“I’m sure it’ll mean a lot to her.”
“I doubt it. Nothing’s going to bring Spade back. Rehashing the past might even make it worse for her. She’s having his baby. I don’t know how she’s coping. I don’t know how Dad’s coping.”
“Let’s not talk about that right now.” He started out the door. “Come on downstairs. We’ll forget chess and watch the news on TV.”
“I’ve got a better idea. Let’s have a few drinks. How long has it been since we did that together?”
His brother’s head whipped around. “Years, but it’s the best idea you’ve had since we came home last week. Just one problem. You might not be in the best shape when you pick up Laurel tomorrow. I’ll tell you what—”
Rick checked his watch. “It’s only ten after ten. She’s probably still awake. While I hunt for the Jack Daniels, why don’t you get her on the phone? Explain that something unavoidable has come up and you can’t take her to the doctor, after all. It doesn’t sound like you were looking forward to it, anyway. In the end, it’ll save both of you a lot of unnecessary pain.”
By this time his brother had reached the foyer, but Nate couldn’t seem to make it the rest of the way down the stairs.
Rick stood at the bottom waiting for him. “What’s wrong now?”
“For a minute I could’ve sworn you were serious.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
THE PHYSICIANS’ OFFICE building formed part of the complex with Aurora Regional Hospital. One reason Laurel liked it was the fact that there was always plenty of parking.
“You don’t need to come with me,” she told Nate after he’d pulled to a stop near the main entrance. “My doctor is amazingly punctual for an OB, so I shouldn’t be long.”
He ignored her comment and got out of the Blazer. Opening her door, he said, “When I told you I’d drive you to the doctor’s office, I assumed you understood that I was going inside and waiting for you.”
“But you’ll have to sit in a roomful of pregnant women with their youngsters running around. Most men hate it!”
“I’ve faced scarier situations.”
“I don’t know….”
His mouth lifted in a half smile. “Let me worry about it. Come on.”
In her tailored navy maternity pants outfit she felt less self-conscious swinging her legs around in front of him. He grasped her arm to help her down.
Nate was even more solicitous of her needs than Brent. But when her feet touched the ground, all thoughts of her brother-in-law fled.
Maybe it was the smell of spring in the air, or a sudden awareness of the man standing next to her. Whatever the reason, she experienced a moment of exhilaration.
It had come right out of the blue.
The sensation was so foreign to her, she felt almost giddy and had to cling to Nate for support.
“I can’t believe how fast the snow’s melted after the last storm,” she blurted to hide her reaction. Six months ago she couldn’t have imagined feeling this alive again.
“It’s supposed to reach sixty-five degrees today. That’s Denver weather for you.” He kept a hand on her arm as he ushered her inside the building.
The euphoric feeling was still with her when they entered the reception room two doors down from the front entrance. Dr. Steel shared a practice with several other OBs.
“It’s so crowded!” Laurel observed, realizing they wouldn’t be able to sit together. “Grab that chair by the window quick while I check in.”
“All right.” He gave her arm a gentle squeeze before letting her go.
While she waited behind another expectant mother at the reception desk, she watched Nate walk over to the table for a magazine. In his dark-brown leather jacket and tan chinos he drew the eye of every female in the room.
“Mrs. Pierce?”
“Oh!” Laurel turned around. “Hi. I’m here for my eleven o’clock appointment with Dr. Steel.”
“He’s running about five minutes behind. Have a seat and his nurse will call you.”
“Thanks.”
As she went to find herself a place, an older pregnant woman seated next to Nate got up and approached her. “Go ahead and sit with your hubby.”
Before Laurel could correct her, the woman moved to another part of the room to find a chair. She probably didn’t hear Laurel’s murmured thank-you.
Nate was smiling by the time she sat down. “That was accommodating of her.”
“Husbands are a rarity in here.”
The second she said the word, she wished she hadn’t. She didn’t know exactly why. However, it was evident that Nate felt comfortable with the situation or he wouldn’t have offered to come inside.
“That’s too bad,” he said in a low voice. “A man could learn a lot by observing what his wife has to go through while they’re waiting for their baby.”
Curious, she asked, “What have you deduced so far?”
“Something I’ve always suspected.” His gaze traveled the room. “Women are strong in ways a man could never be. There’s a dignity in their patience that’s humbling.”
Dignity in patience? She’d never thought of it that way before.
“Don’t forget men bring certain strengths a woman needs. If a couple pulls together, they can have a strong marriage.”
His face darkened. “So how does a single expectant mo—”
Laurel knew what he was asking, but she never got to answer him because Dr. Steel’s nurse called her name.
“Excuse me, Nate. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
“Take all the time you need. I’m not going anywhere.”
Not yet anyway… The thought of Nate’s leaving Colorado brought the only cloud to an otherwise perfect morning.
She got up from the chair feeling like an old woman and waddled her way around the front counter to the examining rooms, aware that a pair of intensely blue eyes was following her progress.
“Who’s the fabulous-looking guy sitting out there with you?” Merline asked while she waited for Laurel to take off her shoes and get on the scales. Merline knew about Scott.
“A close friend of my husband’s. They were pilots together.”
“Whew.”
“You sound like my sister Julie. What is it with all you happily married women?”
Merline winked. “If you need an explanation, then I’ll tell Dr. Steel to refer you to the eye doctor down the hall.”
Laurel chuckled, but her amusement soon subsided. “Oh, no—I’ve gained two more pounds this week.”
“It’s a sign you’re about ready to deliver. Okay. Where’s my present?”
Laurel opened her purse and handed her the small sack containing a urine sample.
“Need help getting up on the table? Or shall I call in the troops?” Merline’s eyes twinkled. She obviously meant Nate.
Warmth crept over Laurel’s body. She was still feeling the effects of his touch when he’d assisted her from the Blazer.
“I think I can manage.”
No sooner had she situated herself than Dr. Steel breezed into the room with a broad smile on his face. “How are you doing, Laurel?”
“I’m fine.”
“That’s what I like to hear.”
Her OB was a grandfatherly type who’d delivered thousands of babies, including Joey after Brent and Julie had moved to Denver. Laurel had the greatest confidence in him. He took her blood pressure, then began the exam. It was over within minutes.
“The baby’s head has dropped since your last appointment. Have you had any backache?”
“Some. Especially last night after I went to bed. We had a dinner party and I’m afraid I overdid it.”
He nodded. “This baby might come sooner than we expected. Keep your feet up. Cut out all salt. No more walking around the mall.”
At least he hadn’t ordered her to bed.
“I’ll be careful.”
“Did you arrange for a pediatrician?”
“Yes. I’m using the
one my sister goes to. His name is Dr. Duffy.”
“He’s an excellent choice. All right. Tell the receptionist to mark you down for a week from today. We’ll see if you make it.” He smiled again.
“Do you think my due date was off?”
“No. Your baby’s just a little more eager than some to make an appearance.”
“My mother-in-law told me Scott came ten days early.”
“Every mother’s different, every pregnancy’s unique. Don’t worry. Whatever happens, you’re in great shape. If you have questions, call me anytime, no matter the reason.”
“I will. Thank you, Dr. Steel.”
In a minute Laurel had made herself presentable and left the room, eager to rejoin Nate. Merline was in the hall weighing in another pregnant woman. She grinned at Laurel.
“I never saw a woman at your stage of pregnancy move so fast.” Her brows lifted in query. “Where’s the fire?”
It was no idle question. A blush crept over Laurel’s face. She walked even faster, shocked to think she’d sent such obvious signals to Merline.
If the reason for her joy was that transparent to Dr. Steel’s nurse, had Nate picked up on it? She hoped not.
THE SECOND NATE SAW Laurel, he shot to his feet in alarm. Her heightened color led him to believe she’d been crying. Whether it was over Spade’s absence at such a crucial time or bad news about her pregnancy, or both, Nate couldn’t tell, but he was going to find out. He tossed the unread magazine on the table.
“Hi! I hope you didn’t die of boredom while I was back there. Shall we go?”
She sounded too cheerful and her eyes seemed to avoid his. She started out of the office ahead of him. He caught up with her at the door and held her arm all the way out to the Blazer.
Once they were both inside, he turned in the seat to face her. She wasn’t the same woman she’d been half an hour earlier.
“Laurel? Are you all right?”
She fastened her seat belt. “Of course.”
He could feel her tension. “Don’t insult my intelligence by putting on a brave front. Tell me what’s wrong.”
“Not a thing. Honestly.”
“You wouldn’t say that if I were Spade.”
A smile appeared. “If you were Scott, you wouldn’t have come to a routine doctor’s appointment with me.”
Her reply stunned him. “Why do you say that?”
“Because he always hated the idea of going to the doctor, whether it was for him or me. That’s one of the reasons I had the implant done while he was away. To spare him.”
Nate shook his head. How many other things didn’t he know about Spade?
“Then use me for a shoulder to cry on.”
“You’re very kind, but I don’t need one. Thank you anyway.”
“Laurel?” He swallowed hard. “Did the doctor say something to worry you?”
“Not at all, but I am retaining fluid. He wants me to keep my feet up. I’m afraid any food we eat out will have too much salt. Maybe it would be better if you just dropped me off at home. Then you’ll have the rest of the day to make other plans.”
Whatever she was trying to hide, he wasn’t about to let her get away with it. “I thought we were going to talk.”
She turned to him at last, but she had a guarded look in her eyes. “We’ve been doing that since you picked me up at the house. It allowed us to make up for the other night, when Joey and Mike took over the conversation.
“Nate—” Her voice caught. “You have no idea how much I appreciate your taking me to the doctor. I’ll never forget your kindness…or your bravery,” she added, obviously trying to lighten the atmosphere. But Nate had the impression she was telling him goodbye.
He sat back in his seat, his emotions in chaos. Almost in slow motion he fastened his seat belt, then started the car.
Halfway to her sister’s house she said, “There is one question I’ve wanted to ask. You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to, of course. Maybe you can’t talk about it. If that’s true, then I’ll understand.”
By now she’d done a good job of twisting his insides. “What is it?”
“Having met you, spent time with you, I know you would’ve been at Scott’s funeral if you’d been able to come.”
“If you’re asking why I didn’t, it was because my mother had just been killed.”
“Oh, Nate! Your mom?” she cried with heartfelt compassion.
In the next instant she reached out to cover his hand, which rested on the gearshift. He cast her a veiled glance and discovered her eyes filled with tears.
“Tell me what happened.”
Unable to hold back, Nate found himself relating the agonizing details. It was the first time he’d talked to anyone about it, outside of Rick.
“Her two best friends were killed with her. It rocked the whole community.”
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered.
“So am I. She and Spade died within days of each other. While you were burying him, my family was holding a funeral service for her. I got word about Spade too late to do anything more than phone you and write a letter.”
She shook her head. “I don’t know how you managed to function, let alone try to contact me.” Her hand remained on his although he didn’t think she was aware of it. “How old was she?”
“Fifty-three.”
“She was still so young! That’s tragic.”
“No more tragic than Spade being taken in the prime of life,” he muttered before he could catch himself.
Suddenly the warmth of her touch was missing. It was as if the mention of her husband’s name had caused her to remove her hand.
“How has your father taken it?”
Her husky tone told him he never should have said anything. When she reached the house, she would go inside and cry her heart out over Spade.
“At first he was so devastated, I didn’t think he’d ever come out of his depression. Then a couple of months ago he met a woman. Now they’re married.”
After a long silence, she said, “I’m glad he found happiness again, but it couldn’t have been easy for you and Rick.”
“No.” That was an understatement.
The fact that she saw nothing strange in his father’s remarrying so soon after his mother’s death surprised Nate. He struggled to hide his reaction.
“When you spoke to me at the lodge restaurant,” he said, “I was dancing with the second Mrs. Hawkins. We’d just come from the chapel where they were married.”
“So that was the wedding party you’d referred to… I thought the woman in your arms might be your new bride. When you walked away from me, I was doubly horrified to think I’d upset you while you were enjoying the beginning of your life as a married man.”
Nate couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Talk about appearances being deceptive. “That’s a night I’d like to blot from my memory.”
“So would I.” Her voice trembled as she spoke.
When he realized what he’d just said, he reached for her hand. In case she tried to pull away, he tightened his grip.
“I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. I was already feeling depressed before I saw you on the elevator with Brent. Later when I was so unconscionably rude to you, I knew I’d reached rock bottom.
“I despised myself for it, but I couldn’t seem to control my thoughts or emotions at the time. That’s what I meant about wanting to forget that night.”
She stared at him. “Why were you in such low spirits?” Her persistence held an underlying earnestness he couldn’t ignore.
“It’s a long story.” He had to let go of her hand to turn into the Marsdens’ driveway. The Cavalier wasn’t there. “You don’t really want to know.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. If you don’t mind a roast-beef sandwich for lunch, come into the house and I’ll make us both one while you tell me.”
He’d thought she wanted to be alone to mourn her loss. What was going on with her?
“Good.”
Within ten minutes they’d settled in the den to eat. To his surprise, she’d allowed him to do everything for her, even rummage around in her sister’s kitchen.
He found he was starving. After she’d eaten, she lounged on the couch with her feet propped up, watching him wolf down a second sandwich. He finished it off with a cold lemonade. Her eyes smiled as if she found his appetite amusing.
“I’ve been patient long enough,” she began when she saw him put down the empty can. “Why don’t you start by telling me why you resigned your commission.”
He sat forward with his hands clasped between his knees. “After Mom’s funeral, Dad went downhill fast. Rick and I assumed there would come a point where he’d snap out of it, but he never rallied. We learned from Dad’s assistant at the ski shop that he wasn’t taking an active interest in the business anymore.
“When I heard that, it became impossible for me to concentrate on my career. My brother had a similar problem. After many phone conversations, we came to the same conclusion. Dad needed us here.”
“So Rick gave up his racing career, too?”
“Yes. But when we got home, hoping to bring some happiness back to our father’s life, he shocked us by announcing he’d met a woman and was getting married.”
She sat up straight. “Your father must be a remarkable man for you and your brother to have sacrificed your careers for him. But it also explains why you were so depressed at the lodge. I know how much you love to fly. Your brother must feel the same way about racing. Now I understand what you meant on the phone about your decision to leave the Air Force being premature.
“Surely with your dad remarried, the two of you can explain your situations to those in charge and get right back to doing what you love.”
Nate stared at her in bewilderment. She didn’t understand. She didn’t have a clue that his pain was coming from a completely different source. That was because she was still in too much pain herself.
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