The Doctor's Baby (9 page)

J
uly didn’t sleep much the rest of the night. A myriad of thoughts tumbled in her head. She’d be a good mother to Adam.
She would.

He’d smiled at her again today, really smiled. Oh, Mary Karen had said it was a gas bubble. But when his dark blue eyes had locked on hers and his lips had turned up, there had been a connection. Adam knew her. Adam loved her.

Her head told her that her baby would be better off with his dad. David could give Adam so much more than she could, and not just materially. But how could she walk away from her child? Perhaps shared custody was the answer.

The thought buoyed her spirits for a few seconds. She would find a permanent job. Granted there
weren’t many options in the area but her upbringing had taught her how to live cheap. Adam could split his time between her and David. It wouldn’t be ideal but lots of kids did it. At least he’d have his father and his mother.

We had lots of houses but no home.
A.J.’s words taunted her.

An ache filled July’s heart. She remembered the feeling of never belonging anywhere. If she and David shared custody would she be dooming Adam to the same fate?

It was time to get to know, really know, the father of her child. And she still had to tell him the truth.

That meant instead of pushing David away, she was going to have to get close to him. With her days in Jackson Hole slipping away, that needed to happen sooner than later.

Despite knowing July had found a new place to exercise, David returned to the Elk Refuge on Saturday. Like many early mornings in April, the temperature hovered just below freezing. David hoped the clean, crisp air would help clear his thoughts. Last night he’d realized how attracted he was to July. Not just on a physical level, either.

He rounded a bend in the road and skidded to a stop, unable to believe his eyes. The last person he thought he’d see stood stretching by the side of the path. “July. What are you doing here?”

She straightened, not appearing the least bit surprised to see him. “Waiting for you.”

David tilted his head, not sure he’d heard correctly. “You were waiting for
me?
”

She flashed a smile. “I thought it’d be fun to walk with you this morning. If you don’t mind…that is.”

“Yes. No. I mean I don’t mind.” He took a moment to compose himself. “Walking is a good break for me.”

There. At least that didn’t sound like a gawky teen in the presence of his latest crush.

“Great.” She started hiking down the road.

In several long strides he was beside her.

“I was thinking,” she said when he pulled alongside her, “that it might be fun if we did this every morning.”

“Really?” He stumbled but caught himself. Her rapid turnabouts were giving him whiplash.
Must be post-pregnancy hormones.

“Yeah.” She kept her gaze focused on the road ahead. “I enjoyed the last time so much I thought it’d be fun to do it again.”

Was she talking about the exercise or the kiss? His body stirred at the memory of her sweet lips on his. Still, he didn’t want to presume too much. “Sounds good.”

“Okay, then.” Something that looked a lot like relief crossed her face. “Got big plans for tonight?”

“I’m going to a hospital fundraiser at the Country Club.” David knew he should feel more excited about the event, but he couldn’t seem to drum up much enthusiasm. Still, he
was
getting out and that was a first step.

“Dinner?”

“Followed by a dance,” David said. “There’s also a silent auction and a fashion show by staff.”

A mischievous glint filled July’s eyes. “Are you modeling?”

“Absolutely not.” That’s where David had drawn the line. As a member of the medical staff, he was required to attend, but parading across the stage…no way.

July picked up the pace. “Do you socialize a lot?”

“Only what’s required,” David said. “But after your remark the other day, I’m trying to change.”

July slanted him a sideways glance. “What did I say?”

“Basically you told me I needed to get a life.”

“I did not say that.”

“It’s okay.” David smiled. “You were right. I’ve been going through the motions for way too long. I’m ready to start living.”

The entrance to the Refuge was in sight. While walking with David had given July additional insight into his character, more time was needed. She had to figure out a way to get him to ask her out. Maybe as she became more comfortable with him, she’d be able to be honest about Adam’s paternity.

Unfortunately she’d spent so much time pushing David away she wasn’t sure that would happen. She slanted a sideways glance at his handsome profile.

The clock was ticking. In a couple weeks her assignment would be completed and she’d have a decision to make about Adam’s future.

“About this event tonight, can people bring dates?”

“Of course,” David said, sounding surprised. “The event is open to the community.”

Though she wasn’t much for big fancy galas, this would be the perfect opportunity for some one-on-one time with David. Seeing him in a tux would be an extra bonus. July slowed her steps and turned to face him. “I was thinking, if you aren’t already planning to go with someone, can I come and be your date?”

She braced herself for an enthusiastic yes. Maybe even a hug. She waited. And waited. And waited.

His eyes locked with hers. “I wish I’d known this last week before—”

July’s heart sank to her toes. A sick feeling took up residence in the pit of her stomach. “Before?”

“Before I asked Rachel Milligan to go with me.”

July took a sip of juice and peered over the top of the glass at Mary Karen. She’d been waiting since she’d walked into the kitchen for just the right opportunity. With the baby fed and Mary Karen’s boys still sleeping, this seemed to be it. She lowered the glass and forced a casual tone. “Did you know your brother is taking Rachel Milligan to the hospital fundraiser tonight?”

Mary Karen dropped a bagel into the toaster, pushed down the lever and turned to face July. “I’m happy to hear that.” She paused and her gaze searched July’s face. “That’s not good?”

“No, it’s great.” July shoved her bowl of Raisin Bran aside, no longer hungry. When David had told her he
had a
date
—okay so maybe he hadn’t called it a date—it had been all July could do to keep it together.

Not because she cared who he dated, but because she felt like a fool for assuming she could beckon and he’d come running.

“July?” Mary Karen dropped into the chair next to her. “Are you interested in dating my brother?”

July resisted the urge to shush her. Granny stood outside the kitchen window mulching the rose bushes, and they both knew the woman had ears like a bat. Instead, she lowered her own voice and forced a casual tone. “I might be.”

If “dating” was the only way to resolve her dilemma, then yes, she was definitely interested.

“That’s wonderful.” Mary Karen’s lips parted in a wide smile.

“Did you somehow miss the part where I told you he’s taking Rachel to the dance?”

“They’re just friends,” Mary Karen said with a dismissive wave.

“She’s very pretty,” July said with a sigh. “And sweet.”

“Trust me,” Mary Karen said. “There’s nothing between them.”

“I was looking forward to going to the event,” July said, realizing it was true.

“It’s always fun.” A wistful expression crossed Mary Karen’s face. “I used to attend every year.”

“Even if David would have wanted to go with me, I wouldn’t have had anything to wear,” July said with a sigh.

Mary Karen brought a finger to her lips. “I think I have something that would work.”

“It doesn’t matter.” July should be in the Jeep with her camera beside her, heading for the mountains. Instead she remained in her seat, nursing a barely warm cup of coffee. “I’m certainly not going by myself.”

“I could go with you.” Mary Karen’s voice grew stronger with each word.

“A girls’ night out? You and me?” July’s heart picked up speed but she wasn’t going to get too excited. Not yet anyway. “What about a babysitter?”

Bless Granny’s heart but watching four boys under the age of five would be asking too much.

Mary Karen’s smile faltered for a minute, then brightened. “Esther Wilkins from church is recently widowed. Her grandchildren live out of state. She’s told me more than once how much she’d love to watch the boys.”

“That takes care of your sons,” July said. “What about Adam?”

“She loves babies,” Mary Karen said. “You can trust her with him.”

Though July was excited about spending the evening with Mary Karen, Adam’s welfare came first. “Are you sure she can handle four little boys?”

Mary Karen chuckled. “I should hope so…she raised five of her own.”

July smiled. “What are we waiting for? Give her a call. Then you can show me the dress.”

J
uly resisted the urge to bolt. The lobby of the Spring Gulch Country Club had been decorated with hundreds of fresh flowers. But it was the men in tuxedos and women in evening attire that made July want to turn tail and run.

The atmosphere was so far removed from what she’d known most of her life, she felt as if she didn’t belong.

“Everyone looks so beautiful,” July whispered to Mary Karen as they stood in the doorway surveying the scene.

“They look beautiful,” Mary Karen said. “But you look stunning.”

July flushed with pleasure at the unexpected compliment. The kelly green cocktail sheath fit like it had been
made for her. Mary Karen admitted she’d bought the dress several years ago at a closeout sale without trying it on. Not only was it too small, the color was all wrong for her.

Mary Karen’s black dress may have been simple but it hugged her curves in all the right places. And it wasn’t just the dress. July had been used to seeing the young mother fresh-faced with her hair pulled back in a ponytail. She’d never have believed the difference makeup and some hot rollers could make if she hadn’t seen the transformation with her own eyes. When Mary Karen had walked out of the bedroom earlier in the evening and whirled around, even little Logan had started clapping.

“You’re the stunning one,” July said.

Mary Karen laughed. “I’d say we both clean up pretty good.”

July smiled and felt some of the tension leave her shoulders. “Dinner isn’t for almost a half hour. Shall we check out the silent auction?”

Mary Karen waved to some friends across the foyer. “Sounds like a plan to me.”

The tables with the silent auction items filled the perimeter of a large room just off the country club’s foyer. A huge rustic stone fireplace served as the focal point for the room. Chandeliers made out of antlers hung from the angled ceiling. Though the room teemed with people, because it was so open and airy July didn’t feel crowded.

She made her way down the tables, but nothing caught her eye until she saw the ring. The large heart-shaped moonstone held by two carved silver hands im
mediately jumped out at her. She paused and scanned the information on the item.

“Do you know there is a whole history tied to these Claddagh rings?” she said over her shoulder to Mary Karen. “How you wear it even has significance.”

“I didn’t know that.” The deep masculine voice reached her ears just as July caught a hint of familiar cologne.

Her heart rate skyrocketed and she whirled.

David—not his sister—now stood behind her. And he wasn’t alone.

“Hello, Rachel.” July smiled at the nurse. Just like Mary Karen, the nurse’s simple black dress accentuated her blond good looks. “You look lovely this evening.”

“Thank you, July.” Rachel glanced down at the dress and gave a self-deprecating laugh. “This is quite a change for me.”

At the hospital her hair had been pulled back. Tonight the honey blond curls fell loose to her shoulders. July wondered if David preferred blondes.

“What were you looking at?” David peered over her shoulder.

“A moonstone ring,” July shrugged. “Pretty, but way out of my price range.”

“I have a friend whose husband gave her one,” Rachel said. “It’s supposed to represent both love and friendship.”

“What should be at the core of most marriages,” David said lightly.

“I’m sure someone will be happy to get it,” July said, feeling very much the third wheel. Then she no
ticed that although David stood next to the nurse, he wasn’t touching her.

The dark cloud hanging over her head vanished. “Have either of you bid on anything?”

“I put my number down on a couple items,” David said. “But it’s early. It’s hard to know if I’ll be the highest bidder or not.”

“I was going to bid on a ski package—” Rachel paused. “Can you excuse me for a moment? I better do it now before I forget.”

David started to follow but she waved him back. “Stay and talk to July. I won’t be long.”

He shoved his hands into his pockets. “I guess you’re stuck with me.”

“I guess I am.” July ducked her head and gazed down at her peep-toed shoes.

“How’ve you been?”

“Since this morning? Good.” She lifted her gaze. “How about you?”

The silence lengthened and July cursed the awkwardness between them.

“This isn’t a date,” David said, his eyes intense and very, very blue. “We came as colleagues, nothing more.”

The electricity was back, snapping and lighting up the air between them. Was he aware how absolutely sensational he looked and smelled tonight? How could he not with all the women in the room casting admiring glances his way?

“It doesn’t matter to me,” July said. “You’re free to date who you want.”

“It’d matter to me if
you
were here with a date,” David said. “I’d hope if you were interested in dating, I’d be the one you’d think of first.”

Was this the opening she’d been waiting for? Had her invitation this afternoon opened a door she thought had been slammed shut?

“It might be nice to go out now and then.” July kept her tone offhand, determined to let David make the next move. “It probably would be easiest if it was with you. Since we already know each other and all.”

“I’ll call you.” His eyes never left her face. “Set something up.”

“If you want to,” she said. “If you don’t—”

“I want to take you out on a real date.” He reached out for her arm. “I have since—”

“I got the bid in,” Rachel called out happily and slipped past July to stand beside David.

His hand dropped to his side.

“I thought bidding stayed open until ten.” July took a step back.

“It does,” Rachel confirmed. “But I didn’t want to space it off.”

“I can understand that.” July kept her gaze focused on the nurse and avoided looking at David. “I’d better find Mary Karen. It looks like we’re going to be sitting down for dinner soon.”

Even as she spoke the crowd began moving into a great hall filled with large round linen-clad tables.

“You could sit with us,” Rachel offered. “That way David won’t have to sit alone when I’m on the stage.”

“The stage?” July cocked her head. “Are you the emcee?”

“Don’t laugh.” A hint of pink colored Rachel’s cheeks. “I’m one of the models.”

July’s blank look must have alerted Rachel that more explanation was needed.

“There’s a fashion show during dinner. The models are all hospital staff.” Rachel slanted a sideways glance at David. “They tried to get everyone to participate but David’s ‘no’ must have been a lot more convincing than mine.”

“You should have done it.” July punched David playfully in the shoulder. “Support the hospital and all that.”

“You’re absolutely right.” The dimple in David’s left cheek flashed. “What was I thinking?”

“I’ll be expecting you up on that runway next year, mister,” July shot back then realized she wouldn’t be here for next year’s show. Heck, she wouldn’t even be here next month. Her smile faded.

“There you are.” Mary Karen’s heels clacked across the hardwood. “Hello, David. Rachel.”

“Why, little sister, I almost didn’t recognize you.” David took a step back and studied Mary Karen. “You look…lovely.”

“Yes, she does.” Travis’s voice sounded from behind July.

July stepped aside and he took a step forward.

A smile of welcome lit David’s face. “I’d given up hope of seeing you tonight, Trav.”

“Unexpected C-section.” Travis shrugged. “What else is new?”

David glanced around. “Where’s your date?”

“Let’s just say she didn’t appreciate being put on hold for another woman…even if that woman was big as a house and ready to deliver.”

“I suppose you can sit with us,” Mary Karen said. “We don’t care that you’re a pathetic loser who can’t get, er, keep, a date.”

Rachel gasped but Travis burst out laughing. “I don’t see you here with a date, M.K., so I wouldn’t talk.”

“I have a date.” Mary Karen slipped her arm through July’s.

Travis shook his head. “Doesn’t count.”

July watched and smiled.

“Children, there’ll be no arguing at the dinner table,” David said and July could hear the laughter in his tone.

“Your sister said I was a pathetic loser,” Travis protested.

“He intimated I can’t get a date,” Mary Karen said, though her eyes shone with good humor.

“Stop.” David held up a hand. “After dinner you can argue all you want. Or better yet, you can kiss and make up.”

The two exchanged a glance but didn’t respond. Still July noticed that when Travis took his seat at the table, he sat next to Mary Karen.

July wondered if her friend was aware of his interest. Then she noticed the flush in Mary Karen’s cheeks and
the sparkle in her eyes. She knew all right. July hid a smile.

The waiter had just brought their drinks when Rachel excused herself to get changed for the fashion show. With Mary Karen and Travis fighting, er, flirting, that left July with David.

“You should wear a tux more often,” July said. “You look good.”

“I can’t wait to get it off.” David ran a finger around the inside of the starched collar. “Give me jeans and a flannel shirt any day.”

“I know what you mean,” July said. “I can’t wait to take this off.”

“As beautiful as you look in that dress.” David lowered his voice and leaned close. “You’d be even more beautiful out of it.”

The dark flicker of want in his eyes told her he was remembering her naked. Just like that she was back in the hotel room. Even after all these months, that night was still so vivid. The image of him permanently seared into her brain. They’d left the lights on. And they’d taken their time looking, admiring, tasting and caressing.

July’s nipples pressed against the bodice of her dress and an ache filled her belly. She forced her attention away from his lips. “Do you think I’m a bad mother because I left Adam home with a babysitter tonight?”

A look of startled surprise skittered across his face. Whatever he’d expected her to say, it obviously wasn’t this.

Instead of tossing out a glib answer, he took a sip of tea. Then he shook his head. “The way I see it, parents need to make time for themselves.”

It made sense but July wanted more. “Let’s say the roles were reversed and you were a single father. There are some conservative ‘experts’ who say if you’re single, you shouldn’t date at all until the child is grown. Others say if you don’t take care of your own needs, you can’t be a good parent. Which viewpoint do you support?”

Waiters in white dinner jackets swept into the room holding large silver trays. David waited until they’d placed the salads on the table and moved on to answer.

“I fall somewhere in the middle.” He stabbed a piece of lettuce with his fork. “I think being so focused on your child that you don’t keep yourself open to adult experiences isn’t good for either of you. But to do whatever you want, without regard to your child’s needs is—in my estimation—wrong.”

July thought for a moment. “Are you telling me that if you were a single parent, you’d see nothing wrong with an occasional date or a night out with friends?”

His eyes softened. “Getting out once in a while is good for you and for my sister.”

July followed his gaze. Mary Karen and Travis sat engaged in a heated debate. But Mary Karen’s flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes told July the woman enjoyed sparring with her old friend.

“She deserves to have fun.” David slanted July a sideways glance. “And so do you.”

“Even if it means leaving my baby?”

“I doubt Adam even knows you’re gone.”

July punched him in the arm before she noticed the teasing glint in his eyes. “I guess I should just shut up and concentrate on having a good time, huh?”

To her surprise, David took her hand in his. “You’re a new mother, July. I’d be concerned if you weren’t missing your baby.”

His thumb caressed her palm sending shivers of wanting throughout her body. And when he leaned close enough that she could see the flecks of gold in his blue eyes and inhale the tantalizing scent of his cologne, for one fleeting second the impossible occurred. July forgot that David was here with another woman…and that her baby was home with someone she didn’t know.