His Baby Dream (Safe Harbor Medical)

by Diamond, Jacqueline

  After Mia’s birthday, Harper had sent him a copy of the little girl’s book about Po, in an attempt to renew contact in case her brother was suffering from one of his bouts with depression. She’d included a card from them both that said, “We love you.” He hadn’t responded. With a vacuum in the father figure department, no wonder Mia had taken to Peter so readily.

  “Your daughter will be fine,” Stacy assured her. “Once school starts, she’ll be tied up with friends and activities.”

  That reminded Harper of some good news. “I requested she be assigned to Paula Humphreys for second grade, and I saw on the school website that we got her.” Paula, whose mother-in-law owned the Bear and Doll Boutique, was noted for planning her lessons around her love of animals. Several parents at the hospital had raved about her.

  “Congratulations,” Stacy said. “Problem solved.”

  Harper hoped so. She’d purposely kept her encounters with Peter brief this week, and planned another hit-and-run when she picked up Mia tonight. She still hadn’t decided how to handle their meeting tomorrow.

  That afternoon, a full patient load kept Harper on the run. Then Nora had to race to the hospital to perform an emergency C-section. Harper did her best to postpone the remaining appointments, but a few patients couldn’t change their plans. As a result, Nora played catch-up on her return, which meant staying late for both her and Harper.

  Harper couldn’t ask Stacy to pick up Mia, not with her parents due in town. Since Adrienne worked Friday nights, she was tied up.

  Reluctantly, she punched in Peter’s cell number. When he answered, his warm greeting shivered through her. Keep your mind on business. “I have to work late and I’m trying to find someone to pick up Mia,” Harper told him. “There may be a slight delay. I’m sorry. I know it’s the last day of camp, and you must have a lot to do.”

  “No problem.” He sounded relaxed. “Why don’t I take her to dinner? What time will you be home?”

  “Around seven,” Harper said. “But I can’t ask that.”

  “It’s no trouble. I have to eat, anyway.”

  Her instincts warned her to argue, but what were the options? “That would be wonderful.”

  “I have to make a stop on the way but it won’t take long,” he added. “If that’s okay.”

  “Yes, of course.” She nearly offered to pay him back for the meal, but then he’d argue. She’d already kept a patient waiting too long. “Thank you.”

  “I’ll enjoy it,” he said.

  So would Mia, Harper reflected as she clicked off. Possibly too much.

  * * *

  PERHAPS HE SHOULD HAVE indicated the nature of his errand, Peter reflected as he pulled out of the community college parking lot. Beside him, strapped into her seat, Mia gazed eagerly out of his van.

  “Can we go to Salads and More?” she asked. “I like the More part best.”

  “I do, too.” The cafeteria style, all-you-can-eat restaurant, which also served pasta, muffins and other goodies, lay about a mile up the road, beyond the cemetery. Which was where Peter had to stop.

  The brass vase on Angela’s headstone had been damaged, and the manager had asked him to approve a replacement. In light of the man’s impatience to complete the paperwork, Peter had agreed to stop by as quickly as possible.

  “We had two hummingbirds this morning,” the girl said. “They were squeaking while they ate. I didn’t know they did that.”

  “Some of them do.” Peter described how the little birds also created a shrill sound by spreading their tail feathers while diving at high speed. “The males put on an aerial display to impress the females. Plus, they dive-bomb predators that get too close to their nests.”

  “Doesn’t it hurt them?” Mia asked.

  “Making the noise? I doubt it.”

  “Dive-bombing,” she amended. “What do they drop, exactly?”

  He nearly blurted the first thing that came to mind, but that was hardly accurate, or discreet. “They bomb with their own little bodies, but they don’t hurt anyone because they don’t hit.”

  “Cool.”

  He stopped near the cemetery’s main building. “Let’s go inside. I have to sign something.”

  “Okay.”

  Before they could get out, however, Peter spotted the manager on the front walkway, talking to a middle-aged couple. The man waved and, excusing himself, strode to the van.

  “I’d appreciate it if you’d drive over and take a look, Mr. Gladstone,” he said. “I’ll leave the paper on the front desk.”

  “It’s installed?” Peter hadn’t expected that.

  “We had a funeral today and a damaged vase doesn’t look good,” came the rejoinder. “I’m sure you’ll like it.”

  Peter wasn’t certain how Harper would feel about her daughter touring a graveyard. An impressionable youngster might have nightmares. However, Angela’s grave lay only a short distance from the driveway, so there was no reason for Mia to get out of the van. “Okay.”

  With a nod, the manager returned to his clients. Peter put the van into gear.

  “They had to replace the vase at my wife’s grave,” he told Mia.

  “What happened to it?”

  “I think a lawn mower hit it.”

  As the van rolled through the green expanse, the little girl pressed her nose to the window. “My grandma Harriett’s over there.” Mia pointed toward the middle of the lawn. “We brought her flowers for Mother’s Day.”

  “That’s your mom’s mother?”

  She nodded. “I don’t remember her. I was only two when she died.” As they drove farther, she pointed again. “Daddy’s over there.”

  This child had lost a lot of loved ones for someone so young. Peter hoped the visit was more reassuring than troubling. She seemed at ease so far.

  “I used to work with your father.” Peter had spent after-school hours with Sean and the wrestling team. A dedicated physical education teacher, the man had been energetic and occasionally abrasive, although never abusive. Since his death, the school had hired a series of inexperienced teachers who either quit or had their contracts dropped. He wasn’t an easy man to replace.

  In a way, Peter regretted that he and Sean hadn’t grown close. A friendship might have developed had Peter accepted his invitations to go target shooting and off-roading in the desert. While he’d been tempted, Angela had disliked being left alone on weekends.

  It had been during one of those adventures that Sean’s vehicle flipped and crushed him. He’d had a friend with him, but even though help had been summoned swiftly, the medics weren’t able to save his life.

  Peter parked near Angela’s grave, leaving room on the driveway for cars to pass. “I’ll only be a minute.”

  “I’m coming!” Mia opened her door so fast, he had to run around the high vehicle to help her down.

  “Are you sure you want to see the grave?” he asked as he lifted her little body to the ground.

  “Graves are pretty,” Mia said. “They have flowers and stuff.”

  She didn’t seem spooked. Despite his misgivings, Peter decided the simplest course was to get this over with quickly.

  As they walked between markers, Mia peered at an engraving. “That was an old man. He was born in 1920.”

  Peter noted that the fellow had died in 1944, during World War II. Not old at all. But pointing that out might make her sad.

  Then, with a familiar twist of grief, he reached the flat stone recording Angela’s name, birth and death dates, along with “Beloved wife and teacher.” The day of her burial, the pastor’s words of comfort—which hadn’t comforted him at all—had reached Peter dimly as he tried to accept that the woman he loved was gone forever. That she couldn’t feel the sunshine, or see the family and friends gathered around. That he’d nev
er laugh with her or sleep curled together again.

  To his embarrassment, tears slid from his eyes. Peter wiped them with the back of his other hand.

  “Are you crying?” Mia put her small, warm hand in his. “Does this help?”

  “Yes.” And it did.

  “She smelled nice.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Mrs. Gladstone.” She studied the marker. “I just ’member her perfume.”

  They must have met at a faculty gathering or a wrestling match. “She thought you were adorable.”

  “She’s a real angel now,” Mia said. “Do you think she knows Daddy and Grandma?”

  “She certainly knew your father when she was alive.”

  Mia gazed up at him, her face a younger version of Harper’s. “You have to come back.”

  “Come back?”

  “Mommy says you’re moving,” Mia answered. “But you’ll still visit your wife, won’t you?”

  “Yes, of course.” Strange that he hadn’t thought about that when he decided to go. Maybe he should relocate Angela’s body, especially since her family lived in Virginia. Yet this was supposed to be her final resting place.

  And what was he going to do with her china collection? Peter wondered suddenly. He’d rather not ship those cabinets and collectibles to his new home. Maybe he should sell them and donate the money to charity. But that seemed disloyal.

  I’m not leaving you behind, honey. I’ll still visit when I can.

  He imagined he could feel her disapproval. Maybe he should have her body relocated. Not something to worry about yet, however.

  His attention turned to the new vase, which was, after all, the reason for this trip. It bore a simple leaf impression instead of the elaborate floral engraving of the original, which Angela had commissioned during her final illness. On the phone, the manager had explained that he hadn’t been able to match the custom design. With a silent apology to his wife, Peter decided to accept it.

  “Will you bring my little brother to see me?” Mia asked. “I want to play with him.”

  “I’ll do my best.” Gently, Peter released her hand. “We should go eat.”

  “He’ll like the hummingbirds,” she said as they walked. “Hey! You can give him a feeder, too.”

  “That’s a good idea.” He’d install one as soon as he bought a new house, Peter decided, as a reminder of a special evening.

  * * *

  WHEN HARPER OPENED HER door, Peter noticed strain lines around her eyes. What a long day she’d worked. He’d like to give her a shoulder rub, and they could sit on the porch again and talk about all the things she’d been doing these past two weeks. “How’re you feeling?”

  “I’m fine.” She absorbed the impact of Mia’s enthusiastic embrace. “Have a good time, sweetie?”

  “We went to see Daddy and Angela!”

  So much for introducing the subject gently. “I had to check out a replacement vase at the cemetery. That was the errand I mentioned.”

  Harper angled aside to let her daughter pass. “I’m afraid we’ll have to postpone our meeting tomorrow. Adrienne has to work an extra shift, and I’m watching Reggie. But on Sunday she’ll be taking both kids, so let’s meet at the Fullerton Arboretum. The unusual plants should attract some different types of insects.” The gardens lay a half-hour drive north.

  “Good idea.” Peter swallowed his disappointment at the delay. “I’ll pick you up.”

  “Thanks, but I’d like to do some shopping in the area.” Her gaze flicked across his, avoiding contact. “Two o’clock at the front entrance?”

  “Sure.” Was she pushing him away because she was tired, or had he offended her? “I didn’t mean for Mia to see the graves. I thought I’d just be running into the main building.”

  “Did she act upset?”

  “I’m the one who needed consoling,” he admitted.

  “I’ll talk to her.” Harper shrugged. “It’s better to face her feelings, anyway.”

  “You’re not angry?”

  Her expression softened. “No. I appreciate your help tonight. It’s hard, being a single parent.”

  “I guess I’ll find out.” At their feet, a black-and-white face poked out. Seeing the kitten’s muscles bunch, Peter bent down to thwart a dash for freedom. “No escape for you, Po.”

  Tiny claws pricked his hands as he lifted the little creature. They didn’t penetrate the skin, a sign that the kitten was displaying annoyance rather than attacking.

  “Good catch. I didn’t see him.” Harper reached for the furry creature. As her arm brushed Peter’s, her sweet fragrance stirred his longing. Impulsively, Peter brushed a kiss across her temple.

  Harper stepped back, her eyes wide, her breathing rapid. “Why...?”

  “I shouldn’t have...”

  “Mommy! I can’t find Po.” Mia’s voice rang out behind her.

  “Right here.” Her forehead furrowed, Harper turned away. “Thanks again for watching her.”

  “My pleasure. Look, if you aren’t too tired...” he began.

  “I’m afraid I am. You must be worn-out, too.” Despite the apologetic words, she seemed to be retreating. “Good night.”

  “Night.” As the door closed, Peter wished he understood her reaction. She hadn’t seemed upset with him, but had been far from welcoming.

  He was glad they’d have time alone on Sunday. Not entirely alone—they’d be surrounded by other visitors—but without Mia, they might have a chance to restore their relationship to an even footing.

  He’d been foolish to yield to his impulse, Peter mused as he went down the walk. By kissing her, even on the temple, he’d violated their arrangement. Harper had donated eggs despite his deceptive behavior. On his behalf and for the baby, she’d taken hormones that messed up her system and had undergone a painful procedure. Caught up in the fertility process and enjoying her companionship, he’d reacted as if they were dating. But they weren’t. They’d agreed on that.

  On Sunday, they’d straighten this out. Surely Harper shared his belief that these next few months were meant to be treasured. He’d reassure her that he meant to keep his distance, as agreed. Then they could relax and simply have fun.

  His spirits rising, Peter could hardly wait until Sunday.

  Chapter Thirteen

  That evening, Harper and Mia watched a video from one of their last days with Sean. Mia had asked to see it.

  Harper’s thoughts kept straying to Peter. Why had he kissed her hair? It might simply be a sign of affection, but she sensed there was more.

  Could he be developing feelings for her, too?

  She rehearsed ways to tell him how she felt without pushing him away. Perhaps something along the lines of “I have to stop spending time with you because I’m starting to care too much.” That would give him an opening, in case he felt the same.

  Was he ready to let go of his wife? If so, was she ready to take their relationship to a new level?

  The answer was a slightly nervous yes.

  On the screen, she watched her late husband pretend-tussle with his toddler daughter in front of their old house. Mia squealed in delight as he lifted her high. “More, Daddy! More!”

  He tossed her up and she spread her arms. “I can fly!”

  From behind the camera came Harper’s voice. “Sean! Be careful!”

  He caught his daughter easily. “Never fear. My little girl can fly. You heard her.”

  On the couch, Mia cuddled closer to Harper. “Could he still throw me in the air? I’m bigger now.”

  “Sure. He was a wrestling coach.” Watching Sean’s muscular body, Harper remembered her husband’s strength when he held her. And when they made love...best not to think about how much she missed that. “He could have t
hrown me in the air.”

  “Really?”

  “Well, almost.”

  The video ended with Sean carrying a squealing, laughing Mia into the house. When the TV went dark, they sat for a moment.

  Mia broke the silence. “Thank you, Mommy.”

  “You’re welcome.” Although this afternoon’s excursion didn’t appear to trouble Mia, Harper decided to sound out her daughter. “Did you feel okay about visiting the cemetery today?”

  “It was fun.”

  “Not scary?” she asked as she retrieved the DVD from its tray.

  Her daughter shook her head. “Peter’s wife is an angel now. He was crying, but I held his hand and he stopped.”

  Crying, even after two years. Harper’s chest squeezed. True, sometimes in the night, she shed a few tears for Sean. But to weep in front of a child...clearly, Peter wasn’t ready to move on.

  Thank goodness she hadn’t blundered into telling him her feelings. She’d have embarrassed them both.

  “Good for you,” she told her daughter. “That was kind.”

  “I wish we had Daddy back.”

  “Me, too.”

  As she sent Mia to get ready for bed, Harper shivered at how close she’d come to making a fool of herself. How awkward to admit she was falling in love with a man whose heart belonged to his late wife.

  She’d better think carefully about what to tell him on Sunday.

  * * *

  PETER HADN’T EXPECTED to find the arboretum parking lot nearly full on a cloudy day when monsoonal moisture turned the air damp. But he was glad Harper had suggested meeting here. It was no wonder the gardens adjacent to California State University, Fullerton, teemed with visitors, considering the wealth of plants and activities. Signs announced classes in everything from yoga to composting to bird-watching for kids.

  He ought to organize a field trip for his students, Peter reflected, especially since this was the last year he’d be teaching in the area. While these gardens didn’t compare to the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, D.C., he liked the intimacy here.

  Near the entrance, sunlight reflected off Harper’s camera lens. In contrast to the rumpled visitors wandering by in loose T-shirts and flip-flops, she seemed coolly composed in tailored shorts and a halter top tied beneath her breasts to reveal a slender waist. Peter felt his body quickening, and hoped she didn’t notice. Instead, he hurried to pay the modest admission fee.