His thoughts bordered on conflagration and his body felt incendiary. When his thoughts formed images of Carrie in the red outfit, he knew they were approaching a line he would soon cross.

“No speech?” Jane asked.

“Thanks,” Tony said. “Let’s get back to work.”

“Kiss the bride,” Beth said.

Tony pulled Carrie into his arms and brushed his lips over hers. “For show,” he said.

“Why not?”

He ended the kiss an instant later. Though his body cried for more, not here and not now, and especially not until he and Carrie set new ground rules for their marriage.