Tempting Doctor Forever (Barrett Ridge Book 2)

by Holly Cortelyou

“We’re two people who had a little oops.” Sam eased her fingers out of his grasp. “That doesn’t make a good foundation for a relationship.” She had him on that. She didn’t need to remind him that his first marriage had been a disaster.

  “At least think about it.” Ethan frowned. “Promise me.”

  “I will consider it.” How could she not? She was neck-deep in lust with him and carrying his child. She might even be stupid enough to be in love with him. Marriage was pretty much the only thing on her brain at the moment.

  Ethan shot her a questioning look as if he knew she was feeding him a line. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Maybe.”

  “I ran into your stepmother yesterday,” Ethan said in a conversational tone that held a hint of determination, “after a hospital committee meeting. She invited Mateo and me to the Sunday family dinner.”

  “That will be great.” Her raised eyebrow said otherwise.

  “How about I drive all four of us. It’s silly for you and Nana to drive separately.”

  Her mouth went dry, and she couldn’t think of a valid reason to disagree. “Nana will be delighted.”

  Ethan threw back his head and laughed. “I should be offended, but I’m not.” He kissed her hand again and released it just as quickly. “You’re free to go, madam, and I promise not to harass you in front of your family. I’ll behave.”

  “Fabulous. That should make my day.”

  Ethan inclined his head and tipped a make-believe hat for her. His expression was a cross between sardonic and self-deprecating.

  She shook her head and ducked into her car. As she drove off, she studied the dark-haired man in her rearview mirror. She was doomed. She smelled disaster looming.

  How could she ever say yes to Ethan? She couldn’t have a farce of a marriage. A lasting union required deep and profound love. They only had respect and consideration. That might be enough. But what if he found someone else? The true woman of his dreams.

  Ethan wanted her, but his heart was closed to her. But how could she ever say no to Ethan?

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  THE CAR RIDE from town to the Barrett Ranch was uneventful. Sam and Mateo kept up a steady chatter about Copper and various dog training techniques Mateo was picking up from online videos while Nana peppered the conversation with sage tidbits from the host of canines that she’d owned over the years. Ethan was subdued, but he nodded and smiled absently whenever a reaction was called on.

  As they bounced along the mile-long gravel road leading back to her family home, Sam bit back nausea and the bitter taste rising at the back of her mouth. She slid a hand over her belly and tried to ease the turbulence from the rough road.

  “Your father needs to get the driveway regraded,” Nana complained. “No doubt Caitlynne went shopping with that line in the budget.”

  “Be nice,” Sam said, but she laughed. The comment was likely on target. Caitlynne Barrett was a certifiable gold digger and royal pain in the butt.

  Mateo raised his eyebrows as if expected to hear more interesting gossip, but Sam changed the subject. “I can’t remember, Mateo, have you met any of my brothers or sisters?”

  “I haven’t.”

  “Would you believe that there are nine of us?”

  “That’s a lot.”

  “You won’t get to meet Anna, Austin, or Kyle since they don’t live near Barrett Ridge, nor Jo since she can’t make it down this weekend from Portland, but you’ll meet everyone else. My brother Dillon will be there. He’s a landscape architect. Jami is my sister who is just two years older than me, and her fiancé, Beck, will also be here. You might like him. He owns an electric motorcycle company. My two youngest sisters are seven-year-old twin girls, Daphne and Mae. And of course, there’s my dad, Teddy, and his wife, Caitlynne.”

  Mateo lost interest at the notion of the pair of little girls, but Sam guessed that Mateo would have fun chatting with Beck about all things mechanical and motorcycle.

  As they parked the car and headed toward the low, rambling ranch house and its long front porch, Sam dug into her purse to find a roll of mints. An acrid taste hit her tongue, and she closed her eyes and took a deep breath to will it away.

  Ethan frowned and followed close behind until they hit the front hall. Coats and bags were hung on hooks and stuffed into the closet, and Nana took Mateo by the arm and steered him into the large living room and introduced him around.

  Sam pressed her back against the wall and waited for her stomach to settle.

  “Are you okay?” Ethan bent close to take the coat that was folded over her crossed arms.

  “I’m fine. I’ve got a mint. It’s helping.”

  “Doesn’t ginger work better?”

  “I don’t know. I’ve never been pregnant before.” She kept her voice low and tried not to move her lips.

  “It’s going to be all right.” Ethan stroked her hand. Warmth and reassurance flowed through her.

  “Oh! Hello!” Caitlynne sprung out of the darker hallway that led back to the bedrooms. “Ethan Cordero, right? You’re the neurosurgeon.” She cast a dazzling smile on Ethan.

  “He’s living next door to Nana’s now.” Sam plastered on a smile.

  “And he’s an old friend of Austin’s if I remember what your father said.” Caitlynne chattered on through the introductions, but Sam kept catching a glint of something in her stepmother’s surreptitious glances.

  An hour later, the whole clan ringed the expansive farmhouse-style trestle table that dominated the dining room. Sam nibbled at the small portions she’d doled out to herself, but the scents of the roast beef and the honey-glazed ham assaulted her nose and belly.

  Sam bit into the creamy mashed potatoes and waited for the comfort to hit as she stole a glance at Ethan. He and Dillon were deep in conversation, and Mateo hung on their words. The two Cordero’s were already members of the family. She hid a smile at her foolish sentimentality.

  Sam caught Caitlynne studying her and settled her attention on her plate. Sam pretended to be invisible as if she could avoid the sharp tongue of her stepmother.

  “Do you have news that you’d like to share with us, Samantha?” Caitlynne asked as she put a second helping of cinnamon apples in both Daphne and Mae’s fruit bowls.

  “No, there’s nothing going on.” Sam steadfastly kept her eyes on her water glass, but there was a hint of malice in her stepmother’s voice that sent a quiver of anxiety shooting up her spine.

  “Come on, don’t be coy. I overheard you and Ethan talking, and I think your father has a right to know.”

  “What’s going on?” Teddy looked up from his plate with his fork poised midair. His mouth gaped in an O that reminded Sam of a fish gasping for oxygen.

  Ethan cleared his throat, and Sam locked eyes with him. She was doomed. The nosiest and meanest person in the family had ferreted out her secret.

  “I do have some news, but this isn’t really the right place for it.”

  “We’re all family,” Teddy said as he chewed his steak. “Why put it off?”

  “It might not be entirely appropriate for little ears,” Sam said and tried to throw a significant look toward the twins.

  “Don’t be silly. Your condition is perfectly natural.” Caitlynne blinked her lashes in rapid succession. As if anyone, besides her father, was fooled into thinking that Caitlynne wasn’t a relentless buzzard ready to pounce and pick someone to death.

  “Are you sick?” Teddy actually sounded concerned.

  Sam saw the sympathy in Jami’s expression and the resignation in her brother’s. Dillon had no idea what was coming, but his long experience with Caitlynne told him something painful was about to hit the proverbial fan.

  Ethan sat ram-rod stiff in his chair, but he inclined his head ever so slightly. Poor Mateo. He didn’t deserve to learn it this way.

  “Dad, I’m not sick. I’m pregnant.” Sam lifted her chin and steadied her voice.

  Caitlynne smirked and chewed her bite of salad
with relish.

  “What the hell?” Teddy’s fork clattered to his plate, and he glowered through his gray-streaked eyebrows. “How did you let this happen?”

  “No, it is unexpected, but babies are a blessing.”

  “Are you crazy?” Teddy growled. “You make a pittance as a schoolteacher. You’ll never survive. Look at your sisters. They haven’t gotten knocked up, and they have stellar careers.”

  “Teddy, you’re being unreasonable,” Nana said in a soothing voice.

  “Sam’s got all of us to help out,” Dillon said. He pushed his plate away and grabbed his beer.

  “She’s got to stand on her own, or she’s not a true Barrett. Where’s the piece of shit father?”

  “Enough.” A chair scraped against the tile floor, and Ethan shot to his feet. He gripped Mateo’s shoulder. “You will treat your daughter with respect. I am the father, and Sam and I will raise our child together.”

  Teddy sputtered as Caitlynne took the napkin out of her lap and draped it across her plate. Bile rose in Sam’s throat. That beastly woman was only content when she sowed discord and misery between Teddy and his older children.

  Teddy’s neck turned scarlet.

  “You know, Samantha, you might have a problem?” Caitlynne rested her chin on her fist.

  Thank you, Mrs. Obvious. Understatement of the year. Sam wondered if justifiable homicide was a thing, but she silenced her flaring temper.

  “Don’t keep us in suspense,” Jami said. She leaned closer to Beck, and Sam was sure that she held his hand for support. A spark of hope flared in Sam’s heart.

  Ethan glared at Caitlynne, but she held his stare.

  “I hate to say this, but Sam’s condition is completely in violation of the Regis Academy’s bylaws and regulations. I’m afraid it’s my duty as the vice chair of the board to bring it to the school’s attention immediately.”

  Sam slumped in her chair as Dillon choked on his beer.

  “You heartless—” Dillon slammed his mug on the table.

  “Watch your language.” Teddy pointed an accusing finger at Dillon.

  Dillon clamped his mouth shut, raised his hand, and then stomped out of the dining room. A door rattled, and Sam assumed Dillon was cooling his temper on the back deck.

  Mateo’s expression was a mixture of confusion and shock. Sam wondered if it was the baby news or the Barrett shit-show that was more upsetting for the poor kid. She wanted to hug away his pain.

  Sam’s insides lurched. She held her breath and closed her eyes. The wave of nausea hit. She shoved the chair back. It tilted and crashed to the floor as Sam dashed for the bathroom.

  ***

  As Sam flew from the dining room with her hand pressed to her mouth, Ethan scowled around the table. No wonder Sam wasn’t ready to tell anyone about the baby. Her family was nuts.

  “Dad? You’re having a baby with Sam? My teacher?” Mateo leaned away from Ethan’s touch.

  So much for finding a delicate way of informing his son about a new sibling. Boom. He’d found out Barrett-style.

  “I am, but I don’t want you to worry,” Ethan said. “It’s all going to work out.” How? He hadn’t the slightest clue, but that’s what a good parent told his child.

  “Mateo?” Nana called from across the table. “Would you like to see the barns? I believe you’d like to see all the goats and horses that my son keeps.” She stood and waited for Mateo to join her.

  Ethan nodded his approval, and he gave a grateful smile to Nana. Mateo didn’t need to be in the middle of the emotional uproar, but he couldn’t very well pack up and leave with Sam puking her guts up and her father about to pounce on her the second she returned.

  Everyone rose from the table. Caitlynne’s expression was serene as she herded her young daughters off to the family room. A housekeeper bustled in to clear the table.

  Ethan met Beck’s gaze. They both shrugged and joined in stacking the dishes and retrieving the salt shakers.

  “I’ve got this,” Beck said with a gesture toward the few serving dishes remaining on the table. “Why don’t you check on Sam?”

  “You sure?”

  “Yup.” Beck grinned. “Welcome to the family.”

  Ethan rolled his eyes heavenward and groaned. With only one wrong turn, Ethan found his way to the spare bathroom where Jami leaned against the doorjamb in front of a closed door.

  She gave Ethan a wry smile, and then planted hands on her hips. “Sammi? Ethan’s out here. You have to come out.”

  “Fine.” Sam’s voice was muffled, and the sound of running water hit his ears.

  As the door cracked open, Jami sighed and then poked Ethan square in the chest. “Don’t be a jerk,” she admonished.

  “I—” Ethan raised his hands in surrender. He hadn’t even said anything.

  “I’ll have Austin come and kick your ass, and then I’ll finish it off myself.” Jami rolled her head to the side and gave Ethan a steely-eyed stare.

  “Jami, don’t be ridiculous.” Sam steadied herself with a hand on the doorknob. “He hasn’t done anything. Besides, he stood up to Dad for me.”

  “Fine.” Jami shot a final stink-eye at Ethan and stalked off.

  Man. He hadn’t even considered how Austin might react. Sleeping with your best friend’s baby sister was off-limits back in the day. Did the bro code apply once you were out of school?

  “Are you feeling better now?” He kept his voice low and even. No need to attract any other family members to come join them.

  “A little.” Sam settled a hand at the base of her throat. “I don’t know if that was nerves or morning sickness.”

  “Shall we stay and brave this out, or do you want me to take you home?”

  “Quit being so nice.”

  “I am nice.”

  “I want to be mad at you,” Sam whispered, “but you defended me in front of my father.” She couldn’t quite meet his gaze, but a delicate smile traced across her lips.

  “We all did. What’s with your stepmother?”

  “I don’t know. She has some notion that if Dad loves his older kids, that it takes away from her twins. Or she’s trying to get us cut out of the will. Who knows? I don’t have the mental energy to figure it out anymore.”

  “Will she really go to the school board?”

  “I’d bet she’s on the phone as we speak.”

  “I don’t have the words.” Ethan’s palms itched to strangle the woman. Who attacked a pregnant woman? Who tried to get her own stepkid fired?

  “I’ll be fine.”

  “I can help.” Ethan picked up her hand. “We can be a team.” Her fingers were cool, and they fluttered against his palm, but she didn’t try to pull away.

  “I don’t know.” Her voice wavered. “I need to think. My brain is mush, and I’m exhausted.”

  “Let me take you home.”

  “No. You and Mateo need time alone. I can’t imagine what he’s thinking. Nana and I can get a ride back to town with Dillon or Jami and Beck.”

  Ethan’s heart skipped a pair of beats. She worried more about Mateo than her own feelings.

  “Thank you.” He kissed the back of Sam’s hand.

  Sam studied him, and her lower lip trembled. The air grew heavy, and Ethan couldn’t move. The only thing he wanted was to touch her rosy mouth. He bent, ever so slightly.

  A high-pitched, girlish shriek sounded off behind him, and then two pairs of feet bounded down the hall. Daphne and Mae, with ponytails flying, chased past Ethan and Sam with pink and white glitter pom-poms clutched in their fists.

  By the time the girls disappeared into the last room on the right, Sam was gone. He followed her to the living room, but she was nowhere to be seen.

  Ethan steeled himself for a conversation with Teddy and tracked down the older man in his office. Teddy was on the phone and yelling at the person on the other side of the line. Ethan knocked on the open door, but Teddy ignored him and shut the door in his face.

  Strike t
wo, and he decided to call it quits for the day. With a stiff good-bye to his hostess, Ethan searched out Nana and Mateo. He found them out in a generous ten-stall barn. Dillon held a bucket of grains, and Mateo fished out handfuls to feed to the bay horse sticking its head and neck out of its stall.

  “Time to head on out.”

  Mateo nodded and rubbed his head against the horse’s neck. “Tessa already likes me.” The horse nickered its agreement.

  As he shook hands with Dillon, the brown-haired man handed him a business card. “Call me. I’ll buy us a round of beer.”

  “You’re on.”

  Nana smiled at them both and then demanded Dillon’s arm as they strolled back to the house.

  Ten minutes later, he and Mateo rumbled down the gravel lane and turned back onto the two-lane highway.

  “I don’t know where to begin,” Ethan said. “How about I start with you? Do you have any questions?

  Mateo laughed but stared straight ahead. A minute or more ticked by.

  “Are you and Sam going to get married?”

  “I’ve asked her, but she hasn’t said yes. Yet.”

  “Doesn’t she love you?”

  “I don’t know. It’s complicated right now.”

  “Do you love her? I didn’t even know you were dating.”

  Ethan stared down the road. He wished Mateo would pitch him a softball. Were there any easy questions?

  “Everything is up in the air,” Ethan said. “Sam and I haven’t figured out what we want or what’s best for this new baby, or for you.”

  “I don’t know what I think.” Mateo pulled a Gameboy out of his bag and fiddled with the power button. “Do I have to have an opinion right now?”

  “Nope. You don’t. You may have the right idea. Just give it some time to develop.”

  “I do like Sam and Nana. Most of her family is cool, but Mrs. Barrett is—” Mateo didn’t finish his thought.

  “My sentiments exactly,” Ethan said. “Let’s withhold an opinion on her, too.”

  “I know what I think.”

  Ethan laughed and winked. “Mum’s the word, kid.”

  Mateo mouthed the words, She’s a cow, and Ethan stifled a snicker. Caitlynne was a troublemaker with a capital T.