The Back-Up Plan

by Debra Webb

  Hank looked from Donna to the nurse.

  “He doesn’t work here,” Donna explained.

  The nurse tossed a glance over her shoulder on her way out. “He does now.”

  Donna shrugged. “Looks like we both have work to do.”

  “Donna, wait.” Hank pulled her back around to face him. “I have to tell you something.”

  “Dr. Jacobs, we need you out here,” another nurse shouted through the open door.

  Donna looked from Hank to the nurse, shrugged again and then rushed away with the nurse. Hank wandered into the corridor and scratched his head. He should call Patty.

  “Hey, you,” the drill sergeant nurse barked at Hank, “get that tight butt in gear.”

  ~*~

  Two hours later, they were on their way back to Huntley. Donna had managed to call Patty between patients. She smiled to herself. Nurse Gillette had kept Hank jumping. Donna settled deeply into the seat and relaxed. She hadn’t been this tired since her resident days. Felt pretty good. The best news was they hadn’t lost anyone. The only fatality was the one at the scene. Thank God it hadn’t been worse. Most of the injuries were minor. Once all fifty-three of the injured had been screened and enough local physicians called in, Donna had been free to go. But she had stayed a while longer, dreading the forty-five minute trip back home with Hank—alone.

  According to the towing company, her car had been damaged during the monumental task of clearing away the pile-up. Nothing major, but a new front fender and paint job would be necessary. She could have driven it home, but she’d opted to leave it for the repairs. Exhaustion had long since set in, leaving her less than capable of concentrating on driving.

  Her gaze traveled over Hank’s handsome profile. Why had he come? They were supposed to be over. He had his big opportunity—the job offer he always wanted.

  Hank glanced her way and caught her studying him. He draped his arm around her and pulled her close, then kissed her forehead.

  Donna ducked out of his possessive embrace. “You said we needed to talk.”

  He glanced from the road to her and back. “The sooner the better.”

  “Why not now?” Might as well get it over with.

  “Good point.” He made a hard right, taking the exit they had all but passed.

  Donna braced against the dash. “Where are we going?” The exit seemed to go nowhere. Just trees and highway. No diners, no gas stations, no nothing.

  “Some place where we won’t be interrupted.”

  Despite her best efforts, heat flared inside her at his words. She remembered well the last time they had been interrupted. Hank made another right onto what looked more like a trail than a road leading into the woods.

  “Do you know where you’re going?”

  “Yep.” He stopped the car and turned off the engine. “Right here.” He unfastened his seat belt and then did the same to hers. “Get in the back seat,” he told her, his baby blues on fire with anticipation or something on that order.

  “What?” Had he lost his mind?

  “Don’t give me a hard time, Doc, just get in the back seat before I make love to you on the console.”

  “Hank Bradley, you can just take me home this instant. What is wrong with—?”

  He silenced her with his mouth. A bolt of pure need thundered through her. Every nerve in her body tingled. Trying to get closer, he elbowed the steering wheel and cursed into her mouth. His desperation had her desire spiraling out of control.

  “Wait, wait,” she murmured between kisses. His hands were all over her at once, touching, squeezing.

  “I can’t wait.” One long leg came over the console. “We’ve waited too long now.”

  He ripped her blouse open, buttons flew. He tugged a lacy cup down far enough to take one taut nipple into his mouth.

  Donna moaned at the feel of his hot, hungry mouth. “Hank, please,” she cried as he sucked harder. He fumbled with something between her seat and the door and the seat suddenly jerked into a reclining position. His full body weight came down on her.

  He groaned as one hand slid urgently under her skirt and inside her panties. He kissed her with such raw hunger it was almost frightening, but insanely sexy. Donna cried out when one long finger slipped inside her. His responsive groan vibrated inside her mouth, filling her with his urgency, an urgency that propelled her own.

  “Now,” he growled. “I need to be inside you now.”

  “Yes,” Donna breathed and launched into action. Her fingers, desperate and clumsy, she fumbled with his zipper. She wanted him so much. Whatever happened next she wanted this—

  A loud rap against the window startled them both. Hank groaned and looked up. “Oh, damn.” He tugged Donna’s blouse back together.

  The police officer standing outside the window came into view. Donna gasped. Humiliation stung her

  “Get out of the car, sir.”

  She sat up, cracking Hank’s head against the roof of the car. “Oh, my God!” Her clothes! She had to get her skirt down!

  The policeman rapped on the glass again.

  “Let’s break it up in there, kids.”

  Donna scrambled to right her clothes. She had to get out of this car.

  “Wait...wait,” Hank groaned harshly, struggling to refasten his jeans.

  “Hurry!” Donna jerked at her skirt…tried to cover herself just as the door opened.

  Her legs tangled with Hank’s and he dropped like a rock onto the cracked pavement. The air in his lungs whooshed out on a grunt. “Hello, officer,” he mumbled, still trying to right his clothes from his position flat on his back on the ground.

  Donna wrapped her arms around her middle, holding her button-less blouse together. She couldn’t bring herself to look the officer in the eye. Hank could handle this. He had gotten them into it—he could get them out. How would she ever explain this is anyone found out?

  “You, too, ma’am,” the officer said to Donna.

  Hank pulled himself up and she stumbled out to stand beside him, one shoe on, one off. This could not be happening. Hysterical laughter suddenly rose in her throat. She clamped her hand over her mouth. How could she laugh at a time like this? She cut Hank a sideways glance. How could she not?

  “Is there some reason why you two didn’t get yourselves a room?” the officer asked. Donna could hear the amusement behind his censuring tone.

  “It was my fault, sir,” Hank said. “I couldn’t wait.”

  The officer chuckled. Donna did look at him now. Sixtyish, she supposed. Tall and agile looking for his age.

  “Well, let’s move it on down the road, okay? A lot of kids hang out here. We don’t want to set a bad example.”

  “Yes, sir.” Hank nodded and cleared his throat. “Thank you, sir.”

  “We’ve never done this before,” Donna said quickly, not about to let the man leave thinking what he was obviously thinking.

  He paused and shot Donna wink. “That’s what they all say,” he remarked and then strode back to his cruiser.

  She turned and glared at Hank.

  “Sorry,” he muttered.

  “Just take me home,” she demanded, pretending to be angry while laughter strained at the back of her throat.

  “Yes, ma’am,” Hank said as he opened her door.

  Donna sat down and shifted the seat into an upright position. How did she manage to get herself into these compromising positions? Her gaze settled on the man who slid behind the wheel. Hank Bradley, that‘s how.

  The man she loved.

  But did he love her enough to stick with a real plan? A family plan?

  Chapter Twelve

  Donna pulled on a sweat shirt she had found in Hank’s back seat. As soon as they were back on the interstate, silence screamed around them once more. Neither appeared prepared to take the bull by the horns and broach the subject of the future. As the miles rolled by the only conversation had been Hank’s occasional lapse into profuse apology over the making out incident.
>
  At three-thirty Hank pulled his Camaro into Patty’s drive. Donna darted from the car before he could round the hood to open her door. She hurried up the walk and across the porch with him trailing her. The door flew open and Patty and the kids poured out to greet them.

  “Oh, Donna, you don’t know how thankful we are you’re safe,” Patty said, holding Donna tight in her arms.

  Both wept for a minute before small hands tugging at the sweat shirt drew Donna’s attention downward.

  “Oh, sweetie.” Donna swept Melissa into her arms. “Mommy loves you so much.”

  “I love you, Mommy,” Melissa said after planting a big, sloppy kiss on her cheek.

  “I have to check on things at school, but I’ll be back and then we’re going to talk,” Hank informed her, his tone brooking no argument.

  “Okay.” Donna nodded, swiping at tears. He pulled her against him and pressed his lips to hers. The dizzying kiss only lasted a moment, but it was enough to weaken her knees.

  “Walk me to the car, squirt,” Hank said, holding his hand out to Melissa. She placed her little hand in his much larger one and giggled ecstatically. Donna allowed him to take Melissa from her arms.

  “Wonder what that’s all about,” Patty asked almost to herself.

  “I haven’t the slightest idea.” Donna watched the pair walk to Hank’s car. When they reached the vehicle, Hank crouched down next to Melissa and whispered something in her ear. Melissa nodded vigorously and threw her arms around his neck. Donna felt her knees go weak again at the sight of him hugging her daughter so tightly, his eyes closed, his face soft with tender feelings.

  Tears crowded into her eyes with renewed force as Hank straightened and smiled at Melissa before getting into his car. Melissa waved good-bye and skipped back to the porch. Hank backed out onto the street and drove away.

  “I know a secret,” Melissa singsonged.

  “You do?” Donna dropped to her knees in front of her daughter. “Are you allowed to share it with mommy?”

  “Nope,” she chirped and then skipped into the house in search of her cousins. When she found them, Donna heard Melissa shout, “Mr. Hank said he’s gonna be my real daddy.”

  Donna’s breath trapped in her throat. She blinked furiously to fend off a fresh wave of tears. “Oh, my God,” she managed. She struggled to stay vertical, shock and warmth and dizziness swirling inside her like an emotional tornado. She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

  Patty yanked Donna back into her arms and hugged her fiercely. “Oh, honey, I’m so happy for you.”

  “Me too. I think,” Donna said uncertainly. “Why didn’t he tell me,” she wondered out loud.

  Patty suddenly drew back, her eyes filled with worry. “When I picked the girls up I heard something I think you should know.”

  “What?” Donna straightened the huge neck of Hank’s sweat shirt back onto her shoulders.

  “Teresa said that Ms. Masters was fit to be tied when Hank took off to see about you. He may get fired.”

  “No,” Donna protested. “She wouldn’t.”

  Patty nodded. “Yes, she would.”

  Donna held out her hand. “Let me have your keys.”

  “What are you going to do?” Patty produced the keys without pause.

  “I’m going to defend Hank, that’s what.” Donna nabbed the keys from Patty’s fingers.

  “You go, girl,” Patty encouraged as Donna bounded toward her car.

  Donna considered the twists and turns her life had taken these past few months as she drove the few blocks to the school. A whirlwind of changes had swept through. All for the better, she realized as she got out of the car in the school parking lot. She loved Huntley. Melissa loved school here. They both loved being close to Patty and her family. And things were definitely looking good at the clinic. Life was going to be wonderful from now on.

  And there was Hank. No matter what he decided to do career wise, Donna loved him and she had every intention of telling him so. They could work out something. She felt a sense of relief she couldn’t possibly measure in words at having come to the decision. She loved Hank and in her heart of hearts she knew he had strong feelings for her. After what he told Melissa, Donna suspected he loved her as much as she loved him, but she had to be sure.

  Donna checked Hank’s classroom, but it was empty. Masters had probably dragged him to her office for the confrontation. Donna might not be able to help matters, but she could at least give him her support in his time of need as he had her.

  As she reached the principal’s domain, she found the outer office empty. The secretary’s desk was abandoned for the day. The door to Master’s office stood ajar, but not open enough to see inside. Donna eased closer. She could hear Hank and Masters arguing.

  “You’ve violated one rule too many, Coach,” Masters snarled. “This is your second official reprimand in as many weeks, I think you know what happens next.”

  “I realize what I did today wasn’t by the book and I apologize for that, but it was an emergency,” Hank replied, his tone subdued but laced with hostility.

  Donna’s heart ached for him. He had gotten himself into serious trouble because of her.

  “I’ll be watching every move you make, Bradley,” Masters said ominously. “I’m sure you want to keep your position at Huntley.”

  “Of course I do.” A tense silence echoed for a time.

  Could that mean he wasn’t going to accept the position at ESPN?

  “You know, Hank,” Masters crooned, breaking the tense silence, “it doesn’t have to be like this.”

  Her sudden change in tone had Donna leaning closer to the door. This was beginning to sound like—no, no it couldn’t be. Donna knew the woman would like to jump Hank’s bones, but she wouldn’t go this far. Donna shook her head, surely not like this.

  “We could forget this whole incident happened.”

  “Take your hands off me,” Hank growled, his voice no longer subdued, but hard with fury.

  Donna felt her eyes go wide in disbelief. Sexual harassment. The woman was using her position to try and force sexual favors from Hank. Well, hell’s bells!

  “This is the last time I’ll put up with all this touchy-feely crap, Ms. Masters.” Hank practically shouted now. “If you ever threaten me like this again I will file a complaint.”

  “And just who do you suppose they’ll believe?” she asked caustically. “It’ll be your word against mine.”

  “I’ll take my chances.”

  Donna straightened just in time to prevent herself from being smacked in the face by the door as Hank stormed out of the office. She watched him leave thinking she should follow. Comfort him. No. Fury snarled through her. Hank Bradley was hers—hopefully. Masters had better back off.

  Masters sat behind the desk checking her reflection in a small gold compact. Suddenly aware that someone had entered her office, she looked up.

  “Dr. Jacobs,” she said as she rose to her feet. “What can I do for you?” she asked, her impatience showing through her slick professional mask.

  The thought of this woman putting her hands on Hank shot another blast of anger through Donna. “I just popped in to clarify a little mistake.”

  “Mistake?” Masters dropped back into her leather chair. Her dislike for Donna crystal clear. “And what mistake would that be?”

  Donna flattened her palms on the well-polished mahogany desk and leaned toward the woman. “I believe you said it was his word against yours. Well, you’re wrong. It’s your word against ours.”

  A startled expression seized the principal’s features.

  “I must warn you,” Donna continued. “I won’t hesitate to report you myself even if Hank hesitates.”

  “I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about, Dr. Jacobs.”

  “Sexual harassment, Ms. Masters, that’s what I’m talking about.”

  “Whatever you’ve deduced in that little head of yours from anything you may have overheard or some
thing Bradley has told you, you’ve come to the wrong conclusion, I assure you.”

  “I’m sure you didn’t mean it the way it sounded,” Donna allowed charitably. “I’ll bear that in mind when I attend the next school board meeting. I’m sure my sister and various members of her church who have children enrolled in this school will want to hear what I have to say.”

  Masters looked as if she might start foaming at the mouth, but no response made its way across her ruby-red lips.

  “In fact, as a concerned parent and a prominent member of this community, I’m sure the board will be interested in anything I have to say any day of the week.” Donna smiled at her flabbergasted expression. “Good day, Ms. Masters.”

  Donna found Hank in his classroom shuffling papers on his desk. He looked tired, his broad shoulders slumped in defeat. She surveyed the empty classroom and made her decision. Finger-painted cotton sheets draped the windows, preventing anyone outside from seeing inside. She closed the door behind her and turned the lock. Hank’s gaze shot to her. He smiled, the warmth of it spanned the distance between them.

  “What are you doing here, Doc?”

  “I think we have some unfinished business.” She smiled provocatively, pulled the sweat shirt over her head, and dropped it on the floor. Her buttonless blouse followed. Hank’s eyes widened and his nostrils flared. The papers slipped from his hands and fluttered back to his desk. He stood stone still, his eyes clocking her every move. Donna reached behind her and slid the zipper of her skirt down. The gray linen fabric puddled around her feet.

  She stepped out of her skirt and kicked off her heels. She pulled the clasp from her hair and allowed it to splay over her shoulders. Then, feeling bold, she paused a moment to let him look at her in nothing but white satin and lace. A smile tilted her lips at his instant and obvious physical response. She felt strong and powerful with the knowledge that she could make a guy like Hank Bradley sweat.

  He blew out a long low whistle. “I may need a doctor if you keep this up.”

  “Don’t worry, Coach, I am a doctor,” Donna said, breathless with the way he looked at her. She took the few final steps that separated them and pushed her arms around his waist. “And I think I need to examine you more closely.” She knotted her fingers in his tee-shirt and pulled it up and over his head.