Where She Belongs (22 page)

“Seven.” He tried to smile, but couldn't. “Congratulations. You're an uncle.”

“Meaning you're his father.”

“Meghan didn't have an abortion.” AJ stared at his feet, then peered through the hospital's tinted windows to the parking lot. The cars were an indistinct blur. “She defied Sully.”

Something he wished he had done.

“Where has she been all this time?”

“Most recently, a small town in Michigan. Just north of Toledo.”

Brett took a couple of steps away from them, then returned. “This is unbelievable.”

“There's a little boy upstairs who needs the best medical care we can give him. That's believable.”

“That's not what I meant.” Brett paced again, seemingly unable to stand still for more than two seconds. “You didn't know about him? Before this accident?”

“Didn't have a clue.”

“So she contacted you when she needed help.”

AJ tensed, and he shoved his fists into his pockets to keep them from connecting with Brett's jaw. No matter what his cousin said, he wasn't going to hit him again. “It wasn't like that. I went looking for her.”

“Why?”

His gaze darted to Shelby before he could stop himself. He was aware of Brett looking at her too. Compassion sparkled in her lovely eyes, and she rested her hand on his arm in a reassuring touch.

“It's complicated,” he said. How could he explain a prompting from God to Brett? He'd only scoff. “I had to find her, and I did.”

“You're sure you're the father?”

“Meghan's too proud to take help from me if I wasn't.”

Brett nodded slowly. “You're probably right.”

“I need to get back up there. Don't suppose you want to see your nephew?”

“Another time.”

“You don't want to say hello to Meghan?”

Brett gave a short laugh. “I think not.”

“No surprise there. Come on, Shelby.” AJ held her elbow and headed toward the elevators.

“AJ?” Brett called after them.

He turned back.

“If you need anything, if Jonah needs anything, let me know.”

AJ waited for the gotcha, but it didn't come. Brett snapped a casual two-finger salute and strode out the front door. AJ stared after him until Shelby poked his ribs.

“I think someone's impersonating my cousin,” he said.

“He's had a rough morning. Do you know Tracie?”

“His receptionist? I met her once.”

“She quit this morning. Or he fired her. I'm not sure which.”

“Let me guess. They were having a fling.”

“Bingo.”

The doors opened, and AJ followed Shelby into the elevator. He punched the button for Jonah's floor.

“I take it Brett and Meghan don't get along.”

“There's a bit of history.”

“And you don't want to talk about it.”

He pressed his lips in a tight smile and shook his head. The history wasn't pretty, and he didn't like the part he'd played in it. As much as he hated to admit it even to himself, it still hurt that she'd rejected him for Brett.

Until Brett tired of her.

B
rett leaned against his Lexus and called Dr. Marc Nesmith's number. The pediatrician answered on the third ring.

“I'm outside the hospital. Any chance you've got time for a cup of coffee?”

“Cafeteria in twenty minutes?”

“Great. See you there.”

Brett found the cafeteria and chose a table by the window. Pressing his forehead on the heels of his hands, he relived the memories revived by Meghan's return.

“Brett?”

He jerked, pasted on a smile, and stood. “Hi, Marc,” he said, extending a hand. “Thanks for seeing me.”

“Glad to.” The pediatrician took the opposite chair. “Have you seen Jonah yet?”

“Um, no. No, I haven't.”

“Isn't that why you're here?”

“No, I stopped in to see my cousin. AJ Sullivan.” He couldn't seem to stop rambling. “I knew he'd be here, and I needed to talk to him about something.”

“I met AJ after Jonah was admitted. Nice guy.”

“He told me he's Jonah's father.”

“I'm not surprised.” Marc swirled his coffee. “I wondered about the relationship.”

“You wondered? So AJ's not named in your records?”

“Sorry, Brett. You know I can't answer a question like that.”

Maverick Marc playing by the rules? Who knew? “I wouldn't tell.”

“Nice try.” He leaned forward, hands clasped around his cup. “What's this all about?”

“Meghan left town years ago. Now here she is with a child.”

“You don't believe he's AJ's?”

“I just think we should make sure.”

“I've seen AJ with Jonah. I don't think he shares your doubts.”

“The breakup was a bad one.” Brett glanced away with a heavy sigh. Somehow he had to convince Marc to help him find out the truth. “She shows up with a sob story, and AJ feels obligated to help her out. He's always wanted a family, and now he's got one. Ready made. He's not going to ask too many questions.”

“But you will.”

“Someone's got to keep an eye on the family money.” An accurate statement, though this had nothing to do with finances. “Is there any way to check? Without involving AJ?”

“Ms. Jensen doesn't strike me as the gold digger type.”

“With all due respect, you don't know her as well as I do.”

“I'm sorry, Brett, but I'm not doing a paternity test without AJ's knowledge.”

“There's no other way? What about blood type?”

“Old school, huh?” Marc leaned back in his chair. “Typing alone won't give you a definitive answer.”

“Explain why not.”

“Let's say you and AJ have the same blood type. As long as it's compatible with Jonah's and Ms. Jensen's, either of you could be the dad.”

“What if the blood type isn't compatible?”

“Then AJ, you, whoever, can't be the father.”

“Do you have Jonah's blood type?”

“Of course.”

“Meghan's?”

“Probably.” He held up a hand. “But I doubt I have AJ's. And I'm not risking my license to satisfy your curiosity.”

“What's the charity
du jour
?”

“Brett . . .”

“How much?” He leaned across the table. “Five thousand? Ten?”

“And I'm supposed to believe this is about protecting the family fortune?”

Brett ignored him. “Let's do it this way. Tell me what AJ's blood type needs to be. That's all I want to know, and you won't be breaking any confidentiality rules.”

“If their blood types are compatible, it doesn't tell you anything more than you know now.”

“But what if they're not?”

“Then AJ shouldn't expect a tie for Father's Day.”

“You'll get me the info?”

“Am I right in suspecting you and Ms. Jensen were more than just friends around the time of her son's conception?”

“My business.”

Marc guffawed and eyed him steadily. “Children's Brain Injury Research Project. Ten thousand dollars.”

“Agreed.”

“But this is it. If knowing the blood type doesn't tell you anything, you're on your own.”

“Thanks, Marc.” Standing, they shook hands.

“I'll be in touch.”

“Soon.”

“You've got it.”

They parted outside the cafeteria. Brett walked to his Lexus, his spirits less agitated than when he'd walked into the hospital. An action plan always helped him sort things out, though he was
99 percent certain the blood types would confirm what he already suspected.

AJ couldn't be Jonah's father.

Shelby followed Meghan out of the elevator when it stopped at the ground floor. AJ had practically pushed them from Jonah's room, insisting Meghan needed a break. She'd finally relented, but for all her reluctance, Shelby sensed she was relieved to get away.

“The cafeteria is this way,” Meghan said, gesturing to her right.

“How's the food?”

“Not bad. I usually get a salad.”

They turned a corner, and Meghan stopped abruptly. “Dr. Nesmith, hello.”

“Ms. Jensen.” The doctor's engaging smile warmed his dark eyes. “It's nice to see you out of your room.”

“AJ's with Jonah.”

“Is he? Perhaps I'll stop in and say hello.” He switched his gaze to Shelby. “And you are?”

“A friend. Shelby Kincaid.”

“Marc Nesmith.”

“You're the pediatrician Brett called.”

“You know Brett?”

“A little.” Shelby looked past him. “In fact, I thought I just saw him. Walking toward the lobby.”

Dr. Nesmith glanced behind him. “You might have. He's planning to make a donation to a research project I'm involved in.”

“How generous of him.”

“Yes, it is.” His posture shifted, and his smile no longer seemed as genuine. “If you ladies will excuse me, I need to get upstairs.”

He skirted past them and turned into the hall leading to the elevators.

“He seems nice. Do you like him?” Shelby glanced from the
doctor to Meghan. Crimson splotched her pale cheeks, and dread settled in her gray eyes. “What's wrong?”

“Nothing.” Her tight smile revealed a shallow dimple, and she rubbed her arms. “So, you know Brett?”

“Yes. Do you?”

“I met him a few times. Years ago.”

Shelby didn't know why she was surprised. After what Brett had said that morning, he definitely would have known who AJ dated. “What was he like?”

“Charming. Self-confident.” Meghan affected a careless shrug. “I didn't know him very well.”

“I don't think he's changed much.”

“Is he married?”

“Are you kidding? I think he's too much in love with himself to ever fall in love with anyone else.”

“He doesn't seem to have impressed you.”

“At first he did. But that was before I knew he was related to AJ.”

Meghan's forehead crinkled. “Why would that matter?”

“It's a long story. And complicated.”

“Life always is.”

Shelby stole a glance at Meghan as they walked toward the cafeteria. Her complexion had regained its natural coloring, but her shoulders remained stiff. She'd been understandably tense since Shelby's arrival. But her agitation had increased after Shelby had mentioned seeing Brett in the hospital.

Apparently, Meghan had her own complicated story where AJ's cousin was concerned.

Throughout lunch, she seemed distracted, pushing her salad greens around with her fork. Shelby did most of the talking, sharing details about the girls and their move to Misty Willow. She had barely finished her chicken wrap when Meghan draped her napkin over her plate.

“I've been away too long,” she said.

“I didn't mean to keep you.”

“No, this has been nice.” This time, both of Meghan's dimples appeared when she smiled. “I mean it. Thank you.”

“Is there anything I can do for you? For Jonah?”

“Pray for us.”

“Absolutely.”

“Home seems so far away.” Meghan crossed her arms on the table. “I'm not sure I should have agreed to this transfer.”

“Why did you?”

“Because Jonah has a better chance of recovery here. At least that's what AJ said.”

“AJ can be quite persuasive.”

“I know.”

Shelby squashed the temptation to ask Meghan about her relationship with AJ. When she had been in Jonah's room, she'd observed them as closely as she dared without raising their suspicion.

Both seemed more concerned with Jonah than each other. But with her heart on the line, Shelby wasn't sure she could trust her own judgment.

However, one thing was certain. Meghan was hours away from home and going through a horrendous ordeal. She needed a friend.

“I know you don't like to leave Jonah, but I'm having a cookout on the Fourth. Only a few people. I'd love it if you'd come.”

“I don't know . . .”

“Don't answer now. Just think about it, okay?”

Meghan hesitated a moment then nodded. “I will. Thanks for asking me.”

“You're welcome.” Shelby pushed back her chair. “I better get home.”

“Isn't AJ expecting you upstairs?”

“I'll see him tomorrow. My girls talked him into a picnic.” She smiled broadly. “And fishing.”

“They must like him.”

“They do. Very much.”

“Forgive me for saying this.” Meghan dimpled as her eyes shone
with humor. “Your girls may be young, but they have excellent taste in men.”

“You're right. They do.” If only she had been more receptive to AJ's attentions when they first met. Though it wouldn't have mattered. Meghan's claim on him, and Jonah's, came first.