With all the aplomb he could muster, he smiled, raised one hand in a wave and guided Tori back to their table.
Once there he asked, “How about we go back to your place?” He’d take her to his apartment, but he knew she’d never agree to that with her concern about leaving Andy.
Obviously trying to compose herself after the spectacle they’d made of themselves, she avoided his gaze and checked her watch. “That’s a good idea. I’ll call Loretta and tell her we’re heading home.”
Home. Even his apartment in Albuquerque hadn’t been a home. As a member of the negotiations team, he’d always been on call, worked odd hours and slept on a cot at the station some of the time. Nina’s house was a home, but it wasn’t his. Now she might not invite him into it again any time soon.
He lifted Tori’s sweater from the back of her chair and held it for her. As she slid her arms into the sleeves, he bent close and murmured, “If Andy’s still asleep, we could try a second dance at your place.”
Although she took a deep breath, she faced him. “I’d like that.”
He wondered if she meant she’d like to dance with him again, or she’d like to dance and kiss and see where it led. In less than fifteen minutes he’d find out.
As soon as Tori was home, she checked on Andy, rested her hand on his fine hair and kissed him. Jake had followed her to the doorway of the baby’s bedroom, but he didn’t step inside.
“How much longer do you think he’ll sleep?” Jake asked.
“I don’t know. His schedule changes day by day. The nurse practitioner told me that’s normal. Especially in the first couple of weeks.”
When they returned to the living room, Loretta motioned to the kitchen. “I made a pot of coffee if you’re interested.” She smiled at Tori. “But I don’t call this baby-sitting. Not when he sleeps the whole time I’m here.” She glanced at the message pad by the phone. “Right after you called me, Barbara Simmons phoned.”
Tori’s expression changed from one of contentment to concern. “Did she want me to call her back?”
“No. She didn’t want the phone to disturb her mother. She said she’d try to get hold of you again tomorrow.”
“Nothing else?”
“I don’t know if I’m reading something into it, but she sounded upset.”
“She didn’t give any indication why?”
Loretta shook her head. “No. I’m sorry. I didn’t feel it was my place to push her. But you can call her in the morning.”
Tori bit her lower lip and glanced toward Andy’s room.
After Loretta left, Jake realized the intimate mood between them had definitely been lost.
In spite of that, Tori asked, “Would you like that cup of coffee?”
“Rather than a dance?”
“Jake…”
“I know. You’re concerned about Barbara calling so late. I guess it won’t do any good for me to tell you that worrying all night and losing sleep over that phone call aren’t going to help.”
“I’ve already told myself that,” she said with a small smile.
She looked vulnerable and alone. If he took her into his arms, he could kiss her to make it better. But her world might tilt a little more, and she didn’t need that. “Thanks for going along tonight.”
“What are you going to do about Nina?”
“I’m going to let her cool off. This isn’t the first fight we’ve had about my big-brother protective streak. I can’t apologize for what I did, because I’d do it again.”
“Charlie was angry, too,” she reminded him.
“Yeah. I might have to do something about him first.”
Then, because Tori looked so beautiful, because his blood was still thrumming from holding her and kissing her, because he didn’t know when he was going to see her again, he pulled her into his arms, crushed her lips with his and gave her a thoroughly passionate kiss.
When he stepped away and headed toward the door, he called over his shoulder, “Think about that, instead of worrying about Barbara’s phone call.”
The next morning, when Jake stopped at the car lot where Charlie worked, he saw Nexley’s SUV parked by the service garage. The showroom had just opened and Jake spotted the manager standing inside, looking out.
As he opened the heavy glass door, the man’s smile disappeared.
“I’m here to see Charlie Nexley,” Jake said.
The manager pointed down the row of office cubicles. “Third one.”
Jake strode toward Charlie’s office, and he found the man seated at his desk with a stack of papers in front of him. As Jake stepped inside, he closed the door behind him.
Charlie stood, his hands balled into fists. “What do you want, Galeno?”
“I just want to talk.”
“There’s nothing to talk about. You don’t think I’m right for your sister—”
“That’s not what I think.”
Charlie stopped and cocked his head. “You sure made it seem that way.”
“I don’t know you. I don’t know if you’re right for Nina or you’re not. I just want to make sure you’re not wrong for her. Has she talked to you about Frank?”
Charlie’s stance became a little less defensive. “She’s said a few things. She thought he’d cheated on her when he was traveling.”
He and Nina had never discussed that. The fact that she’d confided her suspicions to Charlie meant she truly did trust him. “What about the gambling?”
“You mentioned that the other night. Nina didn’t want to talk about it afterward. Said her first marriage was finished and she’d moved on.”
“She has. But she hasn’t forgotten how much hot water he got them into. Frank was a gambler and a spender. If I had done a background check on him, it would have saved Nina heartache and sleepless nights. He seemed great on the surface. He charmed her when they met and while they were engaged. No one suspected the problems he had or the way he was going to use her.”
“I’m not Frank.”
“How am I supposed to know that?”
“I guess you’re just going to have to give me a chance.”
Silence fell between them.
“I don’t know how much longer I’m going to be in Santa Fe,” Jake finally said. “That’s another reason I wanted to check you out.”
Charlie appeared to think about that, then he nodded. “All right. You’ve done that. Let’s say I understand why you did it. I have a sister. She’s older, but I still feel protective about her, too. She wouldn’t like me saying it, but it’s true. I care about Nina and Ricky and Ryan. If you’re around us much, you’ll see that. If you aren’t around, you’ll just have to trust Nina’s judgment.”
Jake knew Charlie was right. So he offered an olive branch. “Maybe you and I could take the boys to the park tomorrow. What do you think?”
Charlie’s eyes narrowed. “I think you’re going to put me through the wringer until you leave Santa Fe. But if that’s what it takes for you to trust me with Nina, then give it a try.”
That was a challenge, one that Jake was going to take on.
Chapter Nine
On Friday night three weeks later, Tori was still thinking about what might have happened if Jake had stayed when they’d left the Southwestern Grille and gone to her house. She’d as much as sent him away, and she’d convinced herself that had been for the best. Her attention had to be focused on Andy now. He’d been a relatively contented baby when she’d brought him home from the hospital, but his fussing had increased over the past few weeks. When she called the pediatrician, he suggested drops she could buy over the counter at the drugstore. But since last night, they hadn’t eased Andy’s discomfort, and he was spitting up now and then.
Because he was only a month old, all of it could be attributed to colic or to his digestive system still developing. Yet she felt as if she’d been thrust into the middle of the desert with no shelter or water within sight. As the adage went, babies didn’t come with an instruction manu
al. Tori felt out of her depth, and by Friday night she called Nina.
“How’s it going?” her friend asked.
“I think I’m doing something wrong. He’s fussy most of the time. Not at all like the first two weeks.”
“What does your doctor say?”
“We’ve changed his formula twice. I had him in last week and I have another appointment on Monday. But something just seems different.”
“Different in what way?”
“He’s not happy. He doesn’t seem satisfied. He’s spitting up more than before.”
“You can always take him to the ER.”
“I’m supposed to call his doctor first. Dr. Johansen is always patient, and he usually returns my call within fifteen minutes. He probably thinks I’m a mother with nothing better to do than worry about her baby.”
“That’s what mothers do,” Nina assured her. “I remember Ricky had a problem with formula. Even after we made the switch, it took a week or so until he adjusted.”
“You didn’t breast-feed?”
“Are you kidding? With two of them?” Nina laughed. “I wouldn’t have had time to brush my hair.”
That made Tori smile. “I can’t imagine having two crying babies. I just feel so helpless when I can’t make him happy.”
“So you’re one of those,” Nina drawled.
“One of what?”
“One of those women who wants everyone in the world to be happy.”
“Not everyone in the world. Just my son.”
“How many more days until the adoption is final?”
“Thirty-three.”
“Have you heard from Barbara?”
“She’s been away. She left a message Saturday night when we went to the Southwestern Grille. When I tried to call back, I reached her mother. Mrs. Simmons told me Barbara took a vacation with a friend of hers. They flew to Phoenix. When I called again a few days ago, she still wasn’t home.”
“What do you think that’s all about?”
“I don’t know. Barbara said she just wanted her old life back. I guess this is a start.”
With the cordless phone at her ear, Tori peeked into Andy’s bedroom and could see he was still napping. She breathed a sigh of relief. “Speaking about getting things back to the way they used to be, have you and Jake mended your fences?”
“Charlie and Jake had a talk. They took the boys to the park together the past couple of weekends. Jake and I are being civil, but I’m still a little peeved. He has to stop treating me as if I’m a child.”
“You’re always going to be his little sister. He was just trying to—”
Nina cut in. “You’re becoming his advocate. Does that mean something?”
“I like your brother, and I admire him.”
“You like Jake?”
Confiding in someone didn’t come easy for Tori. If she examined her feelings for Jake too closely, she’d have to admit that like didn’t begin to cover it. “I’ve got my hands full with Andy.”
“Haven’t you seen how good Jake is with babies?”
“Nina…” It was a warning that she wanted this part of the conversation to end.
“Okay. I’ll drop it for now. I’d better run. The boys have been quiet for too long. That always spells trouble.”
“Thanks for listening.”
“I’m afraid that’s about all I can do. But I will tell you this. Follow your instincts, Tori, where Andy is concerned. You know him. If something doesn’t seem right, call the doctor again.”
Over the next twenty-four hours Tori became more and more worried. Andy’s fussing lasted for hours. He couldn’t keep anything down. By Sunday afternoon she called the pediatrician’s service, not caring if they thought she was a bother. Something was wrong.
Dr. Johansen returned Tori’s call. He was as concerned as she was. “Bring him to the emergency room. I’ll meet you there.”
Tori was placing Andy in his car seat on the sofa and adjusting the straps when she heard footsteps on her porch and recognized them.
Taking Andy with her, she opened the door. “Nina told me you were having problems with Andy,” Jake said. “Is he any better?” Worry creased his brow.
In spite of the situation, Tori realized it was Sunday, and Jake must have joined his family for dinner. “I’m on my way to the ER. Something’s wrong, Jake, I know it.”
“I’ll follow you there.”
“You don’t have to—”
“I saw this baby come into the world, Tori. I feel I’m vested in what happens to him.”
“If the doctor admits him, this could take a while.”
“It’s Sunday. My time’s my own.”
Tori realized she was beginning to depend on Jake. Didn’t she know better than to depend on a man? Yet, right now she wanted him to come along.
As Jake carried Andy in his car seat to her car, she picked up the diaper bag and hurried after him.
After the initial paperwork at registration, a nurse showed them to a centralized intake area with several exam tables. Andy was the only patient at the moment. He was wailing, and Tori tried everything she could think of to comfort him, from hoisting him to her shoulder to offering him a pacifier to rocking and walking him around. Jake tried, too, but nothing helped.
Finally the doctor appeared. Noticing Jake, he cast a questioning look at Tori.
Jake moved forward and extended his hand. “Jake Galeno. I’m a friend.”
After a nod, Dr. Johansen began examining Andy. Eventually, he pulled the stethoscope from his ears and addressed Tori. “I’m going to order an ultrasound and consult with a gastroenterologist.”
“I want to stay with him.”
The older doctor’s eyes were kind. “You can do that.” The doctor glanced from Tori to Jake. “Mr. Galeno can wait in the lounge. I know you’re the baby’s legal guardian now, Tori, but you might want to consider notifying his mother. It’s your call.”
“Do you think this is serious?”
“I won’t know until we do the test.”
Tori thought about it. “Barbara’s out of town right now, and I don’t know how to get in touch with her. Let’s see what the ultrasound shows first.”
After the doctor told Tori he’d meet her in the Radiology Department, she picked up Andy and held him in the crook of her arm. Bending her head, she rubbed her cheek against his. He was quiet for the moment, exhausted from all the crying. His little whimpers tightened her chest.
Crossing to her, Jake clasped her shoulder. “He’s going to be all right.”
“He’s so little for tests. He won’t understand what they’re doing to him.”
“These are professionals, Tori. And you’ll be there with him. He’ll know that.”
“I’m scared, Jake. Something is seriously wrong.”
His calm voice soothed her. “Then we’ll find out what and fix it.”
An hour later Jake paced the lounge, ready to search out Tori and find out what was going on. Usually he was a patient man. Usually he kept on an even keel, knowing how important that was in making any decision and handling any situation. But today…
He’d stayed away from Tori the past few weeks, hoping distance would quiet his yearning for her, his curiosity about how she was handling motherhood, his need to do more than kiss her. He’d wondered about Barbara’s phone call but figured Tori would call Nina if there was a problem. Earlier today when he’d gone to Nina’s for dinner, he’d learned Tori had called his sister on Friday worried about Andy’s stomach upset. In turn, Jake had worried about them both. He’d had a tight feeling in his gut ever since his life had crossed with Tori’s again. Ever since the night Andy had been born, he couldn’t seem to disconnect himself from her and the baby she wanted to mother so badly.
When Tori hurried into the lounge, he knew the news wasn’t good. Her pretty face was drawn, her posture rigid.
“What is it?”
He watched as she swallowed hard and took a deep breath. “It
’s a condition called pyloric stenosis. It’s a closing of the valve leading to the small intestine. Essentially, it’s grown shut and they have to reopen it.”
“How did it happen?”
“They don’t know how…or why. Apparently, it’s more common in first-born males. He’ll have an incision above his navel…”
Her voice broke and Jake could see how hard this was for her. She was scared, and he didn’t blame her. If he’d been speaking to the doctor, he’d have asked about odds and risks. But now he waited for Tori to tell him anything more that she knew.
“He’ll be able to go home the day after tomorrow if everything goes well and he starts eating again. If he doesn’t…” Her voice trailed off. Turning away from Jake, she crossed to a painting on the wall and stared at it unseeingly.
Approaching her, he stood behind her, reining in the urge to touch her, reining in so many urges where she was concerned. “You have to believe the surgery will be successful.”
“I’m trying to believe that. I think it’ll help if I go up to the chapel. They wouldn’t let me stay with him. They wouldn’t let me keep holding him.”
The suggestion the doctor had made about calling Barbara needed to be confronted. Jake didn’t want to add turmoil to Tori’s life now, but he knew she had to face all the possibilities. “Are you going to call Barbara?”
“I can try. But I don’t know if her mother will give me her number.”
“Calling her will give you something to do while Andy’s in surgery.”
“The doctor said it would take about an hour.” Facing Jake now, she lifted her chin and her gaze collided with his. It was a shock in a way, because he felt so much when he looked into her eyes.
“You don’t have to stay,” she murmured. “I know you probably have tons of things to do.”
“Yeah, tons,” he said wryly. “Believe me, I can fix Ryan’s scooter and roughhouse with Ricky just as well another day. Charlie was at Nina’s. He’ll take up the slack. I think the important question is—do you want me to stay or do you want me to go?”
Jake had always prided himself on being good at reading body language. As Tori brushed her hair behind one ear and shoved her hands into her jeans pockets, he could see she was fighting a battle. He suspected that she wanted to stand on her own two feet, that she didn’t want to need anyone. But her innate honesty brought a sad smile to her lips. “If you want to stay, I’d appreciate the moral support. But I’ll understand if the waiting gets old and you want to leave. Sitting around a hospital is never any fun.”
Their Baby Bond Page 12