Kitabı oku: «And Babies Make Five / At Long Last, a Bride», sayfa 5

Chapter Five

After their little talk last night, Samantha decided that she really ought to avoid Hector, especially since she was finding herself more drawn to him, more intrigued by what he had to say. More attracted, she realized. How crazy was that?

After all, he couldn’t possibly be interested in dating a woman with a ready-made family, especially when one plus one equaled five. So after a long, restless night that had her dreaming about all kinds of scenarios—including three darling little babies and a tall, dark and handsome daddy—she decided to keep to herself from now on.

And she would have done just that, if Hector hadn’t rung her doorbell again early the next morning.

She’d been up for hours, or so it seemed, yet she hadn’t expected anyone to stop by. When she’d swung open the door, her breath had caught when she’d spotted him standing on the stoop in a pair of khaki slacks and a pale blue golf shirt. She remembered that he had always packed his golf bag into the back of his trunk every Saturday morning before taking off for the bulk of the day. And that she’d seen his clubs in his foyer yesterday.

So why had he stopped by her house before heading to the country club?

“I’m on my way to the grocery store to pick up a few cleaning supplies and wondered if you needed anything.”

“Do you always dress so nicely when you’re scrubbing counters and mopping floors?” she asked.

He slipped her a crooked smile, and her heart slammed against her chest. “I have a woman who comes to work for me on Saturdays, and she told me last week that I was out of window spray and cleanser. But I forgot to pick it up, so I’m off to get it now, before she arrives.”

Her gaze traveled the length of him, then back to those intoxicating brown eyes. “What time do you play today?”

His grin brightened. “In an hour. So it’ll be a quick trip to the market. How’d you know that I was playing golf?”

“Just a lucky guess.”

“So,” he said, nodding toward his car, which was idling in the drive, “do you need anything while I’m at the market?”

“No, I’m okay. But thanks for asking.”

“No problem.”

As he headed to his vehicle, she turned to go back into the house, then thought of something she’d forgotten to pick up yesterday.

“Wait a minute,” she said. “I’m going to empty out the closet in the room that’s going to be the nursery, and I’ve already run out of boxes. Would you mind asking if they have any to spare?”

“Will do.”

He took off, and she went back inside. When he returned with more boxes than she needed, he asked if she wanted any help.

“No, thanks,” she said, even though she hated to deal with the heavy boxes. “Go on and play golf. I’ll be okay.”

But she wasn’t exactly okay. She was feeling way too many yearnings for her handsome neighbor. And she really needed to get her mind off Hector and back on nesting.

The next morning, when he spotted her sweeping the stoop, he crossed the lawn, took the broom away from her and finished the work himself.

If truth be told, she was glad that he had. It was getting harder and harder to do some of the simplest things.

But she had to stop relying on her neighbor to do them for her.

Three days later, when her doorbell rang, she didn’t need to peer out the peephole to see who it was. Hector, it seemed, had taken her on as some kind of pro bono case.

And in the past week and a half, he’d taken her recycling bins to the curb on trash-collection days, which was especially surprising since he wasn’t home very much and rarely had items that needed to be recycled—at least, not that she was aware of.

His kindness touched her, of course. And so did his boyish smile, the unruly hank of hair that flopped onto his forehead and the heart-spinning scent of his woodsy cologne. Just being near Hector had her thinking all kinds of wild and crazy things, some of them not the least bit neighborly.

She liked having him come around—maybe too much. What would happen if she got a little too used to his visits? What if …?

Well, there were a lot of things that could complicate her peaceful life, and she wasn’t sure that she was in any position to deal with any more than what she was already up against. And for that reason, she needed to get him, her heart and her zinging hormones back under control.

So when she swung open the door and found a smiling Hector on her stoop again, she invited him into the living room, intending to have a little heart-to-heart.

“I was just thinking,” he said. “This is a big house, and you probably shouldn’t be doing anything strenuous.”

“I’m not. The big stuff, like the moving, is over. And the Salvation Army will eventually come and take all those boxes in the garage.”

“I’m talking about scrubbing and cleaning and vacuuming. After I saw you sweeping the stoop yesterday, I called Margo, the woman who works for me. She has a free day each week, so if you’re interested, I can give you her number.”

He was concerned about her doing too much? And he was offering his cleaning lady?

Samantha wondered if Peter would be that worried about her, if he’d been alive and known they were expecting triplets.

Probably, but Hector …

She pointed to the sofa. “Why don’t you sit down for a minute.”

He complied, folding his long, lean and masculine body into the seat and stretching his arm across the backrest. “What’s the matter?”

“I really appreciate your thoughtfulness, Hector. But I guess it just seems …”

“Weird?”

“No. Not that. It’s just …”

“Unusual?”

“Yes, that’s what I’m getting at. I mean, you’re just a neighbor. And, well, you didn’t even like my husband.”

“I wasn’t fond of him, if that’s what you mean. But I’m sorry that he died. Sorry that you lost him.”

“Thanks. I’m sorry, too.”

His sympathy surprised her, yet it seemed to make it all better. Or maybe it made it worse. She struggled with her reactions to him, both physical and emotional. But she’d be darned if she knew what to do with them, other than put a stop to their budding friendship—or whatever it was—before things took a complicated turn.

“I’m uneasy with your help, Hector.”

“Why?”

“Because.” She didn’t dare give her primary reason, so she reached for another. “It feels as though you’ve taken me on as some kind of charity project.”

“That’s not it.”

“Then what is?”

“I have no idea. I guess you could say that I care for you. Maybe it’s sympathy. Maybe it’s a weird desire to look out for you. Hell, I don’t know what it is. Maybe

I’m attracted to you.” He laughed at that, and she didn’t know what to make of it.

He had to be joking, but she didn’t find anything funny about it, especially since her attraction to him was growing by leaps and bounds.

But she’d be darned if she knew what to do about it—other than accept his help.

And then where would that leave her?

The Armstrong Fertility Institute, a modern structure located near the Harvard Medical Center, housed the administrative offices, as well as a research lab and the clinic where Dr. Chance Demetrios practiced.

Since Samantha had been instructed to return the following week, she’d scheduled her appointment on Wednesday at ten o’clock in the morning. And she made sure that she arrived ten minutes early.

She was eager to learn that the babies were growing, that everything was just as it should be.

There were only three other women seated in the waiting room, and since there were other doctors who practiced at the clinic, it wouldn’t be too long before she was called.

After the door shut quietly behind her, Samantha headed to the front desk so she could check in with Wilma Goodheart, the receptionist. Wilma, who was in her late fifties, had worked at the Institute almost since day one and seemed to know each patient by name.

As Samantha approached the desk, she said, “Good morning, Ms. Goodheart.”

The receptionist, with her silver-streaked hair swept into a no-nonsense bun, glanced up from her work and smiled warmly. “Hello, Mrs. Keating. You look bright and cheerful today. I take it you’re feeling well.”

“I am. Thank you.”

Samantha had asked the woman to call her by her first name several months ago to no avail. Apparently, Wilma insisted upon referring to all the patients as either Ms. or Mrs., which was nice. But Samantha didn’t like to be called Mrs. Keating. Every time someone addressed her that way, she felt compelled to turn around and see if Peter’s mother was standing behind her.

“Go ahead and find a seat,” Ms. Goodheart said. “I’ll let the nurse know that you’re here.”

“Thank you.”

Samantha chose a chair near the window and reached for a magazine. But as she did so, she couldn’t help noting that two of the other pregnant women were seated next to men. It was nice to see expectant fathers be so supportive of their wives or girlfriends, and Samantha couldn’t help being just a wee bit envious.

As she thumbed through the pages of the latest issue of Parents, her name was called. She looked up to see Sara Beth, the head nurse at the Institute, and smiled. Samantha had always liked the petite, red-haired nurse.

“How are you doing today?” Sara Beth asked as Samantha approached.

“I’m doing great, thanks.”

Sara Beth, who held a medical chart in her hand, led Samantha to the scale and weighed her. Then she took her to exam room two, where she had her blood pressure and pulse rate checked.

“Everything looks good, Samantha. I’ll let Dr. Demetrios know you’re here.”

“Thanks.”

She didn’t have to wait long, because a few minutes later, Dr. Demetrios entered the exam room.

He was a big man, with olive skin, dark hair and brown eyes. The first time she’d met him, she’d been surprised by how handsome he was. Based upon his professional reputation, she would have thought him to be a lot older, a lot more scholarly in his appearance.

“Good morning,” he said with a smile. “How are you doing, Samantha?”

“Great. In fact, I’ve never felt better.”

“I’m glad.” He studied the open chart Sara Beth had left on the counter.

Since Dr. Demetrious was a renowned fertility specialist who divided his time between research and his medical practice, he didn’t have as many patients as most obstetricians, so Samantha was glad to be able to count herself as one of them.

“Everything looks good,” he said. “But we’ll see what the sonogram shows us. I’d like to get a better view of Baby C.”

After she got settled on the exam table, Dr. Demetrios turned his back to her and made some adjustments to the equipment, and she watched him work.

The last time she’d been at the clinic, she’d overheard two women in the waiting room whispering about him. From what she’d gathered, a former patient had once claimed that he’d impregnated her. The story made the gossip column and the society page of the Boston Herald, and Dr. Demetrios took a leave of absence to clear his name.

A DNA test proved that the child wasn’t his, but the false accusation had shadowed his reputation, at least for a while.

Samantha wouldn’t have held his personal life against him, since he was such a good doctor, but she was glad that the charges were unfounded. And from what she understood, he’d recently eloped not long ago.

According to the women who’d been gossiping, his new wife had been a waitress and a single mom. And Samantha had found the story heartwarming. It gave her hope that one day she, too, might find someone to love, in spite of being the mother of three children.

She hoped the doctor’s troubles were finally over, and that his story had a Cinderella ending. After all he did for childless couples, he certainly deserved to be happy himself.

When the doctor had everything set up, he asked her to raise her blouse, then slathered her belly with gel so he could proceed with another ultrasound.

Samantha was mesmerized by the sight of her triplets.

“Baby C has turned around,” the doctor said, “and it looks like … yes, it’s a girl.”

Samantha’s heart soared with the news. She was going to have at least one of each, a boy and a girl. How cool was that?

“And Baby B?” she asked.

“Well, if it will move just a little. There we go. Another boy.”

“Two boys and a girl,” she said, smiling through the tears in her eyes. “I’m speechless. And so blessed. I don’t know how to thank you.”

Dr. Demetrious chuckled. “No need to do that. I just did my job. Nature did the rest.”

She couldn’t help giving God a whole lot of credit, too. And on the way out of the clinic and to the parking garage, she offered up a prayer of thanksgiving.

Then she climbed behind the wheel of her Jag. Before turning on the ignition, she stroked her growing belly. This pregnancy was the ultimate gift to Peter, to his parents. And she hoped they realized that.

They would be surprised when they heard the news—shocked, even. After all, it had been five years since Peter’s death. But thanks to Dr. Demetrios and the Armstrong Fertility Institute, Samantha was pregnant with the children she and Peter were meant to have.

She did, however, suspect the Keatings would eventually embrace the news. Peter had been their only child and the love of their lives. Yet she still couldn’t seem to pick up the phone and invite them over—or pop in on them, something she’d never done before.

Still, she’d have to tell them. And she’d have to tell Hector, too.

But for a woman who was bursting at the seams with excitement, she couldn’t help wanting to keep her secret to herself for a little while longer.

On Sunday morning, Hector walked outside to get the Boston Herald and noticed that Samantha’s sprinklers were on. He’d heard them go on at four that morning, but it was well after eight, and they hadn’t shut off.

Water saturated her lawn and had streamed onto the sidewalk, over the curb and into the gutter.

Her newspaper, which had been neatly folded when the paperboy had tossed it onto the lawn, was soaking wet. Hadn’t the guy noticed the sprinklers going?

Hector slowly shook his head. You’d think he’d be alert enough to put it on the porch or in the driveway.

Before retrieving his paper, he headed over to Samantha’s house and knocked at her door.

She answered wearing a pair of jeans, a blousy top and a breezy smile. When he pointed out the flooding, her lips parted, and she stepped onto the stoop.

He noticed that she wasn’t wearing shoes, which made the phrase “barefoot and pregnant” come to mind, and he couldn’t help but smile.

“The sprinklers are supposed to be automatic,” she said. “So why didn’t they turn off?”

“There’s probably a short in the timer. I can take a look at it, if you’d like me to.”

“Yes, I would. Thanks.”

As she led him through the house to get to the garage, he caught the whiff of something sweet baking in the oven, something that smelled awfully good.

Suddenly, the cereal he’d planned to eat later didn’t sound very appealing anymore.

She opened the door, stepped down into the garage and pointed out the box on the wall that held the timer. “I really appreciate this. I’d call the landscaping company and have them check it out, but it’s Sunday, so I’ll have to wait until tomorrow.”

“I don’t mind.” Hector took a look at the timer, shut off the sprinklers manually. Then he disconnected the apparatus for her.

“Thanks for doing this on your day off.”

“No problem.” He closed the little blue door on the timer box. “In the meantime, that doesn’t do your newspaper any good. I’m afraid you won’t be able to read it.”

She crossed her arms and blew out a sigh of resignation. “How’s that for luck? I’d wanted to check the weekly ads to see what baby things were going to be on sale this week.”

“Hang on,” he said. “I’ll go and get mine for you to read.”

“Are you finished with it?”

“Nope.” He grinned. “I haven’t even opened it. But if you’ll invite me to taste whatever you’re baking, I’d be happy to hand it over, along with all of the ads and coupons.”

She laughed. “You’ve got a deal. And for the record, I made orange-cranberry muffins. They just came out of the oven.”

“Sounds great.”

“But I’ve cut out caffeine from my diet, so I don’t have any coffee in my pantry. If you want some, you’ll have to bring your own grounds. I have a pot and filters, though.”

“Will do. I don’t eat many meals at home, especially breakfast. But I try to keep coffee on hand for … visitors.” He didn’t mention that his houseguests were women who’d stayed the night. “Is there anything else I can bring back?”

“Not that I can think of.”

He nodded, then went home.

True to his word, he returned with his newspaper and a small bag of Starbucks grounds he kept in the freezer.

Instead of knocking, he let himself in.

“Hector?” she called, when she heard the cricketlike chime indicating an open door. “I’m in here.”

He followed the sound of her voice and found her in the kitchen, preparing a fruit platter of sliced melon, pineapple and bananas, sprinkled with blueberries. He couldn’t help watching her work, watching her move.

But rather than continue to gape at her—and risk having her catch him doing so—he asked, “Is there anything I can do to help?”

She turned, leaned her back against the counter and offered him a heart-stopping smile. “No, I’ve got everything under control.”

As her gaze sketched over him, and he sensed feminine interest on her part, which set off a flurry of hormones in his bloodstream. He didn’t think he’d ever seen a more beautiful woman in his life.

If she weren’t pregnant.

If she weren’t Peter’s widow.

Then what? he asked himself. Would he actually hit on her?

Yes, he realized. He would. Then why let anything stop him now?

When the answer failed to form, he shook off the thought and handed her the coffee. Then he took a seat in the breakfast nook, at the table she’d already set.

A big bay window looked out into the backyard, which boasted a lawn big enough for a game of T-ball and a tree that would be perfect for climbing.

Samantha’s son or daughter would be lucky to grow up in this house. And as Samantha served the fruit and muffins on a china plate, he realized the kid would be lucky to have her for a mom.

As the coffee began to dribble into the carafe, she joined him at the table, saying, “Feel free to read the paper while you eat.”

As Hector took a bite of one of the best muffins he’d ever eaten, he sorted through the newspaper until he came across a department store advertisement that displayed baby things. Then he handed the page to Samantha. “Is this what you were looking for?”

She brightened as she took it from him. “Oh, how sweet. I really like that white crib. And it has a matching dresser and changing table.” She set the section she’d been reading back on the table and pointed at the furniture that had caught her eye. “Isn’t it cute?”

It looked like any old crib to him—white, with rails so the kid wouldn’t fall out. He didn’t see anything especially cute about it. He did, however, think Samantha was pretty damn cute herself, even if she was pregnant.

Hell, maybe even because of it.

He’d told her once that pregnant women intrigued him these days, which really wasn’t true. She was the only one who had actually caught his interest.

But maybe he’d be wise not to stew about it.

“You know,” he said, “you’ve got a lot of things you’re going to need to buy before the baby gets here, unless someone’s going to throw you a shower.”

“Oh. No, I don’t think so. I’m not sure who’d have one for me, but that’s okay. I really won’t need one.”

He supposed she had enough money to purchase everything herself, but his sister and his mother really enjoyed going to showers—for both babies and brides. It seemed to be a big deal to them, and they would “ooh” and “ahh” over the gifts they’d bought. Then they’d make a big deal about getting dressed up for the event.

So Hector figured that Samantha would enjoy having one. But if she hadn’t told people she was back, or if she hadn’t maintained any friendships in Boston, he realized there might not be anyone to host it.

Too bad, he thought, feeling sorry for her yet again.

“Would you like another muffin?” she asked.

“Sure.” While she stood to serve him, he couldn’t help adding, “The baby’s going to be here before you know it.”

“I know, but there’s still plenty of time.”

Maybe only a couple of months, he guessed, which wasn’t all that long. She really needed to look ahead, to prepare for the unexpected, especially since she didn’t have anyone to help her.

“Don’t some babies come early?” he asked, trying to send a subtle message.

“Yes, they do. And mine probably will.” She returned with a plate of muffins, then sat down and reached for the advertisement. As she scanned the vast assortment of baby furniture, supplies and clothing, she didn’t appear to be overly concerned, which he couldn’t understand. Especially if she thought her baby might be one that came early.

He was just about to prod her a little more, when she said, “Maybe I better go shopping this week. With all I need to buy, I want to take advantage of the sale price.”

Good. He’d made his point, so he settled back in his seat.

They continued to eat until the coffee stopped brewing with a tired wheeze.

“It’s ready,” Samantha said as she pushed back her chair and stood once again. Then she went to the cupboard and filled Hector’s mug.

On her way back to the table, she caught him studying her, the swell of her belly. As his eyes lifted, their gazes met and locked. Something warm stirred between them, something that set off a zing in her pulse, and she couldn’t help feeling a little … amazed by it all.

Trying to pretend it hadn’t happened, she asked, “Do you use cream and sugar?”

“No, this is fine. Thanks.” Hector took the mug in both hands, but didn’t take a sip. “By the way, did you ever order that wallpaper?”

“Yes, I got the farm print that we both liked, but it’s on back order. Hopefully, I’ll have it within a week. I also chose the blue paint for the walls and the white for the crown molding.”

“The baby ought to like that.”

“I hope so.”

After Hector had eaten his fill, he picked up the front page of the newspaper and scanned the headlines.

Samantha, too, sorted through the pages until she found the society section, something she’d read daily when she’d been married to Peter but hadn’t given much thought to reading these days.

But why should she? She’d quit seeing all of her old friends when she married Peter, and she hadn’t really been all that close to the women she’d met after they’d become a couple. Then, after he died, life just wasn’t the same anymore.

Still, she studied the photos, wondering if she would recognize anyone she knew.

There were the usual wedding announcements, but her gaze was drawn to a picture that touched her heart—an adoption celebration that was held at the Boston Children’s Home yesterday.

“What a sweet story,” she said.

Hector looked up from his reading. “What’s that?”

“There was a big celebration held at the Children’s Home yesterday afternoon, and if I had known about it, I would have stopped by.”

“What were they celebrating?”

“Do you know Olivia Mallory?”

“The name sounds familiar.”

“She’s the daughter of Dr. Gerald Armstrong, the man who founded the Armstrong Institute. And she’s married to Jamison Mallory.”

“The junior senator?”

“Yes. She’s also the president of the board of directors of the Children’s Home and has volunteered there for years.”

“I take it that you know her personally. Is she a friend?”

“Yes, but I haven’t seen her in a long time.”

Samantha and Olivia had run in the same circle when Peter had been alive. And she was one of the few women in that crowd Samantha had actually felt comfortable around.

“Olivia and Jamison have adopted two orphaned brothers, a seven-year-old named Kevin, and Danny, who’s three.” She turned the paper so he could see the photo.

“Cute kids,” Hector said.

“They’re darling. And they actually resemble Olivia. If I didn’t know they were adopted, I’d assume Olivia had given birth to them.”

“Does Olivia know you’re back in town?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Maybe you should call her.”

It struck her as odd that he’d make that suggestion, but it was one she’d already considered. It would be nice to renew their friendship. “Later this morning, I’ll give her a call to congratulate her.” And maybe she’d ask if they could meet for lunch one day soon.

Samantha took one last look at the photo of Olivia and her sons before moving on to another article about a benefit that was held at the Belle Fleur Country Club. The proceeds of a silent auction would fund scholarships for underprivileged high-school seniors.

In one of several photos that accompanied that spread, she spotted her in-laws—front and center.

They looked great, she decided. And they seemed to be in good spirits.

She’d stayed in contact with Randall and Marian

Keating after Peter’s death, calling about once a month and having dinner on birthdays. She wasn’t hurt that they’d seemed to pull away over the years. She assumed that seeing her was painful for them.

Truth be told, she’d never felt fully connected to or accepted by them before, and since Peter was gone, their pulling away only served to make the chasm deeper.

She really hoped that the news of the babies would correct that, and again she wondered how they would feel when she told them.

Admittedly, she was really dragging her feet, although she wasn’t sure why. At one time, she’d wanted nothing more than to be totally accepted by them, to be considered a Keating in every sense of the name.

Maybe, deep inside, she was afraid of how Marian was going to handle the news. She suspected that she’d be happy, but the woman had been so hard to please when Peter was alive.

There was a strong possibility that Peter’s mother would try to tell Samantha how to raise the children, advice that wouldn’t be welcome. But in the past five years, she’d come to believe she was more ready for a face-off, if one became necessary.

The newsprint crinkled as Hector set the front page of the business section on the table, drawing Samantha from her musing.

“It looks like the Armstrong Fertility Institute is experiencing some serious financial problems,” he said.

“Oh, really?”

He nodded, his expression intense as he glanced back at the article he’d just read.

“What happened?”

“It’s not clear, but it sounds to me as if it’s more than just mishandling funds or some poor business decisions.”

Samantha lowered the paper she’d been reading. “Are you suggesting that something criminal might be going on?”

He shrugged. “It’s hard to say, but you can bet the media is going to keep a close eye on it.”

“I hope that’s not the case,” Samantha said. “The Institute and the doctors there have been a real blessing to childless couples all over the country.”

Hector glanced across the table at her and smiled. “I’m sure they’ve been a blessing to you.”

Three times the blessing, she thought. But although she’d been tempted a couple of times, she still couldn’t quite bring herself to tell Hector she was carrying triplets.

Or that Peter was their father.