Bidding Wars (Love Strikes)

by Wolfe, Lacey

  The creak of the front steps brought him from his thoughts only to find Sammy dripping wet in front of him.

  “Daddy, my stomach hurts. I think I’m going to be sick.” He held his stomach, looking a little green.

  “Probably the heat. Let’s go in.” Luke motioned his son. Even though fall was around the corner, Luke found it was considerably warmer than usual. His shirt was slightly wet from the short amount of time they’d been outside.

  He turned off the water and then followed Sammy in. Hopefully his son wasn’t getting sick. He was clueless when it came to stuff like that. But he was going to have to get used to it. He turned the TV on and pulled a blanket over Sammy on the couch, but not before feeling his forehead. Yikes, he was awfully hot.

  “Anything else hurt?” He pushed the hair back from Sammy’s forehead.

  “I’m dizzy too. I think I’m gonna throw up.”

  He searched for something to give his son, but he didn’t get to the trashcan in time. Sammy puked on the carpet and began to cry.

  “I’m so sorry. Don’t be mad, Daddy.”

  “I’m not mad. You couldn’t help it.” He held his nose. Why did puke have to smell so bad? He placed the trashcan next to his son. And this time, it was just in time, Sammy bent over and the contents of his stomach came out again.

  He went to the hall bathroom and searched for the thermometer. He found one of those weird contraptions that went on the forehead. Rushing back to the living room, seeing his son had puked again, he placed the thermometer on his forehead. Once it dinged, it confirmed that Sammy did in fact have a slight fever.

  Maybe he should take him to the doctors. It was one in the afternoon, though, and he was pretty sure the doctor’s office wasn’t open, but he called anyway. Maybe a nurse would be on duty. After the first ring, a recording came on to let him know the office was closed, followed by the details for a twenty-four-hour urgent care clinic for kids.

  Screw calling; the office was right down the road. Maybe he could get Sammy there before he puked again.

  Luck was on his side. They checked in and sat in the crowded waiting room. Sammy’s head rested on Luke’s shoulder. One of his little hands clutched his belly, while the other was clamped over his mouth.

  He glanced around. Most of the kids here were quiet. Guess that’s what happens with a waiting room full of illness. Hopefully they wouldn’t catch anything else while they were here.

  An animated movie played on the TV, but the volume wasn’t up high enough for anyone to hear it. None of the kids seemed to mind. A few had smiles on their faces as they watched.

  The door that led to the patient rooms cracked open and Sammy’s name was called. The voice was familiar but he couldn’t quite place where he knew it from.

  “Come on, bud.” He nudged his son.

  He picked his son up and went toward the door that led to the waiting rooms. A nurse stood with her back to him, her brown ponytail bouncing animatedly while she spoke quietly to another nurse, who gave him a slight smile. Clearing his throat, he hoped to alert the nurse he was there. Finally she spun around to reveal the most gorgeous smile he’d ever seen and a pair of familiar almond eyes. He didn’t say anything right away, and neither did she.

  Her smile faded and she looked as though she’d seen a ghost.

  “You’re Sammy Logan?”

  His son nodded, and then Molly slowly turned and motioned for them to follow her.

  Chapter Four

  Molly led them down a hallway and then into one of the patient rooms. She couldn’t believe it was Luke. Of all the people to be here on a Saturday. Taking a deep breath, she had to put it behind her. This was work, and he obviously had a sick child who needed attention. She would not let her feelings for this little boy’s father get in the way of helping Sammy feel better.

  Molly pointed to the table, and Luke set his son down. She stood back a moment as he got Sammy adjusted. The little boy was adorable and almost a spitting image of his father. Which meant she thought Luke was quite adorable as well.

  “My name is Molly, and I’m your nurse today.” She smiled at Sammy. “What’s going on?”

  “I keep throwing up and my belly hurts bad.”

  “He was fine while outside playing in the sprinkler and then he got sick.”

  She checked Sammy’s temperature. He was only running a slight one. “Have you been out to eat recently?”

  “My mommy took me out last night, and the food wasn’t very good. But it never is when she takes me to that place. We go there a lot. Her boyfriend is the cook.”

  She smiled and made a note to find out where this place was so she could avoid it. “Are you in school?”

  The little boy nodded.

  “Sammy’s in kindergarten.”

  “Any of the kids been sick lately?”

  “Yes, a girl puked twice at school yesterday and she sat next to me. It was so gross.”

  She stepped back and looked at Sammy. She then checked a few more things and listened to his breathing. His ears and throat checked out good. Her best guess was a stomach virus. But she would have to leave that up to the doctor to determine.

  She turned toward Luke and studied him for a moment. He had a look of worry for his son on his face—the son she heard about last night.

  “The wait shouldn’t be too long before the doctor can come in. There are a few toys in the basket and some books as well while you wait.”

  “Is it food poisoning?” Luke asked.

  “That or a bug. You did the right thing, though, bringing him in.” She walked toward the door.

  “Molly.”

  She glanced back.

  “It’s nice to have a familiar face here. It’s comforting.”

  She nodded and then left the room. Once the door was shut, she let out a long sigh just as Theresa, another nurse, came around the corner with a big grin on her face.

  “God, girl, he’s hot. I’d be sighing like that too. Is he single?”

  “Yes.” Or so she thought. He was divorced, but that didn’t mean he didn’t have a girlfriend.

  “Girl, you better get on that.”

  “I’m not interested.”

  “Are you mental? If you’re not, then I’ll see if Dr. Hancock will let me go in with him while he checks out the boy. Perhaps I can do some flirting.”

  A twinge of jealousy coursed through her. “That’s a little unprofessional.”

  “No, it’s a shame you’re not able to move on. We all love you here and hate seeing your pain. But this is the life you were given. Enjoy it.” Theresa leaned in. “And that hot man doesn’t look like a bad place to start.”

  “You don’t know the half of it when it comes to that man!” Molly snapped. “Believe me—he doesn’t want anything to do with me.”

  “And why not? You’re gorgeous and you’ve got a killer body.”

  “Because he’s the one I told you about. He’s got the other offer on my house.”

  “Him!” Theresa covered her mouth.

  “Yes.”

  “Well, dang, I wasn’t expecting that.”

  “Break it up, ladies.” Dr. Hancock came around the corner.

  Theresa shot Molly a look before she shook her head and walked off laughing. The doctor read over Sammy’s chart and the notes she left. He would almost certainly tell Luke that Sammy just had one of those nasty twenty-four-hour bugs. And all he needed was some rest and plenty of liquids and by the end of the weekend he’d be good as new.

  “Do you need me, Dr. Hancock?” She hoped he’d say no so she could busy herself with another patient.

  He shook his head. “This looks simple. How about getting a few samples of one of those electrolyte drinks and bringing it in? You know how dads can be with sick kids. Always in a panic.”

  She headed toward the stockroom. Inside, she filled a bag with several drinks and tossed in a coloring book and box of mini crayons as well. Hopefully a little coloring would keep him settled on the couch a
s he got better. She then straightened a few rows of children’s acetaminophen samples, trying to kill time. The less she saw of Luke, the better. She’d give the doctor a few minutes and hopefully catch them right as they were leaving.

  Her thoughts turned to the bidding war she’d found herself embroiled in. Her lender wouldn’t up her preapproval amount. So she’d looked over her finances and the money she’d gotten from the divorce settlement. She could scrounge up a little more, either toward down payment or the earnest. But that was as good as she could do.

  She was going to be meeting with Diane after work to finalize everything, but she knew she wasn’t going to get the house. Part of her wanted to give up, but the other part said she had to at least put a little more fight. For all she knew, she could have the better-looking offer.

  Biting her lip, Molly knew she had stalled as long as she could in the stock room. Leaving the room, she saw the door open to the room she was needed in. She’d timed it perfectly. Luke and Sammy were walking out with Dr. Hancock. He waved her down and told Luke she had some samples for him. He then excused himself to go see the next patient.

  Molly handed the bag to Luke. “I hope Sammy feels better. I put some goodies in there besides the drinks.”

  “Thank you.” Luke held the bag at his side. “Sammy really liked you. Thanks for being so kind.”

  She smiled. “He’s a very cute kid. And I have no reason not to be nice to him.”

  Luke laughed. “I think I’m reading a little too much into that sentence.”

  “You’re not. See you around, Mr. Logan.” She bent down. “Feel better, Sammy. I bet by Monday you’ll be back to normal.” She stood back up, smirked at Luke, and then went to sanitize the room before placing another patient inside.

  * * *

  As Luke got Sammy tucked in on the couch with a movie he’d stopped and rented, he did his best not to think about Molly. If they’d met on different terms, would she be interested in him? Even though she was the “enemy,” he didn’t want her to be.

  She was so good with kids. Usually pediatric nurses were, but she went an extra step further. Her tone with Sammy had been so sweet and motherly. She’d instantly put his son at ease. Molly didn’t act as though Sammy were just another patient; she treated him as though he were the only patient in the world at that moment.

  And Sammy was taken by her. The whole ride home, he told Luke about how pretty and nice she was. Even though the kid was only five, he seemed as though he were giving his approval to get to know her more. Luke wished he could, but certainly Molly was not interested. She was a sweet woman, but she didn’t put up with crap. And whatever had happened in the last year had made her build a wall up around her; it would take a lot to break it down. If it hadn’t been for the house, he would have been up to the challenge. But the house really put a damper on his chances.

  “You want some soup?” Luke handed his son one of the drinks Molly had sent.

  “Got any character soups?”

  “Uh…I think I got a SpongeBob can of chicken noodle.”

  “Yes, that one.”

  Luke busied himself making the soup for Sammy. Once he finished, he set a bowl of soup on a TV tray and then told him he’d be right back. He grabbed his cell phone and went upstairs to his bedroom to call his ex-wife. He did his best to stay civil with her so Sammy didn’t see the tension, but it was hard. He found it best to take these difficult phone calls in private.

  Leslie answered on the third ring. “Hey.” Her tone was groggy.

  “Were you sleeping?”

  “Yes.”

  “I wanted to let you know I had to take Sammy to the doctor this afternoon. He started throwing up. They think it’s either food poisoning or a virus.”

  “That sucks.”

  “He’s resting now. Do you have any crackers in your house for him? He needs to eat light stuff and clear liquids.”

  “I’m not a dumbass, you know?” Leslie snapped.

  “I didn’t say you were. I just wanted to make sure you did. If you didn’t I would send him home with some.”

  His ex went quiet a moment and then giggled. She probably wasn’t alone. “Leslie.”

  “Sorry, I got distracted a minute.”

  Even though they weren’t together any longer, it made him sick knowing what his ex-wife was doing. And the fact that this stuff happened when his son was there. “Did you need me to send some food home with him?”

  “I can take care of Sammy. I’m his mother.”

  “I haven’t forgotten that. But you keep taking him to that nasty rathole to feed him. He always complains about how gross the food is there.”

  “It’s not nasty. My boyfriend happens to be the cook there and a damn good one. He’s just acting out because he doesn’t like me having a boyfriend.”

  It was just like Leslie to be her boyfriend’s biggest fan. When things had been good, she supported him with anything he wanted to do. “Are things serious with this guy? If so, don’t you think I should meet him if he’s in Sammy’s life?”

  She giggled again, and someone said something quietly. “We’ll talk about that later. I’ve got to go.”

  The call was disconnected. He tossed his phone at the bed and groaned loudly. How the hell had he been married to that woman? She didn’t even ask how Sammy was. Did she care? Or did she care more about the child support she received. He hated thinking negative thoughts about his ex, but Sammy was not her top priority. He never had been.

  Downstairs, he found that Sammy had fallen asleep. He pulled a blanket up around him and then made himself comfortable on the other end. He tried to watch the movie, but the main female cartoon character resembled Molly, and his thoughts went back to her. He wanted to know her and everything she had been through. He found himself wanting to help her. Maybe once they got this house mess behind them, they could get to know one another. However, he knew that if Molly didn’t get the house, he didn’t have a chance. As crazy as it sounded, he wondered if he should remove his offer. After all, it was just a house.

  Chapter Five

  Inside the coffee shop, Diane was already seated at a table in the corner. Molly ordered her drink and was thankful the barista got it to her quickly. She sat down with Diane and took a long sip of her coffee, not caring it was hot and slightly burnt on its way down.

  “Long day?” Diane asked.

  Molly nodded. “God, yes. My feet ache and now I’m wishing I asked for an extra shot of caffeine.”

  “I made sure to get one. So, I heard that you met with your competition.”

  Crap. “I did.”

  Diane took a drink of her coffee as well. “I can understand if you just ran into him and recognized him and had a little chat. But you went to his workplace? And then you never told me. I was embarrassed when his agent called me yesterday.”

  “I don’t really know what to say. But we seem to keep bumping into one another. It’s weird.”

  “You’ve seen him again?”

  “His kid was sick and he came to the clinic today. And the night we got the news we had the same offer, he was at the same bar.”

  Diane scratched her head. “That’s odd. You need to stay away from him. I don’t think we would be sitting here if this hadn’t turned into a competition.”

  “Not necessarily. We could still be in this position.” She couldn’t take all the blame, however if she hadn’t gone up to his workplace, Diane might be right. She did up the stakes that day.

  “Either way, this whole thing is bizarre. Right down to you two putting in the same exact offer. I don’t think that’s ever happened before. The seller must be loving this. So what did Gail say?”

  “A big fat no.”

  Diane sighed. “I almost hate to ask, but do you know if the sheriff maxed out his offer yet?”

  “I wish I didn’t know the answer, but when we talked about it last night, I got the impression he still had wiggle room. I don’t know how much, but he has some and I don’t.�
�

  “Do you have access to more money?”

  Molly nodded. “I could put forward a generous earnest amount, I think.”

  “That is our best option at this point. More on down payment is only good if you get the house. A high earnest shows them you’re serious and taking a big risk. And that you do realize you’re taking a huge risk. If your loan falls through, you’re out of that money.”

  Molly was aware, and it scared the crap out of her. If she offered the eight thousand dollar earnest and for whatever reason, her loan fell apart, she’d have to hope the seller had a kind heart and gave it back. She was confidant in her loan, though. Gail had reassured her she was certain there wouldn’t be a problem when the loan when to underwriting.

  “Let’s do it. I have to fight for it. I love that house and if I don’t give it my all, I’ll always wonder what if.”

  Diane leaned down and pulled some papers from her briefcase. “What is the earnest amount going to be?”

  “Eight thousand.”

  Diane’s eyes widened, but then she filled in all the places on the form that needed to be. She pushed the papers to Molly. She signed and then gave them back.

  “You’re sure?”

  “Yes.”

  * * *

  Sunday had gone by way too fast, and Molly had done absolutely nothing but lounge around in the most worn-out pajamas she owned. Her stomach rumbled loudly as she waited on the delivery person to bring her dinner.

  Tigger smacked her foot and stared up at her.

  “Do you want to play?” Sandy reached toward the coffee table and picked up the laser pointer the fat cat loved.

  As she pointed the little red light on the carpet and watched the cat chase it, she found her stress begin to lift a bit. Her cat had a way of doing that.

  Finally, the doorbell rang and Molly dragged herself off the couch. She’d ordered Chinese. Her stomach rumbled, confirming that she was starving.