No Exchanges, No Returns

by Laurie Kellogg

  “Oh, thank God.” The child’s mother heaved a breath of relief, and tears welled in her eyes.

  “The surgeon will be about another half-hour or so. She’ll be out to talk to you as soon as she’s finished stitching him up.”

  Keith Hanson stood and shook his hand. “Thank you for everything, Dr. Lambert.”

  “Yes,” his wife agreed. “I don’t even want to think about what would’ve happened if you hadn’t been there. We appreciate you going into the operating room with Aiden. He was so scared.”

  “A familiar face always makes situations like this easier.”

  Mr. Hanson looked at Austin. “I hope this has taught the two of you to stop taking your seat belts off and rough-housing in the van while your mom is driving.”

  David winked at the little boy. “I’m sure they both learned something from this. I’m glad I could be there for Aiden. If you’ll excuse me, I need to call home.”

  He walked back to the ER and spotted Casey and his parents through the window in the door to the emergency waiting room. What the hell were they doing here? He strode out the door. “Mom, Dad? What’s going on?”

  His father explained the mix-up over the message Casey had received.

  “Ahh, Tink, I’m sorry. I should’ve taken time to call you myself.”

  “No, you did the right thing. Next time, I’ll call the ER and make sure I’ve got the message straight.”

  “I still feel lousy. I really wanted to get home early tonight so I could take you out for dinner, but the accident happened right in front of me.”

  He frowned when his dad slid his arm around Casey and sandwiched her between himself and David’s mother. “Why don’t we all go out for something to eat together?”

  “Uhhh—sure.” David bounced his gaze between the three of them. Apparently, a little life-or-death fear had worked wonders on their relationship. “Just as long as you let me pick up the check. This is my celebration.”

  “Celebration?” His dad’s brow creased. “What happened? Did you get the appointment to chief? I didn’t think the board was deciding until—”

  “No, I hired an associate pediatrician and a physician’s assistant today. I’ll only be working every other Saturday now, and I’ll have an extra day off during the week, less on-call time, and shorter work days.”

  “That’s great.” His dad slapped his back. “But can you afford it?”

  “The extra help will actually expand my practice. The additional profit will just go toward reducing my workload.” David shrugged. “I want more time to spend with the baby. I’m planning to cut back to a thirty-hour week so I still have time for the clinic. I also contacted the board and told them I’m withdrawing myself from consideration as chief.”

  Casey’s gaze snapped to his. “But you really wanted that position.”

  “No. I thought I wanted it. You helped me see the only thing I have left to prove is how much I love my family. Starting right now, I’m gonna work less and play a lot more.”

  He glanced down at his blue scrubs and chuckled. “Uhh—just as soon as I change my clothes. The three of you can wait in the main lobby for me. You can decide where to go for dinner and maybe brainstorm on a name for the baby while—”

  “But I already know what I want to name him,” Casey cut him off.

  “You do?” Why hadn’t she said anything to him?

  “That’s assuming the baby isn’t a her.” His mom chuckled. “Or do you two know something you haven’t told us?”

  “No. But face it, Mom, when was the last time a Lambert sired a girl?”

  “A grandmother can dream, can’t she?”

  “What do you want to name the baby, Tinkerbelle?”

  Casey glanced at his parents. “If it’s all right with your mom and dad, I’d like to name him James.”

  His mother’s eyes watered, and the muscles in his father’s throat visibly convulsed.

  Damn. It was just like Casey to do something like this. “I know you mean well,” David said, “but that might be a little too painful for—”

  “No,” Judy sobbed and pulled Casey into a tight hug. “I think it’s a wonderful idea. Thank you.”

  David swallowed hard, watching his parents smother Casey with affection. How could anyone not love her?

  Chapter 15

  Brianna slammed the cookbook closed and fought the urge to scream. Over the years, she’d become proficient enough reading straight text while still comprehending what she’d read. But she didn’t need the added challenge of abbreviations on top of the chemo zapping her concentration, making the how-to material even harder to digest.

  She’d bought a cake from the bakery for Marc’s fortieth birthday, but she wanted to serve him something really special for dinner tonight. It was the least she could do after he’d been so understanding and patient with her since her surgery.

  Somehow he always seemed to know what she wanted or needed. Whether it was a barf bucket, a cold compress, or even talking smut in bed. He never failed to come through without her having to ask.

  David had been an awesome lover, but he’d always been too much of a gentleman, constantly concerned about offending her sensibilities. She’d never dreamed how much a few dirty words could excite her or how greatly the macho caveman attitude Marc occasionally displayed could appeal to her—especially since it totally contradicted his gentle soul.

  She couldn’t imagine another man being sensitive enough to realize she needed lubricant during sex and then bringing home a bottle bearing a phony label that said Pecker Grease, making it seem as if the problem were his.

  If he could be innovative, so could she.

  She picked up the phone and stabbed out David’s number, heaving a relieved sigh when her sister answered. “Thank goodness you’re not at the school today.”

  “No, lately I’m here most afternoons, floating around the pool like a giant manatee.” Casey laughed. “I’ve gotten a great tan this summer.”

  “I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying the resort. Listen, you know that creamy mustard chicken dish of yours that David loves? Can you tell me how to make it?”

  Casey gasped. “You’re cooking?”

  “Well, let’s just say I’m going to try. Believe me, if you were here, I’d be letting you make it.”

  “Then maybe it’s good I’m not there. Who’s the guy?” The hopeful tone in Casey’s voice implied things were progressing nicely between David and her.

  “What makes you think there’s a guy?” Brianna asked.

  “Oh, come on.” Casey snorted softly in her ear. “You wouldn’t be trying to cook something that ambitious if you weren’t out to impress some man.”

  “Umm....I’m just having my boss and his wife for dinner,” Brianna fibbed. She had to discourage her sister from asking about Marc. If Casey learned Brianna was living with a neurosurgeon it would spawn a zillion questions with answers that might arouse suspicion.

  Although, now that she thought about it, if she really wanted to ease her sister’s conscience about becoming involved with David, the best thing would be for Casey to hear Brianna was moving on. Except, it was too late to change her story now.

  “Speaking of your boss, what’re you doing home today?” Casey asked. “Shouldn’t you be at work?”

  “I’m taking a personal day,” she lied again, ducking slightly to avoid any potential lightening strikes from telling too many whoppers. “Seriously, Case, I need your help. I want this dinner to be really special. You’re right, there is a guy. My boss invited a blind date for me.”

  Brianna only had a short time to show Marc how grateful she was and how much she loved him. His repeated proposals had convinced her she needed to leave before either of them became more involved than they already were. Loving him would only make it hurt that much more to die. Besides, it would be far easier for him to mourn her now than after she became more ingrained in his life and then passed away.

  The deep remorse Marc had confes
sed about all the hours he’d missed spending with his late wife had convinced Brianna how unfair it was not giving her family a chance to do everything they wanted for her before her death so they’d have no regrets later. He was right. It was selfish to deny them the chance to be with her.

  In five weeks, Casey would be having the baby. It would be the perfect opportunity for Brianna to move back to Pennsylvania and spend some quality time with her sister and the baby—before her health deteriorated. She could finish any further treatment with Dr. Hudson in Philly.

  She just hoped Marc would understand and forgive her for devoting whatever time she had left to her twin instead of him.

  ~*~

  “Everything looks good.” Paul lowered the sheet a week later after examining Casey. “Any other complaints besides the incessant backache?”

  “Where would you like me to start?” Casey snorted as David helped her sit up. “I can’t get most of my shoes on anymore, and I’m constantly exhausted. Between the heartburn, wetting my pants every time I sneeze, and my inability to get out of my own way, I feel like I’m ready for the geriatric unit instead of the maternity ward.”

  David and his friend both laughed.

  “Sounds perfectly normal for a woman who’s thirty-four weeks pregnant.” Paul patted her shoulder.

  “Then why’d you ask if I have any complaints?”

  “I think it’s important for expectant mothers to have an official gripe session in front of the baby’s dad. It validates her feelings and reminds the father what she’s going through.”

  “Believe me, I don’t need any reminders.” David squeezed her hand. “I wish I could make it easier for you.”

  She winced at the tightening in her abdomen and rubbed her belly. “Is it normal to have so many Braxton Hicks contractions this early?”

  “Absolutely.” Paul nodded. “Your uterus is gearing up for the big event. I recently had a woman drag me out of bed three times during her last week, swearing she was in labor. When she finally came in for the real deal, she was wishing she could have just a few Braxton Hicks.”

  “She must have been mortified about crying wolf so often. How do you function, losing that much sleep?”

  Paul shrugged. “I’m used to it. It’s part of my job. How’re the childbirth prep classes going?”

  “Good. My last class is tomorrow night.”

  He stared at her silently for several seconds and finally asked what he obviously really wanted to know. “How’s Andy?”

  “She’s fine.”

  David shoved his friend’s shoulder. “Why don’t you call her and ask her yourself?”

  “I’ve tried. She’s screening her phone calls. It wouldn’t be so bad if I knew what I did wrong.”

  Casey bit her lip. She probably should butt out, but Paul had a right to know. “You didn’t do anything wrong. Andy’s the one with the problem.”

  “But she seemed to have such a good time with me that weekend. I thought we’d started something lasting. Then, boom, she doesn’t want to see me anymore.”

  Casey reminded him of Andy’s history with her cheating ex-fiancé. “She’s just scared. She imagines you spending your days groping beautiful women, too.”

  Paul released a frustrated breath. “The story of my life. I guess I was just transitional hanky-panky after her break-up.”

  “Hey,”—David shrugged—“if you really like her, don’t give up. Go hang out at the school if she refuses to answer your phone calls. She can’t ignore you there.”

  “Yeah, that’ll look great in the headlines. Gynecologist Arrested for Stalking at a Preschool.” Paul’s gaze shifted between them several times before landing back on David. “What about you, idiot? You gonna make an honest woman—”

  “Would you two mind skedaddling so I can get dressed?” Casey changed the subject, looking pointedly at the sheet covering her bare lower half.

  “Uhhh—sure. Sorry.” David shoved Paul out the door. “I’ll meet you in the waiting room, Tinkerbelle.”

  She hated the way everyone kept pressuring David to commit to her. People couldn’t grasp that although they might be living together as a couple, they weren’t seriously involved. Or, at least, he wasn’t. Everyone’s matchmaking simply made things awkward between them.

  While stepping into her underwear, Paul’s remark about transitional hanky-panky replayed in her head.

  It was normal for a person coming out of a failed relationship to indulge in a meaningless romance or two before being able to fully open his or her heart again. She didn’t think that was what David’s relationship with her amounted to, but she couldn’t be sure. Even he admitted he was confused.

  She’d feel less pain being hit by a bus than seeing him with another woman, but maybe that was exactly what he needed to sort out his feelings. Perhaps dating would help him appreciate how special their bond really was. Sure, there was a risk he could fall for someone else, and she hated the idea of him being with another woman. But if it convinced him in the end that she was the only one for him, it would be worth it.

  No doubt he would balk at the suggestion, so she would just have to say or do whatever it took to convince him. There was only one thing she wanted less than for their relationship to turn out to be just an interim fling—that was for David settle for her as his most practical option.

  ~*~

  The following night, David dogpaddled in the pool while Casey floated next to him, naked, chatting about her day. “So the construction on the school’s addition is completely finished, the desks have been delivered, and the interactive SMART Boards I ordered have been installed.”

  He’d missed her when he’d come home to an empty house after work that evening. When she’d trudged in at ten o’clock, griping about her last birthing class and rubbing her back, he’d suggested a moonlight swim.

  As she did the backstroke from one side of the pool to the other, her pale breasts looked almost luminous in the moonlight “All that’s left is for the construction fence to be taken down so the landscapers can finish.”

  “What about teachers for the two new classes?”

  “This afternoon, I hired two of the applicants I interviewed last week. The kindergarten teacher is fresh out of college, but she’s really enthusiastic.”

  “I’m sure she’ll do fine. Attitude is half the job with kids that age.”

  “Well, I got really lucky with the first grade teacher. She has a Special Ed degree and five years experience teaching kids with developmental delays.”

  “She sounds perfect.” He swam up behind her, and wrapped his arms around her, and stroked her swollen abdomen.

  As he slid his hands up and cupped her breasts, Casey sighed, “I’m thinking maybe it’s time for you to start dating again.”

  “You want me to do what?” David spun her around and stared at her.

  “You heard me.” She splashed him in the face, making light of what she’d just proposed. “I think it would be good for you. Andy gave me a brochure tonight for this great service that matches up professional people.”

  “But I have no desire to go out with anyone.”

  “Maybe I want you to.” She swam away.

  He grabbed her hand and dragged her through the water to him. “What’s this really about? You want me to hook up with another woman so I’ll leave you alone?”

  She stared up at him and huffed. “No-o, that’s not what I’m saying. I just think, since there’s no real commitment between us, we should both explore other relationships. The enrollment at the preschool is full for the next year, so I’m going to start looking for a small house. I passed a newly renovated cottage for sale by owner on the way to school this morning.”

  Damn it. She constantly had one foot out the door.

  “I called the number on the sign, and it turns out the owners are Tyler and Annie Fitzpatrick. Annie said you’re her kids’ doctor. She lived in the cottage before they were married last fall. She just had a baby at the end of J
une—”

  “Yes, I know. He’s adorable.” He gripped both of her shoulders. “I get it! You figure if I’m involved with someone else, I’ll be too distracted to notice when you slink out of here with my baby. Not likely, Tinkerbelle.”

  “Darn it, David, I simply want you to have some privacy.” She pushed off from him and paddled to the side of the pool. “No self-respecting woman would consider a romantic relationship with a man who’s living with his child’s mother.”

  Maybe she wasn’t only worried about his love life. Was it possible she feared other men wouldn’t be interested in her if she were living with him?

  He swam up behind her. “Do you mean you want to start dating again after the baby’s born?”

  She kept her face turned from him, silent for a moment before a chuckle burst out of her as if she’d forced it. “Well, duhh....of course I want to start dating again. Especially now that you’ve shown me what I was missing in bed.”

  The thought of her responding to another man the way she did to him ripped up his insides.

  “Besides,” she added in a blasé tone, “I’ll need something to keep me busy while the baby’s with you.”

  He couldn’t imagine playing with their child without her. Holding her shoulders, he pulled her back against his body. “What if I decide to get serious with you, instead? If we got married, would—”

  “David,” she cut him off and spun in his arms to face him. “I didn’t suggest you start dating to force you into a commitment. In fact, I wouldn’t even consider it. I’m not interested in a marriage of convenience.”

  “But it wouldn’t be like that.” He threaded his fingers through her wet hair. “I mean, we care for each other, don’t we?”

  “Which is exactly why I’d say no. I don’t want us to end up hating each other. After the baby’s born, I’m moving out. The Fitzpatrick’s cottage is less than a mile from here, so you can see your child as much as you want. Okay?”

  “Whatever.” He pressed her against the side of the pool and brushed her lips with his. “I just want you and the baby to be happy.”