“It’s a little fast but within range.” She pulled the stethoscope from around her neck. “I’m going to need to listen to your heart.” She started undoing the second button of his shirt.
“Why, China, I had no idea you cared. You’ve hidden it so well.”
She fixed him with a look meant to quell him. Instead he enjoyed it. A sure sign he was starting to recover.
China removed another button then slipped the stethoscope under his shirt and listened. She was so close he could smell the salt from the ocean in her hair. One breast brushed his arm as she moved the stethoscope around on his chest. Oh, yes, he was undeniably feeling better.
The look of concentration on her face made him question if she’d heard something out of the ordinary. Done, she pulled the stethoscope away.
Her eyes widened slightly. She’d seen it. She was close enough that he heard her suck in a breath. Seconds later she released it and it warmed his neck. She’d seen the small blue tattoo on his chest. Now she knew what he’d never planned to tell.
“You’ve had radiation.” She stated it in a matter-of-fact way. There was no pity, no sadness, just plain acceptance of fact.
“Yes.”
“How long ago?”
“Months.”
She leaned away from him but didn’t stand. “Why didn’t you drink more tonight? Say you needed to eat? You have to take better care of yourself. You should have said something. Asked for a minute to get something to drink.”
He grabbed the door facing and pulled himself up. “You sound like my mom.” China jumped up and reached an arm out to help him. He shook it off. “Are you about done with the lecture? We were swamped and you expected me to sit down and enjoy a meal. Give me more credit than that. I’m going home, China. You should, too.”
Payton placed a hand on the wall to steady himself and took another draw on the sports drink.
“You’re not driving yourself home.”
“How do you plan to stop me?”
“I’ll call the police if I have to.” She gave him a determined look that made him think she just might.
Too tired, too out of sorts and desperately wanting his bed, he nodded his agreement. “Okay. But you have to promise not to tell anyone about this or that I’ve been sick.”
“Agreed. You wait here while I turn off the lights.”
Payton did as he was told, no longer up to fighting with her. Soon she was back and they headed out the door. She offered to help him but he refused. It was bad enough she had to drive him home. He wasn’t sure how he’d face her on Monday morning.
When China started toward her car he said, “No way am I going to fold into that tiny car. You drive mine.”
She looked a little unsure for a minute then nodded. He dug out his keys and handed them to her.
As she pulled out of the parking lot she asked, “Where to?”
“West Beach Road. Five point three miles on the right. Three-story facing the ocean.”
As he leaned his head back and closed his eyes he heard her low whistle. “Nice real estate.”
Payton didn’t know how long it took China to drive him home because he slept the entire way. It wasn’t until he felt a gentle shake on his shoulder that he woke.
“I think you’re home. Is this it?” China asked, looking out the front window.
“Yes.” Payton reached for the handle and pushed the door open. “See you later.”
“I’m coming up. With all those steps I want to make sure you don’t fall.”
Payton said a sharp word under his breath. “You’re determined to emasculate me.”
“I don’t think that’s possible. Your self-esteem and women’s reactions to your good looks won’t let that happen.”
“So you think I’m handsome?”
“I’m not having this conversation at one a.m.”
He stepped out of the car and started up the staircase. The thump of China’s feet told him she was close behind. Guilt washed over him. She had to be every bit as tired as he was and she was babysitting him. He flipped the mat back and pulled the house key out from under it. Opening the door wide, he went in and flipped on a light. “Okay, now you have seen me home you can go. I’ll get a ride in tomorrow and pick up my car.”
“You plan to get a shower?”
“Why? You want to join me?”
She looked at him with a smirk. “No, but I don’t want you to fall and have no one here with you.”
“How do you know there is no one here?”
With satisfaction he watched her turn red. “I don’t. I just assumed because you have never mentioned anyone...”
“China, there’s no one here. You don’t need to feel any obligation to stay. I’ll be fine getting a shower. Go on home.”
“I’ll just wait.”
After a huff of impatience he moved closer to her. “I want you to leave me alone.”
“I will when I know you’re safe.”
He shifted so close that her breasts were only inches from his chest. She sucked in a breath and her eyes widened. “You can’t intimidate me.”
“I’d bet I can.” Payton wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her against him. His mouth caught the small sound of astonishment that escaped her lips before he covered them with his. Her lips were warm and full, wonderful. Her hand grabbed his shirt at his waist as if she needed to steady herself. After a few seconds she leaned toward him.
Payton let her go almost as quickly as he’d held her. He looked into her eyes. “I may be sick but I’m not dead. It has been a long time for me so don’t come and check on me before you leave unless you plan to stay.”
* * *
The next morning the sun was high enough in the sky it was becoming warm as China drove Payton’s car toward his house. Had she gone crazy? Unable to stand not checking on him, she tamped down her nervousness. She’d made up her mind it was necessary and started driving.
He’d actually kissed her the night before. Why? Had she pushed him too far? Had he been trying to scare her so she would leave him alone? If that was the answer it had worked. He was walking down the hall when she tore out the back door. She’d run like the proverbial rabbit.
She had worried all night that something might happen to him and now she’d made a fool out of herself by checking on him. In order to stall, she’d stopped to buy donuts. Before leaving home, she’d pulled some of her homemade chicken soup out of the freezer. If he wasn’t into the questionable nutrition of donuts, maybe he’d appreciate the soup for lunch.
The sports car’s tires crunched against the shell drive as she pulled in and stopped beside the stairs. Turning the vehicle off, she rested her forehead on the steering wheel in an effort to gather her wits. What was she going to say? I was worried about you. He wouldn’t like that. He’d made that clear. Maybe I just thought you might like breakfast. I brought you your car back. I loved your kiss, and I came out for more. No, she wouldn’t say that.
She raised her head, took a fortifying breath and opened the car door. As she placed a foot on the drive, a deep voice said in a sarcastic tone, “I was beginning to wonder if you were ever getting out.”
China jumped. Her heart racing, her hand went to her chest before her gaze jerked upward, “Oh, you scared me.”
“What’re you doing here?”
He wasn’t happy to see her. Okay, what was her plan? “I thought I may as well drive out and return your car. You can just take me home.”
“Is that nurse-speak for ‘I’m here to check on you’?”
“Yes. No. Maybe.”
“You couldn’t help yourself, could you? You have to make sure everyone is all right, taken care of.”
China started up the stairs again. “Here I was trying to be nice and considerate.
I brought your precious car back in one piece and brought you some donuts, plus chicken soup.”
“Chicken soup? So you do think I’m an invalid. I don’t need your pity, China.”
She reached the porch where he stood glaring down at her. He was dressed in a pair of sport shorts and a T-shirt that had seen better days. Despite that, he looked heartier than he had the night before. She kind of liked the not so buttoned-up version of him, despite the snarl on his face.
“Please, don’t mistake my concern as pity. I pity people I don’t know. You’re too aggravating to pity. So you can get over that idea.”
His lips lifted slightly.
“I’ll leave these for you.” She indicated the donut box and bag with the soup in it. “I’ll also call someone to come and get me. I’ll just put these on the kitchen counter. You’ll never know I was here.”
His eyes moved slowly upward to meet her gaze and down her body again. “I doubt that.”
Heat filled her. Was he referring to last night? China didn’t know how to respond or if she wanted to, so she opened the door they’d used the night before and went inside. She placed the food on the counter. Was he trying to frighten her away? She refused to react to his poor behavior.
“Sorry to be such a grouch.” He stepped over and picked up the donut box. “How about sharing these with me? Or I’ll take you home, if you want.”
Why didn’t she jump at the chance? Maybe because she found this proud man interesting? He certainly kept her on her toes mentally. Since he’d come to town it had been one usual day after another.
“I guess I could have a donut since you asked so nicely.”
“Good. Then why don’t we eat these out on the porch? You want something to drink? Coffee’s made.”
“I’d just like a glass of water. I’ll get it if you’ll tell me where to find a glass.”
“On the right side of the sink.” He headed out the door. “I’m starving.”
China found a tumbler, ran water into it and put in a couple of ice cubes. She considered the large kitchen area. She’d not paid much attention the night before, having been more concerned about Payton. The room was beautiful, decorated in a beach motif with a modern twist. It had bright blue round placemats on the oversize table that would accommodate a large family. Yellow and white striped curtains adorned the windows but didn’t block the light. She liked it.
Picking up her glass, she went out to the porch. Payton sat on a settee with his legs stretched out over a table and the box of donuts on the cushion beside him. He had a blissful look on his face.
China took the chair to his right. He picked up the box and offered it to her. She pulled a donut out and gazed out toward the water. This area wasn’t overly populated, like her part of town. She now knew why he had chosen to come out here and eat. The view of the ocean was amazing, wide and unobstructed.
Neither of them said anything. In some ways it was the most pleasant morning China had ever spent but in other ways it was the most disconcerting. The undercurrent of awareness between her and Payton made her feel edgy, insecure.
“I like your view,” China finally said.
“Thanks. I’ve never really thought about it.”
“How could you not?”
“I liked the house because it was far enough out to be private.”
“Well, you sure got a view whether you value it or not. I’ve lived in Golden Shores my entire life and never had one this wonderful.”
“Feel free to stop by and enjoy it any time.”
She wouldn’t be doing that. At least, not when he was home. “The house is plenty big enough for your family to visit.”
“I don’t see them coming down.”
For a second a look of regret cross his face but he soon recovered. The tone of his statement had her thinking that was a subject he didn’t want to talk about any more than he did about having had cancer.
“You and your family are pretty tight, aren’t you?” he asked.
“I am with my parents. I don’t see my sister regularly.” That was an understatement. “Do you see your parents often?”
He looked away and out toward the ocean. “I did when I was in Chicago but now that I’m down here obviously not much. I talk to Mom off and on, though.”
“What about your dad?”
“He’s not really speaking to me these days.” He raised a hand, palm up, stopping further questions. “Which is something I’m not going to discuss.”
So that was a touchy subject as well.
“Payton, why did you decide to move to Golden Shores? Outside of tourists, we aren’t on anyone’s radar.”
“I wanted to make a change in my life.”
“Because you’ve been sick?”
“You can call it what it is, China. Cancer. Lymphoma.”
“Okay, because of the cancer.” She still had a hard time saying the word.
“That and other things. The cancer made me see that I wanted to live life instead of spending my time climbing the career ladder at work or the social ladder outside work.”
“Well, you’ve come to the right place for that. The only ladders I know of around here are the ones behind the sheds of people’s houses.”
Payton threw his head back and laughed. China joined him.
He slowly recovered. “That statement is just the reason why I am here.” He looked at her long enough to make her squirm before he said, “You know, I think that’s the only time I’ve ever heard you laugh. You should do it more often. You have a beautiful one.”
Suddenly the conversation had turned personal and China wasn’t as comfortable.
He continued, “I just want to work and put the cancer behind me. I moved down here to make a change for the better. I don’t want people to feel sorry for me and I don’t want to be treated differently.”
“If you are talking about last night, we all need help some times. It isn’t a bad thing to let others in.”
“I had no intention of doing so. I would have never told you if you hadn’t seen...”
Time to change the subject. “I put the chicken soup in the refrigerator. If you don’t want it, just throw it out.”
Payton looked at her. “I thought you didn’t cook.”
“I never said I didn’t cook. I just don’t like to cook.” China took a bite of a donut.
“I see.”
“It’s my grandmom’s recipe, if you must know. I make a batch up and freeze it. So it was no big deal to bring it.”
“I appreciate you thinking about me.”
Warmth filled her. He did sound grateful. There was a first time for everything. “You look like you’re feeling much better. Did you have any trouble last night?”
He pierced her with a look that made her glow inside. Had he thought about their kiss? “Um, do you think you could take me home now? I’m supposed to be at my parents’ for lunch.”
“Sure, give me a minute to change. I’d planned to go sailing today anyway.” He stood and gathered up the donut box.
“Do you think you should? After last night?”
A horrified looked marred his handsome features. “I’m fine, China. I just got a little dehydrated, that’s all. Please, don’t make more of it than there was.”
“I just—”
“I know. You just can’t help yourself.” He moved around the table and passed her in one lithe movement that implied he was in perfect health.
China had to admit that over the past week he look like his skin had taken on a golden hue. As ridiculously aggravating as she found Payton at times, she liked him. He’d added excitement to her rather dull life.
“Let me get my shoes and gear. I’ll drop you by your house on my way to the boat.”
“You own a sailboat?�
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His eyes lit up. “Yeah. A thirty-footer that is so sweet.”
What would it be like to have Payton look at her with that same gaze of happiness? Why would she care? They just barely tolerated each other. The only time they seemed to work seamlessly was while caring for patients, and kissing. She shouldn’t think about that.
“You need to be sure to drink plenty of water and wear your sunscreen. You don’t want to relapse.”
“China...” his gaze locked with hers “...stop it. I’m fine. I’m not one of your projects.”
“I’m sorry. It just comes out sometimes.”
“Forgiven this time. I’ll get my stuff and be ready to go.”
While Payton had disappear into his house, China took her tumbler inside and put it in the kitchen sink. Unable to control her curiosity about the rest of his home, she moved to the archway that separated the kitchen area from the living room. It was the most beautiful room she’d ever seen, with all the glass windows bringing in not only the sunlight but the view of the Gulf.
She ran a hand along the arm of one of the two blue overstuffed sofas accented in red. They faced each other in front of a framed large-screen TV above the fireplace. The high ceiling and slow-moving fans gave it an overwhelming feeling of comfort. Her breath caught as she moved further into the room. Before her was a grouping of comfortable-looking chairs covered in a sand-color fabric that faced the ocean. Stepping over to one, she marveled at the one-eighty-degree view.
The only thing missing to make the room perfect was greenery, something living. In her mind’s eye she placed a Hawaiian ti near the chairs, crotons in a bright spot on the end table and a majesty palm in the corner. She smiled. Perfect.
“Hey, I was looking for you. Ready to go?”
Payton looked healthy in his white knit shirt and navy shorts. He wore docksiders on his feet. The quintessential yachtsman, if she’d ever seen a picture of one.
China glanced down at her pink T-shirt and blue jean cutoffs. They were definitely from two different worlds. She would go shopping this week and do better with her dressing.
“Just waiting on you.”
The Doctor Who Made Her Love Again Page 6