Chasing Ava: A Bachelor of Shell Cove Novel (The Bachelors of Shell Cove) (2 page)

 
“Nothing is going to happen. Do this as a gift to me.”
 

A gift. She had little reserve left in her emotional tank to offer anyone. Ava needed to gift herself a box of hope. One big enough to drown out the self-doubt, the emptiness that plagued most aspects of her life.

Some days the emptiness weighed so heavy on her chest that emotional collapse seemed better than to greet another day of nothingness. The loneliness abated with work. Tending her garden helped, but the emptiness was a stealth army slowly advancing through her existence. It threatened to decimate the fragile threads of a new beginning she desperately clung to.
 

Relationships and connections were out of the question, but the truth couldn’t be denied. She was lonely. Tonight was a beacon cast in a sea of endless nights. She was all dressed up with somewhere to go. Heck, she was here lingering in the foyer, on the outside catching glimpses of life through the cracks.
 

She had reason to celebrate. Her Navy nurse commissioning application was complete except for the employer endorsement. The unsuspecting, navy blue, file folder containing her future had been hand delivered to Kathryn Quest, the pediatric nurse manager on Friday morning. Perhaps, one night of fun to capstone the budding joy she felt at starting this quest would fuel her emotional tank. Only two people knew what she had done. Lina wasn’t one of them. She needed to take this first step on her own. Without the deterrence she knew would come from those closest to her.

Ava proffered her elbow in acceptance. This was an evening dedicated to goodwill, and she had her best friend to share it with. She worked side by side with several of the attendees. Her safe zones were home and work, everything would be fine. Lina interlocked their elbows, gently guiding Ava to the ballroom doors.
 

“Okay, I’ll take the plunge.”

Chapter 2

Logan Masters mentally kicked his own gluteus maximus for wasting his time at another SCMC Foundation fundraiser. A noble cause, but the haughty chatter he could do without. The foundation existed for the sole purpose of raising funds to support the medical center’s research and innovations division. He had a special interest in the foundation’s activities. Foundation donors were the largest contributors to his pediatric wound care project. Not to mention, he was a candidate for the vacancy on the board of directors.

From the twenty-sixth floor of the Coastal Tower, the floor to ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of the dense, muted green forestry surrounding Queens Bay expanse to the east and the city lights of Shell Cove to the west. Hardwood flooring gleamed in the fading light of the setting sun. The warm ballroom was overripe with a citrus scent that clashed with the whiskey he’d been sipping for the last thirty minutes. This was a lively bunch compared to last year’s gala especially when confronted by the soon-to-be retired chief surgeon jerking on the dance floor with the rhythm of a river trout flopping on the yacht deck.

“You’re supposed to mingle Logan. The foundation doesn’t select board members who scowl and display the social graces of a pit bull. Besides, who’s better to highlight the contribution of your research to the increase in foundation donor activity? You’re a local celebrity,” his brother said.

Distracted by the sights on the dance floor, he hadn’t noticed Darwin’s stealthy approach to the bar. Leave it to the youngest member of the Masters clan to point out Logan’s failure to duty. Usually, their mother sent the family loyalty reminders. Darwin served as a Navy Surface Warfare officer until four months ago so he understood duty and strategy better than most. He had been the chief engineer on the Navy’s newest assault ship. When an engine room fire left one of his sailors permanently disfigured, Darwin resigned his commission and returned home to Shell Cove. Though cleared of any negligence or wrongdoing, he refused to talk about the incident. Logan hadn’t pushed for details. The past was best left alone.
 

“Walk away little brother.”

“You cut me deep with the little reference.”
 

There was nothing little about the men in the Masters family. They both topped six feet with an additional two inches bestowed to Logan purely for taunting moments. Darwin was blond haired and blue eyed a mirror image of their mother. Logan’s hair was a combination of blond with a red brick undertone, a remnant of his father’s Irish ancestry.
 

 
Darwin took a swig from the long neck bottle before speaking. “How did you arrive with Rebecca Holbrook on your arm?” Darwin sat the bottle on the mahogany polished bar, looked him in the eye, and waited.
 

“You can thank our darling mother for that surprise. She told Rebecca last week I would be her date for the evening.”

“You never mentioned it.”
 

Logan narrowed his eyes at Darwin’s accusatory tone. “That’s because I was informed two hours ago.”

“Would you have refused if given prior notice?” The twitch Darwin tried to control in his jaw let Logan know his question was anything but casual banter.
 

Their mother, Maribelle Masters was a force of nature when it came to her clan or cause. Securing the foundation board member position was more than a personal goal for Logan. It was a family agenda. In the Masters clan everyone had a responsibility in maintaining and/or elevating the family’s elite social status.
 

His skill and talent as a surgeon was important but powerful alliances were critical. Rebecca was the only daughter of Samuel Holbrook, the Chairman of the Shell Cove Medical Foundation. Partnering with her was a necessary sacrifice to cement his board selection. The Masters family name was a game changer, and enough to make him a first round draft pick with the influencers in Shell Cove. With Rebecca by his side, as his mother pointed out at every opportunity, he was guaranteed a long career in the major leagues.

“I would have preferred to meet her here, but I can play my role when the cameras are flashing. Why all the questions?”

 
Darwin studied him. Dissecting his response for what?
 

Logan admired her business tenacity, but that was where his interest in Rebecca Lynn Holbrook came to a dead end. What they had was a partnership, not a relationship. He knew it and so did she.
 

“Trying to figure out where your head is at, that’s all big brother.” Darwin gave him a reassuring grin, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

“My position has not changed if that’s what you’re getting at. Rebecca is nice enough, but she’s not my type of woman.”

“She’s a beautiful, successful woman last time I looked.” Logan picked up on Darwin’s protective tone.
 

“Rebecca is all those things and more. She also does not want me.” Logan had no use for love. One female related catastrophe had excised that overrated emotion. However, mutual attraction and compatibility was a must. “To be honest, the woman does not even need me. She wants a doctor that’s climbing the corporate ladder.”

“Hate to break it to you Logan, but you just described yourself.”
 

Logan had no desire to discuss his non-relationship with his brother. He focused on the wait staff as they lit a candle at each table centerpiece. With the dance floor at capacity, they seized the opportunity to remove used plates and emptied champagne flutes. Darwin’s exaggerated throat clearing interrupted his silent study of the ballroom and its inhabitants.
 

“You were saying?” The half empty beer bottle Darwin held clanged against the polished brass bar railing.
 

“She wants the title, not the man holding the title. She’s good at playing the doting date in public, but I am only a tool to her, a means to a pre-determined end. Like I said, she’s not my type.” Logan turned his attention to the crowded ballroom scanning the room for their topic of conversation.
 

Rebecca, a short distance away, worked the room as usual. A form fitting, beaded, black gown tastefully hugged her curves before flaring at the knee. Tendrils of her blonde hair swept up in an elegant chignon. She looked like royalty.

Seeing Maribelle at Rebecca’s side was a visible testament to the Masters-Holbrook alliance. It was a flawless execution of a show of power strategy. Allowing both women to stagger their questions, gleaning insider information from each board member simultaneously. The families believed he and Rebecca would be the next power couple in Shell Cove. Admittedly, Rebecca was an expert at giving the impression that there was more between them, but marriage, absolutely not.
 

He turned his attention back to Darwin, who was focused on something behind Logan, his gaze intent over his right shoulder, blue eyes narrowed. “What are you looking at?” The feel of thin arms circling his waist had him stiffening.
 

“Logan honey, I saw you looking for me.” Rebecca’s sugared southern drawl wafted across his ear. Her toned, statuesque frame pressed into his back. He stopped himself from pulling away remembering the bulbs were flashing. Lights, camera, action.
 

“I need to deliver a case file to my assistant before morning. We can pick it up from my place and maybe share a nightcap, before I go to the office.” A healthcare law attorney for SCMC, Rebecca was naturally competitive and always had an angle.
 

Whatever game she was playing he didn’t have a piece on the board. His joystick powered off. Being alone with a woman of Rebecca’s ilk left a man vulnerable to shotgun weddings, paternity testing or both.
 

“No late nights for me. Dad and I have a seven forty-five tee time with Graham.” Graham Hamilton III was Logan’s lifelong friend. An obstetrician/gynecologist at the SCMC beach location, they were both graduates of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Graham’s father, Hamilton II was a powerful business mogul that you wanted in your corner on any issue. Logan did not make the distinction knowing Rebecca would always acquiesce to business.
 

Prying Rebecca’s steel reinforced fingers from his midsection all the while skimming the room for photographers he caught a glimpse of a petite, honey colored beauty across the room. Ava Walters, the nurse from the pediatric unit was here. His thoughts scattered at first. He did a double take to make sure his eyes hadn’t deceived him. After she completed her shift, the woman literally vanished, only to reappear the next workday. Until tonight, he had never laid eyes on her outside of the medical center.
 

From his vantage point, he could see the midnight blue halter dress she wore ended at shapely calves, accentuating her form to perfection. It occurred to him that the sexy, four-inch sandals made her the ideal height for him to plant kisses on her neck. Her hair was gorgeous. A loose mass of chocolate curls and waves flowing down her back. He realized this was the first time he’d seen it that way.
 

The only thing missing was her smile. Ava’s smile rivaled the Florida sun. He wanted to be the earth to her sun. Feel her heat on his skin. For over six months, she maintained distance between them. Just out of his orbit.

“Logan.” Rebecca’s refined drawl drew his attention. She was in front of him now.
 

“We are supposed to be seen together, honey. You’ve spent most of the evening holding up the bar.” He would never be used to Rebecca’s compulsion to live her life according to her father’s pre-planned script. They had posed for photographs upon arrival at the fundraiser. His red carpet appearance was done.

“I distinctly remember you being at my side when a parade of flashing cameras met us at the door,” he said offering a sardonic smile. Darwin had not moved away. He stood watching their interaction, a scowl on his face.
 

While Rebecca contemplated his words, he turned his attention back to Ava. She was across the dance floor with the SCMC Operations Officer. Randall Lester was approximately six feet tall, with a spit shined baldhead, dark brown skin and a goatee mustache. The man was big everywhere. Maybe they came to the party as a couple.
 

Logan consciously unclenched his teeth at the sight of Ava with another man. The response surprised him. He had only witnessed her with male colleagues in a professional setting. He realized the graphic display of her intimate contact with Randall disturbed him.
 

His thoughts lingered on her more than he cared to admit. Forcing himself, he released the visual hold on her face as sensual images of them together invaded his mind. Of him burying his face in those chocolate curls, drinking in her scent. His body pulsed in response to Ava occupying his fantasies.
 

Ava was an intelligent and highly competent nurse. With her easygoing demeanor under pressure, the nursing and physician staff often commended her. He respected her opinion and more importantly, he trusted her clinical judgment. Currently, she was one of the nurses trained to care for the more complex patients enrolled in his research study.
 

He wanted to get to know her better, but the few times he thought appropriate to ask for a date, she’d extricated herself before he could broach the subject. He had begun to wonder if she had contrived those “emergencies” to avoid close contact with him. Tonight, there were no distractions to foil him from talking with her.