Dr. Desirable

He dropped his hand from the door and checked his watch. “Yeah. As a matter of fact, I’m late for my next surgery.”

“Don’t let me keep you from your work.”

His smoldering smile returned. “You already have, but it was well worth the lost time.” He bent closer and whispered, “That’s the kind of satisfaction I’ve learned to appreciate.”

Michelle stared at the ringing telephone sitting on the end table next to her favorite lounge chair. She needed to answer but hesitated. For some reason she worried that maybe Nick Kempner was calling. If so, she worried more that she might find herself agreeing to something she had no business agreeing to, namely going with him to the gala. He had shaken her up today like an out-of-control blender. She’d barely been able to concentrate on her work.

Why couldn’t she get him off her mind? Because he had more magnetism than a televangelist, that’s why. But it wasn’t just his charisma. Beneath that magnetic facade, she sensed true caring. She’d seen it at Brooke’s when he’d offered her consolation and again another glimpse of it in her office today when he’d voiced his concern about her health. And he was so gentle with his daughter. But that wasn’t quite enough to persuade her to give in to his charms. She had done that once with another charmer; she didn’t intend to do it again.

On the fourth ring she finally answered.

“Hey, sis, where’d you go yesterday in such a hurry?”

The call Michelle would have made herself had it not been for Nick Kempner’s untimely appearance.

Michelle gripped the phone with all the hurt she had felt since the backyard barbecue. “I needed to get out of there.”

“Was it that bad?”

Not all of it. Nick crept into her thoughts like some panther on the prowl. She willed him to disappear, at least for the time being. “Actually, it was okay. I just had some work to do at home.”

“You’re mad at me for not telling you about the baby, aren’t you?”

The remorse in Brooke’s tone helped to ease Michelle’s hurt, but it didn’t completely go away.

“I’m disappointed, Brooke. I hated learning about the baby as if I’m some casual acquaintance. Why didn’t you say something sooner?”

“I tried to tell you last Friday evening, but you were still at work. I even left a message on your cell phone voice mail for you to call. I never heard from you. And then you came late to the party and there just wasn’t enough time or the opportunity.”

All valid reasons, Michelle decided. Valid reasons for Brooke not telling her this past weekend. “True, I haven’t checked my private voice mail in a couple of days. But why didn’t you tell me after you found out?”

“Because I knew you’d be worried about me. You know how you get when it comes to my health, especially with the asthma. I wanted to make sure enough time had passed so you’d know that everything’s fine.”

Michelle couldn’t deny that she was concerned. More than concerned. “Of course I’m going to worry. You’re my baby sister. But you have to know how happy I am for you and Jared.”

“I do know that, and please understand I never meant to hurt you, Shelly. This was just something Jared and I agreed upon, waiting until I was at least in my second trimester.”

Second trimester? “When is this baby due?”

“October twenty-ninth.”

Michelle did a mental countdown. “You’re beginning your third trimester, Brooke. How is that possible? You’re barely showing.”

“Mom told me she didn’t show until the later months so I guess I’ve inherited that from her. But I really can’t believe you didn’t notice my, shall we say, blossoming figure.”

With Michelle’s recent work schedule and her visits with her parents, she hadn’t been around Brooke all that much in recent months to notice. Besides, Michelle had a knack for being oblivious to certain things. “Well, I did notice you’re looking a bit more healthy than normal, and that you’re wearing baggier clothes, but I thought that went along with being happily married.”

Brooke laughed. “Heavens, I hope not. I hope it’s the pregnancy that’s necessitated a Wide Load sign across my butt, not my marriage.”

Michelle joined in the laughter for a few moments before her concern for Brooke’s health again kicked in. “What about the asthma?”

“I’m doing fine with that. My doctor’s watching it closely. I’m getting by without much medication. We’ll just hope for the best.”

Brooke, always the optimist. Michelle wished she could be as sanguine, but she had witnessed Brooke’s asthma when it had been at its worst. So many times Michelle had wished she could take it all away from her sister. She still did, but that wasn’t possible, then or now. She would simply offer all her support to Brooke and pray everything turned out okay.

“Okay, Brookie, I guess you and Jared know what you’re doing. Obviously you do, or you wouldn’t be pregnant.”

“Cut it out, Shelly. You’re making me blush.”

“Yeah, right. What would make you blush would blister a metal wash pot.”

“True. After living with Jared, I think I’m about all blushed out.”

Michelle experienced a tug of envy. What would it be like to have a man love you as completely as Jared loved Brooke? What would it be like to have a child with that man?

Nick Kempner hopped into Michelle’s brain once again like an annoying grasshopper. Or a frog. Why did she keep thinking about him? Men like Nick and commitment were not necessarily synonymous. Not that she wanted a commitment anytime soon. Or at least that wasn’t what she’d planned—

“Are you still there, Shelly?”

“Yeah, still here.”

“Mom said you were talking to Nick at the party.”

Michelle cringed, thinking she had somehow blurted out his name unconsciously. “Why on earth did you bring that up?”

“Jared told me he’s really interested in you.”

Interested in rattling her proverbial chain, Michelle thought. She had definitely been prisoner to his espresso eyes and high-voltage grin that afternoon. But only for a moment. Okay, a few moments. “Is there a point to this, Brooke?”

“Nick’s a decent guy, Shelly. A great dad, too. You might want to give him a chance.”

“I’ve got enough going on with mom and dad, my job—”

“Admit it. You’re afraid to get too close to anyone.”

And with good reason, Michelle decided. “Don’t you dare try your hand at matchmaking again. If you recall, you did that already and it was a disaster.”

“You’re not going to let me forget that, are you? I didn’t know Brett was married when I introduced you two.”

“Neither did he. At least he didn’t act like it.” And neither had Michelle until it had been too late. Until she had invested a lot of time and emotions in a relationship that could never be.

“Point taken,” Brooke said. “But does one bad experience have to spoil everything? Take me, for instance. If I hadn’t opened myself up again, I wouldn’t be married to Jared now. You were the one who encouraged me to go for it. I honestly believe there’s someone out there for you, too. Someone who’s your type and can make you happy.”

Michelle couldn’t find it in her heart to believe it. “Maybe I don’t have a type, Brooke.”

Brooke sighed. “Maybe you’re not looking in the right place.”

Michelle was basically tired of looking. Besides, her current celibate lifestyle held certain advantages, the least of which was not having to sort through the man pile to find that gem of a guy. She doubted he existed, at least for her.

“I don’t want anything serious, Brooke.”

“Who says you have to consider anything serious? What about living for the moment? Why don’t you try Nick out, see where it goes?”

“I can’t have just a fling.” Michelle didn’t relish the thought of keeping emotions totally out of it. It seemed to work for men—Brett included, and more than likely Nick—but she wasn’t sure it would ever work for her.

“Admit it,” Brooke said, “you’re scared to have fun, and you know that Nick Kempner would probably be lots of fun.”

Michelle was scared to get involved at the risk of getting her heart trampled. “Nick Kempner’s as fast as a race-car driver and he would probably lose me in the first turn.”

“I honestly believe you could hold your own with him.”

Oh, brother, or sister in this case. “Enough, Brooke.”

Brooke released a sigh of defeat. “Okay, I’ll lay off. I need to get to bed, anyway. Jared’s waiting for me.”

“That doesn’t sound conducive to rest.”

“Maybe not, but what a way to lose sleep. The man is insatiable. But then, so am I. Pregnancy does crazy things to a woman’s hormones, let me tell you.”

This time Michelle’s face burned. “I don’t want all the torrid details, so go to bed.”

“One more thing. Did you change your mind about going to the gala?”

First Nick, now Brooke. “I’m not in the mood for dancing.”

“Then do you mind baby-sitting at our house? We’re planning to go with a few friends, and we could use someone to stay with the kids. We can have everyone meet over here, since our place is bigger than your apartment.”

What a relief that Brooke hadn’t lit into another lecture on how Michelle needed to get out more. “How many are you expecting to be there?”

The way Brooke paused to clear her throat, Michelle expected an army of feisty two-year-olds. Instead Brooke said, “Only one right now, but there could be more. It will give you some practice playing aunt.”

Michelle didn’t need any practice. Five years Brooke’s senior, she’d diapered and changed Brooke, cared for her like the “little mother” for as long as she could remember. Still, she did love kids and wouldn’t mind spending her Saturday evening with a few. Much less complicated than spending time trying to second-guess a man. “Okay. Sounds like fun. I’ll be over around six.”

“Great. You’re the best.”

“And don’t you forget it,” Michelle teased.

“I gather I’m forgiven for not telling you about the baby.”

“Of course. I’ll always forgive you no matter what you do.”

Three

“Brooke Lewis Granger, I may never forgive you for this,” Michelle muttered as she peeked through her sister’s living room curtain.

Striding up Brooke and Jared’s walkway was none other than Nick Kempner, dressed in black tie and accompanied by his daughter, obviously Michelle’s charge for the evening. She adored Kelsey and didn’t mind one bit baby-sitting the little girl. However, she did mind the fact that she would have to face the girl’s father, especially since he looked like a young version of James Bond with his tanned face contrasting the white tuxedo shirt, his dark hair primed to perfection. At the moment the doctor was definitely shaking and stirring her belly.

Kelsey stood by his side, jerking his arm up and down like an old-fashioned well pump handle. Without regard for his neatly combed hair and perfectly pressed tuxedo, he grabbed her up and hoisted her onto his shoulders. She patted his head as if to say, Good boy.

Michelle backed away from the window and paced the room, letting go a string of mild curses aimed at her sister’s continued secrecy.

When the doorbell rang, Michelle simply stared at the entrance. It rang once again but before she spurred herself into action, Brooke appeared wearing a robe.

“Are you going to get it, Shelly?”

“Are you going to explain why you didn’t tell me I was sitting for Nick Kempner’s daughter?”

Brooke had the gall to play innocent. “You didn’t ask.”

“Where are the rest of the kids?”

Brooke’s gaze slid away. “Uh, actually, everyone else has sitters, so it’s just Kelsey. Nick was the only one in a bind.”

Nick wasn’t the only one, Michelle thought. Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. And she got the distinct feeling this was another one of Brooke’s subtle attempts at more matchmaking.

Without further comment Brooke opened the door to allow Nick entry while Michelle hung back right behind the opening to the den. She moved inside the room to where she could still see Nick, but Nick couldn’t see her. Enough distance to allow her the opportunity to get a good look at him without him knowing it. And what a view it was.

Whomever he’d decided to escort tonight, she was one lucky girl. Michelle battled the sudden jealousy, knowing she had no right to feel that way. After all, she had turned Nick down.

Kelsey rushed in like a tempest and grabbed Brooke around the knees.

“Whoa, Cisco,” Nick said. “Be careful with Aunt Brooke. She’s going to have a baby, remember?”

Kelsey looked up at her dad and stuck out a defiant chin. “I’m Kelsey not Cisco.”

Nick reached down and ruffled her curls. “I don’t care if your name is mud, you still need to be careful.”

With an awe-filled expression, Kelsey stood on tiptoes and patted Brooke’s belly. “Hi, baby!”

Smiling, Brooke said, “Baby says hi to you, too.”

“I don’t hear baby,” Kelsey stated with a four-year-old’s certainty.

Nick grabbed Kelsey back up into his arms. “Only mommies can hear babies when they’re still in their tummies.”

“And daddies, too,” Michelle added, deciding she might as well join in and get it over with.

Nick glanced from Kelsey to Michelle, shock splashed all over his gorgeous face. “Michelle? What are you doing here?” He slowly lowered Kelsey to her feet. “Did you change your mind about the gala?”

She looked down at her ragged cutoffs and sloppy T-shirt. “Yeah, right. This is the latest in evening wear. Chic grunge. Do you like it?”

He gave her a lingering once-over and a slow-burn smile. “Works for me.”

She should have known better than to ask his opinion. “Actually, I have a date with your daughter this evening.”

Brooke took the opportunity to announce, “I’ll go see if Jared’s ready. And they say women take too long in the bathroom.” She scurried around the corner in record time to make her escape.

“You’re the baby-sitter?” The shock had returned to Nick’s face and resounded in his tone.

Obviously, Michelle wasn’t the only one left in the dark. “Yes, I’m the sitter. And if you’re worried about that, I can give you references.”

“I don’t need any references. I trust you. I just thought you had work to do.”

“I do, but it can wait until after Kelsey goes to bed, in case you’re worried I’ll neglect her for my layouts.” She knelt at Kelsey’s level and pointed to her left toward the sofa table sitting in the middle of the den. “There’s some fresh-baked cookies over there, Kelsey. You can have one if Daddy says it’s okay.”

Kelsey stared up at Nick. “’Kay, Daddy?”

“Sure. But save some for me.”

“’Kay.” Kelsey headed toward the treat, leaving Nick and Michelle alone to face off.

“Maybe I should change my plans,” he said after a few moments of silence.

“Then you don’t trust me.”

“I’m not saying that. I just thought it might be nice to have a visit. Me, you and Kelsey.” He heavily emphasized the “me” and “you” part.

“Why? And waste a good tuxedo rental?”

“I own it.”

He would. “Oh. But I’m sure your presence will be greatly missed,” she added, trying to discourage him from making good on his suggestion. She didn’t trust herself to be alone with him, even with his child present. Children eventually went to sleep. Unfortunately, her unwelcome attraction to him might not.

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