Deliver Me

by Farrah Rochon

  “I’ll have Mama feed you for the rest of your life. Just get Monica to talk to me.”

  “I’ll see what I can do,” she said again. “You need to get some sleep. You won’t get a single bid tomorrow if you walk on stage looking like a sick dog.”

  Eli winced. “You do have a colorful way of putting things.” He didn’t bother correcting her assumption that he would be up for bid at tomorrow’s auction.

  “It’s my trademark,” Nia smiled.

  “Please, do all you can,” Eli said, more seriously. “I...I need to talk to her. I have to straighten this out.”

  She sighed, shook her head. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Hopefully, you’ll be hearing from her tonight.”

  When she closed the door, Eli instantly sank to his knees, praying Nia’s influence would buy him a few minutes of Monica’s time. That’s all he needed.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  The rental company was late.

  Monica took a deep breath and tried to calm her nerves. It wasn’t the end of the world. If she was lucky, this would be the only mishap of the day. What a blessing that would be.

  “They just called, Dr. Gardner.” It was Patty, who was not on the banquet committee, but had graciously volunteered her time.

  “What’s the problem,” Monica snapped. She checked herself. It wasn’t Patty’s fault the tent was not up yet. Along with the tables and chairs. Five hours before the start of the freaking banquet!

  “You’re not going to like what they had to say,” Patty warned.

  Monica closed her eyes.

  Breathe. Just breathe.

  “What,” she asked, unclenching her teeth.

  “They double-booked the tent. They said we either have to settle for a smaller one or push our start time back by about an hour.”

  Monica held out her hand. “Give me that number.”

  She pulled the number into her cell phone. Waiting for someone to pick up, she started on a tour of the grounds, supervising the work being done around the massive house.

  Despite the current calamity with the rental company, things were running smoothly. The decorator had done an outstanding job, and was patiently waiting in the wings until the tent arrived so she could finish her job.

  The aroma coming from the kitchen smelled good enough to make her stomach rumble, especially since she had skipped breakfast. As soon as she finished ripping into the idiots from the rental company, she would try to sneak a couple of samples from the kitchen.

  Finally, someone picked up. Monica let loose on the salesman.

  Holding a finger up to halt Patty, Monica finished with the threat, “If you want to remain in business, you will have the correct tent here within the hour.” She snapped the phone close.

  “I’m scared of you,” Patty said with a look of feigned horror mixed with a little admiration.

  “Not yet,” she answered. “But if anything else goes wrong today, watch out.”

  “Thanks for the warning,” she laughed. “The caterers need to know where to set up the ice sculpture.”

  “Ah, that’s my fault. I was supposed give them that information last week. I’ll take care of it,” Monica told her.

  After informing the caterer, Monica went in search of Dr. Miller who was in charge of readying the stage for tonight’s musical performance and the auction that would follow.

  Before she knew it, the entire afternoon had flown by. The banquet would be starting in a little more than an hour. Monica spotted Nia and Phillip coming from among the foliage on the far side of the house.

  Oh, great. She had too many things on her mind to deal with Nia right now. The traitor.

  If Monica could have wagered on who would be on her side in this fiasco between her and Eli, she would have placed every last cent on Nia. If it were a real bet, she’d be broke.

  She could not believe her ears last night as she’d listened to her best friend—her sister—expound on the qualities Eli still possessed and give reasons why Monica should give him a chance to explain.

  Give him a chance?

  Nia had always been her staunchest supporter. For her best friend to suddenly switch sides was not only surprising, but hurtful. Monica had never felt more betrayed and alone.

  As Nia and her brother approached, Monica forced herself to keep her face expressionless.

  Nia held her hands out in surrender. “I come in peace,” she said.

  Monica couldn’t trust herself to speak.

  “I know you’re upset, honey.”

  “Actually, I’d use a stronger word.” Monica crossed her arms over her chest. “You see, my best friend stabbed me in the back.”

  “What else can I say but that I’m sorry?”

  “You can admit you were wrong.”

  “Am I forgiven?” Nia asked. She did not admit to being wrong. Typical.

  Still, the makings of a grin tugged at Monica’s lips. She could never stay angry at Nia. “Only because I’m too wound up to fight with you,” Monica said, giving her best friend a short embrace so not to wrinkle her elegant silk suit.

  Looking at Nia in the knockout gorgeous cream-colored ensemble reminded Monica that she needed to change pretty soon.

  “So, are you nervous about pulling this off?”

  “Not at all,” Monica answered. It wasn’t a total lie. Her nerves had calmed down considerably once she’d settled things with the tent rental company. The increasing gray clouds off in the distance were raising the hair on the back of her neck just a little, though.

  “This thing isn’t going to put me to sleep tonight, is it?” her brother asked.

  “Oh, shut up, Phillip,” Nia said. “Don’t worry, I won’t let him embarrass you by snoring halfway through the auction.”

  “I just won’t claim to know him,” Monica said, pinching her brother’s arm.

  “It all looks wonderful,” Nia commented, making a slow circle as she took in her surroundings.

  “Thank you. Everyone has worked so hard. I’m just hoping we pull in enough to keep the center open.”

  And knock the socks off her fellow colleagues, of course. Although the desire to impress the other doctors at Methodist Memorial was not as strong as it had been when she had first begun this project. The more Monica worked on it, the more important it became that the banquet and auction meet its original intent—to save the Parenting Center. That’s what this was all about.

  “Okay, I know I said I wouldn’t mention his name again, but has he shown up yet?” Nia asked.

  If she were not her best friend, Monica would have punched Nia. It took every ounce of control to keep her hands to her sides, though they still balled into fists.

  “He doesn’t have to be here until the start of the banquet,” Monica answered. “His job was securing the entertainment, which is already setting up, and getting the guys for the auction.”

  To be honest, Monica had been a little upset when Toby arrived with Aria Jordan in tow, but no Eli. Her mind kept telling her that she didn’t need to see him, but a large portion of her heart rebelled against the thought. Her body was craving to see him, even if only for a few brief moments.

  “Now,” Monica said, facing Nia. “We can either change the subject, or you can find someone else to talk to.”

  “I’m going to look around a little more,” Phillip interjected. “I don’t think I want to be around for the rest of this conversation.”

  “Coward,” both Monica and Nia said to his retreating back.

  “I’m sorry,” Nia said, extending her arms.

  Monica grasped her hands. “I’m not going to hug you again, because I don’t want to mess up your clothes, but your apology is accepted.”

  “I just think—”

  “I’m being very generous, Nia. Don’t push it.”

  “Fine,” her best friend said, holding her hands up in surrender again. “You know what you’re doing.”

  “Yes, I do. And right now, I’m going to get dressed. People are alr
eady showing up.”

  “You go get pretty. I’ll catch up with my husband. He’s probably snatching a sneak peek at tonight’s desserts.”

  “If you can, try the crème brûlée cheesecake. It is divine.”

  “Girl, you don’t have to tell me but once,” Nia said, heading for the caterer’s tent.

  Despite the small threat of rain that quickly passed, and a misprint spotted on the program, Monica was able to get through the rest of the evening’s preparations without having to down a bottle of aspirin or chug Mylanta.

  She went in search of the plantation caretaker to inquire about a place where she could change.

  “We have the dressing room that bridal parties use. Go up the stairs and take a left. It’s the last door on your left.”

  “Thank you,” Monica answered. She grabbed the hanging bag from her car and quickly made it to the dressing room. When she stepped into the spacious area, Monica’s heart gave a small tug.

  Brides had readied themselves for their grooms in this very room. She could just imagine them in their wedding finery, preening in front of the mirrored wall, preparing for a lifetime of happiness.

  All she was preparing for was a banquet.

  She closed her eyes for a moment, giving herself the chance to reflect on the abysmal outlook of her romantic future.

  Her eyes popped open. She had a job to do tonight, and she was never one to shirk her responsibilities. She could lament about being lonely tomorrow.

  Monica quickly changed. She stuffed the clothes she’d taken off in the garment bag, zipped it up, and left the confines of the depressingly cheerful dressing room. By the time she went down to put the bag in her car, half the guests had shown up.

  After weeks of planning, the hour was finally here. Time to show them all what she was made of. Time to save Methodist Memorial’s Parenting Center.

  Eli jerked the black silk tie from his neck, then tried to retie it. If he couldn’t make a simple knot for his tie, he should just throw in the towel and plan to spend the night at home. He probably shouldn’t drive in the state he was in.

  Monica never called.

  He’d been waiting at the phone like a love-struck teenager. Checking his pager and cell phone on an hourly basis. Calling into his voice mail at the hospital to see if she’d tried to contact him there. But he’d heard nothing.

  Either Nia had decided he wasn’t worth the hassle of potentially harming her friendship with Monica, or she didn’t have as much influence as Eli had originally thought. Whatever the case, he had not heard from Monica in days.

  This overwhelming ache in his chest was new to him. He’d broken it off with women before, but he’d never experienced the bone-deep hurt, the true physical pain he now felt. The thought of having to go the rest of his life without ever seeing her face beside him when he woke in the morning, or her smile across the table as they ate breakfast…

  It stole his breath and caused his chest to tighten unmercifully.

  And that’s when Eli knew. He was in love with her. He was unbelievably, without a doubt, give-up-everything-he-possessed-just-to-see-her-face-again in love.

  It was a feeling unlike any he’d ever had before. In this short amount of time, she’d come to mean the world to him.

  And now, she wouldn’t even speak to him.

  Grabbing the tie, Eli made his fourth attempt at making a knot. Some how, some way, he was going to get through to her tonight. But only God knew how.

  Monica joined in the applause as Aria Jordan finished a soulful remake of a Roberta Flack classic. That girl had a set of pipes on her.

  Her nature had always been overly cautious, which was why Monica wasn’t ready to give herself a pat on the back just yet. But, as the night drew on, the urge was there. So far, everything had gone off without a hitch.

  The food was absolutely marvelous. The entertainment was outstanding. Even Mother Nature was on her side tonight; the magnolia blossoms gave off a light scent that perfumed the air, wrapping around the grounds of the plantation.

  She caught Dr. Slessinger’s wink and returned it with a thumbs up. It looked as if she’d impressed her colleagues after all.

  Aria started another song, this one a soft, mellow ballad. Monica closed her eyes and let the soothing music drift over her. Standing on the outer perimeter of the grounds with her eyes closed, it was the first time in nearly two hours that she felt even a semblance of peace.

  Since the moment Elijah Holmes had arrived, Monica had not been able to stop herself from seeking him out.

  It was as if he were a magnet, and she a sheet of metal. Throughout the night, whenever she looked in his direction, Eli’s eyes were on her. It was the reason she’d left her seat in exchange to stand back here in no-man’s-land. From where she stood, she could not even see Eli’s table.

  Monica stifled a small moan. She wanted to see him.

  She gave herself a mental shake. There were things to do. She needed to check out the preparations taking place backstage. The auction would be starting soon.

  “Dr. Gardner?” It was Patty.

  Monica opened her eyes and felt an immediate sense of dread at the look on the nurse’s usually serene face.

  “I’m feeling really good right now, and I have a feeling you’re about to ruin my mood.”

  “I think that’s an accurate assumption,” Patty answered.

  Oh, great. As if she needed this, whatever this was.

  “On a scale of one to five, how bad is it?” Monica asked.

  “Which means really bad?”

  “A five.”

  “Okay, then this is a fifty.”

  An instant headache formed between Monica’s eyes. She brought her hand up and squeezed the bridge of her nose. She was afraid to ask.

  “What is it?”

  “There was an ammonia leak at one of the chemical plants in Mississippi.”

  “Uh, Patty, I know that’s not necessarily good for some people in Mississippi, but to be honest, I couldn’t care less.”

  “Well, you need to start caring because half of your eligible bachelors for tonight’s auction are stuck in Hattiesburg.”

  “No, they’re not,” Monica said, dragging the words out slowly.

  “When was the last time you went backstage?” Patty asked.

  “Right after the meal was served. Dr. Johnson and Dr. Banyon had just changed into their tuxes.”

  Patty’s head went up and down with exaggerated nods. “Yes, they were. Along with Dr. Myers and Dr. Jackson. But everyone else…”

  Monica’s eyelids slid shut “Tell me this is your sick, twisted idea of a practical joke. I’m going to kill you if it is, but—”

  Patty shook her head. “This is very, very real, Dr. Gardner. What are we going to do?”

  This isn’t happening. This is so not happening.

  “The auction starts in twenty minutes. How many bachelors do we have?”

  “Five,” the nurse answered.

  If there were a wall close by, Monica would have banged her head against it. Of all the things that could ruin this night, losing the majority of her bachelors had never entered her mind.

  “Why am I just finding out about this?”

  “The hospital received several calls, but no one bothered to pass on the information.”

  “You have got to be kidding me!” Monica pointed at her watch. “Nineteen minutes! We’ve got nineteen minutes, and instead of a dozen bachelors I have five?”

  Her mind was a jumble of wet knots. How in the hell was she supposed to handle this? The bully tactics that worked for the tent rental company wouldn’t do a bit of good here. And, unfortunately, crawling up in a fetal position and crying her eyes out—which is what she felt like doing—wouldn’t help either.

  “We need to find some emergency bachelors. I can make my brother, Phillip, join in. Quick, Patty, go to the head table and get Dr. Slessinger.”

  Patty held up a finger. “One problem, neither of them are bachel
ors.”

  Monica opened her mouth, then shut it. “I...I don’t care. We need some warm bodies, whether they’re single or not.”

  “I’ll tell Dr. Slessinger. You find Dr. Holmes,” Patty said, leaving before Monica could form a protest. The bottom dropped out of her stomach.

  Eli fit the bill to a tee. He was both a bachelor and a doctor. But, he adamantly refused to take part in the auction.

  Well, they both had to suck it up. Desperate times called for desperate measures. And a hell of a lot of sacrificing.

  Swallowing the forty-eight emotions lodged in her throat, Monica whispered to herself, “You can do this.”

  That positive self-talk crap never did a bit of good. Her heart still beat like a tambourine. Dread filled her chest, but when she rounded the tables where Eli had been all night, he was nowhere to be found.

  The emcee announced the first bachelor.

  Frantic, Monica looked over to the head table and caught Dr. Slessinger’s wide-eyed expression.

  Oh, goodness. This was so, so bad.

  Anxiety clawed at her skin. She desperately searched the crowd for anyone who could fill in, but she was still too new to the hospital to know all of the doctors. And, unfortunately, many who were supposed to be in attendance were either in Mississippi or covering for the doctors who were covering the strike.

  On the verge of breaking down in tears, Monica could only watch as the first bachelor strutted across the stage. A night at Delmonico’s with Dr. Johnson from cardiology went for a whopping eighteen hundred dollars.

  Monica said a silent prayer of thanks. She had estimated how much each bachelor would go for, and had only put Dr. Johnson at about a thousand. If the other four went for more than she’d projected, maybe the night wouldn’t be so bad after all.

  Except there was no way five doctors would fetch as much as twelve would have. This was such a nightmare.

  The second and third bachelors each went for under what she had estimated. Apparently, radiologists were not as sexy as some of the other specialties.