LITMIR.BIZ

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caramel.”

      “That’s her favorite.”

      “Are you worried about her?”

      “Sure. But I’m optimistic, too. She’s strong and healthy. She just landed badly.”

      “I’ll bet she’s scared.”

      “Of the surgery, you mean? Mom’s not scared about much. She’s a tough lady. How about yours? You said your dad died when you were in high school. What about your mom?”

      “I lost her before I got married—an aneurysm.”

      “I’m sorry.”

      She still missed her mother a lot. The memories would come in waves, making her sad but giving her fond remembrances, too. “I truly felt like an orphan after she died. Sometimes I think we need our parents as much when we’re adults as when we were kids.”

      An undecipherable look passed over Jared’s face. She sensed a reserve in him about his mother, maybe even the possibility that they didn’t get along. What could be the reason? She took care of his children, so he must trust her. Did he not want to depend on her?

      Apparently the subject had become too personal, because he turned away from it and away from her, snagging two mugs from a mug tree. Soon they’d carried their mugs into the great room and settled on the sofa, a few inches apart.

      “So, tell me about growing up in Lubbock,” she said to make conversation.

      His mouth tightened into a thin line. He set his mug on the table in front of them. “Growing up was growing up.”

      “If you don’t want to talk about it, that’s fine.”

      He ran his hand through his hair. “No. Sorry. I didn’t mean to snap. Probably growing up in Lubbock wasn’t much different from growing up in Corpus Christi. Without the beach, of course.”

      “Brothers or sisters?”

      Again he frowned, and she had the feeling she’d better stop asking questions or he’d clam up and not tell her anything.

      But he answered her. “No brothers or sisters. But I always had good friends until I returned here to practice and got too busy to make them again.” He laid his arm along the back of the sofa, and his fingers almost touched her hair. Not almost. He was touching her hair. “I like when you wear your hair loose rather than in a ponytail or a bun.”

      “Loose just doesn’t seem professional for work.”

      His fingers were in the curls now, sliding through them, testing their texture. Then as if he realized what he was doing, he stopped. “I’d forgotten how nice an evening could be, doing something other than consulting on a case. You’re easy to be with, Emily.”

      She didn’t know quite what to say with him sitting there so close, the scent of male cologne tempting her closer. His muscled upper arms were evident under his T-shirt. His long legs were angled slightly toward her, his booted feet reminding her he was a Texan. Easy wasn’t the word that came to her mind. They had to work together. If they took this any further—

      A child’s scream rent the air.

      Jared was up and off the sofa so fast he disappeared into the twins’ room before Emily was even in the hallway.

      She hurried after him. Amy had awakened and was wide-eyed. Jared was at Courtney’s bedside, not attempting to wake her.

      Emily sank down beside Amy on her bed.

      Courtney was sweating and Emily could tell she was breathing fast. Her eyes were wide open, but she appeared not to see her dad. Jared had sat down on the bed next to her, untangled the sheet from her arms and was stroking her hair. As Courtney cried, the sound broke Emily’s heart.

      Emily wasn’t sure how long she sat there watching, wishing the episode to end for Courtney’s sake, as well as Jared’s. Amy had curled up beside Emily, and she found herself murmuring to her, “She’ll be okay.”

      Amy nodded, maybe knowing that more surely than Emily.

      Finally, after what seemed like hours, which might have only been fifteen minutes, Courtney turned into Jared’s shoulder and her crying ceased. He kept stroking her hair comfortingly. While he still murmured consoling phrases, he tucked her in. When Courtney was sleeping peacefully once more, he kissed his daughter’s forehead.

      Emily stood, made sure Amy felt cared for and tucked in, too, and met him out in the hall. “That is so scary. Not just for her, but for Amy…and you.”

      “Usually Courtney doesn’t remember anything about it. I consulted with a sleep psychologist. She said not to wake her, just comfort her and help her return to sleep when she seems ready. This happens more when she’s overtired before she goes to bed.”

      “Was it my fault?” She’d played with the girls in many different activities.

      “No, it just happens, usually in the first few hours after she goes to sleep.”

      “How long will this last?”

      “I was told that most children outgrow them as they get older.”

      “Seeing one in progress is much different than reading about it on the Internet.”

      “I know, and I was worried about Amy seeing them. But when I tried to separate them, Amy would sneak back into the room and sleep on the floor next to Courtney’s bed. She’s protective of her sister.”

      They began walking toward the great room. There Jared studied Emily. “I’m surprised you didn’t leave the room.”

      “How could I? Amy needed to feel she was safe, too, and to know Courtney would be all right.”

      “Sometimes I don’t feel as if I’m giving either of them enough.”

      “You’re wrong about that. From what I’ve seen, you’re a great dad.”

      For a few moments, he seemed to search for the truth in her eyes. He must have seen what she was really feeling.

      Lifting her chin, he kissed her.

      At first it seemed like a light kiss, maybe a thank-you kiss, maybe a no-one-has-said-that-in-a-while kiss. But as soon as their lips met, the sensual pleasure of kissing him again kicked up Emily’s pulse. The kiss must have done the same to him. He wrapped his arms around her and brought her tight against him. His T-shirt and her blouse were thin barriers to all the heat they were generating. So much heat, so much desire, so much pent-up longing.

      When he broke the kiss, he shook his head. “I never intended for that to happen again, but the chemistry between us seems more powerful than good intentions. I’ll understand if you want to work under another doctor in the practice rather than me.”

      “I don’t want to work for anyone else, Jared.”

      He looked relieved for a moment. Then the creases along his eyes deepened. “You have to understand something, Emily. The last thing I want to do is get involved with anyone.”

      Had his marriage been so rocky that he didn’t want to consider marrying again? Had his divorce been so painful? Had he still loved his wife but she hadn’t wanted to be married to a doctor?

      Emily had her own doubts about the way she was starting to feel about Jared. Was it too soon after her divorce? Was she seeing qualities in him that weren’t really there? How could she trust her judgment after Richard?

      “You have a lot on your plate,” she responded. “Your daughters, your mom, your profession. I’m trying to get my life back in order. I’ve only begun to build it again here. So we’ll deal with this—” she waved her hand “—chemistry. We’re adults. We hardly see each other in the office, except to go over patient charts.”

      “So all I have to do is go back to looking at you as a colleague again.”

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