Practice Makes Perfect (27 page)

“Paige, wait.”

She stopped, but didn’t face him.

“We need to talk about this.”

When she pivoted, the ice in her eyes made him shiver. “We won’t talk about this. We will never talk about this. If you insist on talking about it, I...”

“You’ll what, Paige? Run?”

He saw the struggle in her face. “All I know is I won’t discuss searching for her with you. It is not an option for me.” Turning again, she left the room.

Ian stood watching after her for a long time.

o0o

“EVER READ Greek drama?” Jade asked Ian as Paige did laps in the water. She’d been in there nearly half an hour. Scalpel, finally freed from his cast, was trying to keep up with her.

Ian crossed his arms over his chest. “Yeah, sure. It’s all about guys who gouge their eyes out and consult oracles.”

“You know who the Furies are?”

“No.”

Jade sipped her lemonade. “The only subject I was ever good in was English. The Furies were the instruments of justice who pursued people until they paid for their crimes.” She glanced at Ian. “Until they dealt with what they were running from.”

“What are you saying, Jade?”

Tilting her head, Jade nodded to her sister. “She’s being pursued by her own personal Furies.”

Ian agreed with that. It had been ten days since the Barone twins had gone to foster care. Today Paige had discovered that Mary Ellen had signed an agreement to put them up for adoption, which had brought on this newest spurt of exercise. “What can we do?”

“I’m not sure.” Jade shrugged. “She needs some good news in her life. Something to look forward to. Why don’t you take her to the Caribbean? Have a romantic vacation or something.”

In his heart, though, Ian knew Paige needed more than a trip away. She needed something drastic, something deep and significant that would give her a sense of security that nothing could shake.

That night, as she slept restlessly in his arms after lovemaking that was wild and tumultuous, Ian lay awake thinking. Somewhere near dawn, he made two decisions. When Paige awoke, he was gazing down at her. She came to consciousness slowly, her arms over her head, her eyes sleepy and vulnerable when she opened them.

o0o

IAN LOOKED as if he hadn’t slept all night. Paige reached up and caressed his jaw. It was scratchy. She let her hand wander down to his chest. Coarse, dark hair curled around her fingers. “Morning.”

“Hello, lady.”

Yawning, she tried to focus. “You okay?”

“Uh-huh. Just great.” He’d angled up his elbow and propped his head in his hand. The sheet draped his hips, making him look very appealing. “I’ve been thinking.”

“Already?” She glanced at the clock. “It’s only seven.”

“I didn’t sleep.”

“At all?”

He grinned. “I had a thought last night, and I wanted to work it through. Look at all the angles.”

“Must have been some thought.” She watched him, sat up a bit. “Come to any conclusions?”

“Yep. Don’t tense up. It’s not bad.” He brushed back her hair. “You love me, right?”

“You know I do.” She lay back on the pillows.

“And I’m crazy about you.”

“I like the sound of that.”

“You’re almost thirty-three. I’ll be thirty-nine soon.”

“I know how old we are, Ian,” she said dryly. “Where’s this going?”

“Marry me, Paige. Right away.”

It was the last thing she’d expected, and her muddled mind had trouble processing his words. She’d been overwrought by Mary Ellen’s situation. The nightmares had been worse than usual. Ian had broached the off-limits subject of her child’s adoption, and her first thought had been that he was going to pressure her again about looking into her past.

Gently he massaged the furrow in her brow with his fingers. “You’re not supposed to scowl when you get a marriage proposal.”

Oh, God, he’d asked her to marry him
. Still she said nothing.

“I want to spend my life with you, Paige.”

She couldn’t take her eyes off him. He looked so dependable, so strong. Then it hit her. This was good. This was what she wanted. Life could be so different; she could trust this man with her heart and with her secrets.

Staring up into gray eyes that glowed with warmth and love, she said, “Yes.”

His face went blank. “Yes? Just like that?”

“Just like that.”

“I don’t believe it.”

Playfully she grabbed his wrist. “You can’t take it back now.”

“I won’t. I was prepared to sweeten the pot.”

“Yeah?” Happiness bubbled inside her. She ran her hand down his abs, thinking he meant something sexual. “With what?”

His face grew serious. “I want us to adopt Sammy and Suzy Barone.”

Paige’s heart stopped. “D-do you mean it?”

“Of course I mean it.” He gave her a wistful smile. “I kind of like the symmetry of it. My father adopted me from one of his patients. Mary Ellen came from Serenity House. It’s like the gods planned this.” He tugged her close and kissed her head. “It’s the start of a wonderful life, honey. Just like in the fairy tales. I’ll be the prince. You be Cinderella.”

But she was too moved to participate in his teasing. Instead, she wound her arms around him, eased her body close and held on tight.

o0o

TWO DAYS AFTER he asked Paige to marry him, Ian was just about to follow up on another monumental decision he’d made when Congressman Nathan Hyde walked into his office at the Center. “I hear congratulations are in order.”

Leaning against the desk, Ian studied Nathan. The man looked tired. “News travels fast.”

“This is Hyde Point, Ian.” Nathan shook his hand. “When’s the happy day?”

“We’re trying for next week.” Maybe when they were legally wed, those goddamned nightmares would stop. Ian had thought that with commitment, with proof of his love, with something to look forward to, Paige’s demons would vanish.

Apparently not.

She’d had a doozy last night. She’d thrashed so badly, she’d awakened with black and blue marks on her arms. He was wondering how to nightmare-proof his bedroom.

Surreptitiously, he glanced at the computer. Maybe, just maybe, there was another way. He had to do something.

“What can I do for you, Nathan?”

“Actually I was looking for Paige.”

“Oh.”

“She’s at her practice on the hill today.”

“Anything I can do?”

Nathan gave Ian a questioning look. “Did Paige say anything about Anabelle Crane to you at the wedding?”

“The tall blond cop?”

“That’s her.”

“No. I did notice Anabelle didn’t seem as happy about the wedding as the other Serenity House girls.”

Nathan sighed. “I thought the same thing.”

“You know her?”

“I did. A long time ago.” He glanced at his watch. “I’ve got a meeting at City Hall on the new boys’ home Nora and Dan are starting. If you see Paige later, tell her I want to talk to her.”

“Nathan, before you go, can I ask you a legal question?”

“Sure.”

“Are birth records sealed in New York State when an adoption is closed?” He knew, of course, that in New York, like most states, all adoption records were sealed. He wasn’t sure about birth records.

“Yes, I think so. I’m pretty sure the Bureau of Vital Statistics seals them at the time of the adoption.”

“So if I want to find out about a baby born in Hyde Point fifteen years ago, I can’t do it?”

“Hospital records aren’t sealed. As a doctor, you probably could get access to them.” He paused a minute. “Why?”

“Nothing I care to go into.”

“Well, let me know if I can help. Look up case law for you or anything.”

“Thanks.”

Nathan said goodbye, and Ian sat down at the computer.

All right, he could still do a search for Paige’s daughter with the information she’d given him. It would have been better to have birth weight and any distinguishing characteristics, but he could do the search with what he had. And when he found possible matches, Paige could decide whether to go any further. As he clicked into RTK, a voice inside him nagged,
This is not a good idea
.

It was. He pictured Paige’s black and blue marks this morning that caused her to wear a long-sleeved shirt to work in eighty-degree weather.

She trusts you
.

She didn’t know what was best for her. And he loved her to pieces. He’d do anything for her. Even risk her wrath. Maybe he wouldn’t tell her until after their wedding, though. Yeah, that sounded good.

If you’re planning to wait until then, you must know this isn’t such a hot idea
.

But what choice did he have, really? She wouldn’t get counseling. Asking her to marry him and adopt the twins wasn’t enough to chase away the nightmares. There just didn’t seem any other alternative. Jeez, the woman could seriously hurt herself if last night was any indication.

This will seriously hurt her psyche, hotshot
.

He silenced his inner self when he got into the RTK folder. In twenty minutes he’d filled out the application with the information he had.

He just wished he didn’t feel so uneasy about what he was doing.

AT SEVEN THAT NIGHT, the sun had just begun to set, and the pool water glistened with the last rays. Paige stared at the geraniums and impatiens that flowered profusely in her backyard. It was a storybook setting, and she did indeed feel a little as though she was waiting for her prince.

Who’d asked her to marry him.

She hadn’t known she could be this happy. For all her adult life, she’d never expected to be able to trust anyone the way she trusted Ian. And it felt wonderful.

Scalpel heralded their arrival with several loud barks. Paige faced the gate expectantly. The dog scampered in just ahead of his master, but Paige only had eyes for Ian. He wore pressed white slacks, a gauzy blue shirt and a movie-star grin. He was happy, too.

At her feet now, Scalpel barked again. Glancing down, she burst into laughter. The dog wore a tuxedo-like bow tie, with white cuffs on his front paws. “Don’t you two look handsome tonight!”

Whining a bit, Scalpel pawed at his neck.

“He doesn’t like to wear ties, but I told him he had to dress formally for the occasion.”

“Where did you get the collar and cuffs?”

“At A Dog’s Life. It’s a great place for shopping. Scalpel’s registered there.”

Laughing, she stroked Scalpel’s head, then studied Ian. “You look great.” Up close, his hair was damp, skimming his collar, and he had a little nick under his chin from shaving. His eyes were sparkling like smoky quartz.

“Not every day a man celebrates with his intended.” He reached over and grasped her neck. Bringing her mouth to his, he kissed her soundly. When he drew back, he glanced down at her outfit. “Nice dress, Cinderella.” His big hand fiddled with the charm at her throat. “I’ve never seen this before.”

“I don’t have the opportunity to wear it a lot. Nora and Dan bought it for me when I graduated from medical school.” She fingered the sapphire pendant embedded in white gold. “I forgot I had it until I was looking for something special to wear tonight.”

“Hmm. And tonight
is
special.”

Scalpel barked. “All right, boy, now’s as good a time as any.” Ian nodded to the dog. “He brought you a present.”

“I already have champagne.”

Ian’s gaze traveled to the table behind her. “And food.”

“Jade fixed cold shrimp and asparagus. And bought the champagne. Then she and Jewel went to Darcy’s for the night. All five are having a sleepover.”

“How considerate. We’ve got the place to ourselves?”

Again Scalpel barked.

“Well, almost,” she said, kneeling and noticing for the first time the sack attached to the dog’s neck. “What’d you bring me, boy?”

Paige detached the small velvet bag from Scalpel’s tie. Standing, she stared at it. And smiled. Her hands trembled a bit as she untied the pouch and shook out a little square box. She looked up at Ian. His gaze was intense. Slowly she opened the box. Inside, on a soft bed of claret velvet, nestled a sapphire and diamond ring. The sapphire was marquis-cut, and the small diamonds surrounded it. They were set in white gold. Paige felt her heart expand. “It’s lovely.’’

“I wanted a ring on your hand right away, so I picked it out myself this afternoon. Well, I had a little help from Lynne.” His voice was full and husky. “Diamonds alone just weren’t right for you.” A blunt-tipped finger brushed her necklace. “Kismet,” he said simply.

“Put it on me.”

His hands were shaking, too, when he took the ring and slipped it on her finger. It was a little loose. Gently he raised her hand to his mouth and kissed it. “I love you, Paige Kendrick. This is forever. For better or for worse.”

“It is.”

“Promise?”

“I promise.” She looked up from the ring. “I love you so much, Ian.”

“This is the best night of my life.”

“Mine, too.”

“Everything’s going to be wonderful from now on.” His eyes shadowed briefly. “You’ll see.”

“I want you to know something else. I trust you, Ian. I really do.”

He swallowed hard, said, “I’m so glad, love,” and kissed her again. Then Scalpel barked once more. Ian and Paige smiled and drew apart. They poured champagne, sat in chairs under a tree and, having removed Scalpel’s dress clothes, watched the dog swim.

Paige glanced up at the sky as it turned darker. And for the first time in recent memory, she thanked the stars for the gift she’d been given. For this wonderful man, whom she really believed in.

o0o

LYNNE ANSWERED the door at eight the next morning, looking sleepy and disheveled in a long, white robe. She peered up at Ian worriedly. “Is something wrong?”

Ian stared at her. “Oh, God. I didn’t think. Is Romeo here?”

She rolled her eyes and pulled the door farther open. “No, Ian. Come on in.” Ushering him through the small house, she led him out to the kitchen. It was bright and sunny and cheerful. “I’ve just made coffee. Want some?”

“Yeah. I didn’t sleep well last night.”

Concerned, she glanced over at him from the stove. “Oh, dear. Paige didn’t like the ring?”

“No.” He fiddled with the place mat on the table. “She loved it. We had a wonderful night.”