Just Perfect (26 page)

“You’re right.” Christine turned to Amy. “And one of us hasn’t met her challenge.”

“Gee.” Maddy also looked at Amy. “I wonder who that could be? Let’s see I got my artwork in a gallery.”

“Big-time.” Christine nodded.

“And you went skiing,” Maddy added.

“I did.”

“So who hasn’t faced her fear of getting lost to take a trip on her own?” Maddy tapped her chin.

Amy smiled back at them, looking smug. “Before y’all get too righteous, I have an announcement.”

“Oh?” Maddy cocked a brow.

A grin spread over Amy’s face. “I’m going to the Caribbean!”

“Yea, you!” Christine gave her a high five. “When did this come about?”

“An older couple called just yesterday, looking for a nanny to take care of their grandchildren during a cruise. It’s exactly the type of assignment I’ve been waiting for, so I’m taking it myself.”

“Wait a minute.” Maddy turned to Christine. “Didn’t we decide that a cruise would be cheating, since it’s hard to get lost on a ship?”

“We did,” Christine agreed.

“But that’s just it,” Amy went on. “The couple doesn’t like to leave the ship, so they want me to take the children to shore for the excursions.” Panic widened her eyes. “I’ll have to find my way around all the islands with children in tow.”

“Hmmm.” Christine looked at Maddy. “Sounds scary enough to me. What do you think?”

“As someone now living at a summer camp for girls, I say the children factor alone makes it terrifying.”

“Except Amy adores children as much as they adore her.”

“True,” Maddy conceded. “Even so, I vote we allow it. How about you?”

“Works for me.” Christine looked at Amy. “So when do you leave?”

“In one week.” Amy looked suddenly horrified. “And I have so much to do! Like go shopping for a swimsuit.” She pressed a hand to her breast. “What was I thinking to pick a cruise? I should have picked a trip to the mountains so I could wear bulky sweaters, not show off my fat, dimply thighs on a beach.”

“Hey!” Maddy’s brows snapped together. “You and I are practically the same size now.”

“Except it looks different on you,” Amy countered.

“It does not.” Maddy struck a diva pose. “Sexy is all about attitude.”

“Maddy’s right.” Christine laid a hand over Amy’s forearm. “Besides, I’ll take you shopping, and I promise we’ll find a swimsuit and a cover-up you’re comfortable wearing. Okay?”

“Thank you.” Amy gave her a nervous smile. “You guys are the greatest. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“We love you too.” Maddy squeezed Amy’s other arm, then looked at Christine. “So that covers my wedding and Amy’s challenge. How about you Christine? Have you found anyone to help you get over Alec?”

Christine bit her lip before she could stop herself.

“Chris-ti-ne.” Maddy plopped her hands on her hips. “Don’t tell me y’all are still calling each other.”

“Not for a while. Honest.”

“How long is ‘a while’?” Maddy demanded.

“A whole week. Well, nearly. And he was the one who called me last.”

“And you’ve spent every day since trying to think up a legitimate excuse to call him back.” Maddy made a face. “I thought you both agreed to stop doing this.”

“We did, but it’s just hard, okay?” Loneliness stirred painfully in her chest. “We enjoy talking to each other. Is that really so bad?”

“It is if it keeps you from seeing other people,” Maddy insisted.

Amy squeezed Christine’s hand. “Isn’t there any way you can be together?”

“Not unless he’s willing to move back to Texas, which he isn’t.” The truth of that weighed down her shoulders. “Why do I have to be the one to move? Why can’t it be him?”

Maddy gave her a scolding look. “Because there are hospitals in Colorado but no mountains down here.”

“Great, take his side,” Christine grumbled, even though she knew they were right. “The problem is, I signed a contract with St. James. I can’t break it without hurting my professional reputation and putting my father in an awkward situation because he recommended me.”

“I’m sorry,” Maddy said.

Amy chewed her thumbnail, considering. “Could you visit each other, though? Until your contract is up, then move up there?”

“Fly back and forth for five years?” Christine asked. “Even longtime married couples have trouble sustaining a relationship like that.”

“I know.” Sympathy lined Amy’s face. “I just hate the thought of you finding this man who seemed so perfect for you, and you having to walk away because you live in two different states.”

“I hate it too.” The ache in Christine’s chest grew. “I didn’t realize how much I’d miss him, though. I knew him only three weeks. How can so much change in three weeks? I thought I’d come back here and get on with my life. I didn’t have this empty spot inside me before. Why do I have it now?”

Maddy studied her. “What are you going to do?”

“I don’t know!” She covered her face. “Stop calling him, I guess. And stop answering the phone when his number shows up on my caller ID.” Her breath hitched at the thought.

“Oh, Christine.” Maddy opened her arms, and Christine went eagerly into the hug. “I’m so sorry.”

“Me too.” Amy patted her back.

“Maddy?” Christine held tightly to her friend.

“Yes?”

“The emptiness does go away after a while, right?”

Maddy didn’t answer.

Dwelling on mistakes does no good.

—
How
to
Have
a
Perfect Life

A few days later, Christine sat in one of the doctors’ lounges, trying to concentrate on patient files. All she could think about, though, was Alec. The fact that it was Valentine’s Day didn’t help. Ten days had passed since his last phone call, making her wonder if things really were over. He couldn’t possibly have been on a call for that long, could he?

She glanced at her watch and saw it was ten minutes to five in Silver Mountain. If he didn’t call today, of all days, she’d have her answer. He wouldn’t be calling anymore.

That would be for the best, though, wouldn’t it? Maddy and Amy were right; they had to stop torturing each other. Yet the thought of never talking to him again made her feel as if someone were tearing her apart inside.

Maybe she should call him. If for no other reason than to say good-bye. Their last conversation had left things too open-ended. If things truly were over, they should say good-bye, shouldn’t they?

She reached into the pocket of her white lab coat and brushed her fingers over her phone.

At the last instant, she grabbed the flashlight she’d started carrying like a talisman, a piece of Alec to hold near. Looking at it now didn’t make her smile at the memory of the parade. Instead, the emptiness inside her expanded to an all-consuming ache. She could picture Alec so clearly in her mind, his quick grin and laughing eyes. The way he looked at her when they made love.

The look on his face when he’d pleaded with her to stay.

If she could go back in time, would she choose differently? She couldn’t, though. She’d made her decision, and it couldn’t be undone. Her eyes prickled with tears.

Lifting her arm, she shone the light back at herself. “Second star to the right and straight on till morning.”

Someone knocked on the open door of the lounge.

“Dr. Ashton?” a nurse said.

She startled and schooled her features into a bland expression, praying her eyes weren’t red. How embarrassing to be caught talking to herself and crying. “Yes?”

A smile spread slowly across the nurse’s face. “There’s someone in the waiting room asking to see you.”

“Oh?” Something in the nurse’s expression peaked her curiosity. “Who is it?”

“Come see.” The nurse’s smile grew even bigger.

Premonition tingled along the back of her neck as she headed down the hall past examining rooms. Then she stepped through the double doors into the waiting room, and her heart stopped.

There stood Alec. He leaned against the admittance desk, flirting with the older woman behind it, making her giggle like a young girl. Elation rushed in, filling up all the empty spots inside her until she thought she’d burst. He looked tall and lean and wonderful in faded jeans and a dark blue “Ski Silver” T-shirt. Buddy sat obediently at his feet, wearing his red vest and looking official enough to get in anywhere.

Buddy saw her first and wiggled with glee.

Alec glanced down, then over at her. The world paused as their gazes collided and held. All she could think was
He’s here. He’s really here
.

Then a slow smile spread across his face, turning into one of his mischievous grins. Happiness clogged her throat, making her fear she would burst into tears.

When she simply stood there, staring, his smile faded. He ducked his head, looking sheepish as he picked up a bouquet of red roses from the counter. “Buddy reminded me Valentine’s Day was coming up and he thought we should get you flowers.”

Her first impulse was to rush forward, throw her arms around his neck, and cover his face with kisses. Remembering where she was, she stopped herself. A quick glance confirmed several staffers were watching the scene with wide grins.

How quickly would tales of such unprofessional behavior reach Ken Hutchens and the entire hospital board, including her father?

She tucked her hands into the pockets of her lab coat so no one could see them shaking. “Alec.” Her voice sounded oddly flat. “This is… quite a surprise. Why don’t you come back to the lounge and I’ll get you a cup of coffee?”

Conscious of every eye following her, she turned and headed back through the swinging double doors.

Alec’s stomach dropped at Christine’s emotionless reaction. Numbly he followed her down a wide, brightly lit hall with Buddy at his side. He’d spent the entire three-day drive down here wondering if he was making a mistake. Well, now he had his answer.

Huge mistake.

Colossal, idiotic, embarrassing mistake.

At least maybe this would finally end things and let him get over this woman. Jesus, though. A knife to the chest would hurt less than this. The fact that she looked sexy as hell in green scrubs and a lab coat added an extra twist to the blade.

Christine stopped at a door marked Doctors’ Lounge. He heard male voices inside. After a quick glance around, she headed toward a different door.

“In here.” She opened the door for him and looked up and down the hall before following him and Buddy into an examining room.

“Look,” he started before she could light into him for showing up at her workplace. “I guess I should have—”

“Ohmygod!” She launched herself against his chest, her arms going about his neck. He staggered back but managed to catch his balance before he fell. “Alec, Alec, Alec.” Kisses rained over his face. “I can’t believe—you’re here. You’re—really—here.”

She took his face in both her hands and kissed him more deeply.

His arms went around her as her tongue came into his mouth. Too startled to think, he had the hand holding the roses against her back and the other holding her raised thigh against his hip before his brain caught up with his body. Lifting his head, he stared down at her glowing face.

“Hmm.” He cleared his throat. “I take it you’re happy to see me.”