Healing Dr. Fortune Page 12

  Would he decide to stay in Red Rock?

  He might. But then what?

  Would he and Kirsten remain lovers? Or would they marry and start a family?

  The questions were legion. And she both longed for and feared the answers.

  Chapter Nine

  After Jeremy drove away, Kirsten went into the house and softly closed the door. She could hear Max talking to someone down the hall, and while she couldn’t make out his words, she also felt his upbeat tone.

  Had he actually chuckled? She hoped so. He’d been miserable for way too long, and it was good to see him happy for a change.

  She walked past his closed door, then entered her own room. After shutting herself inside, she blew out a sigh. What a day this had been. And oh, she sighed, what a man.

  A grin splashed across her face as she realized that Max wasn’t the only one in the house who was happy.

  While undressing in her private bathroom, she relived that amazing kiss she and Jeremy had just shared, a kiss that had been more of a kickoff to foreplay than a way in which to end the day.

  As she climbed into the shower and let the warm water sluice over her, thoughts of Jeremy sent her imagination soaring.

  Soft music and candlelight.

  Heated kisses.

  Blood-stirring caresses.

  Clothing falling by the wayside, bodies tumbling onto the bed in a fevered rush.

  Making love all night long.

  By the time she’d finished showering, she was sorry she’d let him go back to the ranch.

  But she had, so she was stuck sleeping alone and dreaming of what might have been.

  After putting on her most comfortable flannel night gown, she turned down the covers and climbed into bed.

  The sheets were freshly laundered, the house was quiet and her heart was strumming with contentment. Still, it took forever to fall asleep. Her mind was too caught up thinking about what tomorrow night might bring.

  She couldn’t help wishing that he would take her to a hotel and that they’d end their date by making love.

  Should she pack an overnight bag just in case? Should she tell Max that he’d be handling the baby care duties on his own since she might not come home at all?

  Oh, good grief. Jeremy had been smiling when he implied that they could check into a room.

  She’d sure be embarrassed if she walked out with her makeup bag and toothbrush, only to find that Jeremy had been joking about the hotel.

  Squeezing her eyes tight, she did her best to shut out the thoughts and try to sleep. But each time she started to drift off, she would imagine them in nearby San Antonio, walking hand in hand along the River Walk at midnight.

  Or slow dancing at a trendy downtown jazz club to the sensual sounds made by a guy playing the sax.

  She wasn’t sure what time it was when she finally fell asleep, but it was well after midnight. She slept well, but certainly not long enough.

  Just before seven, she woke to the hearty aroma of fresh coffee brewing. Deciding she could use a little caffeine, she threw off the covers and wrapped herself in a robe. Then she went into the kitchen, where Max was standing near the toaster, waiting for his bread to pop out.

  He was smiling to himself, and she suspected it had something to do with his new job.

  “It’s nice to see you in a good mood,” she said, as she reached for a cup and poured herself some coffee.

  “I can’t believe it myself. Just last week, I felt like a loser. I didn’t think I’d ever climb out of the rut I was in.

  But with a couple good breaks, it seems like things are finally turning around.”

  “You mean the new job at the Double Crown?”

  “That, too. But I just got a call from Kelly Thompson last night, after I took Anthony into the house and put him to bed. And we talked for hours.”

  Kirsten hadn’t heard the name before. “Who’s Kelly?”

  “She’s a girl I met while I worked at the feed store. You’d really like her. She’s a lot like you.”

  In what way? Kirsten wondered.

  Instead, she asked, “How long have you two been dating?”

  “Well, that’s just it. We went out for a couple months, but then I was laid off and couldn’t afford to take her out anymore, which really sucked. I was so embarrassed about being unemployed, that I just backed off and quit calling her. Know what I mean?”

  Kirsten nodded. That was what Max always did with her, too. He just withdrew.

  “But seeing you and Jeremy coming together made me realize how much I missed having someone in my life, too. So I called Kelly on Friday and left a message on her answering machine.”

  “And she called you back last night?”

  “Yeah. Apparently, she wasn’t going to at first. But then she gave in. We talked for a long time, and I leveled with her. She seemed to understand, so I asked her out to dinner. But I told her I was waiting on a paycheck, so it wouldn’t be a fancy place.”

  “I’m sure she was okay with that.”

  “She was better than okay. She told me not to worry about anything. She had a new recipe she wanted to try out, and that I should go to her house for dinner instead.”

  “That’s great.”

  “I think so, too.”

  “Did you tell her about Anthony?”

  Max’s smile drooped. “No, not yet. I… Well, before I do that, I’d like to see how things go tonight.”

  Kirsten could understand that. She still found herself tiptoeing around Jeremy, too.

  “Anthony is precious,” she told her brother. “And if Kelly’s the kind of woman you think she is, a baby won’t scare her off.”

  “I’m sure you’re right. But having Anthony in my life also means that Kelly might end up having to deal with Courtney, too. And I hate to have that dumped on her.”

  Kirsten had the same apprehension about letting Jeremy in on too much of that kind of drama. “Maybe we’ll both luck out, and Courtney will be history.”

  “I sure hope so. But she’s kind of like a bad penny and keeps calling or showing up when I least expect it.”

  “Just take it slow and easy,” Kirsten said.

  “That’s what I plan to do.”

  When the toast popped up, her brother turned around and reached for the butter.

  Kirsten took a sip of her coffee. She sure hoped Max’s romance worked out for him, just as it seemed to be doing for her and Jeremy.

  But speaking of romance, she really ought to tell Max that she had plans tonight, that she wouldn’t be able to watch Anthony for him, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

  For the longest time, she’d feared her brother would never be happy again. That he’d do something stupid and get into trouble. That he’d be a failure.

  Having a nice girl in his life might make all the difference in the world. So how could Kirsten not look after Anthony for him?

  She would just have to sacrifice her plans for his—which was what she usually ended up doing.

  But wasn’t that what love was all about?

  Moments later, the telephone rang. She answered and found Jeremy on the line.

  “What are you up to?” he asked.

  “Just having coffee. Why?”

  “No reason. I just called to say good morning.”

  How sweet, she thought. The only thing nicer would have been to wake up in his arms and hear him say it to her.

  “I also wanted to tell you that I made dinner reservations at the San Antonio Monarch Hotel,” he added. “Are you still willing to go anywhere with me?”

  Boy, was she. But how did she let him know that their Valentine’s Day celebration wasn’t going to work out the way they wanted it to?

  Come right out and tell him, she supposed. “There’s nothing I’d like to do more than go with you tonight, but Max already has plans for this evening. And I’ve got to watch Anthony.”

  “Can you get a sitter?” he asked.

  “I don’t know
who I’d ask.” She blew out a sigh, realizing that she was even more disappointed than she’d thought she’d be. “But why don’t you come over around four? We’ll have the house to ourselves. I can fix an early dinner, then we can…”

  She didn’t continue, but apparently, she didn’t have to. “Sounds like a plan. I’ll see you then.”

  An hour later, while she was holding Anthony and trying to finish making a grocery list for the dinner she had planned, the doorbell rang.

  “I’ll get it,” she called out to Max, who was in the back of the house.

  When she swung open the door, she spotted Cassie Rodriguez, the neighbor’s daughter, on the porch.

  “I was wondering if you’d like to buy some magazines,” the teenager asked. “It’s for a good cause. My church youth group is going on a mission trip to an orphanage in Mexico, so we’re trying to earn money.”

  Kirsten smiled. “I’d be happy to buy a couple magazines, Cassie. Come on inside.”

  “Cool.” The dark-haired teen grinned, revealing a shiny set of braces, as she entered the house and handed over the catalog. “Want me to hold the baby for you?”

  “If you don’t mind. Thanks.” Kirsten passed the infant to the girl, then took a seat on the sofa and began thumbing through the pages. “I’d like to order Parents magazine. And also Better Homes and Gardens.”

  “All right,” Cassie said, adding, “Your baby is really cute.”

  “Isn’t he? His name is Anthony, and he’s my nephew. If you don’t mind holding him a little longer, I’ll go get my checkbook.”

  “I don’t mind at all. I love babies. In fact, I watch over my little cousins all the time.”

  While Kirsten went for her purse, she had a light bulb moment. The Rodriguez family was really nice. And since Cassie was experienced with kids…

  As she returned to the living room, she asked, “Would you like to watch Anthony for Max and me tonight?”

  “Sure. That would be great.”

  Wouldn’t it be?

  Now Kirsten could tell Max that he would have to relieve the sitter when he got home from Kelly’s house. And then she would call Jeremy back and tell him that their night in San Antonio was still on.

  Jeremy hoped he hadn’t made any false assumptions by thinking that Kirsten wanted to spend the night with him in San Antonio, but he’d seen the agreement in her eyes. So he let Lily know that he probably wouldn’t be home tonight, that there was no reason for her to worry.

  When he rang the bell, Kirsten answered, looking like she’d just stepped out of a beauty ad in Cosmopolitan magazine wearing a simple but classic black dress and heels. Her hair had been swept into a chic twist, revealing diamond studs that sparkled in her ears. But the precious stones weren’t any more dazzling than her smile.

  “You look beautiful,” he said.

  “So do you.” She flushed, then gave a little shrug. “Well, you know what I mean.”

  With her on his arm, he actually felt dashing.

  “Are you ready to go?” he asked.

  She seemed hesitant, then bit down on her bottom lip.

  “Is something wrong?”

  “No, it’s just that…” She blew out a little sigh, then crossed her arms. “Should I bring anything other than a purse?”

  He laughed, glad that he’d called it right, that she wasn’t having second thoughts. “A toothbrush might come in handy.”

  “Good,” she said, her eyes brightening. “I packed my makeup bag just in case. I wasn’t sure if you were serious about…” She looked up at him, flushed again.

  Damn, she was cute when she was off stride.

  He smiled. “I guess you could say that I was covering my ass. If you wouldn’t have liked the idea, I would have insisted that I’d only been teasing.”

  “Aren’t you tricky,” she said, as she went to get her bag.

  Before walking out the door, Kirsten gave Cassie, the sitter, some last-minute instructions. “Max said he would be home by eleven. I hope that’s not too late.”

  “Not at all,” the girl said.

  “Good. I left his cell-phone number on the kitchen counter. He said to tell you to give him a call if you had any problems.”

  “Okay, cool. But I’m sure everything will be fine.”

  “I’m sure it will be.” Kirsten thanked her again, and then they left.

  “I’m glad you found a babysitter,” Jeremy said, as they headed for his car.

  “So am I. In fact, when I told Max that I’d lined up Cassie to watch Anthony this evening, he was relieved to know we had some child-care options from now on.”

  An hour later, they’d checked into their suite at the Monarch, a new hotel overlooking the San Antonio River Walk.

  Kirsten held her breath when she opened the glass sliding door and stepped out onto the balcony. “Look at this view.”

  He was looking. But it wasn’t the San Antonio sights that were impressing him. It was the stunning beauty who had kicked off her heels at the door and had crossed the room in her bare feet.

  She turned, and with her back to the city, faced him and blessed him with a stunning smile. “I’ve never been in a room like this.”

  He’d never been anywhere with a woman like her. And while he’d planned to take her to eat at the five-star restaurant on the top floor of the hotel, he wouldn’t mind having room service and enjoying the privacy of their room.

  “Do you want to go to dinner?” he asked. “Or, if you like the view, we can order in.”

  “Honestly? I don’t mind eating in. It might be nice.”

  “I think so, too.”

  After looking over the room service menu, Jeremy ordered a bottle of his favorite Napa Valley merlot and the chateaubriand for two. Then he turned on some soft music on the CD player and joined Kirsten on the balcony.

  As he slid up behind her, he caught the whiff of her shampoo—something with an appealing fragrance. “I like the scent of whatever you’re wearing. What is it?”

  She turned to him and smiled. “It’s called Lilac Garden.”

  As her gaze zeroed in on his, he suddenly wanted to take her in his arms, to kiss her senseless. But what was the rush?

  It might be best to get dinner out of the way first, although he was no longer hungry.

  Not for food, anyway.

  In the background, Michael Bublé sang “Baby, you’ve got what it takes.” And Jeremy had to admit, that when it came to Kirsten, the lyrics were spot-on.

  He ran the knuckles of one hand along her cheek, amazed at the softness of her skin.

  As his hormones rushed and his pulse rate spiked, he had half a notion to scoop her up in his arms and carry her to the bed, but he wasn’t going to rush it. They had all night long.

  He took hold of her hand. “Dance with me.”

  Her eyes glimmered as he led her back into the room and took her in his arms. As they swayed to the music, as their hearts beat as one, Jeremy wondered if he’d ever want to make love to a woman more than he did with this one.

  When the music ended, he kissed her—slow and seductively. He took his time, exploring her mouth with his tongue, and her body with his hands. As she leaned into him, as her hands ran along his back to his butt and up again, he wanted to feel the length of her against him—skin to skin.

  But with dinner coming, he wouldn’t risk it. When they made love, he didn’t want any interruptions.

  Moments later—or maybe it had been an hour, since time seemed to be standing still when he was with her—a knock sounded at the door.

  “Room service,” he said.

  “Are you hungry?” she asked.

  “Only for you.” The truth of that hung in the pheromone-charged air as he let the bellman in and tipped him for his service.

  Minutes later, they were alone again.

  A small, linen-draped table, which had been adorned with a single red rose and a sprig of baby’s breath, had been set up on the balcony, providing a romantic ambiance, comp
lete with a view of the city.

  It was a bit chilly tonight, Jeremy thought, as he lifted the bottle of merlot and filled their glasses. Then, he raised his in a toast. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Kirsten.”

  “Thank you for going out of your way to make it special.” She offered him a smile. “It’s definitely going to be a memorable one for me.”

  He hoped so, because he was going to do everything he could to make sure that it was.

  He clinked his glass against hers.

  They’d barely had a sip of merlot, when he noticed Kirsten stroking the tops of her arms.

  He’d been right; it was too cold for her.

  “Here, take this.” He slipped off his black sports jacket and gave it to her.

  “What about you?” she asked.

  “I’ll be fine.” In fact, kissing her earlier had shot a blast of heat through his bloodstream, so he wasn’t the least bit cold.

  He was, however, ready to zip through dinner and get to something a whole lot more memorable than food.

  Kirsten didn’t know when she’d had a nicer meal—or better company. Everything about this evening—other than the chill in the air—was perfect. But even then, bundled up in Jeremy’s jacket and breathing his scent that lingered on the fabric, she had no reason to complain.

  When they finished eating, Jeremy pushed the table into the bedroom area and out into the hall. Then he picked up the phone and asked someone to take it away.

  Kirsten, who was still barefoot, removed his jacket and hung it in the closet.

  “How about another dance?” he said, reaching out his hand to her.

  She couldn’t think of anything she’d like better.

  Scratch that. She could think of one other thing, but she had a feeling that would soon follow.

  As she slipped back into his embrace, the music playing softly in the background, she placed her hand on his chest, felt the steady beat of his heart.

  Wrapped in Jeremy’s arms, surrounded by his warmth and his strength, she felt a security she’d never known before. And a realization she hadn’t been ready for.

  She was falling mindlessly in love with Jeremy, risking possible heartbreak in the future. And all she could do was hope he was feeling the same way about her.