Hearts Awakened (13 page)

He stood in front of the mirror, knotting his tie. His hands paused at the task when he looked at her. “What’s wrong?”

Swallowing against the fear pushing into her throat, she held her phone aloft. “Mama just called. Caitlin went into premature labor and she’s bleeding. Mama’s on her way to the hospital now.”

“Damn.” The tie hung loose and he ran a hand over his nape. “Any idea what’s wrong? How serious it is?”

“No.” She shook her head, tightening her hold on her phone. “Mark—”

“You want to be there, don’t you?”

She nodded. “I know that means you’ll miss the rest of the seminar—”

“I’ve already heard the best presenter.” He stripped off the tie.

“Thank you.” Relief coursed through her and she moved forward to hug him. “You don’t know what this means.”

“I know what Falconetti means to you.” He cupped the back of her head and touched his mouth to hers in a quick, easy kiss. “Get your things and we’ll hit the road.”

“I hate this.” Tori tossed her cell phone in her purse and slumped in the passenger seat. “The hospital won’t tell me anything except she’s been admitted and Mama’s not answering her cell phone.”

Mark pulled his attention from the crowded interstate for a second. Her lower lip jutted out in a pout, but real anxiety darkened her eyes. “We’ll be there in a little over an hour.”

She glanced at him. “Mark, what if something went really wrong? I mean, what if Cait—”

“Don’t think like that.” His gaze on the road again, he reached for her hand, passing his thumb over her knuckles. The same possibilities were turning over in his head, but he didn’t tell her that. “Falconetti’s tough. She’ll be fine and so will that baby.”

She tightened her fingers around his. “You sound so sure.”

Probably because she was worried enough for both of them. She needed reassurance and he’d give her what he could. The casual touches didn’t seem to bother her, although he’d kept his focus solely on her hand. Once, he’d stopped himself from rubbing her knee. The action seemed too intimate, like he was moving too fast, and he didn’t want to frighten her. Hell, he might as well face facts. Somehow, she’d gotten under his defenses and the worst part was how good that made him feel. In his experience, happiness, however small, was always followed by mind-numbing pain.

He eyed the upcoming exit signs and the amenities listed. “Are you hungry?”

“I couldn’t eat anything.” She bit her bottom lip. “I just want to get there.”

He squeezed her fingers. “I’m driving as fast as I can, honey.”

Honey? Where had that come from? He shook his head, watching the idiot weaving between big trucks a couple lengths ahead of them. He’d called her the same thing last night, when she’d been hurt. He hadn’t even called Jenny honey. He was in danger of losing control. Control? Who was he kidding? He’d given that up last night when he’d opened his arms to her.

The sporty little car gobbled the miles and before noon they pulled into the parking lot at Chandler County General. Mark angled the car into the closest spot he could find to the building. Tori scrambled from the car. “Come on.”

The woman working the reception desk greeted them. “May I help you?”

Tori clutched the edge of the desk. “What room is Caitlin Falconetti in?”

“Let me check.” The blonde tapped on her keyboard. “I’m sorry, she isn’t in a room yet. Try the Labor and Delivery waiting area, fourth floor.”

“Thank you.” Tori’s tone was strained. She glanced at Mark as they hurried across the lobby to the elevators. “Labor and Delivery? That can’t be good.”

“It doesn’t mean they’re delivering the baby.” Mark kept his voice soothing and punched the call button at the elevator bank. It didn’t sound good to him, either, but he didn’t want her more upset than she already was, her lip trembling intermittently as she blinked away tears. “They might be trying to stop the bleeding or something.”

Her chest rose and fell with a deep breath. “Dr. Astin wanted her to have at least another week before delivery, if not two. Mark, what if it’s too early?”

The elevator arrived with a soft ding and the doors slid open. He held a hand over the door and let her precede him. She leaned against the wall, arms crossed over her midriff, while he selected the fourth-floor button.

He wanted to pull her into his arms but settled for a comforting pat on her shoulder. “Let’s get upstairs and find out what’s going on, then you can worry, all right?”

Despite watery eyes, she smiled and pushed behind her ear a lock of hair that had escaped from her loose knot. “You’re great, did you know that?”

If she only knew. He was keeping a major secret from her, one that would screw everything to hell once she found out. At least Tick wouldn’t have an excuse anymore not to have the damned surgery if the baby was being delivered. “All I did was drive the car.”

Her gaze serious, she shook her head. “You’ve done more than that.”

That praise slammed him with another dose of guilt. She trusted him and keeping his loyalty to Tick meant blowing this chance with her. The elevator shuddered to a stop and the doors slid open. The waiting room lay before the elevators. Tori stopped, her gaze scanning the groups of people in the large room. “There’s Mama.”

Lenora Calvert stood by the bank of floor-to-ceiling windows. Tori limped across the large room and Mark followed close behind. “Mama?”

“Oh, Tori.” Lenora turned. Sunlight streamed in the window, its harsh brightness making the worried lines around her mouth more pronounced. She enveloped Tori in a swift hug. “I’m glad you came.”

Tori pulled back, smoothing her mother’s hair. “I’ve been trying to call you.”

“I left my cell phone downstairs in the car. I wasn’t sure if they’d let me have it up here,” Lenora explained, her arm still around Tori’s waist. She graced Mark with a smile, the expression strained. “Hello, Mark.”

Mark nodded. His sense of guilt deepened. He liked Lenora Calvert, always had, and now he was not only helping Tick keep a deadly secret from his mother, he’d spent the night in bed with her baby daughter. “Mrs. Lenora.”

“Mama, do you know anything?”

Lenora nodded, stroking her hand down Tori’s arm. “The nurse was out earlier. Her uterus ruptured. They’ve stabilized her and they’re going to deliver the baby by Caesarean.”

“Oh, Mama.” Tori covered her mouth with her hand, a sheen glittering in her eyes. Mark took a step forward and stopped. He didn’t have the right to offer her comfort here, not really. “It’s too early.”

“Dr. Astin has a neonatal team standing by.” Lenora smiled, although it didn’t lessen the worry in her eyes. “They’ll do everything they can. We just have to have faith.”

Time crept by. Mark flipped through outdated magazines and watched Tori fret. She paced to the window, talked to her mother and finally dropped into the chair next to Mark’s.

She sighed. “I wonder how long this will take. It feels like forever.”

He tossed the magazine on the table before them. “I’m sure they’ll let you know something as soon as they can.”

Shifting sideways in her chair, she took his hand. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

His gaze dropped to their entwined fingers. The warmth of her palm next to his, just being here with her, felt right. The connection was one he hadn’t experienced, or wanted, in what seemed like forever. He squeezed her hand and swallowed hard. “Me too.”

The automatic doors at the end of the room slid open and Tori jumped up. Mark rose as well. Unsmiling, his eyes shining with unshed tears, Tick stepped into the waiting area.

Their mother’s hand flew to her mouth. “Oh.”

He stepped forward to envelop her in a hug. His shoulders shook with relieved laughter. “It’s a boy, Mama. A little small, just over four pounds but healthy. Cait’s in recovery.” His voice cracked and he took a deep breath. “They put her under, but she’s good. She’s going to be fine.”

Smiling, her own tears spilling over, Tori glanced back at Mark. “Isn’t that wonderful?”

Thumbs tucked in his belt, he nodded. “It’s great.”

Mama held Tick’s face in her hands and kissed his cheek. “I’m so glad, Lamar. So very glad.”

Tori touched Tick’s arm and embraced him when he released their mother. Relieved joy spread through her, and she hugged him tighter. “Congratulations. Can we see him?”

He pulled back and scraped a hand through his already disheveled hair. “In a minute. He’s going to the NICU, but one of the nurses said they’d come this way so Mama could see him.” He chucked her under the chin. “Hey, you’re supposed to be in Florida.”

She laughed, but her gaze lingered on his face. He looked more than tired—fatigue dragged at his pale features and dark circles under his eyes spoke of several sleepless nights. “I think this takes precedence over a conference any day.”

“Yeah.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and extended his right hand to Mark. “Good to see you, Cookie. Thanks for taking care of her.”

“Anytime, man. Although she really didn’t need me. She’s more capable than you give her credit for.” Mark glanced at Tori before the men shook hands and she suppressed a smile, warmed by his words. “Congratulations.”

Tori jabbed her elbow into Tick’s ribs, hard. “Would you please not make me sound like a brainless nitwit who needs a babysitter?”

Wincing, Tick rubbed at his side. “I never said you were a brainless nitwit.”

Irritated, she shrugged from under his arm. “No, just implied that I can’t go anywhere or do anything alone.”

The opening of the doors behind them forestalled his reply. A pair of nurses accompanied a mobile warming table which held a squalling baby, legs and arms thrown wide, froglike. Tori glanced up at Tick, his proud grin dispelling some of the weariness.

Their mother stepped closer and caressed the top of the baby’s tiny head, covered in swirls of wispy dark hair. A card taped to the radiant light identified the infant as Baby Boy Calvert. A nurse held an oxygen mask over the baby’s mouth and nose, so his cries sounded muffled and tinny. She glanced up, kind reassurance lighting her face. “It’s just a precaution.”

Tori brushed a fingertip along the back of one tiny hand. Minuscule blue veins showed beneath the red, wrinkled skin. She looked at Tick. “Does he have a name?”

He shook his head, the weariness descending again. “Not really, not yet. I guess we’ll decide once Cait wakes up.”

“Mr. Calvert?” Apology hovered in the lead nurse’s tone. “We need to get him to the NICU. You can visit him there in a little while.”

“Thanks.” He palmed his son’s little head before the procession moved down the hall.

Tori eyed him again. His cheekbones stood out and the scrubs hung on him. He’d always been long and lean, but today he looked gaunt. “Have you lost weight? You look awful.”

“Thanks a lot.” He shot her a wry look before his gaze dropped to her foot. “What happened to you?”

“Just a cut. Stubbed my toes on the bed last night.” Unable to resist pushing his buttons, she waved a hand over her shoulder. “Mark took care of me.”

“Really.” Eyebrows lifted, Tick glanced beyond her. “I’m glad you’re here, Cookie. We need to talk.” He leaned over to kiss their mother’s cheek. “I’m going to step out for a minute, Mama. I’ll be right back.”

A brisk breeze ruffled the potted evergreens surrounding the patio just off the maternity ward waiting room. Leaning on the railing, Mark eyed Tick. Tori was right—he did look bad.

Tick tugged a hand through his hair, already standing out at weird angles. A crooked grin shaped his mouth. “I have a son, Cookie.”

Mark couldn’t suppress an answering grin. “I heard.” He cleared his throat. “There’s no reason for you to wait on that surgery now, Tick. Hell, you can’t wait. That baby needs you. Falconetti sure as hell is going to need you. I know what you’re thinking, that you’ve got to be the strong, stand-up guy while she recovers, while the kid’s in the NICU, but you need to do this now. Your family will help; you know the department will pitch in. You have to do this, man. Now.”

Tick arched an eyebrow. “You done?”

“No.” Mark pushed away from the railing. A surge of indignant anger washed through him, and he pushed a finger into Tick’s chest. “Trying to make me swear not to tell before I knew what was going on was dirty, Calvert. You’ve had a couple of days to be irrational, to let it sink in, but damn it, I’m not going to let you commit slow suicide—”

“You sound like my doctor.” Tired laughter lurked in Tick’s voice.

The anger pulsed under Mark’s skin. “Maybe you should listen to one of us, then. I swear, man, I’m not keeping quiet about this. Set up the surgery.”

“Or what?”

“I’ll tell your mother.”

“Done now?”

“Yeah.”

“Thanks for caring.” Tick shook his head, still grinning, although the humor didn’t carry to his red-rimmed eyes. “For your information, I saw another doctor, got a second opinion.”

“And?”

“Same diagnosis. Same suggested treatment—immediate surgery to remove the tumor and see if the cancer has spread. Only she called me an irrational idiot for waiting two days.”

“So what are you going to do?”

“What can I do?” Tick shrugged. “I’m having the surgery. Tomorrow morning. Cait’s brother is flying in to be with her.”

Mark rubbed a hand over his nape. “Told your mom yet?”

“Not yet. I didn’t know y’all were coming back and was going to wait until Del and Chuck got here. Telling Cait last night was hard enough. Telling Mama while Tori’s with her is probably a good idea.”

“Yeah.” He wanted to be with Tori when Tick told her, wanted to offer the comfort she’d surely need. Glancing away, he squashed the image his mind provided of the horror and pain Tori would experience when she learned of Tick’s diagnosis. Man, he was sure turning into the emotional equivalent of Speedy Gonzales—from pushing her away to protective male in two days.

“Anyway, I’m glad y’all came back today. Obviously, I’m taking a leave of absence. I talked to Stanton this morning. While I’m gone, we want you to step into my position and Chris will move up to investigations temporarily. That work for you?”

Mark shrugged. “Sure.”

Tick leaned against the wall, some of the tension seeming to drain from his body. “Great. I spent part of last night getting files ready to turn over to you.”

“Quit worrying about that.” Mark waved a hand in dismissal. “I’ve got your back. Now get in there and talk to your family.”

“Yeah.” Tick grimaced. “I can’t wait.”

“Might as well get it over with.” Mark reached for the door and held it for him. Thoughts of Tori’s reaction trickled through his mind again and his gut clenched. He’d protect her from the hurt if he could.

Protect. He swallowed a bitter laugh. He hadn’t protected Jenny from real danger. What made him think he could shield Tori from anything?

In the hallway, Tick ran a hand over his hair, smoothing it the best he could. He glanced at Mark, his expression serious. “What did Tori mean, you took care of her?”

Mark’s nape prickled. He shrugged. “I bandaged her foot.”

Tick cleared his throat, the sound rough and uncomfortable. “Is there something going on I should know about?”

Basically, there was nothing going on. Nothing that would last anyway. He looked sideways at Tick. “In her eyes, I’m safe. She’s spreading her wings a little. Nothing to worry about.”

A frown pulled Tick’s brows down. “She’s vulnerable, Cookie. She’s not…she doesn’t have the experience other women her age have.”

No, she had something far worse. Mark tucked his thumbs in his belt. “I wouldn’t hurt her, Tick. You know that.”

“You might not mean to, but it wouldn’t take much. I want you to leave her alone.”

Mark sucked in a deep breath. “You realize she’s an adult, right?”

“Look, I really don’t want to have this conversation right now, when I’ve got to tell my mother I have a freakin’ cancerous tumor. Just leave her the hell alone.”

Go screw yourself.
Mark swallowed the words. Not the time or the place to have this out. Besides, with enough time, Tori would come to her senses and maybe there wouldn’t be any need to have it out at all. She’d get tired of playing at making a relationship with him and move on to better things. The thought hurt so bad it scared him.

Tick had to have seen the anger flash across his face, though. He straightened, his features tightening. “I mean it, Cookie. She’s not one of your playmates and she deserves better than to be treated the way you do your women.”

Mark clenched his teeth until his jaw hurt. He forced his muscles to relax and loosened his fists. “Go talk to your mama, Tick.”

“Remember what I said.” Tick fixed him with a hard stare.

Chin tilted, Mark nodded. “Yeah, I’ll remember.”

Anger brewing in him, he watched Tick walk away. He rubbed a hand over his face. So the guy he considered his best friend actually thought he’d do the whole love-her-and-leave-her thing with Tori. Nice. Sure, he deserved his reputation, but treat Tori like that? Not in a million years. Tick should know him well enough to realize he’d never intentionally hurt her.

He wouldn’t fall for her, but he’d be around as long as she needed him.

Clad in a sterile paper gown, arms and hands scrubbed to surgeon cleanliness, Tori stood beside Tick in the NICU and gazed down at her hours-old nephew in the incubator. One long finger stroking his son’s arm, Tick was quiet, his posture slumped, his face showing the ravages of stress and exhaustion.

Tori felt as ravaged as he looked—the shock of his revelation was wearing off, allowing the fear and horror to crowd in. Cancer? How could her strong, invincible brother, the man who’d taken a father’s role in her life after their daddy died, have cancer? It had to be a mistake. This surely wasn’t happening, not now, when he had a new family who needed him.

She glanced again at Tick’s firstborn son. Awake, he blinked at his surroundings and a tiny frown wrinkled his face. He looked a little like Tick already, around his chin and eyes. She clenched her fists, nails biting her palms. Tick had to be all right. They all needed him too much, loved him too much, for anything to happen.

Fighting back a wave of fresh fear, she touched the baby’s cheek, his skin incredibly soft under her finger. His mouth pursed in a yawn. Swallowing against a lump in her throat, Tori looked up at Tick. He watched his son with an awed expression that had tears pushing at her eyelids again.

“What time do you have to be here in the morning?” she asked and he glanced at her.

“I’m supposed to be downstairs around seven.” He lifted one tiny hand. “I’m staying here tonight, though. I want to be with Cait.”

“Is there anything you need?” Under her touch, the baby startled, limbs flailing, and settled again. “Clothes or anything from home? Errands run?”

He shook his head. “Everything’s covered.”

Carefully, she withdrew her hand from the incubator. The baby’s eyes drifted closed. “I’ll go so Mama can come in, then. I need to find Mark too. He’s probably thinking I’ve abandoned him.”

“When did you start calling him Mark?” Tick’s gaze sharpened. “What exactly is going on between you two?”

His voice was cool and Tori stiffened, forcing a light laugh. “Don’t you have enough to worry about—”

“He’s not the guy for you.”

A tiny spurt of indignation heated her chest, but she injected a gentle note into her voice. “I think that’s for me to decide, Tick.”

“I don’t want to see you hurt.”

Frustration joined the indignation. “You don’t know that will happen.”

He frowned. “Tori, don’t get wrapped up in him, please. He’s…the guy’s got commitment issues, and you—”

“I know about his issues, Tick.” She kept her tone quiet. “I know about Jenny.”

That got his attention. He froze, eyebrows lifted. “He told you about her?”

Not the whole story, but her brother didn’t have to know that. She lifted her chin. “Yes, he told me. Look, seriously, it’s time for you to deal with your life and let me worry about mine.”

“So I’m supposed to just stand back and let you make the biggest mistake of your life?”

Fear shivered over her. It wouldn’t be a mistake. Mark wouldn’t hurt her. “Yes. It’s my mistake to make. You have to accept that.”

Nursing a cup of coffee laced with artificial sweetener, Mark studied the folded newspaper propped on his knee. A half-eaten chicken wrap rested on a Styrofoam plate before him. He’d been hungry, stomach grumbling and gnawing at his spine, but thinking about Tori, her reaction to Tick’s news, had stolen his ability to eat.