Marrying Mallory

by Diane Craver

  Dear God, Please give me the right words to say to Josh.

  She kissed Josh’s forehead before looking directly into his eyes. “Your dad will always love you the most because you’re his son. Having you makes us so happy that we got married. You dad has told me many times how much he loves you.”

  “Mommy, don’t cry. I love you.”

  She lifted the bottom of the T-shirt and wiped her eyes. “I love you too. I’m okay now. Mommies cry a little sometimes. I’m glad you told me how you felt. And remember even though we don’t live in the same house any longer, you still have a mom and dad loving you all the time.

  She leaned over to pick up a flower. “Let’s finish planting my Mother’s Day gift.”

  While shoving the next flower in the hole, she wished again that Toby had never met Samantha. Why couldn’t he have given their son more time to adjust to the divorce? Sure, he had every right to become involved with someone, but this was too soon.

  ***

  She felt relief that Josh was fast asleep. Maybe calling Toby would ease her mind. But did she have the right to ask him again about Samantha? They were divorced, after all. Josh could be right about his dad’s feelings for Samantha. Obviously, Toby cared a lot about Samantha because he wanted her to go to Las Vegas to visit him.

  When the landline phone rang, she wondered if it could be Toby.

  “Hello, stranger.”

  She recognized Seth’s voice, which surprised and pleased her at the same time. She hadn’t talked to him since the previous Sunday when he’d wanted to visit and bring food. Laughing, she said, “I’m hardly a stranger. We talked a week ago and we’ve sent texts.”

  “Texts aren’t the same as hearing your voice. I just had to call to tell you that my mom loves the vase and jar. I’m her favorite child now so thank you. I love it that I gave her the best gift for Mother’s Day. My sister is jealous.”

  “So you and sister have sibling rivalry. That’s what I missed out on by being an only child.”

  “I imagine having you was enough for your mom.”

  She couldn’t resist teasing Seth. “Are you saying that I was high maintenance as a child?”

  “Not at all. I meant you gave enough joy that she never missed having more children.”

  “Nice comeback.” She paused for a moment. “I never wanted Josh to be an only child, but Toby didn’t want more children.”

  “That’s a shame.” He cleared his throat. “I’ve always wanted children. I envy my friend, Henry. They recently had a boy.”

  “Tell them to enjoy him because he won’t stay a baby for very long.”

  “So, Mom, how was your special day?”

  “Pretty good. After church, Josh and I met my mother at Applebee’s. Then we went to a movie. This evening Josh helped me plant the flowers he gave me for Mother’s Day, but…” She dropped her voice as she continued, “We had a few sad moments because Josh told me about his dad’s girlfriend.”

  “Is he afraid he’ll have a stepmother?”

  “Maybe that and he thinks that Toby loves Samantha more than us because he saw Toby kiss her.”

  “I’m sorry. I know the divorce has been rough on Josh.”

  “It is but I’m glad you called. It’s nice to talk to another adult about it. I thought about calling Heather or Elizabeth, but I didn’t feel like bothering them again about the whole Toby problem. They don’t need to hear about my failed marriage all the time.” She paused for a moment. “I shouldn’t be dumping on you, either. How have you been?”

  “I had something unexpected happen today. My former fiancée called me. Leanne feels now that she made a mistake in breaking our engagement. She also wants to go boating with my family over Memorial Day weekend.”

  Was romance in the air? First, she had to hear about Samantha kissing Toby and now Seth’s fiancée wanted him back. And she realized something important…she didn’t want Seth to get back together with Leanne. “How do you feel about that?”

  “About boating?”

  “Yeah, I want to know your deep feelings about her going boating with you.” She exhaled a deep breath. “I wish you were next to me right now so I could pounce on you. I want to know how you feel about getting back with Leanne.”

  He chuckled. “I had to tease you. I wish we were next to each other too. I’d like another birthday kiss from you.”

  “Your birthday’s over. I might give you a kiss if you do a good job on my nose. Well, not right away. The splint will get in the way. So I take it, that you aren’t interested in being engaged again?” She had to get a definite no from Seth.

  “Not to Leanne anyhow. I’m glad she broke our engagement.”

  Seth might enjoy kissing her, but would he ever be interested in marrying her? She wondered how he felt about divorced women. And could she ever feel right about getting married to someone again?

  “Are you still there?” Seth asked.

  She might as well be honest with Seth. “I was just thinking about you not wanting Leanne back in your life. That seems like a good decision.”

  “I know you said you don’t want to see me before the surgery, but how about making one little exception and go boating with my family on the holiday?”

  “It sounds like fun but my mom asked me yesterday to be her matron of honor. She’s getting married on the Saturday after Memorial Day weekend, so I’m thinking of having a little bachelorette party sometime during the holiday weekend. Maybe go to the spa and to dinner. Nothing wild, of course.”

  “Tell her congratulations for me.”

  “She wants to stick around to drive me on the day of my surgery, but I told her to go ahead and leave for their honeymoon.”

  “Maybe Heather or Elizabeth can drive you.”

  She laughed. “I had originally planned on Heather driving me before I met you. I thought about fixing her up with you since you both are in the medical field.”

  In an amused voice, he said, “I remember how you asked if I was dating anyone. I guess I should date a nurse or a doctor. Leanne’s an accountant and that didn’t work out.”

  Seth had to be kidding. He hadn’t seemed interested in Heather at the barbecue. “Actually Heather told me that you might fall in love with me.” Geez, why did she blurt that out? Because you don’t want him seeing Heather instead of you.

  “What if I do fall in love with you? How would that make you feel?”

  Her answer had to be right and truthful, but still she hesitated in replying. “I no longer want you and Heather to become a couple.”

  “When your surgery’s done, you better be ready because I’m going to be more than your surgeon. I’d like to take you out on a real date.”

  “Have you dated other patients?”

  “No. And you’re the only one I want to. I believe God wanted us to meet. We have something special between us, and it’d be wrong to deny our feelings for each other. I could bring you the vitamin packet tonight. You need to start taking Vitamin B and C each day for a week before surgery. Then you continue for a week after the surgery. My office usually sends the vitamins, but I’d like to see you.”

  She remembered the two vitamins helped the tissues heal after surgery. Yes, they could be sent, but she wanted to see Seth and Josh was fast asleep. Glancing at the time, she saw that it was nine o’clock. “It’s getting late. Don’t you have surgery early tomorrow morning?”

  “I don’t have any surgery scheduled for tomorrow. There won’t be much traffic on Sunday night and I can get there before ten. I’ll just stay a short time. I know you have school tomorrow.”

  “Josh’s asleep but what if he wakes up? I’m not sure what to tell him if he sees you.” How would she explain who Seth was to Josh? She planned on telling Josh about her surgery after it was over. She wanted him to have a good time at the lake with his grandparents and not worry about her.

  “If he wakes up, tell him that I had something to drop off for you.”

  Obviously, Seth wanted to see
her. He’d used the vitamin packet for an excuse to drive from Toledo when it could be sent to her. She couldn’t say no to him. “You’re the one doing the driving so if you don’t mind, then it’s okay with me.”

  “If you want to give me a kiss for delivering your vitamins, I won’t object.”

  Thirty-five minutes later, she opened the door to let Seth in the house. “I’m glad you came.”

  After handing her the small vitamin packet, he smiled. “I have to admit that I’ve never made a delivery to a patient before.”

  “I appreciate it.” She dropped the vitamins on the end table. “Would you like something to drink?”

  He shook head. “How about a kiss instead?” Seth didn’t wait for her answer and pulled her toward him, wrapping her in his arms. Before his lips touched hers, he said, “This was all I could think about while I was driving… having you in my arms.”

  Feelings of happiness washed over her at his words. Her body reacted strongly while pressed against Seth’s. He tipped her chin up and gave her a sweet kiss. Then his lips nibbled on her neck before caressing her lips. When his tongue swirled in, she didn’t protest. He took her breath away, making her want more.

  When they stopped kissing, he said, “Mallory, I’m so glad we met.”

  “I need to sit down. I feel weak.” On the sofa, she rested her head on his shoulder. “You’re the first man I’ve kissed since Toby.”

  “I’d like to make a habit of kissing you.”

  She raised her head, grasping his hand. “Hold on, Romeo. Can you handle being my doctor when we’re obviously physically attracted to each other? I don’t know about you, but my emotions are getting pretty involved here.”

  He grinned. “Don’t be afraid to say you’re hot for me.”

  “Okay, Dr. Whitman, I’ll admit it. I’m hot for you.” She sighed. “I guess I better get another doctor. Who do you recommend?”

  “You don’t need to go to another surgeon. If I thought I couldn’t do your surgery, I’d tell you.” His blue eyes met her green eyes. “I was attracted to you when you came in for your first visit. That’s why I took you out for coffee. I talked to my friend Henry how I should keep our relationship strictly a patient-doctor one, but that it was going to be hard.”

  “I liked you from the beginning too.”

  “I’m confident I’ll be able to operate on you and give you a nose you’ll be happier with. But if you have any doubt, I understand.”

  “I believe you. I want you to do my surgery.” Hopefully, they wouldn’t make out before surgery. If her body kept responding to Seth like it was now, she might end up canceling the surgery to smother him with kisses right in the operating room instead. “I can’t go elsewhere when you’re the best rhinoplasty surgeon.”

  “Channel 13 is coming this week to film a segment about having plastic surgery. They’re going to tape one of my rhinoplasty surgeries. I’ll explain how I shape and mold the new nose to fit the patient’s features so it looks natural.”

  “So I’ve been kissing a celebrity. You’ll have to tell me when they show this on TV. I definitely want to see it.”

  Seth gently touched her cheek. “I won’t stay long, but I need a few kisses before I hit the road.”

  She smiled mischievously at Seth. “I guess I’m up for some kisses.”

  ***

  Monday morning, Mallory texted Elizabeth and Heather between classes about her Sunday night visitor. Immediately, both friends texted back, wanting to know if Seth was said visitor.

  During her planning period, Mallory pulled her cell phone out of her bag when she heard the ringtone. She glanced and saw it was Elizabeth. She answered, laughing. “I knew you’d call first. I’m sure Heather’s call will follow. It’s all your fault, Elizabeth. The dinner party started everything.”

  “Hey, you wanted to invite Seth. I was trying to fix you up with Jeremy, but I really like Seth. He’s a sweetie. Just the kind of guy you deserve. Give me details fast about last night.”

  “Things got a bit heated between us. I’m a little concerned about him working on my nose now that we have strong feelings for each other. But he insists that it won’t be a problem.”

  “Truthfully, I don’t think it will be. Seth’s a professional. But it’s your nose. If you feel uncomfortable about him doing the procedure, then go to another doctor.”

  She tapped her pen on the desk. “I have another problem. I can see us getting serious but I’m struggling with the whole idea of ever getting married again.”

  “It’s okay for you to fall in love. You’re not married to Toby any longer. Thank goodness. God understands that it was out of your control. If you hadn’t divorced him, he’d be cheating on you again. You did the right thing and it’s time for you to go on with your life. Toby certainly has.”

  “I hope so because I’m already crazy about Seth.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Seth missed Mallory. Sure, they had talked by phone daily to each other. But unfortunately, he hadn’t seen her in person. They hadn’t been alone since he’d taken her vitamins to her. Last weekend she took her mom and her friends to the spa for a girls’ time together before the wedding. And he’d had more than the usual amount of surgeries scheduled because his annual trip in June was coming up soon. Mallory’s teaching load increased with tests and essays to grade before the end of the school year.

  He glanced down at his arm. He definitely couldn’t see her now. But maybe it was just as well. When he was around her, it was too hard to keep his hands off the lovely Mallory.

  Seth positioned an ice pack on his right elbow. Unbelievable, his first injury from playing racquetball and it had to happen now. Only a few days left in May, then it’d be June and I operate on Mallory. Well, at least my arm’s not broken. Hopefully, the pain will leave if I follow doctor’s orders about icing it and wearing a sling as much as possible for the next five days.

  He didn’t want any distractions from his elbow tendonitis while performing the rhinoplasty procedure on Mallory. He glanced down at the pack. Please, Lord, heal my elbow completely before Mallory’s surgery. And bless me with the skill to create a natural nose for her. One that she’ll love. Of course, Lord, if she changes her mind, that’s okay with me.

  The phone rang and he saw it was Henry. His friend knew he’d gone to see the doctor before going to work. Seth answered, “You better check up on me after you insisted on playing racquetball again yesterday.”

  “I’m sorry. I think we played too long. We aren’t twenty-one any longer.”

  “No, it’s my fault. I was kidding you,” he said. “I had a sharp pain while we played and should have spoken up, but I didn’t want to appear a wimp.”

  “I bet you made a wrong move and pulled something. How did work go?”

  “Pretty easy. I just had a nose splint to remove and saw a few patients.” He’d taken the sling off for a short time while working. “I didn’t have any surgeries scheduled for today. Monday will be a light day because a couple of patients called in today to cancel their surgeries.”

  “Are you going to mention your injury to Mallory?” Henry asked.

  “I doubt I’ll talk to her. Her mom’s getting married tomorrow. And Mallory doesn’t need to know. She might worry I’ll cancel on her.” How would Mallory react if he told her? He guessed she’d be concerned about getting her nose reduced in time to go to Las Vegas.

  Henry chuckled. “I don’t know. From what you’ve told me about Mallory, I think you should call her. I bet she’ll rush to your place to take care of you. Don’t blow an opportunity to get her to play nurse.”

  After he got off the phone with Henry, he didn’t call Mallory. Sure, he’d love to see her but it was better this way. He needed to concentrate on keeping his arm iced. But after the surgery, he planned on things being different. He wanted to see Mallory all the time. Maybe he should move to Findlay. He knew deep down she cared about him, but that she worried about getting serious. She was afraid to get
married again. Toby had hurt her deeply. Personally, he thought Toby was crazy to have an affair while married to Mallory.

  But Toby’s loss might be his gain. Hey, he had to think positive because he realized something important. He loved Mallory.

  He’d just put the ice pack back into the freezer when his phone rang. Before answering he glanced at the caller ID and couldn’t believe it. Mallory was calling him. With her surgery only a few days away, was she having second thoughts? Was she going to cancel?

  “Hi, Seth. Did you eat yet?”

  “No. I thought about ordering a pizza.”

  “We’re leaving for Toledo soon. We just had the wedding rehearsal. Alan made reservations at a swanky restaurant. And I thought it was time to feed you again.”

  “Here I thought you were calling to cancel your surgery.”

  She laughed. “I did have one of those moments where I considered stopping payment on my second check. I kept staring at myself in the bathroom mirror and thought maybe I should keep the nose God created for me, but then I talked to my mom. She said it was time I did something for myself. And she’s right.”

  The money part bothered him. He’d seen the older car she drove. He needed to somehow lower the price of her surgery, but she’d balk at him giving her a lower price. Or maybe he could make sure Sharon didn’t cash her check. The second half was due a week before surgery, so his office manager might have already handled it. “About the price of your surgery, if your check hasn’t cleared yet, I’ll hold it and—”

  “Mom gave me money for it. She didn’t mention helping me before because she’d loaned several thousand to her sister. But Aunt Corrine recently paid her back.”

  “That was really great of your mom.”