His Temptation, Her Secret

by Barbara Dunlop

  She sobered at that thought. She’d be completely outgunned if he took her to court. He could out-lawyer her a hundred to one. He could end up with joint custody. Eli could be forced to spend a whole lot of time, likely weekends, summers and holidays, in Whiskey Bay. TJ could play hardball if he chose.

  Her phone rang in her hand, startling her.

  It was TJ.

  She accepted the call and put the phone to her ear. “Hi.”

  “You’re awake.”

  “I was thirsty.” There was no way she was telling him the real reason for her wakefulness.

  “Me too,” he said.

  She found herself smiling. “I’m starting to be able to tell when you’re lying.”

  “You caught me.” There was a chuckle in his tone. “I was on a call to Australia.”

  The gulf between them seemed to widen. “Oh. Well. Yeah, I guess...”

  “It sounds stupidly pretentious. That’s why I said thirsty instead.”

  “If you’ve got business in Australia, you’ve got business in Australia.”

  “Forgive me?” he asked.

  Before she could answer, another bottle smashed outside. This one was loud, much closer.

  “What was that?” TJ asked.

  “Glass breaking.”

  “Are you barefoot?”

  “Not me. It was outside.”

  Concern ratcheted up in his voice. “What’s going on? Who’s out there?”

  “I haven’t looked out. It’s probably kids. I’m sure they’re making a mess.”

  There was a pause before he spoke. “Does that happen often?”

  “Not really. Occasionally. It is Saturday night.”

  There was a sudden banging on her door.

  “What the hell was that?” TJ demanded.

  Reflexive fear shot through her and she took a step backward. “There’s someone knocking on the door.”

  “Don’t answer it.”

  “I’m not going to answer it.” Did he think she was foolish?

  “I’m coming over.”

  “Don’t be silly. The door’s locked. They’ll go away.”

  “Are you calling the police?”

  “And telling them what?” Sage couldn’t imagine the police would respond to someone knocking on her door.

  The banging came again, three times, slow and low-pitched like somebody was using the end of their fist.

  “Calista?” called a drunken voice. “Honey, let me in.”

  “They have the wrong house,” Sage said to TJ.

  “They sure do,” he answered.

  “They’ll give up.” She hoped it was soon. She knew the door was locked, but it was still unnerving to have someone trying to get in. Using one hand, she stepped into her jeans and pulled them up. For some reason, she felt more self-confident in her clothes.

  “You don’t sound convinced, Sage. I’m on my way.”

  “TJ, no. You’re fifteen minutes away.”

  “Ten.”

  “Only if you make the lights.”

  “Who’s stopping for lights?”

  “They’ll be gone before you get here.”

  The banging came again. Sage hated to admit it, but part of her hoped TJ would ignore her protest and get over here.

  “Open the door,” the voice shouted.

  “Let’s order pizza,” a second voice said.

  For some reason, there being two people out there made her feel less fearful.

  She moved a little closer. She considered calling out to tell them they had the wrong place. It was impossible to know if that would make things better or worse. She really didn’t want them to know she was inside.

  The doorknob rattled, and she backed away, staring at it.

  “I’m driving now,” TJ said, and she jumped at the sound of his voice.

  She’d forgotten she was holding the phone to her ear.

  “She changed the lock?” the second voice asked.

  “Key’s busted,” the first voice said on a slur.

  “Keys don’t break.”

  “Should I tell them it’s the wrong place?” Sage whispered to TJ.

  “No. Do any of your rooms lock?” TJ asked.

  “Just the bathroom.”

  “Go lock yourself in. Keep talking to me.”

  She wanted to argue. She didn’t want to barricade herself in the bathroom. She didn’t want to admit she was in genuine danger.

  “I gotta... Where’s the tree?” the second voice asked in clear confusion.

  “What tree?”

  “That big, fat... Whoa, man.”

  “What?”

  “You got the wrong house.”

  Sage all but sagged in relief.

  “I don’t... Well, crap on that.”

  “They’re figuring it out,” she said to TJ.

  “Go into the bathroom anyway.”

  “Is this even the right street?” the second voice asked.

  Sage wanted to shout no. It wasn’t the right street. They should go find some other street to stagger down.

  “We are so wasted,” the first man said.

  “Two minutes out,” TJ told her.

  “It sounds like they’re leaving.”

  “Are you in the bathroom?”

  “I’m listening to them walk away.”

  Their footfalls and hollow laughter faded.

  Sage realized her legs were trembling, and she backed up, sitting down on her brown armchair. A car engine sounded outside and went silent. She knew it was TJ.

  “I’m here,” he said into the phone.

  “They’re gone.”

  “Can you let me in?”

  “Yeah. Sure.” She tried to stand up. “Just give me a...” She pushed on the arm of the chair with her free hand and managed to get to her feet to cross the room.

  “It’s me,” he said through the door.

  For some reason, that final assurance meant a lot to her.

  She opened the door.

  “Hey,” he said, his concerned gaze gentle.

  “Hi.”

  “You okay?”

  She nodded, stepping back to let him in.

  He pocketed his phone and touched her shoulder. “You sure?”

  “Yes. I’m good.”

  He smiled as he eased her phone from her ear and gingerly removed it from her hand to end the call. Then he wrapped his arms around her, enveloping her in a reassuring hug.

  It felt indescribably good, and for a few moments she simply closed her eyes and leaned into his strength.

  He smoothed his palm over the back of her hair. She knew she should break away, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

  “You scared me,” he whispered. Then he ducked his head to press his cheek against hers.

  The contact was electric. Desire raced along her skin, flushing her with heat.

  He stilled, and she could hear his breath hiss out.

  He was going to kiss her. She could feel it with every fiber of her being. And she was going to let him. She was going to kiss him back.

  Her phone rang in his hand, startling them both.

  “That’s not me,” he said unnecessarily. He drew back and held the screen for her to see.

  Sage’s heart sank. “It’s the hospital.”

  Five

  “It’s an infection,” Dr. Stannis said.

  Eli was asleep, looking pale again. TJ hated the sight of the new yellow-colored bag hanging from his son’s IV stand. It was a stark reminder of the setback.

  “We caught it early,” she continued. “We’re treating it with antibiotics. But, as you know, we can’t afford to take these things lightly.”

  “What can I do?” Sage asked the do
ctor. Her voice was hoarse and her throat worked as she swallowed. She looked almost as pale as Eli.

  TJ wanted to suggest Highside again, but the last thing he would do was upset Sage. He looked to the doctor. He could see it in her eyes even before she spoke. She was genuinely worried.

  Dr. Stannis touched Sage’s arm. “If you can manage the cost, you might want to consider Highside.”

  “We can manage the cost,” TJ immediately answered.

  “Would it help?” Sage asked, her voice raspy and paper-dry.

  “I’m not ringing alarm bells,” Dr. Stannis said. “But an infection at this stage indicates a challenge. Highside has the finest equipment in the country, and their on-site laboratory is state-of-the-art.” She paused. “And if things were to get worse—I’m only saying if—our intensive care unit is full.”

  Sage gave a gasp, and TJ wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

  “I’m not expecting that,” Dr. Stannis said. “But at Highside, you have more options.”

  “Can we safely move him?” TJ asked. He’d have an air ambulance here within the hour if that was the best course of action.

  “By ambulance, yes. Moving him won’t have an impact on the infection.”

  “I can order a helicopter,” TJ said.

  “Wait.” Sage looked up at him with near terror in her eyes.

  He turned and placed his hands gently on her shoulders, keeping his voice low and even. “One step at a time. Like the doctor said, there are no alarm bells here. This is only a precaution. But it sounds like it’s a precaution worth taking.”

  It took her a second, but then she nodded. “Yes. Let’s do it.”

  TJ retrieved his phone. He didn’t feel the slightest bit of satisfaction in this. He’d wanted to move Eli to Whiskey Bay, but he sure didn’t want it to be under these circumstances.

  He had the air ambulance on speed dial, and his next call was to Highside Hospital to alert them to Eli’s arrival. Dr. Stannis contacted the oncology department to transfer Eli’s case files.

  There was room in the back of the helicopter for Sage to ride with Eli, and TJ sat up front with the pilot. They cruised smoothly over the landscape, following valleys to the coast. There were two nurses and a doctor on the helipad waiting to greet them, and Eli was quickly whisked inside and into a room.

  Once he was settled, TJ gave in to temptation and put an arm around Sage’s shoulders again, standing at Eli’s bedside and gazing down.

  “He woke up in the helicopter,” she said.

  “That seems like a good sign.”

  “He asked why it was so noisy.”

  Before TJ could respond, the doctor from the helipad, a lanky, fortysomething, dark-haired man, reentered the room.

  “I’m Dr. Westray.” He reached out to shake TJ’s hand.

  TJ shook, cocking his head toward Sage. “This is Sage Costas, Eli’s mother.”

  The doctor turned his attention to her. He had a soothingly gentle manner. “It’s good to meet you, Sage. I want to assure you Eli is getting the very best care. I’ve looked over his chart, and I just got off the phone with Dr. Stannis. We’re optimistic we can beat this infection.”

  “How’s he doing?” Sage asked. She reached out to smooth her hand across Eli’s forehead.

  “His temperature has come down a little bit. It’s too soon to conclude that this particular antibiotic will defeat it. But that’s a good sign. It’s the best sign we can have right now.”

  Sage gave a shaky sigh.

  “Would you like to sit down?” the doctor asked her.

  TJ quickly moved a chair, and Sage sat.

  “I want to stay,” she said.

  “You can stay with him as long as you like,” Dr. Westray told her. “And we have a residence for parents connected to the hospital, so you can be close by. The nurse will request a room for you there, in case you want to get some sleep, or take a shower.”

  “Not yet,” she said.

  “I understand. We’ll be monitoring his temperature and his other vitals on an ongoing basis. There’s a nursing station across the hall if you have any questions.”

  Sage took Eli’s hand in hers, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “Thank you,” she said to the doctor.

  “You’re very welcome. I’ll be on the floor all night, and I’ll be in touch again.”

  TJ shook his hand a final time. “Thank you, Doctor.”

  “It’s good to meet you, Mr. Bauer.”

  “Please, call me TJ.”

  Dr. Westray gave a nod. “Let me know if there’s anything else.”

  TJ wished there was something someone could do. But right now it was all up to Eli. TJ stood by Sage’s shoulder for a long while, watching their son sleep.

  Eventually, he moved to one of the two armchairs in the corner. It was comfortable, and he was exhausted, and he laid his head back on the cool cushion.

  Traffic whizzed by on the coastal highway, and rain tapped lightly on the window beside him. Pings and whirs sounded in the hallway, muted by the closed door.

  He shut his eyes, and his mind went back to Sage’s suite and the drunken men who’d shown up at her door. She couldn’t go back there, not ever. It wasn’t safe for her, and it wasn’t safe for Eli.

  He heard whispery footsteps and opened his eyes. A nurse had entered the room. She spoke softly to Sage as she checked Eli’s IV and his blood pressure. When she put the electronic thermometer to his ear, TJ held his breath.

  But she smiled at the readout.

  “Down a little more,” she whispered to Sage.

  Sage’s shoulders relaxed, and she slumped a bit in the chair.

  TJ came to his feet. “It looks good?” he asked the nurse in a low tone.

  “Better,” she said before leaving the room.

  “You’ll be more comfortable in an armchair,” he said to Sage.

  “I’m fine here.”

  “He’s doing better. They recline almost horizontal. You might be able to sleep a little.”

  She glanced over her shoulder to the two chairs in the corner.

  “I’ll get you a blanket,” he offered.

  He recalled from their tour that there were blankets and pillows in the closet.

  Sage nodded. “I guess I can stand to be ten feet away.”

  “That’s the spirit.”

  “He does have a bit more color, doesn’t he?” She slowly came to her feet.

  TJ wasn’t convinced there’d been a change. “He does.”

  “That’s a good sign.”

  “It is. And his temperature coming down is an even better sign. Are you thirsty? Hungry?”

  She thought about it for a minute. “Thirsty.”

  There was a mini fridge in the room, and TJ checked it while Sage sat down in one of the armchairs. He found water, juices and milk.

  “Water or fruit juice?” he asked. “We have orange, cranberry or mixed berry punch.”

  “Orange would be good.”

  He cracked a bottle of orange juice and took a bottle of water for himself.

  He set the juice on the table beside her, then retrieved a blanket from the closet, shaking it out and draping it over her.

  She gave a small smile. “Nobody’s tucked me in in a while.”

  He smiled back. “You need tucking?”

  “This is good, just like this.” She reached for the orange juice. “I was so encouraged when he drank that milkshake you got for him.”

  TJ eased down into the other chair. “You should be encouraged now. He’s clearly a fighter, and he’s almost got this latest thing beat.”

  “He must get that from you,” she said.

  TJ’s chest tightened with emotion, and he had to blink against a surge of moisture. She saw some of him in Eli. The knowledge was overwhelmin
g. TJ couldn’t find the words to answer.

  She took a drink. “He has your laugh. And I didn’t realize it until I saw you that night in the hospital, but he has your walk. Funny, the little things that genetics do.”

  “He’s amazing. I can’t wait to get to know him.”

  She fell silent at that, and TJ wasn’t sure what to say. There were so many things about the future they had to discuss. But she needed to rest. Hopefully, she’d sleep. Everything else would have to wait.

  “Looks like you won this round,” she said.

  “This isn’t what I wanted to happen.”

  “I know. And I agreed because it was the right thing to do for Eli. But we’re here now, and he’s going to be in this hospital for a while, and I’m going to have to quit my job.”

  “You don’t need a job.”

  Money problems for her and Eli were off the table completely and forever.

  “I do need a job,” she said. “I need financial independence and life satisfaction.”

  He was about to jump in, but she kept talking.

  “But my son needs me more. I’m a mom first. I have been since I got pregnant.”

  “I’m so sorry,” TJ said. “I can’t tell you how much I’ve regretted letting myself get talked into that stupid prank. Even before I knew all this, I’ve wished I could go back and change it.”

  She was thoughtful for a moment. “I’m not at all sorry it happened. If I had to do it over, I’d take Eli. I’d take him over anything and everything.”

  “You’re amazing too,” he said. Then he reached out and took her hand.

  It felt small in his, cool, delicate. It also felt right and good. He didn’t let go.

  * * *

  Sage awoke to the sound of Eli’s voice. He was laughing. It was weak, but he was laughing.

  She opened her eyes to see TJ at Eli’s bedside. The two were bent over a tablet, and a nurse was standing by. The nurse’s presence might have made Sage nervous, but the laugh had to be a good sign.

  Eli was in profile, and TJ was in profile. They smiled in unison, and Sage was dumbstruck by the similarities between them.