Perfectly Honest

by O'Connor, Linda

  Mikaela picked her cell phone off the dresser and sat down heavily on the bed. Sam’s parents had seemed so friendly before she corrected them about her job. What was that all about? She thought it would feel good to tell the truth. But it hadn’t at all. She rubbed the ache over her heart.

  She glanced at her cell phone. Sam had sent a text twenty minutes earlier.

  On my way.

  He should be home by now. Glancing out the window, Mikaela saw dark clouds and gray skies. Snow piled up and drifts were forming as the wind swirled the snow against the house. As she debated whether to go and shovel the driveway for Sam, the front door opened and Sam shouted hello.

  Mikaela took her time joining them to give Sam some time to say hello to his parents. When she walked into the kitchen, they were standing around the island chatting.

  Sam glanced over, and reached out to draw her close and drop a gentle kiss on her lips. “So I take it you’ve met Mikaela,” Sam said to his parents as he gave Mikaela a reassuring squeeze.

  “We did, indeed,” Marla beamed. “We had a nice chat. You’ve met your match, dear. I see you make a lovely couple together,” she said as her expression softened.

  Sam smiled. “I knew you’d approve.”

  “She says she’s an obstetrician,” Walt said flatly.

  Sam looked over at his dad. “Yes.”

  Mikaela caught the look that passed between the two. She was not going to be the cause of tension between Sam and his dad. “Is that a problem?”

  Marla started to fuss. “Of course not—”

  “As a matter of fact, it is,” Walt said, folding his arms across his chest.

  “Why?” Mikaela asked with a frown.

  “I don’t like obstetricians.”

  Mikaela studied his face. He was serious. That was a first. She’d had women unhappy with her in the throes of a delivery, but it never lasted. And the partners always seemed happy, even grateful, that someone else was sitting at the other end where the action was happening. “Why?”

  Walt just looked at her with sad eyes and a stony expression.

  “Dad,” Sam began.

  “No, I think it would be better if I understood,” Mikaela said.

  “I don’t have any respect for them. They’re a bunch of quacks and half the time they don’t know what they’re doing,” Walt said.

  “I’m sorry,” Mikaela said quietly.

  “Sorry? Sorry for what?” Walt asked.

  “I’m sorry you feel that way. And I’m sorry if something happened that made you feel that way.”

  “What do you know about it?” He looked at her sharply.

  “Nothing really.” Mikaela sighed. “But you’re right. Well, partially right. Despite all of our training, we don’t always have control over what happens in a delivery. It’s sad. As much as I wish for a happy ending every time, it doesn’t always happen. It’s heartbreaking for everyone.”

  Walt looked away and stuffed his hands in his pockets. Finally he cleared his throat and looked Mikaela in the eye. “I appreciate your honesty,” he said gruffly.

  Mikaela nodded without saying anything.

  “Well,” Marla said, breaking the tension, “let me get the table set for dinner. I’ve brought fried chicken and potato salad. Are we ready to eat?”

  “I am,” said Sam. “Let me get changed.” He tugged on Mikaela’s hand. “Coming?”

  Chapter 17

  happenstance horoscope

  ARIES (March 21-April 19) You’ll be touched by the support around you. Take what’s offered. Jumping in when needed will bring its rewards. Don’t hesitate.

  Sam led Mikaela to the bedroom and shut the door behind them. He turned her to face him. “I’m really sorry about that.”

  Mikaela raised her hand to stop him and shook her head. “Don’t apologize, Sam. You’re not responsible for your father’s words. I didn’t want something like that hanging in the air every time we met. Better to air it now and know where we stand.”

  “Maybe,” said Sam. “But I could have warned you. They lost a child,” Sam explained. “I don’t remember much, and they hardly ever talk about it. I was six years old, and my mom was pregnant. They went to the hospital with my mom in labor, and everything was good but then came home devastated. The baby died at birth. Obviously my dad blames the obstetrician. I don’t really know what happened, but there was a lot of anger with the grief. That was my first funeral.”

  “I’m so sorry, Sam,” Mikaela said quietly.

  “Thanks. Just give my dad time. It’s not personal.”

  “Of course. I don’t want to come between you two. I’m sorry to make him, your mom, and you, relive that grief.”

  Sam shrugged and shook his head. “You didn’t.” Sam looked around the room. “Sorry about all this. There’s room in the closet for your stuff.” He pulled off his tie and unbuttoned his dress shirt as he entered the walk-in closet.

  Mikaela swallowed and sat down on the bed. She heard him unbuckle his belt.

  “They don’t usually stay more than a couple of days,” Sam said. He had changed into jeans and walked out into the bedroom shirtless. Grabbing a sweatshirt off the floor, he pulled it over his head.

  Enjoying the view, Mikaela sat on the bed and nodded.

  Catching her expression, Sam walked over and stood in front of Mikaela. He pulled her to her feet. “We should go back out there.”

  Mikaela nodded.

  “Hungry?” Sam asked softly.

  Mikaela nodded.

  Sam smiled and bent his head to brush his lips over hers. “Me, too,” he whispered.

  Mikaela rose to meet him and enjoyed the feel of his hard chest against her. He deepened the kiss and she slipped her hands through his hair.

  How many nights had she lain awake wanting this? she thought, pressing closer. She couldn’t get enough of his touch. She loved the feel of his lips and his tongue and oh god … they should stop … his parents were in the next room … she was going to have to share a bedroom with him tonight … her heart was going to break. She stepped back abruptly.

  “Your mom’s waiting with dinner. We should go,” she said, her voice shaky as she brushed a hand through her hair.

  “Sure.” Sam tried to read her expression.

  Mikaela avoided meeting his eyes. She opened the bedroom door and, straightening her clothes, went to the kitchen. Sam followed behind her more slowly.

  Marla was just setting the plates on the table when they walked in.

  “I can get the cutlery,” Mikaela said, a little too brightly.

  “Thank you dear. Then I think we’re all set.” Marla set the plates out and added serving spoons to the chicken and the salads.

  “Would anyone like wine?” Sam asked. “Or a beer? Dad?”

  “I’ll have a beer if you’re having one,” Walt replied.

  “Yeah, I could use one.”

  Mikaela sent Sam a guilty glance. She barely had a handle on how to act when they were alone. His parents in the house just added another complicated layer. He caught the look and she quickly looked away.

  Mikaela swallowed the last crumb of her pie and wiped the napkin across her lips. “That was delicious, Marla. Thank you very much for bringing dinner,” she said as she sat back, feeling pleasantly full.

  “Yes. Another outstanding meal, Mom. Thank you. Would you like coffee or tea?” Sam asked, glancing at his parents.

  “I’d love an extra-hot, sugar-free, caramel, half-caf, skinny, grande, moche latte with a little extra foam,” his mom said.

  Sam stopped and stared.

  “Just kidding. I’ve always wanted to order that,” she said with a laugh. “A herbal tea would be lovely, dear, if it’s not too much trouble.”

  Sam chuckled. “Tea, I can do.”

  Mikaela stood up to help.

  “Relax. I can get it,” Sam offered. Sam collected the plates and brought them to the counter, on his way to filling the kettle and brewing the coffee
.

  As he set steaming mugs down a few moments later, Sam glanced out the window. “It’s a good thing you came today. Look at that snow. It doesn’t look like it’s slowing down at all.”

  Gone were the big fluffy snowflakes that drifted down quietly earlier in the day. Now the wind whistled against the windows. As darkness settled, the snow blew in white sheets across the lake, cresting on waves that crashed and roared against the shore.

  “If it can’t be seen, it wants to be heard,” Mikaela murmured.

  “I hope you don’t have to go out tonight,” Marla said with concern.

  Mikaela and Sam shook their heads as Mikaela’s phone rang. She picked up her phone and wandered to the next room. “Hello?”

  “Hello, Dr. Finn. It’s the Emerson Hospital switchboard here. Dr. Grant is on the line for you. Please hold.” There were a series of clicks. “Go ahead.”

  “Mikaela?”

  “Hi Sylvie. How’s it going?”

  “Good. Good,” she said in a distracted voice. “Sorry to bother you at home. I know you’re not on call, but I was wondering if you could take a look at a patient. She’s a primip in her thirty-sixth week, followed by Dr. Henderson at St. Peter’s. Her contractions started about three hours ago, and the ultrasound shows the baby is breech. With this weather, she’s not going to make it to Rivermede and it looks like she’s heading toward a C-section. Any chance you’re around and could come?”

  Mikaela glanced out at the raging storm and grimaced. “Yes, of course. I just need to shovel out from the mess outside, but I could be there in half an hour.”

  Sylvie sighed in relief. “That would be great.”

  “If you could make sure she’s prepped and ready to go in case it all happens fast, I’ll be as quick as I can.”

  “Great. Thanks. See you shortly.”

  Mikaela hung up the phone and walked back into the kitchen. “That was the hospital. Unfortunately I have to go in and help out with a delivery.”

  Marla looked at her sympathetically. “Oh dear. We spoke too soon.”

  Sam stood up. “I’ll grab a shovel and get a path cleared to the road. You can take the Jeep. It has four-wheel drive and will be safer. Hopefully the snowplows have been out this way,” he said as he poured the rest of his coffee in the sink.

  “I’ll help, too,” Walt said as he got up and followed Sam.

  “I’ll just get changed and join you,” Mikaela said.

  “I can drive you to the hospital, Mikaela, if you’re worried about driving,” Sam offered. He pulled on boots, tugged on a hat, and found warm gloves.

  Mikaela looked at him gratefully. She hated driving in weather. “Really? What about getting back home? If I drive, I can stay the night if the roads are terrible.”

  Sam shrugged. “I can do some paperwork and wait for you. I could always crash in one of the on call rooms.”

  She was so relieved she almost wept. “That would be great.”

  “No problem. Let’s see if we can get out of the driveway.”

  Mikaela went to change and quickly grabbed some overnight essentials. She was pulling on a warm coat and scarf when Sam came back in. Walt followed behind him and stamped the snow off his boots.

  “That was fast,” Mikaela said with raised eyebrows.

  “Turns out you have friends in high places.” Sam grinned.

  “What?”

  “Look,” Sam said as he opened the door.

  A massive snowplow was slowly backing out of the driveway, clearing a wide swatch as it went.

  “What’s he doing?”

  “Apparently he’s the uncle of the newborn you’re about to deliver. They got word to him that you needed to get to the hospital pronto, so he’s here to deliver you. Not your average limo but considering the weather …”

  “Much preferred. That’s so great.”

  Sam laughed.

  “I better get going. Thanks for offering to drive me. I appreciate it,” she said and leaned over and pressed her lips softly to his. “Wish me luck. I’ll let you know how it goes, but don’t wait up for me.” She scooted out the front door, and pushing against the swirling snow, she climbed up into the waiting snowplow.

  Mikaela waved as the snowplow honked and slowly pulled out into the road.

  Chapter 18

  Written in the Stars by Esmeralda Garnet

  ARIES (March 21-April 19) Doing a job well will bring its own rewards. Emotional issues demand your attention. Proceed with caution.

  Mikaela curled up on the couch in her office and tugged a blanket up over her shoulders. It was three o’clock in the morning, and she was grateful for the break. The patient had ended up needing a Cesarean section, and a healthy six-pound baby boy had been delivered at nine o’clock that evening. The baby was in the neonatal intensive care unit for observation for a few hours as a precaution, and the mom was settled in a room.

  Mikaela ended up staying at the hospital to care for two more women in labor who arrived just as she was finishing up the first delivery. One delivered an eight-pound baby girl, but the other looked like she was going to be a while yet. Time to catch a break, Mikaela sighed, and snuggled deeper into the warmth.

  She was really growing to love this small town. Where else would they rally together to make sure she arrived safely at the hospital? One of the nurses on the obstetrical floor had called her aunt at the dispatch for the city works. She put the bulletin out that Mikaela needed to get to hospital. The driver hadn’t realized his sister-in-law had gone into labor, but he hustled over, as fast as a snowplow could hustle, and cleared the way. It was definitely the way to go in a raging snowstorm. The massive truck plowed through the piles of snow on slippery roads like it was a sunny day. Friends in high places, she chuckled, were definitely a bonus.

  Mikaela closed her eyes and tried to relax. She figured she had two, maybe three hours before they called her again. She sent Sam a text and wondered how he made out with his parents. He seemed to enjoy their company, and it actually worked out well that he could spend some time alone with them.

  And Mikaela had one more night of reprieve. She couldn’t imagine how the night would’ve gone if she’d stayed home. Well, she could imagine, that was the problem. She shivered at the thought of spending the night with Sam. Just seeing his hot, hard, naked body stopped her brain working. She loved the feel of his skin against her. She loved his lips on hers and loved being held by him. She sighed. She loved him. Period. That sent an ache raging through her. He offered to drive her, made her dinners, and was fun. He made her heart race.

  She was toast. When this charade ended, she was going to get burned. Live in the moment, Mikaela told herself. Enjoy each day and the time you spend with Sam. It should be easier for her, knowing it wasn’t going last. But it really wasn’t. It was like feeding an addiction, knowing that eventually, she was going to have to deal with the problem. But this addiction made her feel really good. So like any other addict, she vowed to deal with it. Tomorrow. She hoped tomorrow never came.

  Chapter 19

  happenstance horoscope

  ARIES (March 21-April 19) Go to a place that nurtures mind, body and spirit. The past plays a role in shaping your future. Be cautious about revealing all you know.

  On Friday evening, Mikaela unlocked her condominium door and let herself in. She had chickened out.

  Marla and Walt had decided to stay an extra two days so the snow-covered roads would be cleared before they continued their drive down south. The storm had abated over night. The temperatures had dropped and the day had been filled with bright sunshine. The major roads had been cleared of snow but were still slushy and wet as the salt and sand started to work. Mikaela understood why they wanted to delay their drive to Arizona, but the drive to Rivermede was doable. So she made her excuses and did it.

  It was better this way, Mikaela reasoned. She wasn’t ready to spend the night with Sam. She hadn’t been back to her condominium in over a month and needed to
check on it. Theoretically.

  Mikaela thought she saw a flicker of disappointment in Sam’s eyes when she announced she was leaving for the weekend. It boosted her ego for a moment and almost made her change her mind. But in the end, she just didn’t want to deal with the situation. She wasn’t ready to share Sam’s bed. So Mikaela spent Thursday night at the hospital. On Friday after work, she said her good-byes to Sam’s parents, smiled through Marla’s offer of help with the wedding plans, shook Walt’s hand with polite distance, and escaped.

  Mikaela tossed her keys on the table and set her overnight bag on the floor. She looked around at the familiar surroundings with the comforting hues of beach sand and seawater, and relaxed. Tension drained from her shoulders, and the fatigue lifted as she removed her coat and boots. She turned up the thermostat and wandered through the living room, snapping on lights, and pulling curtains shut to keep the warmth in as the evening sun set.

  Mikaela flipped through the mail, which the neighbor had left lying on the kitchen counter. She sorted out the bills and threw the flyers into the recycling.

  She glanced at the clock and realized she had an hour before Margo came over. She had called her to arrange a girls’ night in with pizza and a movie, but there was plenty of time to unwind with a long soak in the tub.

  She opened a bottle of Margo’s favorite red wine, to let it breathe. Luckily she wasn’t a wine snob like Margo. Her first glass didn’t need to breathe. She carried it upstairs and started the tub running. She shed her clothes and wrapped herself in a warm terry robe. Bath salts in the water filled the air with a sweet vanilla fragrance. Mikaela sat on the edge of the tub and let the warm, almost hot, water cascade through her fingers. She slipped out of her robe and slipped into the bubbles, sinking down to her chin and closing her eyes.

  Mikaela was not going to think about lying to Sam’s parents about the engagement. She was not going to think about Marla’s sweet nature and Walt’s silent disapproval. She was not going to think about Sam’s hot body and the legions of women who enjoyed it before her. Or her job, the clinic, or the mound of charting she needed to do. For one blessed hour she would just be. Mikaela concentrated on the hot fragrant water, on relaxing every muscle of her body, and just enjoyed having time off.