by Risk, Mona
Holly avoided the aggravating questions and seethed silently.
In order to take better care of Paulito, Holly elected to sleep at the hospital even when she wasn’t on call. She was doing her best for Paulito, but her conscience pricked her with a different priority.
I haven’t studied a single page in the last three weeks. More precisely since the day Marc had entrusted her with his precious bundle and left. So far, she had swallowed her frustration with a Zantac and a big glass of water to calm her aching ulcer. Not that she regretted a minute of the time spent cradling Paulito in her arms. The baby was worth every ounce of maternal love she bestowed on him.
Holly entered the regular nursery and went straight to Paulito. Her lips curving in a happy smile, she bent and picked him up. “Look at you, sweetheart. You’ve grown so fast.”
“Dr. Collier,” the head nurse said, “Paul weighs six and a half pounds.”
“Wonderful.” Holly hugged him, like a proud mama. “You’re doing great, Paulito.”
“Well, Dr. Collier, seeing as how you are in charge of him, you’ll have to decide about where to send him next.”
“What’s wrong with keeping him here until Dr. Suarez comes back?”
“We can’t. He’s a healthy baby, over six pounds. The insurance has insisted we discharge him. We need the bed.”
“You can’t be serious? Where do you expect me to keep him until his uncle shows up?”
“I’m sorry, Dr. Collier. I have to enforce the nursery regulations. We need his crib tonight.”
Find a solution by tonight. Easy to say. As a doctor, she understood the head nurse’s position and wouldn’t argue to bend the rules. But how on earth was she going to take care of her little charge and her other duties? And where could she find a suitable babysitter on such short notice? Frustration hit her midsection.
The baby shrieked in her arms. Holly remembered her promise to take care of Lydia’s son until Marc came back. “Don’t worry, sweetheart,” she cooed, adjusting the baby to a more comfortable position. “We’ll solve this problem together. We need a caring, loving person.”
Paulito stopped crying. Holly could swear he smiled at her. “Caring...and...loving...and available immediately.”
Yeah, but who?
She frowned, working her brain furiously. “I know. My mom. I’ll call her right away. I’m sure she’d love to take care of you. She’ll spoil you rotten. Be back in a minute, Paulito.”
She sat the baby in the middle of his crib and then rushed to the office to call her mom.
Her mother, a nurse working in Boston, had just retired. Holly was sure she wouldn’t mind staying for a week to care for a baby. The telephone rang and rang but nobody answered. The answering machine didn’t click on.
Where was her mother? And why didn’t she tell her she was going on vacation?
Maybe she called home. But Holly had been at the hospital for the last four days and hadn’t checked her messages.
Right now, there were thirty babies waiting for their morning check-up in the nursery and five preemies in need of examination in the NICU. She couldn’t procrastinate another minute. Maybe inspiration would strike while she worked.
Three hours later, as she put the last preemie in his warmer, Holly hadn’t come up with a solution. Soon the head nurse would insist Paulito vacate his crib.
Holly scribbled a note with a request for a babysitter. “Stacey, do me a favor and post this at the door of the cafeteria on your way to lunch.”
“Why would you need a babysitter?” Stacey mumbled after reading the note.
Holly wasn’t ready to advertise her problems through the gossip network of the hospital, but she felt compelled to explain. “Baby Suarez has outstayed his welcome in the nursery. I have to find him a babysitter. Dr. Suarez won’t be here ‘til next week.”
“Can’t you ask him to come back earlier?”
“Unfortunately not. His grandmother’s heart has weakened.” Besides Holly would never admit to him she couldn’t manage on her own.
“Dr. Collier, how could you leave a person you don’t know, for thirty-six hours, alone in your house, with a newborn?” Stacey uttered every word with a disapproving look.
The woman had two kids and probably thought Holly out of her league dealing with a baby. And frankly, Holly felt more inadequate by the moment. She threw her arms up. “Come on, Stacey. I’m trying to do the right thing for the baby without neglecting my job. I can’t possibly keep him in my on-call room.”
“Why not?”
“I share it with other fellows. We alternate nights.”
“I know that, but we have enough rooms on the floor. I’m sure the fellow sharing it with you wouldn’t mind using another room. Of course, it would be a precedent, but if the baby stays here, we could help you, me and the other nurses. Many of them would go out of their way for Dr. Suarez’s adopted baby.”
“I’m sure they would,” Holly blurted. A smile from Marc would be payment enough for their generous help.
“In that case, first things first. Paul needs a crib and a stroller. I’ll go home right now and get the ones my kids used. Then we’ll need diapers, bottle, formula, and some clothes. I’ll ask Jenna and the other nurses to share the shopping. I better get you the car seat, too, just in case.”
Holly eyes rounded as Stacey enumerated the tasks and moved into action, paging three nurses to the NICU.
“Are you sure this will work? I mean the baby in my on-call room? What if he screams?”
“So what? Your room is on the nursery floor. Babies cry all the time here.”
Stacey had an answer for every question. Within minutes, Holly was convinced nothing could work better for both Baby Suarez and herself. With Paulito in her room, under a nurse’s supervision, Holly would be able to carry out her duties and check on him regularly, day and night. Besides, it was only for a week.
“Bless you, Stacey. I think it may work, at least until Dr. Suarez comes back.”
She had to hand it to Stacey. The nurse knew how to galvanize her colleagues into volunteering their services. Anything for Dr. Suarez. Holly suppressed a sarcastic smile. Marc’s popularity was useful at times.
By five in the evening, the fellows’ room had been rearranged to accommodate a bassinet, a stroller, and even a rocking chair borrowed from a hospital storage room. Stacey stowed Holly’s few clothes at the back of a shelf to make room in the closet for diapers and tiny overalls.
A flutter of white uniforms swarmed into the room. Paulito received a formal welcome to his new quarters by no less than seven women, cooing and melting in fond smiles.
Stacey distributed a schedule to each one. “I’ll take the first shift from now until eight. Then you’re on, Dr. Collier. If they page you for a delivery, Jenna will cover for you here.”
“Thank you all for your help. I’d like to invite you for lunch tomorrow,” Holly said, gratitude flooding her heart. They’d saved her from a difficult situation.
“Why don’t we wait until Dr. Suarez comes back, maybe he’d be able to join us?” Jenna suggested in her languorous voice.
“Good idea,” Holly muttered. He could pick up the bill and personally thank the nurses for their dedication to his charms. Of course, anything for Dr. Suarez.
“I thought we were supposed to meet at five in the lobby?” Chris stood at the door of her room, frowning.
“I’m sorry.” She’d completely forgotten about him. “We were organizing a place for Paulito.”
“Here?”
“He can’t stay in the nursery because of the insurance.”
“So? It’s not your problem. Tell his uncle to get his ass back here and handle his responsibilities. We’ve covered enough for him.”
“Chris, I told you Marc’s grandma isn’t feeling well.”
“Holly, can I have a word with you? Privately.” He stepped inside the crowded room and folded his arms, scowling. “Nice party. Is no one on call here?”
“Dr. Guerli
n,” Jenna said with a smile, revealing shiny white teeth, “we’re only trying to help Dr. Suarez and Dr. Collier.”
“Very kind of you. How about going to help Dr. Halsdale before he loses his temper and rattles the walls of this hospital?”
“Oh, my God, you mean he was looking for me?” The nurses said in unison as they hustled toward the door.
In less than thirty seconds, Chris was alone with Holly and the baby. As soon as the door closed, he took her arm. “This is madness. You can’t turn your life upside down for this baby. How many times should I remind you, he’s not your responsibility?”
She’d had it with Chris telling her what she should or shouldn’t do. “Yes, he is my responsibility. At least, until his uncle comes back. Listen, Chris, I’m under enough stress. Can you stop trying to make my life difficult?” she almost shouted, her fists clenched on her hips.
“I... I am making your life difficult?” He dropped her arm, and took a step back, squinting at her. “You’re not being fair, Holly. I’m trying so hard to help you relax.”
“I’m sorry. I appreciate what you’re doing, but I’m so tired.” She sank on the couch in her on-call room and crossed her arms on her chest. It wasn’t right to unload her frustration on Chris.
“Of course you’re tired. Look at the dark circles under your eyes.” He touched his fingers to her chin and examined her face. As a doctor or a friend? She didn’t care to find out and jerked back.
“I promised to take care of the baby and I’ll do it. Right now, I don’t have the energy to get into an argument,” she said with a conciliatory tone, hoping Chris would get the message and leave.
Chris studied her for a silent moment and shook his head, probably giving up on drilling sense into her brain. “There’ll be no argument. I brought Chinese food. I have it in my car. Do you want to take a drive?”
“Nope,” she said firmly. “I hardly have time for my rounds. I’ll study a bit here while babysitting.”
He exhaled loudly. “Fine. I’ll bring the food to your room.” He muttered something about a selfish bastard and soft-hearted women.
Was Chris feeling more than friendship for her?
Oh no. Please no. Her life was complicated enough without Chris adding that to the mix.
****
Marc hadn’t called since Holly told him Paulito had moved into her room. Was it because he’d stopped worrying about the baby? Or because his grandma’s health was failing?
Or maybe he was too busy testing a new mama for Paulito?
Holly wrinkled her nose in distaste. Rehashing Marc’s issues and dilemmas was the last thing on her agenda tonight.
The week passed by smoothly. The nurses shared babysitting duties with Holly. For a change, she’d agreed to have a drink with the fellows and attending doctors at Mango Bar where they gathered every Friday. A couple of hours away from the hospital would do a world of good to her frayed nerves. She selected a sleeveless, blue silk dress and spent a few minutes drying and combing her hair loose on her shoulders.
Paulito awoke as she finished applying the last touch of her make-up. She collected him from his crib and changed him.
“Don’t cry, pumpkin. Your milk will be ready in a sec.” Holding the fussy baby with one arm against her side, she rocked her hips and fumbled to prepare a bottle. Paulito stopped his screaming and nuzzled her naked shoulder.
A hard knock on the door startled her. “Come in, Stacey,” she called while continuing her task. The door opened and closed softly. “Here’s your bottle, pumpkin. You just—”
Marc leaned against the door, his devastating smile reaching straight into her heart.
Her breath jammed in her throat. She stared, unable to speak. He was back. With a wife?
Her eyes flew to his left hand. No ring there.
“Holly.” He took a step forward, opened his arms and enfolded her and the baby in the same hug.
Frozen in place, with the baby squeezed between her and Marc and her head pressed against Marc’s shoulder, she heard a pulse drumming. His heart? No, her own, doing double-time as his musky scent engulfed her.
She gulped down a steadying breath and squirmed out of his arms. “You’re back?” Stupid question. Only Marc could make her lose her cool so completely. Of course, he was back and standing in front of her in a T-shirt and jeans, radiating a healthy smell of pure male and aftershave.
“Yes, I’m back. And happy to be here.”
“Oh?” She’d cut her tongue out before asking the million dollar question. Had he found the right mama for Paulito?
“These past four weeks lasted a lifetime.”
“I’m so sorry.” Holly sat in the rocking chair with the baby still pressed against her chest.
Marc leaned against the door and continued, “Abuelita refused to eat. Her blood pressure dropped. One day she collapsed. I had to take her to the emergency. The pictures you sent snapped her back to life. She kissed them a hundred times and decided to choose a good mother for Paulito.”
“And?” Holly gently rubbed Paulito’s back to prevent him from crying before she heard the end of the story. She tortured her lip. Had any Puerto Rican woman caught Marc’s fancy?
“Last week was a nightmare. Abuelita talked to every woman she knew under forty. One by one, they filed into our house to pay their respects and recite the list of their wifely qualifications. Can you believe I had to sit through that ordeal, just because I was worried about my grandmother’s health?”
Holly had trouble picturing Marc, the super active playboy, sitting dutifully to be introduced to a prospective bride. Several actually. Somehow, the punishment fit the crime. She struggled to suppress a giggle.
Marc smiled, watching Holly feed the baby. He felt like he was home again, here, in her room.
“How is your grandmother now?”
“She’s fine, but upset with me. I couldn’t get myself to make a decision about her candidates.”
Holly’s beautiful eyes narrowed to blue slits. How he’d missed their fire as he suffered through the bridal contestants’ interviews.
She tilted her head. “You mean you came back unattached?”
“Exactly.” He suppressed a smile when Holly exhaled and the tension around her eyes relaxed. “But Abuelita made such a fuss just before I left I had to promise I’d take Paulito to San Juan if I can’t manage on my own.”
“What?” Holly’s gaze snapped up. The bottle fell from the baby’s mouth and he screamed. “You’re not serious?”
Interesting. Holly was distressed at the idea of the baby leaving Washington. Had she become so fond of him?
A flash of pleasure warmed Marc’s blood. It would be the first good news he’d heard in weeks. “Don’t worry. I hope it won’t come to that. I found a solution.”
“What solution?” A soft knock on the door accompanied the call. “Come in, Stacey.”
Holly stood, handed the baby and the bottle to the nurse and then smoothed her skirt.
Marc scowled, noticing some details about Holly’s outfit. Nice, blue dress with a V-neck décolletage that enhanced her figure. Full makeup, including mascara on her eyelashes. High-heeled sandals.
Dios, she was so pretty.
“Going out?” A stab of jealousy pierced his heart.
Who was the lucky bastard taking her out?
She tensed at the casual question. “Yes.” Her chin hitched up as if she dared him to comment. “You’re welcome to stay with Paulito if you want.” She deposited a light kiss on the baby’s cheek. “Thank you, Stacey. See you in a few hours.”
“He’s in good hands, and I have too much to do tonight.” Marc took the baby from the nurse and hugged him. “He’s grown a lot in the past weeks. Thank you, Holly. You did a terrific job with him.” I knew she’d be the best one to take care of Paulito.
Maybe he should convince her to direct some of her tender attention toward him too. He stifled a grin at the idea of Holly fussing over him—a wishful thought at the
moment.
He handed Paulito back to Stacey and then strolled with Holly down the hallway. “I’m taking the stairs for a change,” she said as she sashayed to the door marked Exit.
He hadn’t seen her in anything but scrubs for ages. The dress molded to her hips and fluttered around her calves as her heels clinked down the steps. His eyes fixed on her swaying derriere.
Desire twisted inside him. Blood pounding in his ears, he stumbled on the last step and sucked in a deep breath to recover his cool.
CHAPTER EIGHT
“So, anything special tonight?” Marc asked as they crossed the lobby toward the hospital front door.
Holly shrugged. “Just the usual Friday-night get-together at Mango Bar. You’re a regular, right?”
“Yeah.” Dios, memories of a relaxed night out seemed so far away. As if years had elapsed since the last time he’d been there. “I used to. But how come you have suddenly decided to go?”
He’d asked her to join him for a drink before the accident and she’d turned him down. Part of the cold shoulder treatment she’d given him when he started his job.
“Uh-oh...I needed a break tonight. I was becoming claustrophobic in this hospital.”
“Is someone picking you up?”
Her lips curled in a half smile. “Nope. I’m walking. The bar’s only four blocks away.”
He pointed to her high-heeled sandals. “I can drive you.”
“No. I’m looking forward to the walk. It’s nice outside and still daylight.”
“Rather semi-dusk.” Somehow it bothered him to know she’d be out on her own, so pretty in this eye-filling outfit. “I’ll walk you to the bar.”
She shrugged. “If you want.”
“Hmm...” He needed her with him a little longer.
She stared at him as she stepped out into the street. “What’s up?”
He adjusted his pace to hers. “I was wondering...” He pointed to the fast-food place across the street. “You didn’t have dinner yet, I presume?”
“No, but I’ll eat some munchies with the drink at the bar.”
“How about joining me at Norman’s for a beer and an old-fashioned hamburger? I haven’t eaten one of those in weeks.”