Perfectly Honest

by O'Connor, Linda

  She would accept being one of many. It was a twelve. So yeah, she would learn to live with that. What worried her was losing her heart to a guy like that. She did not want to fall in love with him. Guys like him weren’t in it for the long haul. If she gave her heart away, it would be for the long haul. Sam was definitely not long haul material.

  Mikaela lathered shampoo in her hair and scrubbed furiously. How did this happen? She had no intention of sleeping with him. She sighed again as she stood under the water and let it rinse away the suds. She knew how it happened. He was sexy and cute and she wanted him to touch her.

  Physically touch her, she thought with chagrin. She didn’t want him to touch her heart. She didn’t want to care. That was annoying.

  Well that’s a lesson learned, Mikaela thought as she turned off the water and grabbed a towel. Men who have a reputation of being playboys get that reputation because they’re good at it. They’re charming and fun and make you feel like you’re the only one who matters. And probably in that moment, you are.

  She dried her hair and rubbed a scented lotion over her skin. Until the next attractive woman comes along and you’re no longer in the moment.

  Mikaela shimmied into a turquoise knit dress, with a scooped neck in front and draping in the back, and let it fall to mid-thigh, enjoying the way it clung to her curves and showed off long, toned legs. So she had two choices. She could either leave with regrets, which was hard to do because really, the sex was fantastic. Or she could suck it up, live in the moment, enjoy Sam’s company and the fantastic sex for the weekend, and then move on. Lower her expectations, ignore the ache in her heart, and move on.

  Mikaela pulled her hair back leaving loose curls to frame her face, then added dangling earrings and a matching turquoise crystal necklace. A silver bracelet at her wrist and a delicate silver anklet made her feel feminine and sexy. She stepped into high heels, grabbed her clutch, and checked the time. Six forty-five.

  Here’s to living in the moment, she thought, then went to find Sam.

  Chapter 7

  happenstance horoscope

  ARIES (March 21-April 19) You’ve got what it takes to make things happen. Choose your direction and follow through. Build greater support by doing what’s expected.

  Sam was in the kitchen, leaning against the counter with his cell phone in his hand, when Mikaela came to find him. He straightened when he saw her. “You look beautiful,” he said. He searched her face.

  Mikaela couldn’t hold his gaze. “Thank you,” she replied. “You look …” hot, sexy, good enough to eat. Her brain came up with a lot of adjectives, but none that seemed appropriate. “Very handsome,” she said finally, thinking she sounded lame, but safe.

  He smiled and her heart melted. She was toast. Stay in the moment, she chided herself.

  “You know,” Sam said, with a gleam in his eye, moving closer. “We could always ditch the dinner and stay in tonight instead.”

  “Tempting, very tempting,” she replied, trying to keep it light. “It does have the ring of career suicide for you, though.”

  “Yes, unfortunately, it does. That it does,” he agreed. “Maybe we could just eat quickly.”

  She chuckled. “Sounds like a better plan.”

  “I wanted to give you this,” he said, and reached for a small box.

  He lifted the lid to show the most exquisite diamond ring she had ever seen. A round cut pink diamond, as wide as a baby’s bellybutton, sparkled in a nest of white diamonds. A row of diamonds glittered around the band. She looked up at him with wide eyes.

  “We’re supposed to be engaged,” he explained hastily. “I thought you should wear a ring. But if you’d rather not …”

  “No, of course I will,” she agreed. For a moment it felt real, and she struggled to rein in the yearning.

  He held her left hand gently and slipped the ring on her finger. Her heart swirled, she couldn’t help it. Live in the moment. “Okay,” she said, a little too brightly. “Any other details I should know about tonight?”

  “I’ll fill you in on the drive there,” Sam said. They settled into his Jaguar.

  “Tonight we’re having dinner with members of the board of directors. Last I heard, all ten were coming with their spouses. I’ve met Bill Truent, the board chairman, and Shamir Adubha, the treasurer. The rest are community members, mostly lawyers and financial advisors, I think, whom I’ve not met. But if they’re anything like Bill and Shamir, they’ll be welcoming and friendly.”

  “Have you told anyone anything about me or us?” Mikaela asked.

  “I’ve told them I’m engaged, but that’s it.” He smiled at her. “That seemed enough.”

  “So what is our story?”

  “Dunno,” he replied. “We met, banged, liked it, and decided to get hitched,” he drawled.

  “How romantic,” she said dryly. “But I think we better go with something a little more … sophisticated, if you really want this job.”

  “Okay, create away.”

  “We can’t be perfectly honest, but I think we should stick as close to the truth as possible.”

  “Okay, how about we met, made love, and decided we couldn’t live without each other.”

  She wished. “Or,” she drawled. “We could say we met when I painted your house. We met six months ago and got engaged two months ago. Does that work?”

  “Sounds good. When’s your birthday?”

  “What?”

  “When’s your birthday? It seems like something I should know.”

  “Oh. April tenth. When’s yours?”

  “November eighth.”

  “I know you have a brother who’s an architect. What’s his name? And what about the rest of your family?”

  “His name is Jonathan. I also have a younger sister – Olivia. My parents live in Cannebury, but they spend the winters in Arizona. My dad’s retired. He is or was, I guess, a general surgeon and my mom’s a librarian. How about you?”

  “I’m an only child. My parents are retired, but they keep pretty busy. Well, my dad’s retired. My mom considers it her full-time job setting up blind dates for me.”

  Sam laughed. “And how does that work for you?”

  “Not surprisingly, not that well.”

  “The advantage of having siblings,” Sam commented. “Olivia is married to Ron and they have a new baby, Arielle. The wedding and baby gifts were actually expressions of my thanks for distracting Mom and Dad.”

  Mikaela laughed. “Good deal. You’re lucky.”

  He looked over at her. “I am.” Sam pulled into the restaurant parking lot. “Would you like me to drop you off at the front door?”

  “No, I’d rather go in with you.”

  Sam pulled into a spot and got out to open her door.

  “I really hope you get this position, Sam. Is there anything else I can do to help?”

  Sam looked into her worried eyes and smiled. “Have a little faith in me, darling. Just be yourself and you’ll dazzle them. And thank you again for doing this.”

  “You’re welcome. Good luck,” Mikaela said and hooking her arm in his, leaned in to enjoy being in the moment.

  Chapter 8

  Zodiac Zach—Don’t leave home without him.

  ARIES (March 21-April 19) Jump into action and take control of a situation that has the potential to turn sour if you don’t intervene. Your calm authority will cause others to take notice.

  The maître’d greeted them at the door and led them through the restaurant. The historic building had an elegant rustic ambiance with hanging leaded glass lanterns, a wall of exposed brick, and fresh flowers at every table. Candles flickered and light danced off the shine of a wide-planked hardwood floor. In a more intimate room at the back, a group of men stood next to a curved bar of richly dark wood. Water trickled down a copper sculpture, the sound quiet and soothing and complementing the soft jazz music filling the room.

  As they entered the dining area, a short, balding man with a r
ound face and wide smile immediately excused himself from the group and hurried over to greet them.

  “Sam, welcome,” he said, shaking Sam’s hand firmly.

  “Bill, thank you.” Sam turned to Mikaela. “Bill, I’d like to introduce my fiancée, Mikaela Finn. Mikaela, Bill Truent, Chairman of the Board.”

  “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Truent,” Mikaela said, extending her hand in greeting.

  “Call me Bill. And it’s a pleasure to meet you. We’re so pleased you could come this weekend. Let me introduce you to the others.” He gestured over toward the bar. “Would you like something to drink?”

  “Perrier and lime would be wonderful. Thank you,” said Mikaela.

  “I can get that, Bill. Would you like anything?” Sam offered, gesturing to Bill’s half empty glass.

  “Thanks, but I’m still working on this one.” Bill drew Mikaela over to the group of men standing by the bar and introduced her. By the time Sam returned with their drinks, three other couples had arrived and the introductions began again. Mikaela enjoyed the camaraderie of the group. They obviously knew each other well and enjoyed each other’s company.

  “And here are Jeff and Jessie,” Bill said as the youngest couple in the group joined them.

  “Sorry we’re late,” Jessie said. “It’s my fault.” She rubbed her bulging abdomen. “I like to think I have control, but Junior here has his own agenda.”

  “You’re not late at all,” Bill said, to reassure her. “We’re just getting drinks.”

  Lively conversation started up again as introductions were repeated.

  When the waiter indicated they should take their seats, Mikaela sat across from Sam. Throughout the four-course meal, she admired the way Sam charmed and engaged those around him. Occasionally he would catch her eye and smile at her, desire flashing in his eyes. That sent her pulse racing and the temperature in the room soaring. She struggled to remember they were in the middle of a crowded dining room.

  It was easier to focus on the people sitting beside her. To her right was an elderly lady, who had been introduced as a board member.

  “The board is really impressed with Sam,” the woman said to Mikaela as dinner finished and people milled about the room.

  Mikaela smiled. “He really wants this. It will be a loss for Rivermede, but a real gain for Emerson.”

  “Yes,” the woman nodded. “Not everyone would be content to give that up or move to a small town.”

  “It’s true,” Mikaela acknowledged. “It’s not a problem for Sam. He loves this town.”

  “How about you? Do you think you could settle in a small town?”

  Mikaela tried to hide her surprise. “Yes,” she said finally, realizing it was true. “I like the quiet and peace of it. I’ve only met a handful of people, but they all seem welcoming and friendly. There seems to be a close-knit community here.”

  “There is,” the woman agreed. “People look out for each other. There’s a sense of family,” she paused, “which can be good or bad, depending on how close you want to be to your family.” They shared a laugh.

  Mikaela debated whether to ask the woman something that had been bothering her. How could she phrase it? “Is it a big decision to give out hospital privileges?”

  “It depends,” the woman said. “Some specialties end up generating revenue for the hospital, so it’s an easy decision. But some, like ophthalmology, don’t. In fact, because the turnover of patients is quick, when you balance the staff and equipment costs, it can end up costing the hospital money. We’ve been particular about balancing our books and keeping the hospital from running a deficit, and we’d like to keep it that way.”

  “Isn’t the advantage of having eye surgery done locally a huge consideration?” Mikaela asked.

  The woman sighed. “For some, for sure. Especially in the winter. But patients are rarely admitted for eye surgery. They’re in and out the same day. So if you weigh convenience against the cost to the hospital, it doesn’t tip the scale. I wish it did,” she said, “but it just doesn’t.”

  “That’s disappointing,” Mikaela said, her heart sinking for Sam.

  The woman straightened. “That’s not to say we’re not considering it,” she said hastily, “but there’s more to it than meets the eye, so to speak.” She finished with a smile.

  Mikaela nodded slowly.

  Jeff, the young husband, rushed into the room. “Can anyone help deliver a baby?” he shouted. Heads turned, but he didn’t wait for an answer as he rushed out again.

  Everyone started talking at once. Mikaela rose and looked for Sam. He was deep in conversation at the bar with other members of the board, so she grabbed her clutch and slipped out.

  She spoke to the maître’d. “Someone asked for help?”

  The maître’d mumbled something into a headset and quickly led her to an office across the foyer. Jessie sat on the floor supported by her husband. Her face was contorted with pain, and beads of sweat gathered on her forehead. Two of the restaurant staff hovered nearby.

  They all looked at Mikaela when she entered. “I’m Dr. Finn. I’m an obstetrician.”

  Relief flashed across the husband’s face. “Thank god.”

  Mikaela smiled encouragingly. “The baby decided to come early?”

  “I think so,” Jessie said, more comfortable now that the contraction had passed. “I’ve been having this vague back pain all day. Nothing major, more of a niggling pain. We considered canceling tonight, but then it stopped. But about fifteen minutes ago, my water broke, and the contractions started.”

  “How far apart are they now?” Mikaela opened her clutch and took out a Red Cross CPR keychain she always carried with her. Inside was a pair of gloves.

  “Two minutes. But I really feel like I have to push.”

  Mikaela nodded. “I’d like to examine you.” She looked at the staff hovering nearby. “Could you get a blanket or a tablecloth? Maybe towels and some string?” She turned back to Jeff. “Have you called an ambulance?”

  “I did, but they said we have to go to Rivermede. They said there’s no doctor available here,” Jeff said anxiously.

  Mikaela put her hand on Jessie’s belly. “Another contraction, Jessie. Just breathe through it. Don’t push yet.”

  As the contraction eased, the staff returned with a blanket, tablecloth, and towels and handed them to Mikaela with shaking hands.

  “Great. Now could you just stand at the door? I’m going to examine Jessie and I don’t want anyone walking in. Unless it’s the paramedics …

  “How far along are you, Jessie?” Mikaela asked as she spread the tablecloth under Jessie and covered her with a blanket.

  “Thirty-eight weeks.”

  “Any problems with the pregnancy?”

  “No, none.”

  “And there’s only one baby in there, right?” Mikaela smiled.

  “Yes, just one,” Jessie said, relaxing.

  “Is this your first baby?”

  “No. Second. We have a two-year-old at home.”

  “Okay. I’m going to feel inside, Jessie,” she said as she slipped her fingers inside. “Was the first delivery this exciting?” Mikaela asked as she noted that Jessie was fully dilated and crowning.

  “No,” Jessie managed as the next contraction stopped her breath.

  Sam burst into the room. “What’s going on? What are you doing?”

  “I’m delivering a baby,” Mikaela said, distracted. She felt Jessie’s abdomen and stretched the perineum as the contraction faded.

  “You can’t do that,” Sam said.

  “Yes, she can, you moron,” Jessie screamed. Mikaela started. Sam stepped back. “She’s an obstetrician. Who let you in?” she growled.

  The waiter who had been guarding the door slithered up. “Sorry, so sorry,” he mumbled to Jessie. “He said he was a doctor,” he explained, and pushed Sam toward the door.

  “Wait,” Sam said.

  “Listen, man.” He mimed buttonin
g his lip. “Don’t wake the dragon,” he whispered to Sam, shifting worried eyes to Jessie.

  “Mikaela,” Sam started and then stood frowning as he watched.

  “Okay Jessie, one more push and we should get this baby delivered,” Mikaela said.

  Jessie groaned with the next contraction.

  A little head with a full mop of hair pushed through.

  Mikaela gently wiped her hand over the nose and mouth, clearing the secretions away. She ran her finger down the back of the baby’s head and down the neck. And felt the cord wrapped around the neck. Her heart rate went up just a notch.

  “Jessie, I don’t want you to push again just yet. Breathe and pant if you get another contraction.” Mikaela slipped her finger around the cord and stretched it over the baby’s head as she rotated the baby’s shoulders ninety degrees. The cord slipped around the shoulders and with a snap disappeared into the birth canal. “Okay, Jessie, one last push when you’re ready.”

  Before the sentence was finished, Jessie pushed, and the baby slipped out into Mikaela’s waiting hands. She massaged the baby’s chest and the baby let out a wail.

  “Beautiful,” Mikaela said. She watched the baby turn a healthy pink, and then placed her onto Jessie’s abdomen.

  “A baby girl,” Mikaela said as she tied string on the cord in two places and turned to Jeff. “Do you want to cut the cord?” she asked, holding out scissors to him.

  Jeff straightened with a tremulous smile and reached over to take the scissors. Mikaela held the cord between the ties as Jeff did the honors. Mikaela wrapped the newborn in a towel and handed the bundle back to Jessie.

  Jessie took her daughter and hugged her close. “Oh she’s beautiful. She’s so perfect. Thank you,” she breathed. “Thank you.”

  Mikaela took the scissors from Jeff’s limp hands and watched as he hugged Jessie and kissed her forehead. “She’s absolutely beautiful. Just like her mother.” He watched with wide eyes as the baby wrapped tiny fingers around the finger he held out.