by Joan Hohl
Rebecca.
Merely thinking her name moved him. He made a half turn to go back into her room, when he caught himself short. What the hell was he doing?
Seth was tempted to laugh. He was driving himself crazy over one kiss, that’s what he was doing.
Not too smart, Andrews, he chided himself, as he strode down the corridor, immune to the speculative sidelong glances following his every step.
True to his word, as he always appeared to be, Seth entered her room as Becca was finishing her breakfast. Without asking, he examined the contents of the tray, taking note of what she had eaten.
“You didn’t drink your juice.”
“I don’t like grape juice,” she muttered in annoyance. Who did he think he was anyway?
Seth raised his eyebrows and observed wryly, “I see you drank all your coffee.”
“I do like coffee.” She gave him her sweetest smile. “Matter of fact, I’ve asked for a second cup.”
His gaze lingered on her lips for an extra moment. Becca was hard put not to shiver in response to the heated look she thought she saw in his eyes.
Ridiculous. She rejected the very idea. Seth Andrews giving her a heated look? Yeah, right.
“You have company.”
His remark scattered her thoughts, silly as they were. “I have company? Who?” She couldn’t imagine. Her parents had retired to a lovely retirement complex in the region around Williamsburg, Virginia. Her sister, Rachael, lived and worked in Atlanta. How would they have known she was back in the States from Africa…?
That damn newspaper article.
“Do you want to see them?”
His voice, now edged with impatience, once again broke into her thoughts.
“Yes, of course I want to see them,” she said, every bit as impatiently. “When did they arrive?”
“Yesterday.”
Yesterday? Becca frowned. “But, why didn’t I see them then?”
“You weren’t allowed company yesterday.”
“You—”
“No,” he said, cutting her off. “Not me. Pulmonary. Dr. Inge decided you needed more time.”
Becca sighed. “The head honcho of Pulmonary.”
“I see you recall the staff here.” He smiled. As slight as it was, his smile went straight to her heart and lungs. She started coughing.
In the next instant, he was pressing the cold stethoscope against her chest. Without speaking, or asking, he lifted her up once again, this time to press the cold instrument to her back.
“Deep breaths.”
“I only swallowed the wrong way,” she lied, grabbing at the first excuse to enter her empty head.
“Uh-huh, don’t talk, deep breaths.”
Becca didn’t need to be told again; she knew he wouldn’t give up until she followed his order.
“Well?” she asked, when he lowered her back onto the bed. “It’s clear, isn’t it?”
“Yes, fortunately.”
She eyed him suspiciously. “Why…fortunately?”
“Because, if there had been the lightest hint of a rustling sound,” he answered in a stern tone, “I’d have sent your company packing until tomorrow…maybe.”
She heaved a dramatic-sounding, long-suffering sigh. “Since there wasn’t, may I see my family now? Please,” she muttered through clenched teeth.
“Sure.” With that too breezy reply, he sauntered from the room.
If Becca had had something heavy at hand, she’d have hurled it at his head.
Moments later, Seth ushered Becca’s parents and sister, Rachael, into the room. “Keep an eye on the time,” he said, before walking away.
Becca might have frowned, maybe called out a question to him, but she was caught up in being hugged by her parents and sister, hugging back while tears filled her eyes and overflowed onto her cheeks. As her mother and sister clung to her, her father stood by, holding her hand, as if to say, I’m here.
Crying, laughing, everyone spoke at once.
“How did you know…?” Becca began.
“Dr. Andrews called minutes before we saw the article in the paper,” her mother answered.
“I learned about it on the TV news, and then Mom called me,” Rachael said.
Becca was appalled. “It was on the TV news?”
“Yes.” Rachael nodded, grinning. “Prime time, both network and cable.” Her grin grew into a quick laugh. “You’re a genuine heroine.”
“But I’m not,” Becca protested. “I’m no more a heroine than any other nurse.” Her voice rose in agitation. “If I’m a heroine, then so are they!”
“Calm down, honey,” her father murmured soothingly, squeezing her hand. “Do you want us to get thrown out of here?”
Shocked by his question, Becca glanced up at him as her mother and sister released their hold and stepped back. “Thrown out?” she yelped. “What do you mean? Why would you be thrown out?”
“The good doctor warned us not to upset you,” her father said, annoyed. “As if we would deliberately do or say anything to upset you.” He stared at her, visibly concerned. “How are you feeling, honey?”
“I’m okay, really,” she quickly declared when he appeared skeptical. “I’m still a little tired, but my lungs are clear and I feel okay.”
“You look more than a little tired, Rebecca,” her mother said, frowning at her.
Becca sighed, but she had to agree. “Yeah, I know. I saw myself in a mirror for the first time this morning. I know I look like death warmed over.” And at the time, she had wondered what had prompted Seth to kiss her. She looked a mess. Oh, that’s right, she recalled. How could she forget? He kissed her to shut her up.
“Don’t even say such a thing,” he mother said, bringing Becca’s flashing thoughts to a sudden stop.
“What?” She blinked, catching up to what she had said. “Well, it’s true, I do look a sorry sight,” she defended herself, fighting a grin. She lowered her voice ominously, and said, “Like the face of death.”
“Rebecca, that is not funny.”
“No?” She gave her mother a wide-eyed, innocent look. “Then why is Dad chuckling, Rachael nearly choking on suppressed laughter, and your lips twitching?”
Her mother tried to look stern, and failed. “You always were a handful,” she said, shaking her head as in despair of her youngest.
Her father’s chuckle deepened and Rachael lost it, laughing out loud.
“And you weren’t much better,” her mother said, switching her mock stern look to Rachael.
Rachael laughed harder. Her laughter was contagious and soon her father and Becca joined in. Finally, her mother gave up trying to appear stern and laughed along with the rest of her family.
It was like old times, the four of them laughing together. They had always been a close-knit unit, and it was obvious they loved her as much as Becca loved them.
“We’ve missed you all these months, Becca,” her mother said, her eyes growing misty.
“I missed you, too,” Becca replied, feeling the sting in her own eyes.
“Are you going back?” her father asked, always the practical one.
“I’d like to.” Becca sighed. “But I really don’t believe I’ll be allowed to go.”
Rachael took her remark personally. “But…why?” she demanded. “Not that we wouldn’t miss you just as much as we did before, but I could tell from your letters and e-mails that you loved working there. Why shouldn’t you be able to go back when you’re fully recovered?”
“I’ll tell you why.” The low voice came from the doorway.
Becca didn’t need to look to see who it was. Only the sound of that one low voice could send chills skating up and down her spine.
“Why then?” Her mother and Rachael turned in unison to confront Seth Andrews, challenge in both their voices. Apparently, her father was prudently going to wait for an answer before he challenged anyone. Becca smiled as he gave her hand another light squeeze.
“Because,” Se
th calmly answered, “Rebecca is too dedicated or too bullheaded to take care of herself. That’s why she was sent home.”
“You sent me home,” Becca corrected challengingly, swallowing when he slid a look at her.
“You’re damn right I did.”
Three
T he next day, while absently sipping her lunchtime coffee Becca mulled over the events of the day before, most particularly her family’s reaction to Seth Andrews’s comment about Becca being bullheaded.
Were there angry outcries against his assessment of her? Oh, no, she mused, scowling into her now empty cup. Laughter, each and every one of them. Mother, father and sister agreed with him.
Traitors. The thought wiped the scowl from her lips, replacing it with a smile. It was rather funny, Becca had to agree, at least to herself. Hadn’t the three of them been saying the exact same thing, telling her she was bullheaded, since she was in middle school? Truth be told, they had been saying that before she was out of diapers!
Still…they hadn’t had to agree with the man, wiseass that he was!
Said wiseass picked that moment to stroll into her room, looking far too attractive for her own good.
“Mail call,” he said, holding a cream-colored envelope out to her as he came to stop beside the bed. “And hand delivered, at that.”
“Hand delivered?” She was beginning to frown when the light went on in her brain. “Oh, you mean by you.”
Shaking his head, as if in despair of her, Seth answered, “No, by a delivery man. You know, the kind of person hired to deliver something.”
Condescending jerk, Becca inwardly raged, feeling a need to smack the superior look from his face. But since she was in bed and couldn’t reach it, she plucked the envelope from his hand instead.
The very first thing that struck her was the weight and texture of the paper. Expensive stuff, she mused, sliding a fingernail under the flap. Removing the note from the envelope, she quickly scanned it, softly gasped and slowly reread the contents. It began…
Ms. Jameson,
It’s my pleasure to inform you that due to your sacrifice and dedication in giving of your service to the people of Africa, you have been chosen to be awarded by the person to be known as an admirer.
Your award will consist of the use of a fully equipped cabin in the Appalachian Mountains until you are fully recovered or for as long as you wish to stay. Although directions are included, you will be transported to and from your destination. The cabin will be fully supplied, along with a housekeeper/part-time nurse for your care.
We sincerely hope you are well and hearty again soon. Meanwhile, a telephone number is also listed, in case you need anything at all. Please, do not hesitate to call if you do.
That was it, other than a second sheet with the directions.
“Well, damn,” Becca muttered, once again reading the missive.
“There’s a problem?”
Becca was just getting an inkling that Seth was possibly behind this invitation, but his expression, his tone of voice, doused the idea.
“This is incredible,” she answered, frowning down at the sheets of paper in her hand. “I don’t know whether to take it seriously or laugh and tear it up.”
“May I?” He held his hand out for the letter.
She shrugged. “Sure, why not.”
Taking the papers from her, he carefully scanned both sheets before looking at her. “Take it seriously.”
“Why should I?”
“I take it you’ve never heard of the anonymous billionaire?”
“Obviously not,” she said, a tad sharply. “But, also obviously, you have. And what does an anonymous billionaire have do to with this letter?” She arched her brows.
He smiled. Well, almost.
“Yes, I have heard of him, but I’m sure whoever it is, he is your benefactor. No one knows who he is, except of course, those who work for him. The person is considered an eccentric, reclusive, generous older man who, in his later years, is sharing the wealth, so to speak.”
“Well, naturally, I can’t accept this offer.”
“Why not?” It was his turn to frown.
“Why not?” she repeated in surprise. “Because it would be like being rewarded for doing my job.”
“And…?” Again he pulled that aggravating look of superiority.
“And why should I be?”
Seth leveled an impatient look at her. “Rebecca, you have gone above and beyond the duty of other nurses.”
“But…”
He silenced her by simply raising one hand. “I was there, remember? I witnessed your devotion to caring for those people, your genuine affection for them. In the process, you wore yourself out…completely. This generous person is offering you a retreat, a quiet place to rest and rebuild your strength.”
Becca was on the verge of protesting once more, but reality intruded. He was right, of course. She was tired, even after several days in bed. The nurse inside her knew she needed more than a week or so to get back to normal.
Besides, she knew Seth, along with her family, would nag her until she agreed.
She let out a soft sigh of defeat. “Okay, I’ll go to the mountains,” she said, quickly adding, “but only until I feel up to par again.”
“Good girl.” Seth actually smiled. Amazing. “And you missed a third sheet.” He held the paper aloft before handing it to her.
“I did?” Becca frowned, taking the sheet from him. She read the page, then sharply glanced up at him. “This is ridiculous.”
“Why?” He arched one eyebrow at her.
She rattled the paper impatiently. “It says a limo will be waiting for me here at the hospital the day I’m released.”
“Yes, I read it…so?”
Becca let out a loud sigh. “So…so? So, I have to go home, to my apartment.”
“Why?” He raised an eyebrow.
“Why?” she repeated, waving a hand in agitation. “Because I have to pack my things…hell, I need to wash the clothes I brought home with me.”
He smiled.
She stifled an impulse to jump from the bed and slug him a good one. “What’s so amusing?”
“You are.” His smile matured into a grin. “You are very easy to rile. Rebecca, your mother and Rachael can take care of everything.”
“Oh.” It was stupid—no, it was downright asinine—but damned if she didn’t bristle at hearing him say her sister’s name. Stupid maybe but…could he possibly feel an attraction to Rachael? Becca smothered an urge to sigh, or cry. She closed her eyes.
It was blatantly obvious Seth Andrews did not feel any kind of an attraction to her, Becca thought, despite that kiss…to shut her up. Why wouldn’t he feel an attraction to another woman? Being the eldest, Rachael was beautiful, bright, single and closer to his age. Becca suspected Seth was at least ten years her senior. And, while the difference didn’t bother her, it might bother him.
“Hello?” His voice was soft, curious. “Have you fallen asleep on me?”
I wish. Becca shook her head.
His smile vanished, replaced by a look of concern. “Are you feeling all right?”
“I’m a little tired,” she said, determined not to admit exactly how tired she felt.
Suddenly he was at the side of her bed, his fingers on the pulse in her wrist, his glance directed to the blood pressure and heart rate monitor to one side.
“I’m okay,” she insisted, wanting nothing more than for him to stop touching her. No, what she really wanted was to be swept into his arms for another scorching kiss.
Ain’t gonna happen, Becca told herself, except in her dreams.
“Well, your vitals are normal,” Seth admitted, gazing down at her in concern. “Do you see now why I insisted you accept that billionaire’s offer?” Before she could respond, he added, “The mountains are ideal for resting and recovering. No distractions, fresh air and a housekeeper to take care of you.”
“I suppose,” Becca said, blinking agai
nst the tears misting her eyes. While she knew he was concerned for her as a doctor, she couldn’t help feeling he would be happy to see her go.
Her eyelids were losing the blinking battle, so she closed them to staunch the flow. “I think I’d like to take a nap now.”
“I think you should.”
He didn’t move for long seconds. Becca felt sure the gathering tears were about to escape and embarrass her. Finally, she heard the soft swish as he turned and headed to the doorway. “I’ll be in later to check on you.”
“Umm,” she murmured, as if she were half-asleep.
Three days later, Becca was showered, dressed and in a wheelchair, waiting for a nurse to wheel her to the exit where the limo would be waiting for her.
She was tired, from the shower and dressing, she told herself. And though she felt a bit depressed, she told herself it had nothing to do with not having seen Seth in three days.
Becca firmed her lips into a flat, determined line. She would not allow herself to go into a blue funk over an arrogant, overbearing…absolutely wonderful man. Uhh, scratch the last adjective.
As if summoned by her thoughts, the man haunting her dreams strolled into her room.
“Ready to go, I see,” Seth said, coming to a halt mere inches from her chair.
“Waiting for someone to wheel me down,” Becca said, somehow managing to sound cheery…when all she really wanted to do was weep, and tell him she didn’t want to go.
“It may be a few minutes. I understand the staff is very busy.” He simply stood there, looking at her, so close, yet so far away.
For a minute.
Becca stopped thinking, breathing, when he leaned forward over her. He placed his hands on the armrests of the wheelchair, to lean closer.
“Wha…wha…” she muttered, unable to force the full word from her suddenly parched throat.
“You will let the housekeeper take care of you,” he said, so close now his breath whispered over her lips, causing havoc in every cell she possessed.
Beyond speech, Becca nodded.
“Good.” He smiled; she smelled mint on his breath, and yearned to taste it. “I’ll miss you in the O.R.”
Becca deflated like a pierced balloon. Of course, hadn’t he at one time admitted she was the best O.R. nurse he had ever worked with?