California Dreaming: Four Contemporary Romances (73 page)

The picture of his mother shrinking into her chair for the rest of her short life came back to him, as did the question Sarah had posed.

Life sure was a crap shoot. He knew he didn’t want the life his mother had lived. No matter what the statistics showed, surely a family as strife-riven as his had been couldn’t have been better than a single mother.

But his father would have carried through with his threat. Hunter was sure about that. So he would have wound up living with the bastard he hated more than anyone else in the world.

Not a better choice.

Maybe Sarah and Rick could make it work. She deserved to be happy. Hunter shouldn’t stand in her way.

As long as Rick didn’t hurt Sarah, it would be okay, wouldn’t it?

The acid in Hunter’s stomach told him guessing at the state of Sarah’s happiness wouldn’t be enough. He had to know.

Hunter needed an excuse to check up on Sarah once in a while.

A brown recluse spider crawled from the ceiling corner as Hunter stared at the cracks. He needed to get out of here, but that would take more money than he could make from sheetrocking. Money he could get from business.

A smile crossed his face. He needed marketing advice, didn’t he? He’d stop by the inn on his way home from Joe’s shop on Sunday just to make sure Sarah was doing okay.

Right.

• • •

It was after three when Hunter left Joe’s workshop. He’d lost track of time as he layered coats of stain on the wood, wiping each down carefully to avoid unevenness and drips. Joe and his family had gone to his mother’s in San Jose, so the house was quiet.

Hunter turned off the classical music he’d had on all day and left the shop, regaining peace through satisfaction.

His tires crunched up the inn driveway. The gardener was making progress with the front; he could see the outline of the garden the previous owners had created from his mother’s humble start.

If only his mother could be strong enough to see the garden when it was complete.

Hunter shook the thought from his head and rang the doorbell. Immediately, Daisy started barking, a frantic note to her sound.

Without deliberation, Hunter pushed the door open, thankful it was unlocked. The stream of fading sunlight brightened the entryway and the bottom of the stairs.

Daisy’s barks became more frenetic and Hunter’s chest tightened as he rushed to the figure crumpled on the floor.

Using his rudimentary medic training, he checked for a pulse, broken bones, wounds, and any blood to indicate Sarah had had a miscarriage.

Nothing.

He tried to wake her, with no success. After scooping up cell phone lying next to her on the floor and putting it in his pocket, he picked Sarah up and carried her to the Jeep, locking a protesting Daisy behind the front door.

Gravel spun has he headed to the hospital. He prayed he’d found Sarah in time.

Sarah struggled to open her eyes against the bright lights. Antiseptic smells tinged her nose.

“Doctor? She’s stirring.”

“Good.” Doctor Hadiya pushed aside the curtain.

Sarah’s eyes opened fully and she struggled to get to a sitting position.

“Stay down.” The doctor’s voice was firm.

“The baby?” Sarah’s heart stilled waiting for the answer of the fate of her child.

“Okay. For now.” The doctor tapped the tablet she had in her hand and studied the results. “Have you been resting, like we discussed?”

Guilt made Sarah shudder. The auction on Saturday had left little time for rest, except when Mandy drove. “Mostly.”

“Apparently, mostly isn’t good enough. Let’s see … ” More tapping. “You’re almost twelve weeks pregnant now. We need to get you to at least twenty-four weeks with no problems, but thirty-seven would be better.” She looked steadily at Sarah. “You’re going to need almost complete bed rest for the next three to four months.”

“I can’t. I have — ”

“I know. You have an inn to open.” The doctor put down the tablet and put her hand on Sarah’s. “Your baby’s life is at stake and the only one who can protect it is you. Is your inn worth the life of your child?”

Of course not.

“Do you have someone to help you? I know the father isn’t in the picture, but maybe someone else? Your mother?”

Defeat slumped Sarah’s shoulders. She wanted to make it on her own, not go back home to her mother. “I suppose.”

Doctor Hadiya smiled. “I do understand. You want to be able to do this on your own. I know your mother, remember? But it’s just not in the cards for you, Sarah.”

“Who brought me here?” Maybe Mandy had stopped by. If she was still here, she could help figure out a plan of action.

“I don’t know. Let me check.” The doctor left the curtained cubicle. Sarah could hear the chatter of voices in the hallway.

Bed rest. How could she provide for the baby from bed? She’d be dependent on her mother. Or worse, Rick.

Why am I so reluctant to depend on Rick?

The curtains were thrust aside and the doctor came back to her side. “Apparently, you were brought in by a young man. They didn’t get his name, since he’s not next of kin.”

“Sarah?” Her mother’s voice seeped through the curtain.

“She’s in here, Elizabeth,” the doctor called out.

The curtain swished opened once again and Elizabeth rushed to the other side of the bed.

The space was suddenly very crowded.

“Are you okay?” Elizabeth asked. “The baby?”

“Everyone’s fine,” Doctor Hadiya said. “But I’m ordering modified bed rest.”

“Then you’ll come home with me,” Elizabeth announced. “I never did like the thought of you being in that drafty inn by yourself.”

“Mom, who brought me here?”

Her mother became still. “He said his name was Hunter. Dark hair and eyes, broad shoulders, prosthetic. He said he stopped by to ask you something and found you on the floor, so he picked you up and brought you in.”

“Good thing,” said the doctor.

“I know him.” Her heart gave a stir. She was sorry she hadn’t been able to feel his arms around her.

A frown creased Elizabeth’s forehead. “Where does Hunter fit in? I mean, who is he?”

I’m not really sure who he is, who Rick is, or what I’m doing.
She wanted to keep Hunter to herself for a little while longer.

“He’s just a guy looking for some handyman work. It used to be his house.”

“Oh.” The frown disappeared. “Well, I suppose that’s okay. You could use the help.” The frown came back. “I seem to remember something about the family in that house. A scandal or something.” She waved her hand. “Well, never mind. We’ll get you home and I’ll call Marcos and cancel my trip.”

“No! You can’t do that.” Sarah needed her mother living her own life, not Sarah’s.

“Yes, I can. It’s what mothers do. I’m sure you’ll discover that soon enough.”

“I’m her sister.” Mandy’s voice carried down the hall and seconds later she burst through the curtains.

It’s really getting too crowded in here.

Doctor Hadiya must have agreed. She looked pointedly at Sarah. “I’m not releasing you until you have a plan on how you are going to stay off your feet,
and
get your inn open.”

“She’s staying with me. The inn can wait,” Elizabeth said.

“I can stay with her at the inn,” Mandy said.

“But what about when you’re working?” Elizabeth asked.

“What about when you’re working?” Mandy retorted.

“Stop!” Sarah took a deep breath. “I’m sure we can figure out something.” She looked at the doctor. “Is Hunter still out there?”

“I can check.”

“At the risk of adding anyone else to this discussion, or this cubicle, I’d like to have him here.”

“Okay.” The doctor pushed through the curtains.

“Why?” Mandy and Elizabeth said at once.

Sarah rolled her eyes. “’Cause I need a handyman and furniture mover.”

Mandy started to sputter.

“No, you and Paul can’t do it all on your own.”

“I don’t think this is a good idea,” Elizabeth said.

“Don’t think what’s a good idea?” Hunter asked. The impassive stare was back.

What the hell am I doing? Trying to provoke a fight with Rick?

Practicality reasserted itself. She was simply doing what needed doing.

“Here’s the plan,” Sarah said. “The doctor says I need bed rest to keep the baby safe.” A frisson of fear went through her. What if she did everything the doctor said and she still lost the baby?

No. Not going to happen.
She sent a prayer heavenward just to make sure.

“I’m determined to open the inn so Annie can have her wedding when she wants to.” She looked sternly at her mother.

“That’s wonderful!” Mandy clapped her hands together. “I’ve always wanted to cater a wedding!”

It was going to take all Sarah’s strength to keep everyone going in the right direction. She took another deep breath and said what she’d been dreading most. “I’m going to need help.”

Hunter’s expression cracked a millimeter, enough to turn up the corners of his mouth.

“Then you’ll come home with me,” Elizabeth repeated.

“No. I won’t. Mandy, can you really move in with me for a few months?”

“Leave my three other roommates and get a bathroom to myself? You bet!”

“Good.” She pulled the sheet up a little more. This was going to be the risky part. She looked up at the strong man at the foot of the bed. His eyes steadily held hers. At that moment she knew he’d understand. Everything. Forever.

Not going there.

“Hunter, you’ve been looking for a place to stay.”

“Yes.”

“Since Mandy will be there, I think it’s okay to rent you a room. I’m going to need a handyman. The only thing is … well, it’s awkward.”

“You want me to be somewhere else the weekends that Rick comes down.”

He did understand. “Yes.” She was about to ask him if he minded, but realized it was a ridiculous question. Of course he would.

“This is
not
a good idea,” Elizabeth said. She glanced at Hunter. “No offense.” Her attention went back to Sarah. “But if you’re trying to get back with Rick — ”

Sarah’s emotions flared. “First, I’m seeing if there’s anything left with Rick to get back to. Second, it’s none of your business.”

“But — ”

“I’m telling you the same thing you told me when Marcos was first on the scene. None of your business.”

Silence descended the small cubicle.

“I’m still cancelling my trip,” Elizabeth said. “When you realize the mistake you’re making, you can come home.” She left the cubicle.

One more mess to clean up.

“Do we have a plan?” Sarah asked.

“Yes!” Mandy was always enthusiastic.

Hunter merely nodded.

“Good. Would someone get the doctor? I’m ready to get out of here.”

Inside, she wondered if her mother was right. Seeing Hunter every day could be dangerous because she had no idea what she really wanted, except what was best for her baby.

That would have to do.

• • •

By mid-afternoon the next day, Sarah was ready to scream. A plan hadn’t been good enough for the doctor and she’d insisted Sarah stay overnight in the hospital until she was sure all the arrangements were completed.

What was taking Hunter and Mandy so long?

Sarah had changed into a plaid smock and blue jeans that her mother had brought her the night before. Their conversation had been stiff, in spite of Sarah’s use of every proven daughter-tactic she knew to convince her mother to go to France.

I’ll have to work on Marcos.

When Hunter walked in the door she assured herself that her increased heartbeat was only because she was so eager to go home.

“You’re good to go from our end,” Hunter said. “What do I have to do to spring you?”

“Find Doctor Hadiya.” She smiled up at her rescuer.

“Okay. I’ll check at the nurse’s station, see if they know where she is.”

He disappeared from view and some of the oxygen left with him.

This would not do.

Sarah stared out the window and tried to avoid acknowledging her feelings. She wasn’t being fair to Rick. Was it the right thing for the baby for her to marry a man she didn’t love to ensure an intact family?

Hunter returned before she had a chance to answer the question, even if she thought she could.

“You’re set,” he said. “A nurse will be in to wheel you out and I’ll meet you at the front entrance with the Jeep.” He grinned. “Wait’ll you see the inn. The furniture you guys got fits perfectly.”

“Okay.” Suddenly, she wasn’t sure she wanted to see what other people had created in her space.

He walked to the bed and put a hand on hers. “We can rearrange it any way you want.”

A tear slipped from her eye. “Thanks.”

He leaned down and kissed her cheek. His lips comforted her and she turned her face, seeking his lips on hers. He paused for a fraction of a second before he kissed her mouth.

His kiss wasn’t demanding, but she sensed it could be. She wasn’t ready to surrender, but wanted to explore his taste, the texture of his lips against hers.

Too soon, he broke it off. “Much as I’m enjoying this, I don’t think we should go further. Not until you make a decision about who you want to be with.”

Guilt flooded her with heat.

“I’ll get the car.” He left the room with a rapid step.

A few minutes later, the nurse came in with a wheelchair. She helped Sarah into the seat and set her feet on the metal platforms.

Riding in a wheelchair was ridiculous, but Sarah knew it was fruitless to object. She was going to be condemned to a life of passivity for the next few months.

As the nurse pushed her out, she imagined leaving the hospital in just a few months, her baby in her arms and her spirits lifted.

Between the nurse and Hunter, Sarah was able to navigate the high step into the Jeep.

She was silent as Hunter pulled out of the parking lot and navigated the twists and turns to the southbound on-ramp of Highway 1, What had she been thinking when she responded to Hunter’s kiss? How disloyal could she be?