The Back-Up Plan (21 page)

Hank shook his head and jammed his hands into his pockets. He felt damned helpless.

“Look,” the man eased closer “while I was outside smoking, one of the paramedics told me they had one fatality on the scene, a couple more were critical and a bunch of minor stuff. I showed him a picture of my boy and he told me not to worry about my boy, the fatality was female. Did you have a kid involved?”

Hank felt sick. “I can’t talk right now.” He hurried down the hall and into the men’s room. He braced his hands against the wall and pressed his forehead to the cool painted surface.

Every moment he had spent with Donna played through his mind. The first time he kissed her. The homecoming dance. Making out in the locker room. Father-daughter day with Melissa.

I’m afraid you’ll break my heart
.
Never happen, Doc
.
Never
.
I wish you could be my daddy forever
. The words echoed deafeningly in his head.

Hank closed his eyes and banged his forehead against the wall. Tears pricked the back of his lids. He couldn’t lose her, he’d only just found her. He didn’t care about ESPN. He didn’t care about being in the limelight. He only wanted to hold Donna in his arms and make love to her every day for the rest of his life. And to be Melissa’s daddy . . . forever.

It took a minute to pull it together. He shoved the door open and darted a glance in both directions. The corridor was empty. He moved silently down the hall until he found what he needed—the staff lounge. He pushed the door open and took a look. Empty. He stepped inside and let the door close behind him. One by one he checked the lockers until he found one open. He pulled out a green uniform shirt and assessed its size. Should fit. Hank pulled the shirt on over his tee and slipped back into the corridor. He walked down the hall and right past the ER desk without being stopped.

He passed through the “authorized personnel only” doors and into the hectic ER. White-coated personnel rushed from one gurney to the next, from one exam room to the other. Gurneys lined the long corridor two rows deep. His heart thumped at the number of kids.
Jesus Christ
.

The stench of blood and the wail of fear and pain tied Hank’s stomach in knots. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he scanned face after face for the one he wanted to see. He smiled and tried to reassure those who needed it.

Please, God, don’t let her be seriously injured
. He hoped he hadn’t been such a self-centered son of a bitch that God wouldn’t grant him this one request.

Fear and relief tore at him in equal measures as he moved down the hall. Relief that the last face hadn’t been Donna’s, fear of what it would mean if the next one wasn’t. He wouldn’t even consider the other alternative.

Hank rubbed a hand over his face and surveyed the corridor again. Donna wasn’t on any of the gurneys in the hall. She had to be in one of the rooms. He refused to believe anything else. He monitored the comings and goings of the frenzied hospital personnel for a minute or two before starting back the way he had come. One by one he checked the exam rooms. By the time he got to the last one, he had seen more than he wanted to see, but not what he needed to see.

“You’re going to be fine, Wesley. Just a mild concussion.”

That voice
. Hope detonated in his chest as Hank pushed the door to the last exam room open a bit further.
Donna
.

Donna flicked a small hand-held light into each of the boy’s eyes. “We’ll send you up for a cat-scan just to be sure. But I’ll bet you’ll be on your way home by this time tomorrow.”

“Thanks,” the teenage boy said in a rusty voice.

Hank stood stock still watching her sure movements. He thanked God for answering his request. As if she’d heard his prayer, Donna turned abruptly.

“Hank, what are you doing here?”

“You’re okay?” It was all he could manage and then he pulled her into his arms.

“Of course, I’m okay.” She drew back from him, realization dawned in her eyes. “You thought I’d been in the accident?”

He stroked her cheek. “Someone called Patty and said your car and purse had been found at the scene.”

“God,” she breathed. “I was right behind the accident. I didn’t have time to consider what anyone would think. They needed me and…” She shook her head. “I have to call Patty.” She started for the door, but the door flew open before she reached it.

“You, orderly,” a nurse, who looked for all the world like a drill sergeant, shouted at Hank. “We got a puker in four.”

Hank looked from Donna to the nurse.

“He doesn’t work here,” Donna explained.

The nurse tossed a glance over her shoulder on her way out. “He does now.”

Donna shrugged. “Looks like we both have work to do.”

“Donna, wait.” Hank pulled her back around to face him. “I have to tell you something.”

“Dr. Jacobs, we need you out here,” another nurse shouted through the open door.

Donna looked from Hank to the nurse, shrugged again and then rushed away with the nurse. Hank wandered into the corridor and scratched his head. He should call Patty.

“Hey, you,” the drill sergeant nurse barked at Hank, “get that tight butt in gear.”

~*~

Two hours later, they were on their way back to Huntley. Donna had managed to call Patty between patients. She smiled to herself. Nurse Gillette had kept Hank jumping. Donna settled deeply into the seat and relaxed. She hadn’t been this tired since her resident days. Felt pretty good. The best news was they hadn’t lost anyone. The only fatality was the one at the scene. Thank God it hadn’t been worse. Most of the injuries were minor. Once all fifty-three of the injured had been screened and enough local physicians called in, Donna had been free to go. But she had stayed a while longer, dreading the forty-five minute trip back home with Hank—alone.

According to the towing company, her car had been damaged during the monumental task of clearing away the pile-up. Nothing major, but a new front fender and paint job would be necessary. She could have driven it home, but she’d opted to leave it for the repairs. Exhaustion had long since set in, leaving her less than capable of concentrating on driving.

Her gaze traveled over Hank’s handsome profile. Why had he come? They were supposed to be over. He had his big opportunity—the job offer he always wanted.

Hank glanced her way and caught her studying him. He draped his arm around her and pulled her close, then kissed her forehead.

Donna ducked out of his possessive embrace. “You said we needed to talk.”

He glanced from the road to her and back. “The sooner the better.”

“Why not now?” Might as well get it over with.

“Good point.” He made a hard right, taking the exit they had all but passed.

Donna braced against the dash. “Where are we going?” The exit seemed to go nowhere. Just trees and highway. No diners, no gas stations, no nothing.

“Some place where we won’t be interrupted.”

Despite her best efforts, heat flared inside her at his words. She remembered well the last time they had been interrupted. Hank made another right onto what looked more like a trail than a road leading into the woods.

“Do you know where you’re going?”

“Yep.” He stopped the car and turned off the engine. “Right here.” He unfastened his seat belt and then did the same to hers. “Get in the back seat,” he told her, his baby blues on fire with anticipation or something on that order.

“What?” Had he lost his mind?

“Don’t give me a hard time, Doc, just get in the back seat before I make love to you on the console.”

“Hank Bradley, you can just take me home this instant. What is wrong with—?”

He silenced her with his mouth. A bolt of pure need thundered through her. Every nerve in her body tingled. Trying to get closer, he elbowed the steering wheel and cursed into her mouth. His desperation had her desire spiraling out of control.

“Wait, wait,” she murmured between kisses. His hands were all over her at once, touching, squeezing.

“I can’t wait.” One long leg came over the console. “We’ve waited too long now.”

He ripped her blouse open, buttons flew. He tugged a lacy cup down far enough to take one taut nipple into his mouth.

Donna moaned at the feel of his hot, hungry mouth. “Hank, please,” she cried as he sucked harder. He fumbled with something between her seat and the door and the seat suddenly jerked into a reclining position. His full body weight came down on her.

He groaned as one hand slid urgently under her skirt and inside her panties. He kissed her with such raw hunger it was almost frightening, but insanely sexy. Donna cried out when one long finger slipped inside her. His responsive groan vibrated inside her mouth, filling her with his urgency, an urgency that propelled her own.

“Now,” he growled. “I need to be inside you now.”

“Yes,” Donna breathed and launched into action. Her fingers, desperate and clumsy, she fumbled with his zipper. She wanted him so much. Whatever happened next she wanted this—

A loud rap against the window startled them both. Hank groaned and looked up. “Oh, damn.” He tugged Donna’s blouse back together.

The police officer standing outside the window came into view. Donna gasped. Humiliation stung her

“Get out of the car, sir.”

She sat up, cracking Hank’s head against the roof of the car. “Oh, my God!” Her clothes! She had to get her skirt down!

The policeman rapped on the glass again.

“Let’s break it up in there, kids.”

Donna scrambled to right her clothes. She had to get out of this car.

“Wait...wait,” Hank groaned harshly, struggling to refasten his jeans.

“Hurry!” Donna jerked at her skirt…tried to cover herself just as the door opened.

Her legs tangled with Hank’s and he dropped like a rock onto the cracked pavement. The air in his lungs whooshed out on a grunt. “Hello, officer,” he mumbled, still trying to right his clothes from his position flat on his back on the ground.

Donna wrapped her arms around her middle, holding her button-less blouse together. She couldn’t bring herself to look the officer in the eye. Hank could handle this. He had gotten them into it—he could get them out. How would she ever explain this is anyone found out?

“You, too, ma’am,” the officer said to Donna.

Hank pulled himself up and she stumbled out to stand beside him, one shoe on, one off. This could not be happening. Hysterical laughter suddenly rose in her throat. She clamped her hand over her mouth. How could she laugh at a time like this? She cut Hank a sideways glance. How could she not?

“Is there some reason why you two didn’t get yourselves a room?” the officer asked. Donna could hear the amusement behind his censuring tone.

“It was my fault, sir,” Hank said. “I couldn’t wait.”

The officer chuckled. Donna did look at him now. Sixtyish, she supposed. Tall and agile looking for his age.

“Well, let’s move it on down the road, okay? A lot of kids hang out here. We don’t want to set a bad example.”

“Yes, sir.” Hank nodded and cleared his throat. “Thank you, sir.”

“We’ve never done this before,” Donna said quickly, not about to let the man leave thinking what he was obviously thinking.

He paused and shot Donna wink. “That’s what they all say,” he remarked and then strode back to his cruiser.

She turned and glared at Hank.

“Sorry,” he muttered.

“Just take me home,” she demanded, pretending to be angry while laughter strained at the back of her throat.

“Yes, ma’am,” Hank said as he opened her door.

Donna sat down and shifted the seat into an upright position. How did she manage to get herself into these compromising positions? Her gaze settled on the man who slid behind the wheel. Hank Bradley, that‘s how.

The man she loved.

But did he love her enough to stick with a real plan? A family plan?

Chapter Twelve

Donna pulled on a sweat shirt she had found in Hank’s back seat. As soon as they were back on the interstate, silence screamed around them once more. Neither appeared prepared to take the bull by the horns and broach the subject of the future. As the miles rolled by the only conversation had been Hank’s occasional lapse into profuse apology over the making out incident.

At three-thirty Hank pulled his Camaro into Patty’s drive. Donna darted from the car before he could round the hood to open her door. She hurried up the walk and across the porch with him trailing her. The door flew open and Patty and the kids poured out to greet them.

“Oh, Donna, you don’t know how thankful we are you’re safe,” Patty said, holding Donna tight in her arms.

Both wept for a minute before small hands tugging at the sweat shirt drew Donna’s attention downward.

“Oh, sweetie.” Donna swept Melissa into her arms. “Mommy loves you so much.”

“I love you, Mommy,” Melissa said after planting a big, sloppy kiss on her cheek.

“I have to check on things at school, but I’ll be back and then we’re going to talk,” Hank informed her, his tone brooking no argument.

“Okay.” Donna nodded, swiping at tears. He pulled her against him and pressed his lips to hers. The dizzying kiss only lasted a moment, but it was enough to weaken her knees.

“Walk me to the car, squirt,” Hank said, holding his hand out to Melissa. She placed her little hand in his much larger one and giggled ecstatically. Donna allowed him to take Melissa from her arms.

“Wonder what that’s all about,” Patty asked almost to herself.

“I haven’t the slightest idea.” Donna watched the pair walk to Hank’s car. When they reached the vehicle, Hank crouched down next to Melissa and whispered something in her ear. Melissa nodded vigorously and threw her arms around his neck. Donna felt her knees go weak again at the sight of him hugging her daughter so tightly, his eyes closed, his face soft with tender feelings.

Tears crowded into her eyes with renewed force as Hank straightened and smiled at Melissa before getting into his car. Melissa waved good-bye and skipped back to the porch. Hank backed out onto the street and drove away.