by Unknown
RICHARD WAS CAREFUL TO MAINTAIN DISTANCE BEtween himself and Naomi while he took her through her on-the-job training. Thankfully, she was smart and picked up on things quickly. An added plus was that she spoke Spanish. He had started to ask how she learned the language, but one glance at her closed expression had him discarding the idea.
By the time lunch arrived he was actually considering paying Luke for suggesting her. People loved their pets just as much as parents loved their children and were just as devoted to them. Naomi seemed instinctively to understand this and reassure them. More importantly, she seemed genuinely concerned regarding each animal’s health. He’d heard more than one elderly person telling her the life story of a beloved companion.
During lunch, Kayla may have lingered over her burger while watching the cartoon channel, but Naomi finished quickly and went back to her desk. His previous receptionist went out to lunch each day and was invariably late getting back. But in Cheryl’s defense, he hadn’t paid her the salary he was paying Naomi or bought her lunch.
“Dr. Youngblood. Your one o’clock is here,” Naomi said from the door. “I put them in room A.”
“Thank you.” By the time he had finished speaking, she was gone. Her distrust bothered him and he had no one to blame but himself. Slowly, he got up from his desk and went to room A. This wasn’t the first time he had struck out with a woman, but it was the first time he had struck out without even picking up the bat.
OUT OF THE CORNER OF HER EYE, NAOMI WATCHED Dr. Youngblood enter the exam room as she had off and on for most of the afternoon. Her breath fluttered over her lips as she alphabetized the patients’ charts on her desk. She hadn’t been able to catch him, didn’t know if she wanted to, but occasionally she could feel him watching her. The only reason she hadn’t taken Kayla and run was that she no longer felt threatened. Oddly, she couldn’t explain why.
Perhaps it was the careful way he made sure he kept his distance or the way he gave the same respect and care to paying as well as nonpaying clients or the way he held Kayla’s hand and helped her measure the animals’ food. His hands were strong and gentle as they cared for his patients, his voice self-assured as he calmed worried pet owners. Nothing she had seen today indicated he would force himself on a woman. She had to stop judging all men because of the actions of one.
Excusing herself to the people in the waiting room, she went to his office to file the charts. Kayla was on the couch asleep. Unable to resist, she bent and kissed her soft cheek. “He won’t find us, I promise.”
Straightening, she turned and saw Dr. Youngblood. Her face paled. Her fingernails dug into the manila folders.
“I need your help,” he said, then he was gone.
Her hands trembling, Naomi laid the charts on the desk and followed, wondering if he had heard, and how far sixty-four dollars and thirty-three cents would take her and Kayla if they had to run again.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
A WOMAN WHO LOOKED SEXY AND SMELLED ALLURING the way Catherine did could make a man forget himself. Luke hoped he was up to the challenge. From childhood he had been taught respect, patience, and self-control. Catherine was certainly testing him this morning.
The neckline of her jacket bared a hint of shoulders, then plunged dramatically down to her softly rounded breasts. Everything was demurely covered, but each time she moved, the red material seemed to shift, offering a peek that never quite kept its promise. That didn’t keep him from looking. By the time the evening session was winding down, he could have ripped the jacket off with his teeth.
She knew it, too. He still couldn’t believe that was her foot rubbing against his leg during lunch. When he got her home, he was going to . . . Run like hell.
He checked his watch, then saw what he hoped was the last person to ask a question make his way to the back mike, one of three, positioned in the aisle of the auditorium.
“Neither your introduction nor your bio on the back of the program mentioned you were married. Are you?”
Holding up her hand, Catherine quieted the annoyed murmurs in the audience. “No.”
“You got any children?”
Her hands on the wooden podium clenched. “No.”
“Then how can you try to tell me how to raise my kids?” the short, balding man asked belligerently.
Catherine had no difficulty answering his question. “Because I have no biased opinions, no reason to justify my actions of what I did or did not do or could not do. I simply deal in the facts.”
“Facts you’ve gotten in a research lab and not trying to deal with a child who won’t study or breaks curfew,” he continued angrily.
Catherine had dealt with outraged parents before who lashed out due to frustration. “I’ve worked with problem children almost daily for the past ten years until a few months ago. I’ve seen them frightened, belligerent, apathetic. Children can go without a lot of things, but love is not one of them, and while blood ties are important, they are not essential to giving that love and support.”
“But the fact remains you don’t have any children.”
“No, I don’t have that blessing, and that’s a big reason why I work so hard to help those who do,” she said with absolute conviction.
The auditorium erupted in applause. By the time the sound died, a middle-aged woman with gray hair was speaking into the middle mike. “I’d just like to say I agree with Dr. Stewart. My husband and I have three adopted children and if someone tried to tell me they weren’t mine just because I didn’t carry them nine months, they’d have a fight on their hands.”
Catherine made herself relax. “Parenting is one of the most underappreciated, the most thankless jobs anyone could ever have if it isn’t done out of love. Establishing rules and guidelines is never easy. Make no mistake, children will test them again and again, they’ll push you to your limits it seems sometimes, but if you’re consistent and discipline with love and understanding, and a little recollection of what it was like to be young, being a parent can be the greatest, most rewarding privilege in the world. Thank you.”
The audience came to their feet and continued applauding as Catherine took her seat. Luke was among them, unaware that he was grinning. Seems the daughter was just as tough as her mother.
A delighted Amanda Poole came to the podium. “If everyone will adjourn to the room next door, Dr. Stewart’s books will be on sale and she’ll be available for autographing.”
People began filing out of the auditorium. Luke went to Catherine. “Very well done. I saw him scuttle out when the audience began to applaud.”
“He wasn’t angry at me,” Catherine said, the knots gradually loosening in her stomach.
Luke grunted. “I might have known you’d forgive the guy.”
“Excuse me, Dr. Stewart, we need to get to the next room,” Amanda said.
“There’s no need to hurry,” Gloria said, joining them on stage. “I just checked again. The books didn’t arrive.”
“What?” Amanda said. “How could you let this happen?”
“Dr. Stewart called and said she’d take care of the books.”
Catherine was already shaking her head. “I never order my own books.”
Gloria was unrelenting. “I wouldn’t know anything about that. But you specifically called. The bookstore here in town was disappointed.”
“What will we do?” Amanda asked, watching the people file out. “We led people to believe they would be able to buy books and get your autograph when they signed up.”
“I’m sure they’ll understand,” Ruth said. “Apparently there was a mix-up in communication somewhere.”
“I just want everyone to know I didn’t make it,” Gloria said, glaring at a silent Catherine.
“May I make a suggestion, Mrs. Poole?” Luke asked.
“Please do.”
“Tell the people the shipment was delayed and will be here Saturday. There will be a special signing with wine and cheese at the Red Cactus, and for their trouble, each boo
k will have a ten percent discount. Or they can pay full price and the ten percent will go to the Women’s League.”
“Luke, that’s a wonderful idea,” Ruth said.
“But can Brandon’s restaurant hold five hundred people?” asked a worried Amanda.
“It will be a crush, but so much the better,” Luke told her.
“You’re right.” Amanda beamed.
“I’ll go tell them,” Ruth offered.
“Tell them to save their program, Mama,” Luke said. “It will be their invitation.”
“It will be just like a literary event,” one of the other women said with growing enthusiasm.
“This will be better than the signing here,” Ruth agreed, relief in her voice.
“Who is going to pay for the wine and cheese?” Gloria asked, arms crossed, glaring at Catherine.
“I’ll take care of everything,” Luke said, noting how quiet Catherine was. “You ready?”
She turned to Ruth. “I think I should go with you. Everyone may not be able to attend Saturday. I could sign their programs and talk with them.”
“Catherine, I knew I was right to invite you.” Ruth hooked her arm through Catherine’s. “Let’s go.”
Luke found himself staring after Catherine again as the group of women left the auditorium. He followed. This time they weren’t leaving him behind.
LUKE MAY HAVE FOLLOWED, BUT HE NEVER GOT A chance to speak with Catherine privately. People were understanding about the “delayed” shipment of books and excited about the signing at the Red Cactus. As he had suspected, some of the people attending the conference already had books for her to sign or had left without buying books. His mother suggested they mark the programs of those remaining or people would show up just for the wine and cheese. The exclusivity of the signing appealed to people even more.
An hour later when the last person filed out of the room, the participants and the members of the Women’s League were eagerly anticipating the book signing Saturday morning.
Luke waited until they were inside his truck before he asked. “You’re all right?”
“They slipped up this time,” she said.
“What?”
Her beautiful face shone. “They slipped up. There is a notation in my notebook that says ‘order books’ before speaking engagements like this one where a bookstore is not directly involved.” Her smile grew. “But I don’t order them. It’s a reminder for me to remind Helena to make sure everything is in place. I was so upset when I left, I forgot to call.”
He’d never seen anything more beautiful. “If they made one mistake, there will be others.”
Her smile disappeared. “I can’t wait to find out who is behind this and why.”
“You let me take care of that.” The thought of her confronting whoever it was knotted his stomach. “You can never predict how a person will act when cornered.”
The certainty in his voice told her he was speaking from experience. Not too far behind was the thought of him being wounded. Fear for him coursed through her. “If I can’t confront whoever it is, neither can you. You just find out who it is and tell the police.”
Switching on the motor, he backed out of his parking space. “I don’t work that way.”
“You do this time or you’re fired.”
“Did I try to tell you how to run your workshop?”
“Luke—”
“Trust me, Catherine, to know what I’m doing and to do it right.”
Maybe because he had tried reasoning instead of dictating to her, she heard herself say, “If you get one scratch, I’ll never forgive you.”
His hand closed over her trembling one. “Deal.”
LUKE’S FIRST STOP WAS THE RED CACTUS, EXPLAINING to Brandon only that there had been a mix-up in ordering Catherine’s books and he had volunteered his restaurant for the signing. Since the first reservation wasn’t until 12 P.M., no problem. They’d had private parties there before. As Luke had expected, Brandon could take care of the wine and cheese trays. Catherine barely finished thanking Brandon before Luke was telling her they had another stop to make.
The next stop was the bookstore. The owner, who had felt slighted, was only too pleased to order her most recent books. Especially when Catherine offered to do a signing for him Saturday afternoon, and Luke told him about the ten percent, then assured him he’d reimburse him every penny. The owner cheerfully gave Catherine a discount when she purchased a pop-up children’s book and a stuffed teddy bear. He couldn’t thank them enough as they left the store.
“You will not pay the ten percent.” Catherine buckled her seat belt. “I will.”
“We’ll talk about it later.”
Catherine sent him a look of annoyance. “I seemed to remember you telling Naomi the same thing. I won’t be put off so easily.”
“Somehow I didn’t think you would.”
Their next stop was the clinic. Naomi was on the phone so Catherine waved and went to the back to find Kayla. The little girl was coloring, her tongue stuck in her cheek.
“Ready to hear about the butterfly?”
“Miss Catherine.” Bounding up, the little girl ran to Catherine and hugged her.
Gracefully, Catherine sat down on the carpeted floor and placed the sack between them. “I have a couple of surprises for you.”
“What? What?” Kayla danced from one tennis shoe–clad foot to the other.
Laughing, Catherine began drawing out her purchases for the little girl. First the pop-up book, then Kayla’s excited cries rang higher when Catherine pulled out an eighteen-inch brown teddy bear dressed in a blue and white cable knit sweater with a scarf tied around his neck.
“Thank you,” Kayla said, hugging the toy tightly to her chest. “I’ll take good care of him.”
Naomi, having heard the laughter, came to the door. Kayla ran to her with her teddy bear. “Look, Mama. Look.”
Naomi’s hand trembled as she touched her daughter’s glowing face. “I see, sweetheart.”
Luke folded his arms and said nothing. But if Naomi gave Catherine a hard time about the gifts, they were going to have a private talk.
“I hope you don’t mind.” Catherine folded her legs beside her. “I was in the bookstore and I couldn’t resist. Neither my brother nor I have any children, so my relatives’ and friends’ children get the full benefits.”
“I—Thank you,” Naomi said, touched. “Did you thank her?”
“Yes, ma’am. Now, I’m going to show Dr. Richard.”
“Kayla—” But Kayla was already past her. The two had quickly established a rapport. She was usually shy around men—with good reason. Last night she hadn’t said two words to Luke. With Dr. Youngblood, she couldn’t stop talking. He’d bought her an animal coloring book and colors when he’d gone out for their lunch. Together they had flipped through each page, deciding what she should color first. A puppy.
Running down to the kennel, Kayla opened the door and went inside and straight to Richard. “See what Miss Catherine brought me? I’m going to call him Teddy, and if he gets sick, you can cure him.”
“I’ll consider it a privilege to treat such a fine gentleman.” Richard took the stuffed animal and looked the bear over. “Maybe we should give him an examination to make sure he’s healthy.”
“Could we?” Awe and excitement were in her voice and face.
Standing, he reached for her hand. Naomi stood in the doorway, weary, watchful. If only the mother was as easy to give her trust. “Would you like to join us during the exam?”
“You have a patient coming.”
“I’ll explain to them if we run over,” he said. “They’ll understand.”
Confusion caused fine lines to radiate across her forehead. “Why would you do that?”
“Because I promised and I never break a promise.” He stepped past her and saw Luke and Catherine. His brows furrowed, he glanced back at Hero, who hadn’t barked. Richard closed the door to the kennel. “Hello, Luke, Catherine.
”
“Hi, Richard.”
“Hello, Richard. How’s Hero?” Catherine asked.
“Coming along as well as I expected.” Richard remained in front of the door. “If you don’t mind, I’d like for you not to go in. He has a difficult time adjusting when you leave.”
“Oh,” Catherine said, clearly disappointed.
Luke regarded the doctor with probing eyes, then said, “We should be going and let them get back to work.”
“Goodbye, Kayla, Naomi. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She leaned down to the little girl. “We have some unfinished business about a butterfly.”
“Dr. Richard and me will take good care of Teddy.” Kayla hugged the bear to her.
“I’m sure you will.” She looked up at Luke. “What’s the next stop?”
“Home.”
The single word never ceased to make Catherine’s heart flutter. Then she glanced at Naomi, who had no home. “When is closing time?”
“The last patient is due in ten minutes,” Naomi said.
“Great. Then afterward we can all go out to dinner. My treat. I had a great day and I feel like celebrating,” Catherine said, careful not to look at Luke. “How about it, Richard? Naomi?”
“Naomi and I already have a dinner engagement,” Richard said.
Startled, Naomi glanced around at him. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Richard explained. “The twelve-thirty appointment, El Cid with Mr. Carillo. His family has owned The Carillo House, a family restaurant, for generations. He and I have an agreement, he pays me with dinner for me and my staff, and since his place has the best real Mexican food in the city, it’s a fair trade.”
Naomi was already shaking her dark head.
“He had a nice doggy,” Kayla said.
“Yes, he has,” Richard said. “You’ll upset the entire family if you don’t show up. You don’t even have to change clothes. We can go straight from here, and then I’ll take you and Kayla back to the hotel.”
Naomi glanced down at her uniform, then ran her hand over the front.