Chapter 1
Swan Harbor General
April 30
12:30 p.m.
“Doctor Star, ER stat. Doctor Star, ER stat.”
Before the intercom announcement faded, Deborah was on the move. She tossed her half-eaten sandwich into the trash and raced to the Emergency Department. On the way down the stairs, she mentally ran through which of her patients could be in trouble. By the time she pushed open the double doors, she still hadn’t come up with an answer.
It’s a surprise! Happy birthday to me.
“You paged me?” she asked the receptionist.
“Bay 4.”
Deborah rushed into the room and, when she saw Liam Reade holding an infant, immediately jumped to conclusions.
“What’s wrong with Griffin?”
Liam angled toward her, and she realized he wasn’t holding his son. The new Reade baby was fair, whereas the child in his arms had caramel-colored skin and a head full of black curls.
“Are you sure you wanted me and not a pediatrician?”
“I’m sure.”
He laid the infant on the table and folded back the blanket.
“A newborn?”
“Yes.”
“Where’s the mother?”
“Killian and Rusty are looking for her.”
“How …?” Then it clicked. “Safe Haven law?”
A law that allowed infants to be surrendered at hospitals or fire stations for adoption with no questions asked.
“Someone left her right inside the station door in a laundry basket.”
When the infant made a mewling sound, Liam stuck his little finger into the baby’s mouth. It was such a ‘new parent’ behavior it made Deborah smile. However, it also caused a little ache in the center of her chest.
“It’s lucky you found her.”
“Very lucky,” Liam agreed.
Deborah shoved the feelings coursing through her aside and performed a cursory examination. The infant was female and, while small, appeared to be in good health. She hadn’t been cleaned, and her umbilical cord needed to be trimmed.
“How long has it been since you found her?”
“Less than an hour.”
“I’ll take her upstairs and get her cleaned and fed.”
“When do you have to contact the state?”
“When I need to,” Deborah offered noncommittally, even knowing that wasn’t the correct answer.
“Will you keep me posted?”
“I will.”
Deb re-wrapped the infant and took the long way up to the nursery. When she arrived and the nurses were busy, she let out a silent cheer. She bathed, weighed, measured, and dressed the newborn. With that done, she took a bottle and settled in one of the rocking chairs.
Just like the infant had latched onto Liam’s finger, she knew what to do with the nipple. She took about an ounce before falling asleep, but Deb didn’t want to let her go. Not only did the rocking motion soothe the baby, it also touched something inside the adult.
She lost track of how long she sat there, holding the child as multiple thoughts raced through her. It was her birthday. A day that, as an adult, was just like any other day. For her, though, it signified another year she hadn’t become a mother. Another year closer to her time to do so running out.
When the nursery door opened, she glanced up, expecting to see one of the nurses. Instead, it was her husband, Doctor Spencer Abbott.
“There you are.”
“You were looking for me?”
Spence sauntered toward her, and just as it had for the last ten years, her heart pounded a little faster. He was well over six feet, with a long, lean runner’s body, brown hair, a light beard, and dark eyes that melted her heart. His genuine spirit in caring for others and loving her, though, gave the real picture of the man. In her eyes, there was no better man than her husband.
He dropped onto a knee next to her and peered at the infant in her arms. “Who do we have here? She’s a beauty.”
“Isn’t she though?” Deb explained her first few hours of life.
“No one knows where she came from?”
“Not unless they’ve found out in the last hour.”
Spencer cupped Deb’s cheek and kissed her. “You know I’m okay with adopting, right?”
“I know.”
“If we do, it doesn’t mean we’ve given up having one of our own.”
Deb brushed her fingers through the soft curls peeking out from underneath the baby’s hat. Her gaze once again met Spencer’s, and she saw nothing but sincerity. “I’ll think about it.”
Spencer grinned. “Are you done in here?”
“Why?”
“Do you have time for lunch with your husband?”
Her stomach growled, reminding her she’d only eaten a quarter of her sandwich before she’d been paged.
“What did you have in mind? The cafeteria?”
“Meet me in my office?”
She studied him for a few seconds. He’d planned something—she just didn’t know what.
“Give me five?”
“I’ll give you ten. But hurry. You never know.” He kissed her again, then winked on his way out.
Deb reluctantly placed the infant in a bassinet, wrote a notation in the baby’s chart, and made her way to her husband’s office. When she arrived, he was leaning against the doorjamb, wearing a crooked smile.
“There’s my birthday girl.”
“I’m not sure I would still classify as a girl.”
“To me, you’ll always be that fourteen-year-old girl whose smile made a newcomer feel welcomed.” Spencer kissed her and nuzzled her nose. “I love you.”
“I know.”
Spence responded with one of his endearing grins. It was a little crooked, a little shy, and the combination was so sexy, it took her breath.
“Come.” He linked their hands and led her into his office, where he’d set sandwiches from Sally’s on the conference table. In between, there was one slice of chocolate cake.
“You went all out.”
“Nothing’s too good for my best girl.”
She tossed a smile over her shoulder and picked up the cake. “Can we have dessert first?”
He chuckled. “If you wish.”
“You know me—”
“Doctor Star, ER stat. Doctor Star, ER stat.”
Deborah blew out a breath. “Duty calls. Thank you.”
“For what?”
“You know what.” She grabbed his tie, pulled him closer, and kissed him. “I’ll see you at home.”
“Don’t forget, we have dinner reservations.”
“We do?” Her brows arched with surprise. “I thought you were cooking.”
“I changed my mind. I want to wine and dine you at Captain Jack’s. Okay?”
“Okay.” She kissed him once more and rushed to the Emergency Department. Two visits in one day were not the norm for her profession, making her curious as to what to expect this time. When she arrived, they handed her a chart and sent her to Bay 10.
Deborah skimmed the notes and pushed open the door.
“Amanda,” Deborah greeted the town’s head librarian. “How are you feeling?”
“A little sore. But I don’t understand. Why did they call you?”
“Well,” Deb began. “Your bloodwork showed …”
* * *
Swan Harbor General
April 30
3:30 p.m.
Amanda leaned her head back on the pillow and closed her eyes. Her body ached, her stomach kept doing flips, and she wanted to go home. She considered arguing and would have if it would do any good.
The door whooshed open, and she thought about keeping her eyes closed, not sure if she wanted to talk to anyone.
“Can I sit on the bed?” her son whispered.
“Let’s wait until she’s awake,” Lee returned.
Her lips curved, and slowly, she opened her eyes. Both of her men were staring at her, wearing almost identical expressions.
Lee brushed back her hair and kissed her forehead. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m okay.”
He just looked at her with his expressive hazel eyes. However, before she could ask him what was wrong, Ethan captured her attention.
“Momma, you don’t sound so good.”
“I don’t?”
“No, you sound tired.”
Amanda laughed. “I am tired. How was school?”
“Well.” Ethan scrunched up his face in concentration. “When the ground shook, the blinds on the window did this.” He rocked his body from one side to the other.
“I see. Did anything break?”
“No, but if Mrs. Robinson hadn’t caught her flower vase, it might have.” Ethan paused for a bit, then came back with, “That would have made a mess.”
“I imagine it would have.”
“Oh, and PJ fell and cut her leg. There was blood everywhere.”
Amanda frowned. “Is she okay?”
“I don’t know. She cried a lot.”
“I bet it hurt.”
He tilted his head and studied her for a second. “Did you cry?”
“Did I cry when?”
“When you got hurt, silly.”
“I wanted to.” Lee squeezed her shoulder, pulling her attention to him. When he smiled, her heart turned over. “But I didn’t have time to cry, Ethan. Lee rescued me.”
“I know!” Ethan’s dark eyes sparkled. “He told me he had to move a million rocks to free you.”
“A million, huh?” Amanda glanced at Lee.
He shrugged. “It made for a better story.”
“How’s—?” A knock on the door interrupted her, seconds before it opened.
“Papa!”
Jason grinned. “There’s my boy!”
“Papa, did you hear that momma was in a cave-in?”
“A cave-in, huh?” He gave Amanda a concerned look. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, dad. I don’t even want to be here, but …”
“They just want to make sure you’re okay, ‘Manda.” Lee murmured. “You know that.”
“Your mother sends her love,” Jason told her. “She’ll be by to see you later.”
Her mother was the drama teacher at Swan Harbor High and in the middle of the spring production of Grease.
“She called,” Amanda assured him. “I’ll be home tomorrow.”
“Papa.” Ethan brought the attention back to him. “Am I going home with you?”
“You are. Is that okay?”
“Yes! Can we pick up Merlin?” he asked, referring to the dachshund they’d recently adopted.
“I think we can do that.”
“What about some pizza?”
“That sounds like a plan.”
“And then some ice cream?”
Amanda laughed at her father’s expression. “He’ll just keep pushing.”
“That sounds like a little girl I used to know.”
She gave her father an exasperated look. “Be nice. Can’t you see I’m injured?”
Jason laughed. “Since it looks like you’re in excellent hands, we’ll get out of your hair.”
“Bye, momma.”
After they left, the room felt too small, and her throat too tight. She snuck a peek at Lee, only to find him watching her closely.
“Lee?”
“Hmm?”
“How’s Kelsey?”
“She’s fine.”
“And Sarah?”
“Fine.” Lee smoothed the blanket and settled next to her hip. Warmth radiated from him, and when he closed his hand around hers, she no longer felt cold. But the look in his eyes told her he had something on his mind. “Do you remember what you said to me this morning?”
“I said several things.”
He quirked his mouth just a little, causing his dimples to pop, and there was laughter in his eyes. “I’m referring to when I didn’t want to talk about work.”
“I asked you if you loved me.”
“And I said yes. Then you asked me if I wanted to build a future with you.”
“And you said yes,” she whispered, somehow knowing where he was going.
“Then I’m tossing them back to you. Do you love me?”
“Of course.”
“Do you want us to build a future together?”
“Very much so.”
“Then tell me what’s going on.”
“What do you mean?”
Lee lifted a brow. “What else did you say?”
She blew out a breath. “That I knew you weren’t giving me the complete truth.”
“So?”
“I’m scared.”
He kissed her softly and leaned his forehead against hers. “Did the doctor give you some upsetting news?”
“Upsetting? Well, no.”
“If not upsetting, then what?”
“Surprising.” Amanda nodded. “Yes, definitely surprising.”
“Go on.”
Just say it.
“Lee,” Amanda began, not giving herself time to think about it. “Lee, you’re going to be a father.”
His eyes flared, and his mouth dropped open. He wiped his hand over his chin, then through his hair. “You’re, you’re …?”
“I’m pregnant.”
“But how? When?”
She’d shocked him, and while he didn’t look upset, neither did he look happy. He just looked ….
“Surely, you know how that works.”
“Of course, I know how it happens, Amanda. But I mean …”
“I’m not quite six weeks along, so it happened—”
“Our first time.” His eyes drifted shut. “I didn’t use …”
“No.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Numb.”
“Do you want this baby?”
A lump clawed its way into her throat, and she answered in the only way possible.
“While I’m shocked and a little freaked about having a baby now, I’m thrilled. But the question is, how do you feel?”
His shoulders relaxed, his hazel eyes sparkled, and the sexiest smile she’d ever seen lit up his face.
“I didn’t really know how much I wanted a family with you until I heard the words. But, yes, I want this baby, very, very much.” He cupped her jaw, and his eyes bore into hers with an intensity she’d not expected. “I love you, Amanda.” Lee kissed her. “First, we’ll need to get married.” He kissed her again, and while there was more that needed to be said, those things could wait until she was stronger. Right then, she just wanted to be held by the man she loved, and who loved her in return. Everything else could wait.
* * *
Swan Harbor General
April 30
5:00 p.m.
Once she’d finished with her last office patient of the day, Deb could have gone home. In fact, she was willing to admit she should have gone home. Before she did, though, she wanted to make a stop … or two.
A quick check of the hospital records gave her Amanda’s room number. When she arrived, and the door was closed, she hesitated. She’d just decided to wait until the following day when the door opened, and she came face-to-face with Lee Simpson.
“Deb!” Lee grinned. “Is everything alright?”
“I just thought I’d check on Amanda,” Deb replied. “Is she asleep?”
“Not hardly. Right now, ‘Manda is complaining.” Lee opened the door a little wider. “I thought I’d run to Sally’s and get her a sandwich. Is that okay?”
“It’s fine. While you’re gone, I’ll check on her.”
Deb stepped just inside the room and studied her patient. While she thought Amanda’s color was better, she still wore an ‘I’m a little freaked out,’ look.
“Did you tell him?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
Amanda shrugged. “He said he’s excited.”
“That’s good. Right?”
“Yes.”
“But?”
“There are so many emotions rushing through me right now, I’m struggling with what to focus on first.”
“Talk to me. Bottling up everything isn’t good for you … or the fetus.”
Amanda didn’t say anything right away, forcing Deb to exercise patience and not push—like she wanted.
“Lee wants to get married.”
“Isn’t that a good thing?”
“Yes, but—”
“—You don’t want him marrying you because of the baby?”
Amanda sighed. “If I would have been ready, I think he would have proposed a month ago.”
“Then what’s the problem?” Deb hesitated. “Do you not want to marry Lee?”
“I do. It’s just …”
“You haven’t let go of the past?”
“I’ve tried.” Amanda blew out a breath. “In my heart, I know Lee is nothing like Joe. I know what I feel for Lee is nothing like what I felt for Joe. But he doesn’t live in Swan Harbor. What if he leaves?”
“You want a guarantee.”
“Do I?”
“Only you know that, Amanda,” Deb replied. “Talk to Lee. Tell him your thoughts. It’s the only way to know for sure.”
Amanda winced. “Easier said than done.”
“That I know,” Deb laughed. “You’ll get there.”
“Is this where you tell me things happen when they’re meant to happen?”
“I could, but it sounds like you’ve already heard it.”
“I have.”
“There’s no rush. You have plenty of time before this new baby comes. I’ll check on you in the morning.”
“Thanks, Deborah.”
Deb left Amanda’s room and, instead of taking the elevator down, went up. She walked by the nursery viewing window, and what she saw caused her heart to flip several times.
Spence sat in the same rocking chair she’d been sitting in earlier. He had a bottle in one hand and a tiny bundle in the other. While she couldn’t see much of the infant in his arms, she knew he was holding the newborn left at the fire station.
Her breath caught, and tears rushed to her eyes at the sight. Spence wanted a baby. She wanted a baby. Yet she couldn’t get pregnant. It made her feel ….
Her thoughts faded when her husband looked up, and their eyes locked through the window. He glanced down at the infant, then back up, wearing a grin. It was the one that said, ‘Oops, you caught me,’ and made her love him a little more.
After a quick breath, Deb entered the nursery. Slowly, she wound her way across the room.
“It looks like I have competition,” she teased.
Spence’s dark eyes twinkled. “My heart only belongs to you.”
“That’s good. But why are you up here?”
“I was looking for you.”
“Oh?”
“When you weren’t here, a nurse asked if I had time to feed her.” He glanced around, but right then, they were alone. “She was here just a moment ago.”
“Are you sure it wasn’t Nurse Ruby?”
A frightened look crossed Spence’s face. “Doesn’t Nurse Ruby only visit the dying?”
“I believe the story is that when Nurse Ruby was alive, she worked in the nursery.”
“And died protecting the little ones,” Phyllis Manning, an older nurse, added on her way by. “Now, when we see Ruby up here, it’s to ‘protect’ the little ones.”
“Just like she did when she was living.”
“That’s right,” Phyllis went on. “Don’t you worry none about seeing Nurse Ruby in here. That’s a good thing.”
“So there.” Deb took the baby and carried her to the bassinet. She brushed her finger across the infant’s soft cheek and tucked her in. “I’ll check on you in the morning, little one.”
Spence was waiting for her near the door. He slipped his arm around her waist and tucked her close to his side.
“Come on, birthday girl. Let’s go celebrate. I think you’ll enjoy what I have planned.”
Deb pressed her cheek against Spence’s shoulder and glanced up so their eyes met. A part of her wanted to ask him questions—ones she didn’t know if she was ready to hear the answers. Especially if they weren’t the ones she wanted to hear.
“Do I get any hints?”
Spence grinned. “Well, it starts with dinner at Captain Jack’s.”
“That much I knew.”
“Then I thought we’d dance a little.” He dropped a quick kiss on her mouth. “At home, I’ll build us a fire, then you can unwrap your gift and thank me.”
“You’re sure I’ll like it?”
“I think so.”
The way his dark eyes dove into hers took her breath. So much so that when they walked into her office, she shut the door and pushed him against it.
“Why, Doctor Star! Is there something I can do for you?”
“Kiss me, Spence. Just kiss me.”
He cupped her jaw with both hands, and their gazes clashed. There was heat and so much more looking back at her. She struggled to breathe.
With slow, deliberate movements, Spence inched closer until his lips hovered a hair’s distance from hers. Just when she thought she was going to scream, his mouth covered hers. His kiss was all-consuming and took her breath, leaving her with little choice but to let go.
