Babies in the Bargain (10 page)

“Chris, I told you Marc’s grandma isn’t feeling well.”

“Holly, can I have a word with you? Privately.” He stepped inside the crowded room and folded his arms, scowling. “Nice party. Is no one on call here?”

“Dr. Guerlin,” Jenna said with a smile, revealing shiny white teeth, “we’re only trying to help Dr. Suarez and Dr. Collier.”

“Very kind of you. How about going to help Dr. Halsdale before he loses his temper and rattles the walls of this hospital?”

“Oh, my God, you mean he was looking for me?” The nurses said in unison as they hustled toward the door.

In less than thirty seconds, Chris was alone with Holly and the baby. As soon as the door closed, he took her arm. “This is madness. You can’t turn your life upside down for this baby. How many times should I remind you, he’s not your responsibility?”

She’d had it with Chris telling her what she should or shouldn’t do. “Yes, he is my responsibility. At least, until his uncle comes back. Listen, Chris, I’m under enough stress. Can you stop trying to make my life difficult?” she almost shouted, her fists clenched on her hips.

“
I... I
am making your life difficult?” He dropped her arm, and took a step back, squinting at her. “You’re not being fair, Holly. I’m trying so hard to help you relax.”

“I’m sorry. I appreciate what you’re doing, but I’m so tired.” She sank on the couch in her on-call room and crossed her arms on her chest. It wasn’t right to unload her frustration on Chris.

“Of course you’re tired. Look at the dark circles under your eyes.” He touched his fingers to her chin and examined her face. As a doctor or a friend? She didn’t care to find out and jerked back.

“I promised to take care of the baby and I’ll do it. Right now, I don’t have the energy to get into an argument,” she said with a conciliatory tone, hoping Chris would get the message and leave.

Chris studied her for a silent moment and shook his head, probably giving up on drilling sense into her brain. “There’ll be no argument. I brought Chinese food. I have it in my car. Do you want to take a drive?”

“Nope,” she said firmly. “I hardly have time for my rounds. I’ll study a bit here while babysitting.”

He exhaled loudly. “Fine. I’ll bring the food to your room.” He muttered something about a selfish bastard and soft-hearted women.

Was Chris feeling more than friendship for her?

Oh no. Please no. Her life was complicated enough without Chris adding that to the mix.

Marc hadn’t called since Holly told him Paulito had moved into her room. Was it because he’d stopped worrying about the baby? Or because his grandma’s health was failing?

Or maybe he was too busy
testing
a new mama for Paulito?

Holly wrinkled her nose in distaste. Rehashing Marc’s issues and dilemmas was the last thing on her agenda tonight.

The week passed by smoothly. The nurses shared babysitting duties with Holly. For a change, she’d agreed to have a drink with the fellows and attending doctors at
Mango Bar
where they gathered every Friday. A couple of hours away from the hospital would do a world of good to her frayed nerves. She selected a sleeveless, blue silk dress and spent a few minutes drying and combing her hair loose on her shoulders.

Paulito awoke as she finished applying the last touch of her make-up. She collected him from his crib and changed him.

“Don’t cry, pumpkin. Your milk will be ready in a sec.” Holding the fussy baby with one arm against her side, she rocked her hips and fumbled to prepare a bottle. Paulito stopped his screaming and nuzzled her naked shoulder.

A hard knock on the door startled her. “Come in, Stacey,” she called while continuing her task. The door opened and closed softly. “Here’s your bottle, pumpkin. You just—”

Marc leaned against the door, his devastating smile reaching straight into her heart.

Her breath jammed in her throat. She stared, unable to speak. He was back. With a wife?

Her eyes flew to his left hand. No ring there.

 “Holly.” He took a step forward, opened his arms and enfolded her and the baby in the same hug.

Frozen in place, with the baby squeezed between her and Marc and her head pressed against Marc’s shoulder, she heard a pulse drumming. His heart? No, her own, doing double-time as his musky scent engulfed her.

 She gulped down a steadying breath and squirmed out of his arms. “You’re back?” Stupid question. Only Marc could make her lose her cool so completely. Of course, he was back and standing in front of her in a T-shirt and jeans, radiating a healthy smell of pure male and aftershave.

“Yes, I’m back. And happy to be here.”

“Oh?” She’d cut her tongue out before asking the million dollar question. Had he found the right mama for Paulito?

“These past four weeks lasted a lifetime.”

“I’m so sorry.” Holly sat in the rocking chair with the baby still pressed against her chest.

Marc leaned against the door and continued, “Abuelita refused to eat. Her blood pressure dropped. One day she collapsed. I had to take her to the emergency. The pictures you sent snapped her back to life. She kissed them a hundred times and decided to choose a good mother for Paulito.”

“And?” Holly gently rubbed Paulito’s back to prevent him from crying before she heard the end of the story. She tortured her lip. Had any Puerto Rican woman caught Marc’s fancy?

“Last week was a nightmare. Abuelita talked to every woman she knew under forty. One by one, they filed into our house to pay their respects and recite the list of their wifely qualifications. Can you believe I had to sit through that ordeal, just because I was worried about my grandmother’s health?”

Holly had trouble picturing Marc, the super active playboy, sitting dutifully to be introduced to a prospective bride. Several actually. Somehow, the punishment fit the crime. She struggled to suppress a giggle.

Marc smiled, watching Holly feed the baby. He felt like he was home again, here, in her room.

“How is your grandmother now?”

“She’s fine, but upset with me. I couldn’t get myself to make a decision about her candidates.”

Holly’s beautiful eyes narrowed to blue slits. How he’d missed their fire as he suffered through the bridal contestants’ interviews.

She tilted her head. “You mean you came back unattached?”

“Exactly.” He suppressed a smile when Holly exhaled and the tension around her eyes relaxed. “But Abuelita made such a fuss just before I left I had to promise I’d take Paulito to San Juan if I can’t manage on my own.”

“What?” Holly’s gaze snapped up. The bottle fell from the baby’s mouth and he screamed. “You’re not serious?”

Interesting. Holly was distressed at the idea of the baby leaving Washington. Had she become so fond of him?

A flash of pleasure warmed Marc’s blood. It would be the first good news he’d heard in weeks. “Don’t worry. I hope it won’t come to that. I found a solution.”

“What solution?” A soft knock on the door accompanied the call. “Come in, Stacey.”

Holly stood, handed the baby and the bottle to the nurse and then smoothed her skirt.

Marc scowled, noticing some details about Holly’s outfit. Nice, blue dress with a V-neck décolletage that enhanced her figure. Full makeup, including mascara on her eyelashes. High-heeled sandals.

Dios
, she was so pretty.

“Going out?” A stab of jealousy pierced his heart.

Who was the lucky bastard taking her out?

She tensed at the casual question. “Yes.” Her chin hitched up as if she dared him to comment. “You’re welcome to stay with Paulito if you want.” She deposited a light kiss on the baby’s cheek. “Thank you, Stacey. See you in a few hours.”

“He’s in good hands, and I have too much to do tonight.” Marc took the baby from the nurse and hugged him. “He’s grown a lot in the past weeks. Thank you, Holly. You did a terrific job with him.”
I knew she’d be the best one to take care of Paulito
.

Maybe he should convince her to direct some of her tender attention toward him too. He stifled a grin at the idea of Holly fussing over him—a wishful thought at the moment.

He handed Paulito back to Stacey and then strolled with Holly down the hallway. “I’m taking the stairs for a change,” she said as she sashayed to the door marked
Exit
.

He hadn’t seen her in anything but scrubs for ages. The dress molded to her hips and fluttered around her calves as her heels clinked down the steps. His eyes fixed on her swaying derriere.

Desire twisted inside him. Blood pounding in his ears, he stumbled on the last step and sucked in a deep breath to recover his cool.

CHAPTER EIGHT

“So, anything special tonight?” Marc asked as they crossed the lobby toward the hospital front door.

Holly shrugged. “Just the usual Friday-night get-together at
Mango Bar
. You’re a regular, right?”

“Yeah.”
Dios
, memories of a relaxed night out seemed so far away. As if years had elapsed since the last time he’d been there. “I used to. But how come
you
have suddenly decided to go?”

He’d asked her to join him for a drink before the accident and she’d turned him down. Part of the cold shoulder treatment she’d given him when he started his job.

“Uh-oh...I needed a break tonight. I was becoming claustrophobic in this hospital.”

“Is someone picking you up?”

Her lips curled in a half smile. “Nope. I’m walking. The bar’s only four blocks away.”

He pointed to her high-heeled sandals. “I can drive you.”

“No. I’m looking forward to the walk. It’s nice outside and still daylight.”

“Rather semi-dusk.” Somehow it bothered him to know she’d be out on her own, so pretty in this eye-filling outfit. “I’ll walk you to the bar.”

She shrugged. “If you want.”

“Hmm...” He needed her with him a little longer.

She stared at him as she stepped out into the street. “What’s up?”

He adjusted his pace to hers. “I was wondering...” He pointed to the fast-food place across the street. “You didn’t have dinner yet, I presume?”

“No, but I’ll eat some munchies with the drink at the bar.”

“How about joining me at
Norman
’s
for a beer and an old-fashioned hamburger? I haven’t eaten one of those in weeks.”

“But I promised I’d go with the others. Why don’t you come with us?”

“I’m not in the mood for a crowd, music, and jokes yet. Please, Holly, let me treat you to a beer and your favorite chicken Caesar salad. You’ll have the rest of the night with the hospital gang.”

She threw him an understanding look and nodded. “Okay. I’ll keep you company and I’ll have the salad.”

They settled at a corner booth against the darkening window. Marc went to the counter to pay for their orders and then returned, carrying a big tray. He deposited their plates on the table and unsnapped the cans.

“Cheers. Thank you for all your help with Paulito.” He downed a good chug and leaned against the back of his seat.

“You’re welcome. He’s a sweetheart.” She sipped her beer, cut a piece of tomato and slowly brought it to her mouth, her lips puckering around the fork.

His jaw dropped. She was the sweetheart he couldn’t wait to kiss.

“How was your NICU today?” A safe hospital-related conversation would douse his out-of-place lust.

“A thirteen-year old girl’s baby has been adopted by a lovely couple. I’m sure they’ll adore her. The triplets who were born last night are improving. I hope the mother can find someone to help her.”

“I’m glad you’re reassured about your little patients.” He threw her a speculative look. “Don’t get too emotionally involved with them. It may hurt you in the long run.”

“I know. I’ve already been warned by the Director to toughen up. But I can’t help it,” she mumbled, her usual poise slipping away.

Had he needled a sensitive spot? “Holly, is something wrong?”

“Every time I attend a delivery I think about...a preemie who died sometime ago.” She heaved a deep sigh, her emotion evident.

“I’m sorry about your patient. I’m glad it didn’t stop your medical career.” He smiled with approval.

“Actually, it inspired my vocation as a neonatologist. The preemie was my baby brother.” A painful frown marred her forehead at the old memory. “I’d rather not talk about it,” she added, averting her gaze.

Marc stroked his chin. She’d shared his meal and even her inner fears instead of abandoning him for their colleagues. The evening was turning out to be better than he’d anticipated. Holly had mellowed, her attitude toward him softer than two months ago.

“Holly, I don’t know how I would have managed without you.”

Since he’d started his career at WCH, several nurses had approached him, clearly open to having a casual affair. Some, like the curvaceous Jenna, more obvious than others. But he was sick of casual affairs. There was only one beautiful coworker who captured his attention. Now and always.