Harvest Dreams (8 page)

“You’re doing fine.” He smirked when her head popped up.
She blushed. “Well, this is different. I mean you’re old and a doctor not some kid.”
Steven gave her an over exaggerated frown. “I’ll reserve comment on that.”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean you were old old, just not young. Like, like me. You know?”
“I know. So, you sit up with Ricky sometimes?”
She nodded and slumped back again. “Yeah, Connie has some long nights sometimes with Haley. She’s teething, well sometimes she just wants to play all night, so I’ll sit in with Ricky if he’s have a bad night, or Rachel will, but she has to work most mornings so I try to help.” Marie shrugged. “It’s no big deal, last night was okay. He only had one nose bleed, which is good. Yuck, I hate those, but he watched a whole movie with me. The one with the big bear that fly’s a plane, can’t remember what it’s called...”
Rachel leaned against the door. “That’s the most I think I’ve ever heard you talk.” She smirked at the surprised look on Marie’s face. “Other than when we hide in your room.”
Marie grinned up at her. “It’s him.” She pointed to Steven and laughed quietly. “He just sits there and looks at you like, well like he is and my mouth starts flappin’.” She blushed.
Rachel nodded. “Yeah, it’s those eyes of his I think.”
Rachel flopped down beside the young girl and both turned to study him. He grinned at them. “Okay, now you’re making me nervous ladies.”
“Definitely the eyes, they’re kinda blue but sort of green.” Marie mumbled with her head next to Rachel’s.
“Kind of gray.” Rachel said quietly.
Steven slapped his hand over his eyes. “Does that make me more intimidating?” He peeked between his fingers to see them giggling quietly. Dropping his hand he smiled. “I would love to sit here all night for you two to compare notes, but I have to call in and see if I’m needed at the hospital.” He moved forward to the edge of the chair, somehow sensing fast movement would frighten the younger of the two women.
Rachel stood up. “Yeah we should go.” She looked down at Marie. “When I take Ricky to see Doc at work, do you want to come?”
Marie sat there for a moment looking from Steven to Rachel. “Like in an office there?”
Steven stood slowly and moved beside Rachel. “I have an office there.”
She looked down at her fingers for a minute then back at him. “Hospitals kind of freak me out.”
And you’ve been in too many for all the wrong reasons,
he thought. “Well, give it some thought. I’m sure Ricky would feel better if you tagged along.” He ran his hand down the back of Rachel’s neck in a casual caress as he spoke to the girl. “I’ll even give you a tour and show you all the cool gadgets if you like.”
Marie watched his hand move on Rachel. “Yeah? That would be cool.” She shrugged. “I’ll think about it.” She stood up slowly keeping distance between them.
He nodded. “Great. I’ll see you later.” He waited while Rachel hugged the girl then placed a hand on the small of her back heading to the door.
*
Rachel drove silently for several minutes. Turning she glanced at the man relaxing back against the seat beside her. “You’re pretty amazing,” she said quietly. “I’ve never seen Marie speak to any adult outside of a few. And Haley wanted to go home with you.”
He grinned over at her. “Children can sense good and bad.”
She laughed. “I wouldn’t say you’re all good, but that was still something great to see. You’ll have to visit with me again sometime.”
He reached over and caressed the back of her neck. “I’d like that.” He looked out the window for a few seconds. “Chances of you coming in with me?” he asked quietly.
Rachel smiled without looking at him. “Not high. I’m exhausted and have to terrorize people with my tow motor early in the morning.”
He rubbed her hair through his fingers. “Struck out.” Dropping his hand from her, he watched her pull up in front of his house. “See if you can get Ricky to see me tomorrow sometime, just call me and if I’m not at the hospital I’ll meet you there.”
She smiled over at him. “Thanks.”
Steven leaned across the seat and cupped the back of her head pulling her the last inch to him. Taking his time he kissed her tenderly. “Let me know when you get home safely and tell Dade to go home and leave Cora in peace.”
She laughed softly. “She’ll thank you.” She smiled at him. “I’ll talk to you later.”
He looked at her for a moment longer and then picked up the folder and opened the door.

Chapter 8

Fifteen minutes after Steven received her message saying she was home safe and had kicked Dade out the doorbell rang.

Opening the door for Dade he grinned. “Been expecting you.” He left him standing in the doorway and went back into his living room.

Dade closed the door and strode into the next room quickly. “What did you expect? You know I couldn’t have gotten to sleep tonight wondering.” He Dropped down on the chair and put his hands behind his head. “So.”

Steven Dropped the folder he’d been reading onto the table and leaned back looking at him. “Thank you for keeping your mouth shut.”

Dade shrugged. “Was it a choice?”

Steven shook his head. “Not really. Not if you wanted all your teeth at the time.”
Dade smirked. “Figured as much.” He sat forward. “Now will you explain to me why you finally getting your hands on Rach is such a big secret? And how the hell did you two manage to sneak around like that with all of us around?”
“Guess we’re talented that way.” Steven got up and walked towards the kitchen. “This conversation requires beer, be right back.”
*
Dade stared at the few empty bottles in front of them then looked up at him. “So let me see if I have this right. She doesn’t want to screw up the perfect friendship with a public relationship.” He took a drink of his beer. “So you just get to sneak around and fuck like rabbits when no one is looking?” Steven sent him a warning look. “Sorry, but that’s how it looks to me.”
Steven leaned forward and set the bottle on the table. “If you had that chance to finally,
finally
be with Cora what would you do?”
Dade opened his mouth and then closed it. Sitting back he shrugged. “Okay so I’d take it but I wouldn’t let her just walk away after thinking it was just really great sex, no strings... I’d fucken chain her to my house and never let her leave.”
Steven rubbed a hand over tired eyes. “I’m sure that would go over well.” He opened his eyes and looked at him. “If I push her, she’s gone. So I’m doing it her way, for now.”
“Well it’s pretty bad if you ask me.” Dade looked at the empty bottle and then set it on the table.
Steven sighed. “It’s actually worse.” Dade raised his eyebrows. “She’s expecting me to find the easy answers for her little foster buddy and turn him into an energetic healthy child.” He squeezed the bridge of his nose suddenly feeling exhausted. “And my initial gut reaction is not good.”
“Are you ever wrong in that?” Dade asked seriously.
Steven shook his head. “Not in this, this is what I’m good at.”
Dade sighed and sat back. “Keep me posted there.” He grunted and stood up. “I really have to go find a bed before I fall on my face. I spent all night, while you were quite happily occupied, lying beside Cora watching her mostly.” He walked to the door and paused, leaning against it smirking. “I gotta ask, so don’t belt me for it... the tongue ring right?”
Steven grinned. “Don’t even mention it or I’ll be awake all night just thinking about it.” He groaned.
Dade laughed. “Yeah well at least you have that. My fucken eyes almost fell out of my head when I saw the nipple rings on Coralee.”
“Nipple rings?” Steven’s head swung around.
Dade’s mouth Dropped. “You’re too far gone on Rachel if you missed that, which is good you weren’t looking, but yeah can’t even close my eyes without seeing that.”
Steven shook his head. “Didn’t even notice, wow, so that’s, wow.” He grinned at the other man. “Fuck, they like to drive us crazy don’t they?”
Dade pushed away from the door. “Yep. I’ll talk to you later.”
*
Steven flipped through the messages on his desk. Stopping he picked one up. Rachel Winters would be here at four. He glanced at his watch. If he hid his face and walked with his head down he might have enough time to grab a sandwich before she got here. He opened the door and got no further than two feet before he heard. “Dr. O’Reily.” Sighing he turned, food would have to wait.
*
By the time he’d assured a worried mother her daughter’s cast would not crumble if she moved, it was after four and he was late. Opening the door to the small waiting room he saw Rachel sitting on the floor with Marie and Ricky was stretched out on the small couch watching them.
“Sorry, I’m running behind again, still, one of those...” He grinned down at them.
Marie sat up slowly and stood up taking a step back. She turned and picked up a box. Stretching out so she wouldn’t have to get close she smiled shyly. “We brought pastry things, we ate some, and they’re good.”
Steven took the box and smiled. “I am starving. I missed lunch and haven’t anything but a mint in hours.” He grinned at Rachel still sitting at his feet. “A couple of angels you ladies are.”
Ricky sat up slowly. “I made them save the good ones for you, Doc.” He grinned.
Steven winked at him. “Excellent! We men have to stick together.” He reached down and pulled Rachel to her feet. “How was work?”
She grinned. “Great. Scared the crap out of some new delivery guy, he’ll never try to touch my tow motor again.”
He laughed as he opened the door to his office. “You’re a scary woman sometimes, Rachel. Come on in.” He went and sat at his desk and flipped open the box. His mouth watered just seeing the treats inside. Grabbing one he took a big bite and watched as Rachel led a very slow moving child in to sit in a chair. Marie followed her eyes scanning everything in the room. He winked at her pointing to the half pastry in his hand then gave her a thumb up while chewing.
Spinning his chair back a few feet he reached and got a bottle of water from the small fridge. Taking a few sips he turned back. “I’ll eat every crumb after we’re done here.” He set the bottle down and placed his hands loosely in his lap and looked at Ricky. “So Ricky I’m going to want to do some blood tests first.”
Ricky sat up straighter. “I’m not scared.”
Steven grinned as he stood up and walked to a cabinet. “Didn’t think so.” He took what he needed and pulled a chair up in front of the boy. “I usually have cute little nurses running around doing this for me.” He winked as he checked the child’s thin arms. “But they’ve all gone home for the day.” The boy’s eyes watched his every movement carefully. “So here’s the deal.” He placed the band around the thin bicep and continued to talk. “I want you to reach your other hand up by my ear and if I hurt you, you squeeze as hard as you can.”
He looked up to see the scared eyes looking at him and smiled at him. “It’s either that or Rachel’s gonna slug me and I’d rather walk around with a red ear then have to explain to the other doctors that a girl beat me up.” The boy nodded and put his hand against his ear when he bent back down over him. Working with quick hands he continued to talk softly. “Just hold this arm on my leg and don’t jump, or she’s gonna start swinging.” He wiped the skin with alcohol and checked the vein again. “That’s perfect, okay grab that ear of mine, you’re going to feel a little pinch.”
Steven continued to talk to the child until he had enough for the tests he wanted to run. Placing the bandage over the sight he straightened up and grinned. “Thanks for leaving my ear there.”
Ricky rubbed his hand over the Band-Aid. “It didn’t hurt like the other time.”
Steven turned and set the vials on his desk. “I practiced for days on poor oranges when I was in school, always had lots of fresh orange juice.” He checked his eyes and glands as he spoke to him. Pulling his stethoscope from his neck he winked and placed it close enough to the child’s ears. “You check mine then I’ll check yours okay.”
Huge eyes looked at him and nodded excitedly.
Pulling up his own shirt Steven held the bell against his chest and watched the child’s eyes widen. When he grinned at him he pulled it away and lowered his shirt. “My turn.” The boy lifted his top eagerly for him. Steven noted the bruises as he put the ear tips in place. He watched the child’s face as he listened carefully.
Standing slowly he moved it to Ricky’s back and asked him to take a deep breath a few times. Sitting back down, he pulled the stethoscope off and casually handed it to Marie sitting a few feet behind Ricky. She took it with a small grin.
As he reached around for his blood pressure cuff he noticed her listening to her own heart. He winked at Ricky as he put it around his tiny arm. “Gotta wait a second and get my stethoscope back from Nurse Marie when she’s done.” The boy grinned at Marie who pulled the ear tips out of her ears and handed it back to Steven with a small grin.
*
Rachel sat there unable to speak, just watching how he was with the two kids made her feel so happy. She knew he was good with kids, had seen him with many over the years, but watching him in his element caring for those that weren’t the strongest made her heart ache.
She could tell he was noting everything carefully as he joked with Ricky and a few times she thought she seen something go through his eyes but he’d smile at Ricky and move to the next thing smoothly without hesitation.
She felt her face flush when she realized she was watching those gentle hands on the boy and thinking of how those hands had been so perfectly not too gentle on her.
Shaking her head she glanced up to see he’d noticed her expression, the brief look he gave her sent a warm buzz across her body and gave her thoughts she shouldn’t be thinking about right now.
*
Steven dragged his eyes away from Rachel and looked back at the child. “Well buddy, that’s all I can do today.” He got up and perched on the corner of his desk reaching over and grabbing a pen and pad. “Just gotta write this down before my old...” he paused and grinned at Marie. “Brain forgets it all.” She grinned and put her head down. Doing so quickly he dropped it back on the desk.
“I’ll run these tests then see if we need to do anything else.” He spoke to Ricky watching his reaction.
“So you think I can go to the park soon?” the boy asked with bright eyes.
Steven squatted down in front of him. “We’ll get you there as soon as we can.” He winked. “I’ll carry you on my back if I have to, only thing I ask is no marry-go-round.” He grimaced. “They make my head dizzy.”
Ricky laughed softly and patted Steven cheek. “Okay.”
Steven stood up and looked at Rachel as she stood in front of him with questions in her eyes. “I’ll send these down tonight and growl in my doctor’s way for the results yesterday.” He wanted to hold her. “I’ll call you as soon as I get the results.” He hoped his instincts were wrong this one time. “How’s he eating?” He asked her quietly.
Rachel sighed. “He barely eats half the time.”
He ran a hand down her arm and walked over to look in a cupboard. “You like chocolate or strawberry Ricky?” He turned to see the boy thinking hard. “I’ll send both with you.” He grabbed a few packages of each and turned back to Rachel. “See if he’ll drink these, mix them with milk they’re mostly just to replace the nutrients he’s not getting.”
She nodded and put them in her purse.
Steven turned to Marie and grinned. “Not too freaky in here?”
Marie shook her head and smiled. “No seems pretty normal in an office sort of way.”
He smiled. “So do you want a tour today?”
She looked around the office a few times and chewed the inside of her cheek. “No, I think I’ll call this a good day and just not go looking around too much, if that’s okay?” She added quietly.
Steven shrugged. “No problem. When you want to go looking around you let me know.” She nodded and stuck her hands in her pockets.
Turning back to Rachel he watched her lifting Ricky up slowly. “Here let me carry him out.”
Ricky grinned. “Really?”
Steven nodded and scooped him up into his arms. “Absolutely.”
Ricky grinned down at Marie. “Now I’m bigger then you.”
She shrugged. “Yeah only ’cuz you’ve got the giant carrying you.”
Steven grinned and began leading the way out to the parking lot, chatting quietly to Ricky as they went.
Settling the boy in his seat he watched Marie put his seat belt on. Rachel stood beside him. “So are you done here for the day?”
He sighed. “After I go back and pig out on those pastries I have some patients to check on and parents to sooth.” He glanced at his watch. “I want to wait around for the results too I think.”
She smiled up at him. “You’re wonderful, Dr. O’Reily.” She gently touched his face and reached up to kiss him softly on the lips. “Thank you.”
Steven stood there with his hands on her hips wanting to pull her tight against him. His mind had been torturing him all day. Flashing memories of her and just about everything they’d done in brief blips like a slide show. He tightened the grip on her waist and felt like he was falling deep into her eyes...
“I’m not kissing you or anything, but you’re pretty cool for a doctor.” Marie muttered as she climbed into the front seat.
He released Rachel and turned to lean over the roof of the car grinning at Marie. “Us old guys try.”
She laughed with Rachel and got in.
“I’ll talk to you later,” he said as she climbed into the car.
Watching them pull out he sighed and headed back in to personally escort Ricky vials of blood to the lab. He’d have to call in a few favors to get these analyzed quickly.
*
He had to find the women that had survived.
It was the only way to make the pain stay away.
He sat looking through the phone book.
He’d managed to find out the detectives name.
Now he just had to find the right one.
He’d know where they had her.
She wasn’t at a hospital.
He’d find her.