His Private Nurse (16 page)

“Shallow?” Pamela sneered. “How would you know? I bet you were one of those girls around school that hardly anybody even noticed.
I
was the most popular girl in high school.
I
was the most popular girl in college! I should've been the most popular girl in San Antonio!”

“Don't you see that those people aren't worth agoniz
ing over?” Merrily asked. “They only accepted you because you were married to a Lawler.”

“As I was meant to be!” Pamela insisted. “Don't you get it? He ruined it for me. Well, I warned him. He'll either fix it, or he'll pay.”

“He'll never take you back,” Merrily said bluntly.

Pamela's face hardened. “Then he'll pay,” she gritted out.

Frustrated, Merrily threw up her arms. “You'll only wind up hurting yourself. What are you going to do? Arrange another accident for him?”

Pamela reacted just as Merrily had always known she would, her eyes growing wide with alarm, perfect face paling. The next instant, however, a self-satisfied confidence replaced the flash of fear. “You don't know what you're talking about.”

“Come off it,” Merrily retorted. “We both know you pushed Royce and that Tammy saw you do it.”

To Merrily's dismay, Pamela put her head back and laughed. “My, my, you
are
as dumb as you look.”

Shaken, Merrily snapped, “Even if Royce won't let her testify against you, one day it will come out!”

“My daughter,” Pamela stated with chilling confidence, “will never tell anyone what happened that night.”

It seemed incomprehensible to Merrily that Tammy would not eventually feel compelled to tell what she knew, but she sensed that Pamela believed wholeheartedly her daughter would never betray her. “And why is that?” she wondered aloud.

Pamela turned sly. “Because she understands how dangerous her father is, of course.”

“Royce isn't dangerous.”

“You've no idea what he's capable of,” Pamela in
sisted, eyes slitting. “If Tammy wasn't afraid, she could have him locked up for the rest of his life.”

“That's a lie!”

“Is it?” Pamela asked coyly. “If a little girl said her daddy did something bad, wouldn't you believe her?”

Merrily felt physically ill. “Tammy would never say such a thing.”

“She will if I tell her to.”

Merrily shook her head, suddenly very afraid for Royce. “You're sick. You know that, don't you? You need help.”

“No!” Pamela cried. “Don't say that!”

Merrily backed up a step, whispering, “You should be in a hospital.”

“No-o-o!” Pamela suddenly flew at her. Nails raked Merrily's cheek and arm. “No! No!” She yanked at Merrily's hair, punched and kicked. Merrily threw up her arms, shielding herself as best she could, momentarily stunned. She remembered what Royce had said about Pamela attacking him and how he'd dared not fight back, but no such constraint applied to Merrily. Suddenly all her rage at the unfairness of what Royce and his children and now she herself suffered at the hands of this woman boiled over. She hadn't grown up the baby sister of three older brothers for nothing, by golly.

Hooking one foot behind Pamela's heel, Merrily shoved the flailing woman backward. Pamela went down like a sack a grain, but she flew up again, enraged, and ran smack into Merrily's fist. The blow merely glanced off Pam's shoulder, but it gave Merrily the chance to grab Pam's wrist, twist under her arm and flip the larger woman over her back just as she'd done her brothers countless times before they'd all grown too big to tussle. Pamela landed with a grunt and lay stunned. Merrily
placed a foot square in the middle of her flat stomach and held her down. Bending over her, fists clenched, she laid down the law, just as she had once done to a teenage Jody when he'd smacked around Lane for no good reason she could see.

“Now you listen, and you listen good,” she snarled, determined to penetrate Pamela's madness, “if anything, and I mean
anything,
the least harmful ever again happens to Royce or either of those kids, for that matter, I'll have you put away.”

“Y-you can't do that!”

“Oh, yes, I can,” Merrily bluffed. “You're not dealing with a man constrained by his own decency or a confused, frightened child now. I can give as good as I get, and I know people, doctors, who can put you away, have you committed. Do you understand me?” Pamela just glared at her, but the fear in her eyes was answer enough for Merrily. Stepping over the woman, Merrily moved a safe distance away.

Pamela scrambled up. “You don't know anything,” she whispered, as if trying to convince herself of that.

Suddenly Dale called out from above. “Merrily? What's taking so long?”

Pamela ran, yelling over her shoulder, “You don't know anything!”

“Merrily!” Dale cried urgently, pounding down the stairs.

“I know enough,” Merrily muttered at Pamela's retreating back. She lifted a hand to her burning cheek just as Dale skidded to a halt next to her. He took one look at her disheveled hair and yanked her protectively into his arms.

“I heard Pam. Where is she?”

“Gone.”

The tires of a car screeched on pavement in the distance, punctuating Merrily's assertion. Dale turned her face up to the light. There at the foot of the hill, with the sun sinking behind the horizon, the shadows had deepened considerably over the past moments but not enough, apparently, to obscure her injury.

“You're hurt!”

Merrily glanced at her arm. Angry, red welts streaked down her skin. Blood flecked her sleeve. “It's looks worse than it is,” she muttered, “but that's good enough.” Looking up at him, she said firmly, “Pamela attacked me. I want to press charges. I've seen it done with less evidence than this.”

Dale examined her arm, concern furrowing his brow. Finally he looked at her. “What happened?”

“She was waiting for me when I came down with the trash. We argued, and she attacked me. She's everything you said she was. You were both right, you and Royce. She's crazy, and she'll do anything to hurt him—unless we stop her.”

Dale rubbed his chin. “It might work. It's certainly enough to get us a hearing, but, Merrily, you have to know she'll come after you for this.”

“Not if we win,” Merrily countered defiantly, lifting her chin.

“Especially if we win,” Dale warned. “And Royce isn't going to like it.”

As if summoned by the mere mention of his name, Royce chose that moment to call out, “Merrily? Dale? What's going on?” They heard him clumping across the deck on his crutches.

“Royce doesn't get to decide,” Merrily said flatly, turning for the stairs.

“In that case,” Dale said, coming up the stairs behind her. “I hope you'll let me recommend a good attorney.”

“Oh, yes,” Merrily answered, and steeled herself for the battle to come.

“Y
ou don't understand how dangerous she is!” Royce insisted again, looking up from the recliner.

“Oh, yes, I do,” Merrily said. “The woman was lying in wait. She attacked me. I put her on the ground twice and practically stood on her to make her stop.”

Dale hooted. “Wish I'd seen that! Bet she never expected little old Nurse Gage to knock her on her butt.”

“She should have realized ‘little old Nurse Gage' would be able to defend herself, given that she grew up with three older brothers,” Merrily said.

“You may have bested her this time,” Royce argued, “but Pamela won't make the same mistake twice.”

“That's why I'm going to press charges,” Merrily stated firmly.

“This is our chance, Royce,” Dale added excitedly. “We finally have proof of Pamela's vicious temper and instability. With this ammunition we can fast-track the
hearing and make a real fight of it. Dr. Denelo will back us up, I know it.”

“And what happens if it's not enough?” Royce demanded.

“Then we keep fighting,” Merrily answered.

“I'm going to level with you,” Dale put in quickly. “This is our first real chance. It's all been a desperate bluff until now. The nanny's deposition helps, but Merrily's testimony could put this thing away for us. We could actually win.”

For a moment naked hope lit those incredible blue eyes, but then Royce stubbornly shook his head. “I can't let you do it, honey,” he said to Merrily. “Her hatred for me is too strong to be curtailed by something like an assault charge, and I couldn't bear it if anything worse happened to you because of me.”

Merrily went down on her knees beside him. Her heartbeat was pronounced but even. Oddly, now that the moment had come, all the petty fears fell away. Everything that mattered was sitting right here in front of her, frowning. She reached up and smoothed the crease between his eyebrows with her thumb, saying softly, “Can't you see that my love for you is stronger than her hatred?”

For a moment Royce just stared as if he hadn't heard a word she'd said, but then his hand rose and his fingers traced a trembling path through the air over the livid marks on her cheek. “I love you too much to take the risk,” he whispered.

That was all she needed to know. She coiled her arms about his neck, and he hauled her up onto his lap. “We have to find a way to stop her,” she told him, “because I can't live my life without you.”

“I can't live my life knowing I caused you hurt,” he replied, lightly kissing her injured cheek.

“You haven't,” she vowed. “Don't take credit for Pamela's sick viciousness. Don't let it rule you anymore. And don't make the mistake of thinking you can dictate to me, even for my own protection. I'm a grown woman.”

“Oh, do I know that,” he said, turning his head to place his mouth against the sensitive underside of her jaw.

Merrily's eyes fluttered shut, but she would not be deterred. “I'm going to do what I believe to be best,” she went on breathlessly. “Now, you can help me, or you can fight me, but you can't stop me.”

“Look,” Dale said, “we'll drop the charges before they get to court. That way the case won't be pending when the custody hearing comes up so Merrily can testify on our behalf and we'll still have documentation.”

Royce put his head back with a long-suffering sigh. After a moment he asked wryly, “Did you really put her down?”

“Twice,” she confirmed with a grin, “and if she comes after me again, she'll be wearing the wounds to prove it.”

“Just now, however,” Dale interrupted, “we are fortunate that the wounds are on the other cheek, so to speak.” He pulled his cell phone from his pocket, suggesting, “No one documents evidence better than our friends the police.”

Merrily glanced at Royce, who frowned but finally nodded. She held out her hand. Grinning broadly, Dale punched in the numbers 911 and handed the phone to Merrily, who put it to her ear.

“Yes,” she said in answer to the operator on the other end of the line, “I'd like to report an assault.”

 

“What's this?” she asked, standing before the dancing flames on the dining room table. It was still early for the
first fire of the season, but he had lit the dozen tapers in the magnificent wrought-iron candelabra.

“I thought we were due a celebration,” Royce told her, balancing himself with one hand upon the cane for which he'd traded his crutches when the walking cast had taken the place of the stabilizer on his right leg. “It's been a long time since I got to cook.”

For the occasion he had laid two places: copper charger plates awaiting his best china, ebony-handled flatware, crystal champagne flutes, crisp linen. He'd also carefully opened one seam of his best pair of jeans, in order to accommodate the cast on his leg, and donned them along with a lightweight, off-white cashmere sweater. If he wasn't looking his best, it was the best he could do at the moment.

“This doesn't have anything to do with tomorrow's hearing, does it?” she asked lightly, but he only smiled.

“Hope you like honey-glazed salmon.”

“Where did you get salmon?” she asked suspiciously.

“I have my ways.”

“And the champagne?”

“Now that I'm off all the meds, why not?” he asked nonchalantly.

“Why not?” she echoed, smiling.

He pulled out a chair for her and indicated with a sweep of his hand that she should be seated. Even while easing down into the chair, she said softly, “I feel under-dressed.”

He glanced down at the simple T-shirt and brushed denim jeans she wore, laid his cheek alongside hers and whispered, “Overdressed is more like it.”

She burbled with laughter, and he gave her a quick hug before straightening and hobbling toward the kitchen. “Can I help?” she called after him.

“Nope. You've waited on me all these weeks. Tonight it's my turn.”

“Whatever you say.”

The plates were already filled and waiting in a warm oven. One at a time, he carried them to the dining room, patiently limping first down and then up the sloping interior hallway. He had wrestled with this decision for days. Should he wait until after the hearing and the cast came off or take his chances now? One moment he was convinced that he should wait. If the hearing didn't go their way, Pamela would have a stronger hand and greater reason to torment him, which would likely make Merrily an even bigger target. In the end, however, he understood that waiting was pointless. He could not find the strength or means to convince Merrily that he didn't want her, so he might as well put away all pretense at chivalry and take a swipe at the brass ring.

That thought brought to mind the small blue velvet box now riding safely in the pocket of his pants. His heartbeat trebled, but he kept his smile in place as he laid her plate before her and took his own seat. Lifting the bottle from the ice bucket, he poured both of their glasses full of the sparkling, golden wine. Merrily lifted hers in a toast.

“Here's to tomorrow.”

“All our tomorrows,” he amended, and she smiled.

“All our tomorrows, then.”

They clinked their glasses and sipped. Then Royce shook out his napkin, draped it over his lap and picked up his eating utensils. It was so good to have the use of both hands again. Despite the walking cast on his leg, he was beginning to feel whole again, alive again. If his hands shook slightly, well, he had ample reason for feeling nervous.

“Salmon's wonderful,” Merrily told him, “so are these vegetables.”

“It's a simple recipe,” he said, and they talked casually of cooking techniques until their plates were clean and he refilled their glasses. They sat for a while, sipping champagne, then he asked casually, “Ready for dessert?”

“Gee, I don't know. I'm pretty full,” she said, a hand going to her tummy.

“This ought to be just the thing, then,” he said, slipping the tiny blue box from his pocket and placing it in front of her.

She stared at the box so long that he began to fear he'd rushed headlong into disaster. Then she reached out with trembling fingers to flip open the top half of the box, revealing the old-fashioned engagement ring inside. The center stone was a large, square-cut diamond of good quality, the four smaller stones flanking it were round stones in square settings. Without saying a word, she lifted a hand and covered her mouth. Suddenly he knew he'd blown it. Pamela had turned up her nose at this same ring years ago, declaring it hopelessly passé. He'd stashed it away in a bank vault, thinking that he might pass it down to his own son one day, and taken Pamela to pick out a ring more to her taste.

“It was my grandmother's,” he said hastily. “You could wear it until you find something you like better.”

Merrily looked at him as if he had a hole in his head, her eyes brimming with tears. “Your grandmother's! Oh, how wonderful.”

He nearly fell into his plate. “It's okay, then? You like it?”

“It's beautiful! I love it!”

He wiped his brow with a shaky hand. “I think I could manage one knee if you like, but—”

“Don't you dare!” she interrupted, snatching up the box and plunking it down in front of him. Her hands twined tightly together, she waited expectantly.

He wanted to laugh, but he managed to swallow down the impulse and plucked the ring from the box. Licking his lips, he looked her in the eyes and asked, “Will you marry me?”

“Oh, yes! As if you didn't know.” Then she laughed and held out her left hand. He'd had the ring sized for her tiny finger, but he and Dale had guessed at the fit. Hoping that he hadn't gotten it wrong, he plucked out the ring and, with shaking hands, slid it onto her finger. Close enough. They both laughed, and the tears began to fall. “What changed your mind?” she wanted to know.

“Well,” he said softly, “I started thinking that maybe Pamela and I both had met our match.”

“Do you think the kids will mind?” she asked, holding out her hand and admiring the ring.

He had to be honest with her. “I don't know. I hope not. Will your brothers?”

She smiled and blinked away her tears. “They wouldn't dare, not if they know what's good for them.”

“I know what's good for me,” he whispered, pulling her close for a kiss.

Now if only tomorrow would go so well.

 

Royce paced the antechamber, putting the cane and walking cast to good use. The pacing coupled with the habitual flexing of his still slightly stiff right elbow to render him a case of nervous motion. Dale contained his own anxiety by jangling the change in his pocket. Only Merrily sat calmly waiting, content to stare at the engagement ring Royce had put on her finger only the night before. She couldn't help smiling, and yet, oddly enough,
having her own dream come true worried her. Was it too much to hope that today could go their way, as well?

Just then a tall, attractive woman with thick, black hair coiled atop her head strode through the double doors into the vestibule. Merrily came instantly to her feet. “Dr. Denelo.”

“Merrily! I didn't expect to see you here.”

Dale strode swiftly forward. “I'm quite sure I mentioned Nurse Gage by name when I first contacted you.”

Pandora Denelo dismissed the attorney with a scant glance, concentrating on Merrily instead. “I never was certain of your connection to my patient.”

Merrily held up her left hand. “I'm engaged to marry her father.”

“Congratulations!” The doctor clasped her portfolio beneath one arm and hugged Merrily. “I guess I should say best wishes.”

“Thank you, and please allow me to introduce you to my fiancé, Royce Lawler. Honey, this is Dr. Denelo.”

Royce shook Dr. Denelo's hand. “Merrily speaks very highly of you.”

“Coming from one of the most dedicated nurses I've seen, that's high praise, indeed. You're a lucky man, Mr. Lawler.”

Royce smiled. “I think so. Oh, and, Doctor, I want to thank you for what you're doing for my daughter.”

Dr. Denelo smiled with empathy. “I cannot, of course, discuss anything your daughter has said to me, but I assure you I understand your situation. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've been asked to report directly to the court clerk.”

She started to turn away, but Dale adroitly stepped into her path. “I need to speak with you first, Dora.”

The familiar use of her name had Merrily and Royce
trading surprised looks. Pandora Denelo, however, scowled. “I've already told you, Counselor, not so long as we have a professional connection.”

Dale colored and said through his teeth, “It's about the case, Doctor.”

Dora Denelo lifted her chin. “Oh.” She smoothed a hand across the seat of her short skirt. “All right, then.”

“Excuse us,” Dale said with a nod in their direction, and, taking the attractive doctor quite firmly by the upper arm, he steered her to the far corner of the room.

“Well, well,” Royce muttered, watching the intense conversation.

Merrily tilted her head. “Interesting.”

“She is single, isn't she?”

“She was. I haven't heard that it's changed.”

“Maybe it will,” Royce murmured with a lift of a brow. “Maybe instead of a nurse of his own, Dale will get a doctor.”

Merrily laughed. “Matchmaking, are we?”

Royce hooked his arm about her waist and pulled her close. “Maybe I'm just tired of him trying to steal my girl.”

“Not a chance,” she vowed as his head bent toward hers. She closed her eyes, enjoying the kiss. A cleared throat had them pulling apart only seconds later.

Dale grinned and said, “Just can't keep your hands off her, can you?”

“Look who's talking,” Royce retorted, glancing around for the lovely doctor, who had disappeared. “Was that really about the case?”