by Janice Lynn
Addy practically ran to Oz. Blair hated watching, but couldn’t look away.
Oz scooped her up into his arms. Addy kissed his cheek and held up her wrist to show him the tiny pearl bracelet she’d gotten during their shopping excursion.
When Addy’s exuberance paused for a breath, Oz spoke to Reesee. Her sister shook her head at whatever he said. His gaze shifted to Blair. Wishing she hadn’t been caught watching, she lifted her chin and walked away in search of Stephanie.
Her friend was in a tizzy, trying to make sure every detail was attended to, but took the time to hug Blair.
“I love that dress,” she praised, stepping back and letting her gaze sweep over Blair. “The color matches your eyes perfectly and makes them look huge.”
“Thanks. You look great, too,” she told her honestly. Stephanie wore a coppery dress that bespoke timeless elegance and class. “Mine is Reesee’s doing.”
Blair looked down at the simple green satin dress her sister had convinced her to buy. A rhinestone brooch nestled where the material veed at her breasts. In Blair’s opinion there was way too much of her chest on display in that vee, but Reesee insisted she looked hot. She wore silver four-inch heeled sandals that would be killing her feet if she stood for more than fifteen minutes.
“You should let Reesee dress you all the time,” Stephanie said, checking out Blair’s hemline, which fell to just above her knees. “You look gorgeous.”
“Thank you. Tell me where I can be the most help.”
Something behind Blair caught Stephanie’s attention and her brows drew together.
Stephanie gave a nod toward Dr Talbot. “Tonight is all about Ted. Go keep him company. If you’ll just make sure he’s taken care of, that he smiles often, I can handle the rest.”
Frowning toward the band, Stephanie took off to redirect where they were setting up.
Blair took a deep breath, spotted Dr Talbot sitting at a table in his wheelchair. Wearing a tuxedo, he looked handsome despite his illness and Blair smiled in pride and love.
She went to the table and hugged him. Before long, Reesee and Addy joined them.
Addy immediately monopolized Dr Talbot’s attention, recounting their shopping adventures.
Reesee leaned near Blair’s ear. “Oz is crazy about you.”
Her heart slamming against her rib cage, Blair snorted. “Yeah, right.” If only. Oz wanted a fling while in Madison. She was convenient.
Blair ignored the tiny voice whispering that sex was always convenient for a man like Oz. Women bent over backward to get close to him.
He wanted her trust. Did one have to trust a fling? Where was that rule written? And if he had really wanted her trust he should have earned it instead of practically kicking her out of his bedroom.
“I’m serious.” Reesee’s expression said she was, but Blair wasn’t buying it.
“Then why doesn’t he come over here to see me?”
“He doesn’t have to come over here to see you.” Reesee waggled her penciled on brows. “Don’t look now, but he’s seeing you this very moment.”
Blair looked.
“Hey.” Frowning, Reesee poked her. “I told you not to look.”
Oz was looking at her.
At least, he had been. Without acknowledging her, he turned toward the couple he stood with.
“He made his feelings clear last night.” He’d made his feelings clear just then. Either she trusted him or he wasn’t willing to have a relationship with her.
As if she’d asked him for a relationship. Relationship. She and Oz had very different definitions for that word.
Besides, had he forgotten that she was upset with him about taking Addy out in a boat?
Of course he hadn’t. Her not trusting him to look out for Addy, to make decisions where her daughter was concerned, had been one of the trust issues he’d been referring to. Knowing he’d break her heart if she let him was another. She didn’t intend to give him that opportunity.
“Are you sure you didn’t misunderstand?” Reesee asked. Blair hadn’t told her sister about Oz confronting her the night before, about his professing to having feelings for her and wanting a relationship with her.
“I just can’t understand,” Reesee continued, “because I know I didn’t misinterpret his asking me how you were.”
Oz had asked how she was?
“Nor did I misunderstand when he commented on how beautiful you looked. He couldn’t take his eyes off you.”
Okay, so he’d asked how she was and said she was beautiful.
“For Oz that’s nothing more than polite conversation.” Blair glanced to make sure Addy couldn’t hear their conversation. Her gaze collided with Dr Talbot’s.
He’d been eavesdropping and didn’t look one bit ashamed. Nor did he look surprised by any of the things he’d just heard. He loved her and wouldn’t want her hurt. Had he realized she’d fallen for Oz and intervened on her behalf? Did he know about what had happened the night she and Addy spent the night at his house? That she’d ended up in Oz’s room? Was that what last night had been about?
Of course it was.
Oz hadn’t told her he loved her.
His confronting her in the kitchen made sense now. He could even honestly tell Dr Talbot that he’d offered to have a relationship, but Blair had walked away.
She couldn’t be angry at Dr Talbot for caring, for doing what he thought was best for her by encouraging Oz to have a relationship with her.
But she was angry at Oz.
Trust. Ha, she’d give him trust.
She had a good mind to walk up and tell him she’d decided she did trust him. Just to watch him try to squirm his way out of that one. But she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of rejecting her, of telling her that he’d been joking, that he’d only offered a relationship under duress.
No, she wouldn’t ever give Oz Manning the opportunity to hurt her again.
An hour later the event was in full swing. A stage dominated the far end of the ballroom. The band played to the right. Buffet-style snack foods and tables occupied the opposite end of the room.
The event was sold out to the room’s full capacity. Which was great for Dr Talbot. Horrible for Blair’s stomach.
“You don’t look like you’re having a very good time,” Dr Talbot mused from where he sat beside her. After the MC had introduced him to the crowd he’d been pushed in his wheelchair to the table closest to the stage. Seats had been reserved next to him in Blair, Reesee and Addy’s name. They had a perfect view of the stage. Addy took every detail in with excitement, insisting on sampling the chocolate fountain and strawberries.
Reesee had volunteered to go with her as chocolate was involved.
Blair forced a smile to her face. “I feel like I should be doing something to help Stephanie, but she insists I stay with you, which I enjoy. But big shindigs like this aren’t my usual cup of tea.”
“Mine either,” he agreed. “Who likes all this attention?”
But there was a light in his eyes she hadn’t seen in weeks. A sparkle that said he was enjoying all the hoopla even if he implied otherwise.
For that alone, all the work they’d done had been worth it.
Blair followed Dr Talbot’s gaze and smiled for real at what she found him watching.
“Stephanie really went all-out to make sure this was a spectacular party, didn’t she?” Blair leaned closer to him and placed her hand on his upper arm.
“Yes, she goes all-out in everything she does. Reminds me of Selma.”
That was something she’d never heard him say before.
“Stephanie reminds you of your late wife?”
Dr Talbot nodded. “In ways. In others they are as unique as night and day.”
His ache infected Blair. How sad it must be to have loved someone so completely only to have to watch them die. To go on with life without the person you most loved.
Blair’s eyes watered. “You miss her, don’t you?”
&nbs
p; “Selma?” His pale eyes took on a faraway gleam. “Every minute of every day.”
“I can’t imagine having a love like that.”
“Can’t you?” Dr Talbot’s gaze shifted to her.
Despite her feelings for Oz, they were never meant to be. Eventually, he would have left her. Then she’d have been alone, nursing a broken heart; alone, trying to explain to Addy why Oz was no longer a part of their life. So she pretended to misunderstand.
“What I had with Chris was nothing like what you and Selma shared.”
“I wasn’t referring to Addy’s father. I was referring to Oz.” Dr Talbot placed his hand over hers, giving her a fatherly pat. “But you already knew that.”
Her gaze shifted to where Oz stood with a group of women. All evening he’d gone from one group to another, working the crowd. He checked on Dr Talbot periodically, but otherwise he stayed away from their table.
“I don’t love Oz.” She plastered what she hoped was a convincing look on her face.
She wouldn’t place the burden of her broken heart on their mutual friend. She wouldn’t have him pushing Oz to say things he didn’t mean in an effort to spare her. Oz didn’t love her. If he did, he’d have told her last night.
“Are you sure about that?”
Absently rubbing her sternum, Blair nodded. “I’m sure. He’s too much like Chris for me to ever take him seriously.”
“Odd, from what little you’ve told me about Addy’s father, I wouldn’t have thought him and Oz had anything in common.” Dr Talbot paused. “Except you and a love of sailing.”
“I’d really rather not talk about Chris.” At Dr Talbot’s open mouth, she quickly added, “Or Oz. Or sailing.”
She swallowed, trying to clear the wave of emotion tightening her throat. She could do this. She could be strong. Could keep her tears reined in for one night.
“Oz adores Addy. Just as he adores you.” Dr Talbot gave her a pointed look. “You’re in love with him, aren’t you?”
Blair shook her head. “Oz is a persuasive man. I got caught up in his charms. That’s all.” She called upon acting skills she wasn’t sure she had, but desperately needed. For that matter, Oz was a persuasive man and she had gotten caught up in his charms. Horribly caught up. But what had happened with Oz hadn’t been all bad. For the first time in years, she’d felt like a woman. She’d felt desire and desirable.
“Actually, I’m grateful to him,” she admitted. “I buried myself after what happened with Chris and had forgotten what it felt like to have a man’s attention.” A real smile lifted the corners of her lips. “Maybe I’ll bid on a date tonight and meet someone.”
Dr Talbot didn’t comment, just stared at her long moments before nodding and returning his attention to the band. Blair let him, not wanting to peel away the pretty wrapping she’d just hidden her aching heart inside.
Soon it was time for the auction. The women were being auctioned off first.
A radio DJ was first. Loving the concept of being auctioned, she worked the crowd, winking and egging on higher bids. Blair was quite impressed with the upper four-digit sum the woman’s date went for.
The next few dates passed in a blur. All of the women drew ridiculously high dollar amounts for an evening of their time. But it was for a great cause and Blair suspected this was a way for Dr Talbot’s friends and colleagues to feel that they were doing their part to help him.
Prior to the auction for the men starting, Blair and Stephanie had a few announcements to make. They took the stage, gave their spiel about Dr Talbot and his lifelong generosity to those he came into contact with. Blair thanked the audience for their generosity and encouraged them to bid on the silent auction set up at the side of the room, encouraged them to make donations to one of the many collection bins set up around the room.
When she made her way back to her table, Dr Talbot reached up to hug her. “You were magnificent.”
“I was too scared to move.”
“Too scared to move worked brilliantly.” A proud gleam in her eyes, Reesee hugged her, too. “I don’t think there’s a dry eye in the building.”
“Mommy—” Addy jumped up and down, too excited to stay in her seat “—you looked beautiful up there!”
Magnificent. Brilliant. Beautiful. Blair laughed. “I stood there petrified. I hope my words came out clear.” She smiled at Dr Talbot. “They were from the heart. We love you, don’t we, Addy?”
Her big grin showing off her missing front tooth, Addy nodded and spread her arms as wide as they would stretch. “This much.”
Dr Talbot’s smile reached his glistening eyes. “I know you do. That’s why I’m here. Why I’m getting on a plane for Rochester tomorrow afternoon.”
Blair’s stomach flip-flopped. “You were accepted for the Xabartan?”
“My hospital stay convinced me that I’m not quite ready to give up yet. Oz arranged everything. He’s offered to let me stay at his place until I’ve completed my therapy. Hate to bum off the kid, but figure there’s not much difference in living in his house here or living in his house there.” He paused, then dropped another bombshell. “I’m going to ask Stephanie to go with me.”
“Thank God.” Blair wrapped her arms around his neck. “The treatments will work. I know they will.” Then what he’d said about living in Oz’s house hit her. “What do you mean, living in his house here? Oz is living with you.”
“Technically.” His gaze fell to his wrinkled hands on the table. “I sold my house to Oz prior to Selma dying. The banks wouldn’t loan me any more money and I wouldn’t take a handout. Oz paid off the mortgage on the house and paid me a hefty sum as well.”
“But…” Dr Talbot had never said anything. Oz had never said anything, but then he wouldn’t, would he? To do so would be stripping away yet another layer of Dr Talbot’s pride. Oz would never do that.
“I owed more than the house was worth, but he insisted I take the extra and I was desperate to allow Selma to spend her last days as she wished—at home.”
“I’m sure Oz understood that.” Sensing how embarrassed her friend was at his admission, she refocused on his good news. “I’m so pleased you’re going to Rochester. If Oz made that happen, then I’m eternally grateful to him.”
Blair hugged him again and sat back down. Addy climbed into her lap, kissing Blair’s cheek and giving an excited clap although Blair was sure Addy didn’t fully understand what she was excited about. Or perhaps her daughter was just excited about the entire glitz of the night.
Blair took a drink of her ice water. “I really do love you, you know.”
“I know, Blair. It’s one of the reasons why I’m going to Rochester.”
A country music singer who’d just been auctioned off sang a song, putting the crowd back into an upbeat mood prior to the auction starting back. This time with the men.
The thing Blair had been dreading most was watching a bunch of women haggle over Oz, knowing one of them would buy his date, spend precious time with him on his cursed sailboat.
He’d be sailing off into the sunset with another woman and making waves. Well, she supposed that depended on who won Oz’s date, but the man led a charmed life. Some gorgeous knockout would probably bid some insanely high bid on him, then rock his world.
After all, it was only a matter of time before he moved on to the next woman.
Just as well she hadn’t made a fool of herself by throwing her arms around him last night and telling him everything in her heart.
She sucked in a deep breath and prayed the night would soon be over.
The bid prior to Oz’s was his friend Will Majors from Madison Medical Center. A cute blonde in the second row of tables immediately piped up with a three-thousand-dollar bid.
“Are you okay?” Stephanie asked from Oz’s side. “I’ve seen you look at Blair a dozen times. Why don’t you just go and talk to her?”
“The ball is in her court. I told her what I wanted. Apparently, she doesn’t want the sa
me. Or, if she does, it’s not enough.”
Stephanie gave him a suspicious look. “You told her you were in love with her?”
“I’m not in love with her,” he quickly denied. Far from it. He’d had sex with Blair—amazing sex—but the world kept turning. He wasn’t his mother. He wouldn’t shut down and turn to life’s vices to deal with a broken heart. His heart wasn’t broken. He was just fine, regardless of how Blair felt.
“Are you planning to bid on any of the bachelors?” he said, changing the subject.
“The only man I’m interested in isn’t up for bid.”
They both glanced toward Dr Talbot. He leaned toward Blair, laughing at something she said.
“Unfortunately, he refuses to let me tie myself to a dying man, says we’ll only marry if he beats his cancer.”
“Stubborn old fool. Guess that gives him one hell of an incentive to get better.”
Stephanie shrugged. “I think he just uses the cancer as an excuse to keep from hurting my feelings. He’s still in love with his wife.”
“He’ll always love Selma, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t care about you.”
“I know he cares,” Stephanie agreed, sighing. “But caring isn’t enough, is it? Just look at you and Blair.”
Him and Blair?
“There’s nothing between me and Blair.”
“Exactly.”
“I don’t want her to get hurt, if that’s what you mean.” Or would he have been the one hurting?
Damn.
He was hurting.
“You think you didn’t hurt her?”
He had.
He knew he had.
So what was his excuse?
He and Blair shared sexual chemistry. Nothing more.
He glanced toward her, saw her laugh at something Dr T said. His heart ached. Would she ever laugh like that for him again? Would he ever look into her eyes and see that sparkle?
That sparkle that he’d been sure had been love.
So sure he’d felt like a million bucks the next morning and had planned to whisk Blair off her feet.
Because he loved her.