Harlequin Special Edition November 2014 - Box Set 2 of 2: The Maverick's Thanksgiving Baby\A Celebration Christmas\Dr. Daddy's Perfect Christmas (39 page)

Nora's misty eyes held his. “Thanks. It's been...rough, but I'm doing okay.”

Eli noticed the second she zeroed in on the scar running from just above his brow, down and into his hairline close to his ear. She started to reach up and Eli froze, steeling himself for her touch. When her hand dropped before she could make contact, he blew out a breath.

Eli wasn't offering an explanation, and if she asked, he'd have to be vague. That scar mocked him each day in the mirror, reminding him of the secret he still kept for a dead man.

An awkward silence settled between them, but thankfully his mother came into the room, breaking the tension. Since when didn't he know how to handle a woman?

Nora wasn't just any woman, though. She was special. Trying to start anything with her now, after all this time, would just be wrong. With her a recent widow and him leaving in a few months...yeah, not a good idea. So, he'd just have to put his emotions in check and do the job he came here to do.

Besides, so much time had passed; they were nowhere near the same people.

“Nora,” his mother greeted with open arms, and the two women embraced each other. “Is everything okay?”

“Everything is fine.” Nora eased back. “I just wanted to let you know that I'll stop by the hospital to bring some lunch after work tomorrow. I know the surgery can take several hours.”

Eli stood by the door, still watching this interaction between his high school sweetheart and his mother. It was like time had stood still, only it hadn't. Time had been cruel and had taken each of them down different paths, paths that led to heartache and deceit. Paths that led in totally opposite directions and as far apart as two people once in love could get.

And yet here they were, full circle. Eli wanted to reach out, even hug her in a friendly gesture. He'd lost that right years ago and had no one to blame but himself.

Already the ache in seeing her had settled deep in his chest. They were only on day one so how in the hell did he expect to see her nearly every day? Because he knew full well that Nora loved Mac and Bev as much as he did and she'd be around checking on them, worried about them.

Looked like he was about to pay his penance for leaving her behind.

* * *

Oh, sweet mercy. This inescapable, awkward reunion smacked her in the face and left her utterly speechless. Remaining friends with Eli's family had once been torture when Eli had first enlisted. She adored Mac and Bev so much that even when he broke things off and joined the army, she still held on to that precious bond with his parents. They were truly the closest thing to having her own and the teen in her embraced the stability.

Nora tried, she really did, to focus on what Bev was saying, but her mind was on the man who stood just over her shoulder. The man she'd once thought to be “the one.” The man who had told her over and over that when he graduated he planned on enlisting to explore and change the world. It wasn't the fact he was enlisting that broke them. She was proud of him for wanting to fight for freedoms. The issue was that Eli never had any intention of returning and settling down in this small town.

At one time, naively, she'd thought he'd miss her so bad he'd come crawling back. Yeah, she'd held that much hope in their relationship. When he'd been gone for enough time she knew there was no chance, she cut her losses and started dating Todd. She'd been moved around so much as a kid, she simply longed for a home and some stability. Things she thought Todd could offer.

Eli's fresh, masculine aroma had surrounded her when she'd passed by him in the foyer. There was no way she was letting him help her with her coat because she couldn't stay long...and she had another reason to hide behind the heavy wool.

After the shock of seeing Eli—with a fresh-looking, jagged facial scar—faded, her mind instantly went to their high school days when he'd try anything to get her to cross the “good girl” line. But as soon as that memory hit her, her mind drifted to Todd. She'd been doing so well lately with keeping her emotions in check. Maybe they hadn't had the best or most ideal marriage, but she mourned the man who sacrificed himself for his country.

In all honesty Eli had probably spent more time with Todd than Nora had because the two had been deployed months upon months together in Iraq over the past four years. Best friends in school turned army buddies living through some of the harshest conditions.

She'd thought when she'd married Todd that he would get out of the army, but he'd decided to stay. After four years of marriage, most of them spent with him deployed, Nora had finally lost her husband for good.

Now, due to the financial strain of living on one income, she might have to sell her home. The death benefits and pension weren't going near as far as she'd hoped.

Nora blinked back tears that were so easy to flow. Seeing Eli conjured up that part of her mind she associated with Todd and Eli together. The two men she'd loved. The two men she'd lost. She wanted to be angry at both of them for leaving her, but what good would that do?

While she knew she'd run into Eli over the next day or so, she hadn't planned on it being after a grueling day at the clinic. Between multiple cases of worms, kennel cough and vaccinations, she was ready to prop her feet up and dig into a big bowl of Rocky Road ice cream for dinner and snuggle with her finicky cat, Kerfluffle.

Most people probably wanted hot soup on a cold day like today, but she wanted the good stuff. The fattening stuff. It's not like her expanding waistline would suffer any more than it already had. Nora knew she smelled like dog and was covered in fur—occupational hazard—but she hadn't expected to see Eli before she could at least shower, change from her scrubs and attempt to fix her hair...and a half-falling ponytail did not count as fixed.

Not that she was trying to get his attention, but she at least wanted to look somewhat put together and not like a bag lady.

A pregnant bag lady. This was one time in her life she was thankful for her height. At least the weight could spread out more and her belly barely had a bump. Eli didn't know she was pregnant, as far as she knew, and it really wasn't a topic she wanted to broach with him. While she embraced the love of her small town and the folks who'd rallied around her upon Todd's death and her pregnancy discovery all within days of each other, the last thing she wanted was to see pity in Eli's eyes.

She'd seen that look years ago when they'd broken things off and she hoped to God she never had to see it again.

“If you don't mind,” Bev said.

Nora blinked and smiled. “I'm sorry. What?”

Bev patted her arm, offering a wide grin. “You're exhausted, honey. Go home and put your feet up.”

“No, no. I'm fine. My mind wandered and I didn't hear what you said.”

Wandered, took a hard right and ended up in la-la land. Such was the story of her life. Always daydreaming, because reality was starting to flat-out suck.

Except for the precious baby she carried. No way could Nora be upset about something so miraculous—no matter the circumstances.

“I just said it would be wonderful if you could bring lunch for us tomorrow if you didn't mind,” Bev said, still holding on to Nora's arm. “But only if you're already coming down. Don't make a special trip.”

“Oh, no. I don't mind at all.”

Eli shuffled his feet behind her and Nora turned to see his eyes directly locked on to hers. No matter how hard she tried she couldn't block old memories from sliding into the forefront of her mind.

Her mother may have been a drifter, but one of her boyfriends that had come and gone had lived in Stonerock. When Nora had been a teen they'd moved here and Nora knew this was the place she'd stay. Her mother had hung around for a few years, allowing Nora to actually make friends, find teen love and experience her first heartache.

Speaking of, Eli now held her gaze with those dark-as-sin eyes that used to mesmerize her. They still did.

“Bringing lunch would mean a lot to us, Nora,” he told her.

Why did she have to still find him attractive? Why did that new scar intrigue her and make her want to know all about his life since he'd left?

Stupid hormones. She did not have time for this.

“There's my girl.”

Nora turned to see Mac coming down the hall, a huge smile on his face and arms open wide. She loved this family, she honestly did, and they'd cared for her for so long she didn't know what she'd do without them.

They'd been there for her when Eli had gone off to the army and her mother had moved on. Mac had actually helped her with vet school, covering what financial aid hadn't.

They'd been there when Todd was killed. Mac and Bev were the loving, doting parents she'd always longed for.

And the thought of Mac having open-heart surgery terrified her. She knew he needed it, but there was always that chance that something could go wrong. Even though she treated animals, she knew more than enough about the surgery to be worried.

“Oh, now.” Mac took her into his arms and patted her. “Don't tear up on me, Nora. I'll be fine and back home grumbling in no time.”

Nora sniffed and eased back in Mac's arms. “I'm just tired, that's all. I know you'll be in good hands and I'll be there to make sure your family is taken care of.”

Mac squeezed her shoulders and nodded. “I couldn't ask for a better daughter.”

Nora's heart squeezed. He'd often referred to her as the daughter he'd never had. Being friends with Eli's younger brother Drake had introduced her to the family, but it wasn't until she started dating Eli that she truly felt the family bond she'd always craved. She'd thought watching him leave was the hardest thing she'd ever face. Boy was she wrong. The past few years had been difficult, but the past several months had been a whole new level of hell. One day at a time she was crawling out, trying to get back to some sort of stability in her life before she brought a baby into this world.

“I better let you guys go.” Nora moved toward the door, careful not to touch Eli. “I'll be praying for you, Mac, and I'll be by the hospital after work.”

She fled the family scene before she really did something stupid like break down in full snot-and-tears mode. Who knew pregnancies could produce such a juxtaposition of emotions?

Heading to her home next door, Nora crossed the lawn, speckled with a hint of snowflakes. She knew there was no way just one pint of Rocky Road would soothe her tonight and wine was out of the question.

There was only one thing left to do: she'd have to pull out all the stops and liberate the large supreme pizza from her freezer emergency stash. And seeing Eli looking all perfectly intriguing and mysterious with his scar and demanding presence definitely constituted an emergency.

While she hated pity from others, Nora felt she was entitled to throw herself a pity party. Once she gorged herself on junk and maybe indulged in a bubble bath, she'd feel better.

She placed a hand on her bump and smiled. She had four months to regain control of her life and emotions because, no matter the turmoil, Nora would provide stability and love to this baby...even if she was alone.

Chapter Two

T
he surgery went beautifully and there were no complications.

Eli breathed a sigh of relief once the cardiologist confirmed the news. He also told them Mac would need to be monitored for a few hours before he could have visitors.

“Now we have to focus on getting him better and making sure he takes care of himself,” Cameron said, taking a seat back in the waiting area.

Eli nodded to his younger brother. “I agree. And doctors are such a pain to treat.”

Drake laughed, plopping right next to Eli. “Are you the pot or the kettle, Dr. St. John?”

“Boys,” Bev scolded. “I will make sure your father watches what he eats and gets more exercise.”

“Lifting the remote in his off time does not constitute as a workout,” Eli told her, reaching across to squeeze her hand. “But if I know Dad, this scared him. He may not admit it, but he'll start being more cautious.”

A cell phone chimed and Eli jerked around to see both Cameron and Drake checking their sides. As the police captain, Cameron tended to be popular even off his shift, and as the local fire chief, Drake was always in demand, too.

Yeah, these rebel teens did all right for themselves, despite what the townsfolk may have initially thought.

Cameron came to his feet. “I'm the winner. Be right back.”

He walked through the double doors and headed out, taking his cell from his pocket. Eli was a minority in that he loved being on call. He'd been home less than twenty-four hours, but he already missed being needed, missed saving people under high-pressure circumstances.

And for the next three months, he'd be right here in Stonerock, Tennessee, treating cold and flu symptoms, random viruses and allergies, if spring hit early.

“Sorry I'm late.”

Eli glanced up to see Nora breezing in. She had on that happy gear again with the bright red coat, colorful scarf and hat. Juggling sacks of food and another sack full of bottles of water, she looked very rushed and worn as tendrils of wispy blond hair slid from her cap.

Both he and Drake came to their feet to help her.

“I had to fit in a last-minute emergency.” She handed over the drinks and food and collapsed into the nearest seat. “Have you heard anything?”

“The doctor just came out and said he did beautifully,” Bev said, taking a bottle of water from Drake.

Nora's shoulders relaxed, her head tilted back against the chair and she sighed. “That's such a relief. How are you all holding up? I saw Cameron out front on the phone.”

“We're doing great now that Dad is out of surgery and food arrived,” Drake told her with a slight wink.

Eli didn't want his youngest brother winking at Nora. The two may be old friends, but Eli was, well, he was...absolutely nothing in her life. So if Drake wanted to wink, then so be it. That didn't mean Eli had to like it or watch.

Nora had to be exhausted because she sat stone-still, wearing her coat and hat. Apparently she wasn't staying.

Eli unwrapped a burger and tore into it, focusing on his growling stomach and not the dark circles beneath Nora's eyes or the way her face had slimmed down since he'd seen her the last time he'd visited.

The woman looked physically drained and it would be completely rude of him to say anything. Besides, he had no place in her personal life. Perhaps working herself like mad was her only way of coping with Todd's death.

And even though Todd had died a hero to his country, the man didn't deserve Nora's tears...or Eli's heavy dose of remorse.

“How are you feeling?” Bev asked Nora.

Nora lifted her lids and turned to smile at his mother. “I'm just tired. Thankfully the weekend is here and I have the next two days off. That is unless someone needs me, in which case they'll call me at home or just come knocking on my door, pet carrier in hand.”

“You should consider hiring someone else to help you or getting stricter on your hours,” Bev offered.

Nora shook her head. “I'm going to have to pretty soon. I have a couple of people in mind. It will all depend on what they will accept for payment.”

Eli listened, but refused to get involved. Over and over he kept telling himself he was only here for a short time. Whatever was going on now would still be going on long after he was gone.

Five years ago, when he'd considered coming back, he'd discovered Nora and Todd had started dating. Eli knew then he'd blown his chance for a reunion. Now Eli needed to stay focused on his own goals of helping his father by working in his clinic and getting back to the potential new job when he returned to Atlanta. End of story. He wasn't back here to do anything but to be a fill-in...and not for a late husband.

“The doctor said we could go back and see Mac, but not until later,” Bev said, pushing her silver hair behind her ears. “Why don't you guys take a break and come back this evening.”

Cameron came striding down the hallway, sliding his cell back into the pocket of his jeans. He leaned down, placed a very innocent peck on Nora's cheek, and Eli had to take another bite of his burger to keep from reacting.

This was a widow, for crying out loud. Not only did his brothers have no room to wink or give kisses, he sure as hell had no business getting jealous.

“Thanks for the food,” Cameron said, grabbing the last burger. “You're an angel.”

“Your standards are low if you're that impressed over a cheeseburger.”

The banter between his brothers and Nora took Eli back to when they were all teens, before life intervened...before he'd grown strong feelings for her and watched her marry another man.

She'd fit into his family beautifully. Everyone had thought he and Nora would end up together. Their ultimate dreams and the bigger picture just didn't match up. But that didn't mean he'd ever stopped caring for her...or loving her.

“I'm going to head to the clinic and check things out.” Eli came to his feet and tossed his trash in the wastebasket beside his chair. “I'd like to glance at the schedule for next week and look at some charts.”

“Don't mess too much up in the office area,” Drake warned. “If you do, Lulu will have your head.”

Eli groaned. His father's receptionist, real name unknown, was not a typical receptionist. In fact, she was flat-out weird and if she hadn't been at his dad's office for the past twenty years, he'd suggest his father hire someone else. But she knew the place inside and out and could answer any questions he had.

Eli only hoped she'd keep the flask at home, the nail files put away and her cleavage covered while she assisted him for the next few months.

“I promise not to bother any of Lulu's things,” he stated.

Bev stood, wrapped her arms around him and kissed his cheek. “You don't know what it means that you're here, Eli.”

Easing back, Eli looked her in the eye and smiled. “I wouldn't be anywhere else, Mom.”

After making sure one of his brothers would be there for their mom until he returned, he said a quick goodbye to Nora, who had also come to her feet.

“I'll walk out with you,” she said. “If that's okay.”

Eli nodded. This was going to be a long three months if he didn't get over these emotions that kept sliding up and choking him. He'd managed to dodge such strong feelings before when he'd visit because the occasional “hi” as they passed in the yard didn't resurrect too much. The thought of spending actual time with her, probably learning more about her personal life, had Eli's mind all in a jumbled mess.

Nora walked by his side toward the double sliding glass doors leading outside. They'd passed the concrete fountain in the middle of the circular drive-up area and visitor benches before she finally broke the uncomfortable silence.

“You don't seem happy to be back.”

Eli squinted against the afternoon sun glistening off the light dusting of snow on the grass and guided her down the sidewalk toward the visitor parking. “I've been nervous with Dad's surgery. And to be honest, I'm anxious about his practice. I hope the people in town will accept me as their doctor while dad's recovering.”

Nora's delicate hand came up to his forearm as she stopped walking. Eli turned to look at her. The unusually bright winter sun almost created a halo effect around her colorful hat. When he noticed her squinting against the sun, too, Eli shifted his stance to cast a shadow over her.

“What I meant to say was, you seem uneasy with me,” she said, holding his gaze as if she dared him to look away.

Inwardly he smiled. He'd forgotten how she'd always been a take-charge type, never one to back down even if a topic was uncomfortable or awkward.

“I am,” he told her honestly. “I didn't get to make it back for Todd's funeral and I'm not quite sure what to say to you now that I'm here.”

Okay, that wasn't a total lie, but it was just another layer to his unsettled mood.

Her hand slid from his as she pulled her coat tighter over her chest, crossing her arms. The slight breeze picked up strands of her low ponytail and sent pieces dancing around her shoulder.

“You don't have to say anything, Eli. No words will bring him back and I won't fall apart if you mention his name. He died doing what he loved, but I'm getting along.” She offered a tender smile. “You and I used to be so close.”

She inched closer, still holding his eyes with her own. Eli swallowed, but held her gaze. Nothing could make him turn away from such beauty. She'd always been able to captivate him with no effort on her part.

“All I need right now are friends,” she told him, her bright blue eyes searching his. “Can you handle that?”

Could he handle being her friend? He could, but there would be that secret silently settling between them, forming an invisible wedge.

Her pleading eyes tugged at his heart and he couldn't deny her.

“I can handle that,” he told her with a brief nod.

She cupped her gloved hand over his cheek and the warmth spread throughout him. “I'm glad you're back, even if it is for a short time.” She flashed him a knockout smile, then dropped her hand and pulled her coat back around her as if to shield herself against the chilly breeze.

Nora may act like everything was fine, but Eli's body was still reeling from her innocent touch. Everything about her gesture had been harmless. And yet he could still feel her softness as her hand slid against his cheek—even though he hadn't felt her bare skin.

“I'm so relieved the surgery was a success,” she told him, turning to walk again. “I've been a nervous wreck since we found out he'd have to have it.”

Eli kept his pace slow so she could remain by his side and in case there was a skiff of snow on the walk. He didn't mind the cold; he would've walked anywhere she wanted to go if she'd just keep talking to him. He'd missed spending time with her. Because even though they'd parted ways, she'd always been so easy to talk to, so understanding and compassionate. They'd been best friends at one time and he'd yet to find anyone else he shared such a strong bond with outside of his family.

“I honestly was, too,” Eli told her. “I knew he was in good hands here, but you never know when something can go wrong.”

“How did you manage to get off work for so long?” she asked, stopping beside a small silver SUV. “That wasn't much notice considering they told him yesterday he'd be having surgery.”

“I requested an emergency FMLA.” When she gave him a questioning look he clarified. “A family leave of absence. It's for twelve weeks. If Dad is better before then, I can return, but that's the limit I can be gone.”

“You like it in Atlanta?” she asked.

“I love Atlanta,” he told her without hesitation. “Even though I just settled in a few months ago, I love the hospital, the staff. I love the city itself.”

A slight smile tipped one corner of her mouth. “You were always so eager to leave.”

Yeah, he'd had it all figured out. First graduation, then the army, then seeing the world.

But his plans got a bit derailed and he'd gone back into the army before getting out and looking for a job in his field.

So far, he'd accomplished every career goal he'd ever wanted. But what about his personal life? What goals had he worked toward or even set for himself outside of his career?

“I'm not a small-town guy,” he told her. “I knew when I left I wanted something more.”

This topic was starting to venture into a territory he truly didn't think either of them was ready for so he nodded toward the car he'd seen in her drive. “This you?”

“Yeah. I may be back later, but right now I need to go home and lie down.”

Not for the first time he noticed she was a bit pale, which only showcased those dark circles beneath her eyes even more.

“Are you feeling okay?”

She sighed and nodded. “Yeah, just tired a lot lately.”

“You're working too hard, then.”

Nora shrugged without defending herself as most people would do. “If I don't see you back here, I'll see you at your parents' house.”

“Thanks for being there for them,” he told her, holding the door open for her. “Over the years when I've been overseas, you've just...you've always been there and I'm not sure I ever said thank you.”

Nora's eyes misted as she met his gaze overtop the car door. “I love your parents, Eli. Just because we stopped dating didn't mean I loved or cared for them any less. I'm happy we have one another because, trust me, they've been there for me, too.”

She turned and got behind the wheel before he could question her. His mother and father rarely mentioned Nora other than in occasional conversations and then when Todd had passed. They'd never talked about her needing them or hard times. He assumed they didn't mention it because they knew he had moved on.