Connected Hearts - Four Lesbian Romance Stories (6 page)

“Yes,” Kim said. “That’s the other reason I needed to come down here. I want to go to Aberdeen Jewelers in La Jolla.”

Panic raced through Sam. Aberdeen was the same jeweler where Jess had purchased Kim’s ring.
Could this get any worse?

* * *

“It must be around here somewhere?” Kim glanced at the piece of paper in her hand, then up at the number on the store nearest them. “We’re still twenty numbers off. Must be farther on.”

Sam knew they needed to go to the end of the walkway where they were and then around the corner, but she couldn’t very well say that. Aberdeen’s was tucked into the back corner of an outdoor mall filled with run-of-the-mill tourist shops. It was not in a location you would stumble upon by accident. “So where did you hear about this place?”

“Do you remember Lindsay Bower? She’s the social worker you met at Sid’s.”

“Right.” Sam nodded. “I remember.”

“She bought her partner a ring here last year. She just raved about the place.”

Ah. Same way Jess heard about it. Thanks a lot, Lindsay. They must get lots of word-of-mouth business because the place sure doesn’t fit in with the rest of the low-end shops here.

“There it is!” Kim said.

Sam kept a smile plastered on her face as she held open the door to the exclusive jewelry store for Kim. She scanned the small store.
Oh great.
Sam bit back a groan.
You just had to ask if things could get worse.
There, standing behind the counter, was the same salesman that had waited on Jess.

The man’s smile brightened when he spotted Sam. “Welcome ba—”

Sam coughed loudly. “Excuse me. Hello.”

A frown marred the salesman’s face. “Here to pick—”

A coughing fit overtook Sam. Or at least that’s what she hoped Kim thought.

Kim was instantly at her side. She stroked her hand soothingly up and down Sam’s back.

Sam straightened up and cleared her throat. She met Kim’s concerned blue eyes. Guilt stung her for worrying Kim and taking advantage of her caring nature. But under the circumstances she had little choice.

“You okay?” Kim asked.

“Yeah. Don’t know what happened there.” Sam motioned toward a water cooler she had spotted on her initial perusal of the room. “Would you mind getting me a drink of water?”

“Of course, Sam.”

As soon as Kim walked away, Sam moved close to the counter and the salesman. She had to be quick; the shop wasn’t that big, and Kim would be back momentarily. She lowered her voice. “You don’t know me. I’ve never been in the store before. Got me?”

“Here you go, Sam.”

Sam jumped and spun around toward Kim. “Thanks.” She took the small cup, grateful for the chance to regain her composure.

“It everything okay?” Kim asked.

“Good. Everything’s good.” Sam barely resisted the urge to squirm under Kim’s sharp gaze.
Calm down. She’s way too perceptive, but it’s not like she can read your mind.
“Mr. ...” She turned to the salesman. “I’m sorry. I didn’t get your name.”

“Redmond. David Redmond.”

“I was just telling Mr. Redmond.”

“David. Please. Call me David.”

“Okay, David. That you are interested in seeing some wedding bands without stones. That’s what you wanted. Right?”

Kim looked back and forth between Sam and Redmond.

Please don’t ask questions.
Sam held her breath.

“Yes. I’d like to see some wedding bands in white-gold and platinum if you have any,” Kim said.

“Great.” Sam caught herself before she walked straight to the case where the bands were. She looked at Redmond. “Where would those types of rings be?”

When Redmond pulled two trays of rings from a display case, Sam moved away. She stared unseeingly into a display case several feet away.
You know she’s going to ask your opinion. So how do I keep from giving it without hurting her feelings or making her suspicious?
Her brain was running a mile a minute, trying to come up with a solution. As much as she loved her sister and Kim, Sam couldn’t help cursing her involvement.
How the hell did I end up in the middle of this?

“Sam. Come take a look. Please.”

Damn. Here we go.
Sam made her way toward Kim as if she were dragging a fifty-pound weight.

“I’ve narrowed it down to these rings,” Kim said. “Which one do you like?”

Two rings lay on a piece of black velvet on the counter.

When she got a good look at the rings, Sam struggled to hide her reaction.
No way!
She glanced at Kim.

Kim’s bright smile abruptly faded. “You don’t like either of them.”

“That’s not true.” Sam picked up each ring and made a show of examining it. “They’re both beautiful.” And it was true. The rings were fantastic.

“So what’s wrong then?”

All these rings and those are the two you picked. Just kill me now, ‘cause there is no way in hell I’m giving my opinion.
“Nothing—”

“Sam.”

She flinched at the irritated tone in Kim’s voice.
She knows you too well.
Sam forced herself to meet Kim’s gaze.
Don’t ruin this for her.
“They’re both beautiful rings. I’m sure Jess would be thrilled and proud to wear either one. It’s just that ... It’s such a personal thing.” Sam shifted and stuck her hand into the pockets of her jeans. “I mean this ring is supposed to be your expression of your love for Jess. I don’t feel comfortable giving an opinion.”
Especially not on those two rings.
She tensed, waiting for Kim’s reaction. Her breath almost whooshed out in relief when a stunning smile graced Kim’s face.

“You’re absolutely right.” Kim placed a quick kiss on Sam’s cheek. Without hesitation, she reached for one of the rings.

Sam bit her cheek to keep from laughing.
Unbelievable.
Looks like you’re in for more than one surprise, Jess.

* * *

Come on.
Kim tapped the pen against her teeth.
It shouldn’t be this hard.
She stared at the blank sheet of paper, willing the words to come to her. The din of the busy hospital cafeteria was not helping her concentration any. Blocking out the sights and sounds around her, she focused on what she wanted to say.
It’s not like it’s the proposal.
Jess had almost caught her twice trying to write that.
You just don’t want her to worry that you left work early.

Kim had been surprised that morning. She had expected more of a protest when she suggested they take separate vehicles to work. While it had made things easier for her plans, it also worried her. Jess had been uncharacteristically distracted and a little distant over the last two weeks.
Ever since she found out you weren’t pregnant—again.
Kim wanted it so desperately that she convinced herself that this time she was going to be able to fulfill her and Jess’s wish for a child. That was to be her Valentine gift to Jess. She had been devastated when once again she failed. Anxiety twisted Kim’s stomach.
Maybe she’s regretting her commitment now that she knows I can’t give her a child.

Sliding her hand into her pants pocket, Kim felt for the ring box. She had taken to carrying it with her like a talisman. Her fingers tightened around the box.
Now you’re just projecting your own fears onto Jess. She’s never been anything but sympathetic and encouraging that you try again.

She blew out a breath, then glanced at her watch.
Write her a note so you can go home and get everything ready for her surprise.
With that pep talk, Kim set to work on her missive.

Someone pulled the chair next to her away from the table.

Kim started. Instinctively, her hand covered the note to Jess.

Chris set down his tray and slid into the chair next to her. “Hey, Kim. Sorry. I’m running a little late.”

“That’s okay.” Kim withdrew a twenty-dollar bill from her pocket and offered it to Chris. “I appreciate your help.”

Laughing, he waved off the money. “I was just kidding earlier. You don’t have to pay for my meal.”

“I don’t mind. You’re really helping me out. I know you’re not fond of covering the ER.” Under normal circumstances, she wouldn’t have asked him, but she needed to get home before Jess and she could only do that if someone covered the ER for her.

“I promise to be on my best behavior.”

Kim flushed. “I didn’t mean anything—”

“Relax, Kim. It’s fine. We both know I’m not a big fan of the ER, but it has gotten a lot better since you’ve been down there full-time. I wouldn’t have agreed if I didn’t want to do it.” He cocked his head at Kim and grinned. “Want to tell me what the big secret is?”

A flash of panic struck.
How does he know I’ve got a secret? Could Jess know too?
She forced herself to meet his gaze.
Get hold of yourself. He can’t possibly know anything.
“Nothing secret about it. I just need to take care of some things.” Kim silently cursed the stress modulation of her voice.

“Right. You just happen to need me to cover for you on Valentine’s Day.” He pointed to the pen in her hand. “You’ve been tapping that pen since I sat down. And don’t think I didn’t notice you covering that note when I walked up.”

Kim jumped when his hand stilled her bouncing knee. A blush heated her face.
Damn. Now I know how Sam feels. Psychiatrists are just too observant.
She had been completely unaware of the body movement.

“You’re practically vibrating with repressed emotion.” He wagged a finger at her and chuckled. “Careful, Doctor. Your ‘tells’ are showing.”

Kim’s gaze darted to the tables closest to them. If someone had overheard Chris ... When he placed his hand on her forearm, she jumped.

“No one heard me. Sorry. It’s so unusual to see you flustered, I couldn’t resist teasing you. Normally it’s hard to pick up anything from you that you don’t want someone to see.” He gave her arm a squeeze, then retreated. “Whatever you’re doing, I hope it works out like you want.”

“Thanks, Chris.”

* * *

Using the doorway for cover, Kim scoped out the nurses’ station.
No sign of Jess.
She squinted, trying to read the two-sided intake board hanging above the far counter. If she could make out Jess’s name, she would know if she was busy in a room or not.
No such luck.
She was just too far away to read the board.

Kim had intentionally left her coat and purse locked in her trunk this morning. All she needed to do was leave Jess’s note with Penny and get out of there before Jess saw her. She had thought of putting the note on Jess’s desk, but there was too big a chance Jess might not see it.

Keeping her eyes peeled for Jess, she made her way toward Penny, who was staffing the desk. “Hey, Penny. Could you do me a favor, please?”

“Oh. Hey, Dr. Donovan. I’ve been looking for you.”

Oh, no. Not today.
Kim sighed.
Patients come first, no matter how bad you want to get out of here.
“What’s up?”

“Dr. McKenna asked me to give this to you before she left.” Penny held out a plain white envelope with Kim’s name written on the front in Jess’s bold script.

What? Jess left? Where would she go?

“Dr. Donovan?” Penny was still holding out the envelope.

“Sorry. Thanks,” she said as she took the note. Her curiosity was killing her, but she needed to take care of business first. “Before I forget, I’m leaving as well. Dr. Roberts will be covering the rest of my shift. Make sure everyone knows, please.”

“Sure, Dr. Donovan.” Penny eyed the envelope. “I guess with you both leaving early you must have some special Valentine’s Day plans.”

Kim gave a noncommittal shrug. Some information about their personal life being known at work was unavoidable since they worked together every day. But they made a point of never giving out any details of their private time together.
Although when Jess accepts your ring, that’s going to be kind of hard to hide.

Unable to wait any longer, Kim tore open the envelope Jess had left for her. She pulled out the single sheet of paper and started to unfold it.

Penny, not so subtly, leaned on the counter.

Kim raised an eyebrow in her direction.

Penny’s cheeks pinked. She took a step back and seemed to find the counter top of sudden interest.

Assured Penny couldn’t see it, Kim read the note.
Huh?
She read it again.

Kim,

A wheeled conveyance holds scents to stimulate your senses. A sight pleasing to your eyes. And tastes to delight your palate.

Love, Jess

Kim smiled when she figured it out. “Penny. I need to get going. Don’t forget, call Dr. Roberts if you need anything.”

“Sure thing, Dr. Donovan.”

Kim turned and set off with a purposeful stride.

* * *

Kim peered in the window of her car as she unlocked the door. Grinning at the sight that met her eyes, she slid into the driver’s seat. There, on the passenger seat, were a bouquet of red roses and a heart-shaped box of chocolates. She breathed in the scent of the roses, then, unable to resist the lure of the chocolate, opened the lid of the box.

A second note, resting on top of the chocolate, awaited her.
Pretty confident I’d open the chocolate right away.
She popped a piece of chocolate into her mouth.
Like I could resist.
She hummed when the rich confection melted on her tongue.
Oh yeah. Almost as good as sex.
She chuckled to herself.
Almost.

A surge of anticipation gripped her. Jess had never done anything like this before.
What’s next?
She read the new note. It was even more cryptic than the previous one.

Kim,

Let your heart be your guide. The eye in the sky will lead you to your fated destiny.

Love, Jess

What the heck?
Kim indulged in another piece of chocolate to stimulate her thought process as she puzzled it out. She picked up the heart-shaped box filled with chocolates. Not finding anything, she put it back on the seat. She looked out the windshield at the sky.
The eye in the sky?
She glanced around the car.
Did I miss a clue?
She looked closer for anything she might have missed. Her gaze landed on the lid of the chocolate box resting on the dash, right next to her GPS unit.
Oh. That’s sneaky, Jess.
She laughed.