Harlequin Special Edition November 2014 - Box Set 2 of 2: The Maverick's Thanksgiving Baby\A Celebration Christmas\Dr. Daddy's Perfect Christmas (48 page)

Nora rubbed her belly and feared the decision would be the same as the last time they were together. She'd told herself this time would be different. This time she'd be ready.

Truth was, she would never be ready to say goodbye to the man she loved.

Chapter Fourteen

“I
promised, Nora. If I leave, Eli will not be happy and then he'll just take off and come here himself, then Dad won't be happy. You don't want to upset Dad, do you?”

Nora rolled her eyes. “Drake, you don't play fair.”

The sexy fireman shrugged and offered that killer smile that most women swooned over. But to Nora, Drake was more like a brother than anything.

“I'm not playing,” he told her as he took a seat in the oversize chair next to the sofa. “I plan on doing a little work while I'm here.”

Nora adjusted her laptop on her legs and crossed her arms over her belly. “Really? What are you working on?”

“I have a couple of schools that are waiting for an opening for a field trip, I need to look at switching some guys on the schedule who have conflicts and I need to talk to the mayor about funding.”

Guilt washed through Nora. “Drake, please, go into work. I am perfectly fine.”

Those dark blue eyes pierced her from across the room as he remained silent and raised one dark brow.

Nora held up her hands, silently admitting defeat. As she got back to her computer, where she was looking up baby name meanings, she barely heard him on the phone working.

So many names were beautiful, but Nora wanted that perfect one. There had to be one that would stand out above all the others, but so far nothing really pulled at her.

Since baby names weren't cutting it, she opted to search for homes in the area for sale. She wasn't making a rash decision, as she'd promised Eli, but she did want to know what was in her price range.

Lost in the house-hunting process, her ears perked up when Drake muttered Andrea's name. Andrea was his fiancée who'd died a little over a year ago in a tragic car accident where Drake had been the driver. Whoever he was talking to must've brought up her name. Drake was getting much better at talking about the accident and he'd finally stopped blaming himself fully, though he was still justifiably upset.

When her doorbell rang, she jumped, a hand settling over her stomach.

“Expecting someone?” he asked.

“Nope.”

She adjusted to look over her shoulder as Drake went to answer the door. Nora barely resisted the urge to groan when she saw Patty Morrow and her cat carrier.

“I need to see Dr. Nora.”

Drake stood in the doorway, blocking the woman from entering. “She's on bed rest right now.”

“But Mr. Bojangles has the sniffles.”

“Who is Mr. Bojangles?” Drake asked.

Nora came to her feet. “It's her cat. Let her in, Drake, it's too cold out there.”

Drake stepped back and threw a narrowed glance at Nora. “My brother will not be happy about this.”

“Your brother is not my keeper,” she whispered before turning her attention to Patty. “Bring Mr. Bojangles into the living room.”

Kerfluffle pounced from the couch, arched her back and stretched, all while watching the newcomer suspiciously.

“Take Kerfluffle into the kitchen, please,” she told Drake.

As Nora examined Patty's feline companion, she came to the conclusion she always did where her best customer was concerned—nothing was wrong.

“Patty, Mr. Bojangles looks perfect to me. I'm sure the cold weather may be annoying to him, but he really is a healthy kitty.”

Patty nodded. “I just never know and I worry if I hear him breathing funny.”

The middle-aged woman had no children and housed as many as eight cats. She was in Nora's office at least once a week.

“How much do I owe you?” Patty offered, taking out her wallet.

“Nothing,” Nora assured her with a smile. “I'll be out of the office until Tuesday, so I'm sure I'll see you next week.”

“Christmas is on Friday. Will you be out on Christmas Eve?”

Nora forced her smile to remain in place. “I'm sure I'll be in, just not sure how late that night.”

After ushering the woman and her cat out the door, Nora went back to her post on the couch just as Drake came in with Kerfluffle.

“I don't know why you still let people come to your house,” he muttered, handing Kerfluffle over.

Nora stroked her cat as she curled up in her lap. “It's a small town, everyone knows where I live. I can't tell them to quit showing up, that would be rude. Besides, it's not that often and I kind of like knowing I'm needed.”

Drake picked up the remote and clicked on the television. “You'll be needed a hell of a lot more once this baby comes.”

Elation spread through her. “I can't wait.”

Drake propped his feet up on the ottoman that matched her oversize chair and tapped the remote on his leg. “You're going to be a great mother, Nora. I can't wait to see the little one.”

Nora started to tear up; she couldn't help it. The thought of her baby actually being loved and held by everyone who meant so much to Nora just consumed her. She couldn't help but wonder if she'd look like Todd with his black hair and dark eyes or if she'd have her blond hair and light eyes.

“Oh, no. Please, if you cry Eli will definitely kill me.”

Nora laughed and swiped at her face. “Trust me, he knows all about these pregnancy hormones. He's experienced them.”

Resting his elbow on the arm of the chair, Drake smiled. “You and my brother have gotten pretty close since he's been home.”

“We have a history,” she said with a shrug. “I don't really know what we're doing, to be honest.”

“He's never gotten over you, Nora.” All serious now, Drake held her gaze. “When he left, he never planned on coming back, but then he got the itch to become a doctor and went to medical school. After that, I think he was coming back home.”

This was all news to Nora. “Why did he reenlist again?”

Drake shrugged. “Not sure, really. He just told Mom and Dad that he'd changed his mind.”

Why didn't she know he'd mentioned coming home after medical school? Not once had he reached out to her during that time. Had he come home years ago, would they have gotten back together? Would she have ever started talking to Todd?

Before she could question him further, her doorbell rang again.

“If that's another crazy cat lady...” Drake growled as he came to his feet.

“Excuse me? I'm a crazy cat lady, pal, so knock off the snarky comments.”

He laughed as he passed by the couch and went to open the door. Nora glanced around again and smiled at the little redheaded boy who lived two doors down.

“Can I see Dr. Nora? My dog ate my mom's Christmas present.”

Drake stepped back and laughed. “She's right in there, Brody.”

As Brody approached, Kerfluffle darted off her lap and ran toward the Christmas tree in the corner where she started swatting at the ball of yarn ornament Nora hung there for her in hopes it would keep her from wandering through the tree.

The young boy with red curls poking out of his knit hat moved sheepishly through her house. “I'm sorry, Dr. Nora, but I started to wrap my mom's Christmas present—I got her some lotion at the Secret Santa shop at school—but when I went into my bedroom, Eddie was eating the bottle.”

Nora patted his arm. “Puppies like to get into things. Is Eddie acting okay?”

Brody nodded. “He was sleeping on my bed when I left.”

“I'm sure he'll be just fine. Why don't you give him some bread when you get home? The bread will help absorb the lotion. If he starts throwing up, that might be a good thing because he's getting it out of his system. But if he starts acting bad, like lying around and not being playful, call me.”

Tears pricked Brody's eyes. “Will he be okay?”

Patting his sweet little face, Nora smiled. “With you watching over him, he'll be himself in no time. And I bet he'll really like getting bread instead of regular dog food.”

Brody nodded. “Thanks, Dr. Nora. I'm sorry I bothered you at home.”

“You can bother me anytime, Brody.”

Drake remained at the door and let the young boy out. When he crossed back over into the living room, he shook his head and laughed.

“Don't say a word,” Nora scolded. “He's the sweetest little boy. He came by a lot last year when his mom bought him a hamster. He was scared to death he'd hurt that thing. When it died, Brody brought him to me to see if there was anything I could do.”

Drake settled in next to her on the sofa. “You're a bleeding heart, Doc.”

“I'm happy to help my clients and their critters in any way I can. I love all living creatures.”

Drake patted her leg. “Which is what will make you an amazing mother. You have this natural instinct to protect and nurture.”

Nora smiled and yawned.

“You need to go lie down.” He tilted his head and gestured toward the hall. “Go on. You might as well rest up now because when this baby comes, I'm guessing you'll be too busy for naps.”

Nora laughed and swung her legs off the couch. “I'm just not good company.”

As she came to her feet, Drake stood, too, and took her into his arms. Nora loved the St. John boys—all of them in different ways. She loved Drake for always knowing what to say, what to do and when to just be a good friend. Cam was impossible not to love with his mysterious, quiet ways. And Eli...well, Eli had a very special place in her heart that seemed to just keep growing with each passing day.

“I'm sorry I'm skipping out on you,” she muttered into his chest.

“I didn't come over to be entertained, Nora,” he told her as he rested his chin on her head. “I came over to be supportive. I'll be right here if you need me. Be sure to take your phone and, if you need something, just text me.”

Nora pulled away and patted his stubbled face. “You're going to make an awesome husband one day.”

A shadow passed through his eyes before he shot her a lopsided grin. “Let's not get carried away. I only show my soft side to you.”

Nora headed to the downstairs spare bedroom because she just wasn't comfortable doing all those stairs when she was supposed to be taking it easy.

When she crossed into the bedroom with its cozy cream curtains and matching bedspread with pale yellow pillows, her eyes zeroed in on the box that had been delivered shortly after Todd's death.

A box of his belongings from the army. She'd put the box aside, not ready to dive into it when it had arrived. Considering the death, the divorce papers and the pregnancy, she just hadn't been ready for more emotional turmoil.

Should she look at it now? She was on bed rest for three more days so she certainly had the time. And if she wanted to even try to move forward with Eli, putting her past behind her was something she couldn't put off.

Nora sank onto the edge of her bed and sighed. Did she seriously think she could put the past behind her? That was a terrible, cruel saying.

Another cramp pulled at her abdomen. Nora eased down onto the bed and decided to rest for now. Worrying about the box and Eli's intentions wouldn't do this baby any good. But soon, very soon, she'd be tackling both.

Nothing could come between this baby and a healthy pregnancy and birth. Nora would do everything in her power to keep her child safe.

She pulled the cream comforter back and slid in between the cool sheets. All she wanted right now was some relaxation and rest. She had some serious life decisions to make and she needed to get them done fast because this baby would make an appearance in just over three months.

Chapter Fifteen

E
li looked over the incision on his father's leg from which they'd taken a vein and then he inspected the healing incision on his chest.

“Everything is looking good, Dad.”

Mac pulled his sweatshirt back on and nodded. “I could've told you that.”

Laughing, Eli put his hands on his hips and stared down at his father. “Yes, but you also told all of us that your chest pain had been indigestion and look where we are.”

Mac grumbled, but Eli just ignored him. He'd had a light day at the office and he was anxious to get over to Nora's to check on her and relieve Drake.

His brother had already texted him and given a heads-up that a few of Nora's clients had stopped by for pet advice and that she was tired. He'd also said she'd been in the spare room for most of the evening, which troubled Eli a bit. Was she feeling worse and not saying anything or was she purposely avoiding the babysitter?

“Got a minute?” his father asked, easing back into his recliner.

Eli took a seat on the couch and rested his elbows on his knees. “What's up?”

“I'll cut straight to the point,” his father said. “I'm going to retire soon. Very soon actually. I want to give you first dibs on my clinic.”

Eli knew this day was fast approaching; he knew his father would offer and more than likely expect Eli to take over, but...

“I have a job, Dad.”

“I figured that would be your answer had I offered a month ago, but since you've been back, you've been really close with Nora. I assumed you might have changed your mind.”

Eli sighed, ran a hand over his hair. He didn't have a clue what he was doing. Yes, he loved Nora, now more than ever. He wanted to be with her, but he honestly didn't feel like she was in a place to make a big decision on her life, not when her husband was just killed a few months ago.

But the more he thought about staying here, staying with her, the more the idea appealed to him in ways he never thought possible.

“I'm not asking you to make a decision right now,” his father went on. “But think about it.”

Eli nodded. As if he could avoid it. He loved his family, loved Nora, but he had worked his butt off to become a trauma doctor and he had a good shot at this promotion. Did he really want to throw all of that away? Did he deserve another shot with her after he'd left once and still kept a secret about her marriage? What right did he have to take anything from her and pretend he was worthy of her love, of being in her baby's life?

For Nora he was about ready to do just that.

“I need to go check on Nora.” Eli came to his feet. “She was put on bed rest and Drake was babysitting today.”

“Is she okay?”

Eli nodded. “Yeah, just a precaution.”

“Maybe you should bring her over here and we could be babysat together.” Mac laughed.

He should've, but he assumed Nora wanted her privacy. After pulling his wool coat on, he went to the kitchen to kiss his mom on the cheek and headed out the back door. Once at Nora's he let himself in with his key and shook out of his coat. That wind was getting worse and another chance of snow was on the horizon. He was getting damn tired of freezing. This was Tennessee, for pity's sake, and this crazy weather was quite unusual.

Once he relieved Drake, Eli set out to the guest bedroom where she was resting. He didn't want to disturb her, but he needed to see that she was okay.

He looked in the doorway, saw her resting on her side, the covers pulled up to her chin, and decided to pull the door just slightly.

Eli went into the kitchen to fix dinner while he waited for Nora to wake. He wanted to talk to her about her upcoming doctor's appointment and breaking news about his promotion.

On his way home, he'd been notified that the committee had narrowed down their choices to two candidates...and he was one of them.

Nora needed to know where he stood because he didn't want to lead her on, but then again, maybe he wasn't. What if he did stay? What if he took over his father's practice permanently?

He laughed as he pulled out a pan from beneath the stove. Was he really leaning toward staying in Stonerock?

Yes, he was. And to be honest, he'd been considering it since he realized he'd fallen in love with Nora all over again. He'd been ready to come back years ago before she married Todd, so why not now? How could he leave her knowing this second chance was practically his for the taking? That Nora was the only woman who would ever fill the void in his heart? He didn't have to let the past or Todd rule his future, not when being with Nora was just within his reach.

Eli started chopping onions and putting them into the pan to sauté. He added a drop of olive oil to the onions, sending them sizzling in the pan. Apparently he had more to talk to Nora about than he'd first thought. Now he couldn't wait for her to wake up.

A future with her...isn't that what he'd always longed for? In all the places he'd been, with all the lives he'd saved, there had still been that piece missing from his life. But since he'd been back home, back in Nora's arms, he'd felt whole for the first time since he was eighteen years old.

Now he only hoped Nora was ready for him to be a part of her family, because he had no intention of going anywhere.

This may very well be the best Christmas ever.

* * *

Nora woke to a darkened room, only a soft glow from down the hall cut a narrow slant of light across the foot of her bed. A bit disoriented, she glanced at the clock. It was nearly eight. Good grief, she'd napped earlier when Drake was here, then had gotten up and gone back to bed because she was still exhausted. Being pregnant really messed up a body's system.

Or perhaps she'd just been going on autopilot for so long, since Todd's death, her body was finally just catching up.

She eyed the box next to the old antique dresser. The thought of digging into Todd's personal things gripped her heart. She wanted to know about his life away from her, but at the same time maybe she should just let it go. She'd buried him with honors and she had a baby coming to hold up his memory.

No, she owed it to her baby to face the truth. Her baby would ask questions one day and Nora needed to have the answers. But she couldn't go through the box now, not when she was still being babysat.

Perhaps once Eli went home to sleep...
if
he went home. He hadn't stayed last night, but he'd threatened to tonight. She'd insisted last night he go home, but she had a feeling he wouldn't let her get away with that again.

The scent of spaghetti sauce and bread drew her to the kitchen. She was positive her bedhead ponytail had seen better times, like at eight this morning, but she figured her head warden had seen her at her worst, anyway.

When she stepped into the kitchen, Eli faced away from her, staring out the patio onto the darkened night.

“Penny for your thoughts?” she asked as she crossed to him.

Turning, Eli greeted her with a smile and opened his arms to take her in. “My thoughts were only on you. How are you feeling?” he asked, easing back to study her face.

“Refreshed.” She laughed. “Poor Drake. I nearly slept the day away.”

Eli shrugged and pulled her back against him. “Drake wasn't here for fun. He's fine.”

Being in Eli's arms, having his strength surround her, had Nora wanting more. She didn't want him to leave, didn't want him to go back to Atlanta. But she couldn't ask him to stay. If she did, he'd only stay out of obligation and would regret his decision in no time.

“I made spaghetti if you're hungry.”

Nora stepped away and made her way over to the stove. “The smell is what lured me in.”

“And here I thought you came out to see me. You just using me for my cooking?”

She threw him a glance over her shoulder. “On Thursdays I am.”

Eli clutched his chest. “I'm wounded.”

He sat with her at the small breakfast nook while she ate and discussed her day of napping and caring for two patients. Once she was finished he quickly cleaned up the kitchen, after insisting she go lie down on the sofa. She conceded only because she loved having him in her home, taking charge and being all protective.

When he brought her in a bowl of Rocky Road ice cream, she nearly melted into a puddle of love right there.

“You've been such a good girl, listening to the doctor's orders, I thought you needed a reward.”

Nora laughed as she took the bowl. “Whipped cream, too?”

He settled onto the couch next to her and propped his feet on the coffee table. “I stopped by the store on the way home. Figured you'd like some.”

“You're so good to me.”

She dove into the sugary mess and devoured every single bite.

Eli took her bowl back to the kitchen and Kerfluffle followed on his heels. When they returned, the kitty curled right up in Eli's lap.

“Looks like I'm not the only one who likes having you here,” Nora said as she snuggled into Eli's side. “I really do appreciate everything you've done for me, Eli.”

His arm wrapped around her and he kissed the top of her head. “If I didn't want to be here, Nora, I wouldn't be. But we need to talk about us.”

Her heart nearly dropped. Those were words a woman never wanted to hear from the man she was in love with. “We need to talk” was just as bad as “it's not you, it's me.”

“Don't tense up on me.” He laughed. “I just think it's time we look at the big picture here, especially since we've gotten closer than either of us was prepared for.”

He was right. They'd danced around the attraction for a while, but then spiraled straight into bed and into each other's hearts again without considering the long-term effects.

Nora sat up and turned to face him, drawing her knee up on the couch. “I know we didn't plan to sleep together. I told myself I wouldn't, that you would still be leaving and I would have to let you go.”

Again. The word hovered in the air between them and she truly hadn't meant to blurt everything out, but if he wanted to talk, she needed to be honest and up front about her feelings and emotions.

Eli looked down at his lap as he stroked Kerfluffle. The muscle ticked in his jaw and he seemed to be contemplating what to say...or how delicate he should be with his words.

“Don't be afraid to tell me we can't have any more than just these few months together, Eli.” She swallowed, forcing tears back as the ache in her body threatened to consume her. “I'm not eighteen anymore and I have a more realistic view on life. I didn't expect you to fall into bed with me and then fall in love all over again and decide to stay.”

“But I have,” he whispered.

Hope spiraled through her. Had she heard him right?

He brought his dark gaze up to meet hers. The intensity staring back at her had Nora's breath catching in her throat.

“I did fall in love with you again, Nora. I never stopped loving you.”

“I know you said that the other night when...” She trailed off, shaking her head. “I just didn't know how strong you felt about me, about us.”

He reached out, put one hand on her stomach and held her gaze. “When you say ‘us,' I know you mean me and you. But when I say ‘us,' I'm talking the three of us. I know this baby isn't mine, Nora, but I love you, and I love this child. I want to see if we can grow together, to be a family.”

The tears Nora tried to hold back earlier came spilling down her cheeks...now for a whole different reason. He wasn't leaving her; he wanted to be with her.

“What about Atlanta?” she asked. “You loved being away from Stonerock.”

“But I never loved being away from you,” he told her. “I've been gone for years. Years. And in all that time I haven't found anything that comes close to fulfilling my heart the way you do.”

Nora covered her face with her hands as sobs ripped through her.

“Oh, honey, please. Don't cry.”

Eli's arms came around her and she found herself crushed against his chest.

“I know you've been on a roller coaster lately, so I want to take this slow.” His soft chuckle vibrated against her. “As slow as we can considering we've already slept together. But I want to make this right and I don't want to mess this up.”

Nora leaned back, swiping at her damp cheeks. “I'm sorry. I just... I thought you would never consider a life here in Stonerock, and then to hear you say you want to stay here, with me...”

She was at a total loss for words.

Eli's strong hands framed her face, his thumbs sliding away stray tears. “I'm staying here tonight. I'll stay every night if you let me.”

She clutched at his wrists. “You can't stay tonight,” she told him. “I can't... I mean, with the bed rest and the baby...”

“I don't expect to have sex, Nora.” He kissed her softly. “I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize this baby or you. I want to stay because I want to feel you by my side. I want to wake up next to you before I go off to work.”

“Why?” she asked, searching his eyes. “Why are you so intent on staying? I mean, there's only so much happiness love can supply. What about everything you've worked for?”

Eli shrugged, taking her hands in his and squeezing. “I'd been considering staying and Dad asked me if I'd be interested in taking over his practice. He wants to retire soon and I took his offering as another sign that being here was the right step at this chapter in my life.”

“So you'll be the hometown doctor?” she asked with a grin. “Then we'll both have patients showing up at our door.”

Laughing, Eli shrugged. “That's fine with me.”

They watched a movie and when he started yawning Nora figured he needed some sleep. Just because she'd slept the day away didn't mean he'd had that luxury. He'd worked and had to get up tomorrow to work again.