From Temptation To Twins

Caleb was simply being neighborly...and practical. He was being neighborly and practical. There was nothing remotely unusual about that.

Three (#uf6135c92-8cf5-5c4f-86ea-504d8b0d3920)

Jules couldn’t decide whether to sit down and wait patiently for news or to pace the hospital waiting room floor and worry. Melissa had seemed okay in the ambulance, in surprisingly good spirits considering she had a large nail protruding through the middle of her left hand. Jules had assumed her sister couldn’t have been too badly hurt if she was awake and joking. But she might have been in shock. She could quite easily have been in shock.

Opting for pacing, Jules walked the hall then turned at the narrow, vinyl sofa and walked back toward the vending machines. If Melissa was in shock, then the pain might not have been registering. She could be really hurt. The hospital staff had certainly taken the injury seriously, whisking her off to a trauma room. Jules had tried to follow, but the nurse had urged her to stay out of the way and let the medical staff do their work.

When Jules turned again, she saw Caleb at the end of the hallway walking swiftly toward her. He looked tall, broad-shouldered and capable, and she felt an inexplicable sense of relief at the sight of him. As soon as the feeling registered, she banished it. It was embarrassing to react that way. He wasn’t a medical professional. He wasn’t a friend. He wasn’t a significant person in either her or Melissa’s life. There was no reason his presence should be comforting, none at all.

“Is Melissa all right?” he asked as he approached, concern clear in his tone.

She felt an inexcusable urge to walk straight into his arms. She wouldn’t do it, of course, but a little part of her couldn’t help wondering how he’d react if she did.

“They’ve taken her into surgery.”

He frowned as he came to a halt. “That sounds concerning.”

“They told me it was a precaution.”

His intense look of interest prompted her to continue.

“There’s a hand specialist in the hospital tonight, and he wants to be sure they don’t damage any nerves or tendons taking out the nail. At least that’s what they said.” She had to fight the urge to lean on him again. “You don’t think they’d downplay it, do you?”

“Are you worried?” he asked, moving slightly closer.

She wished he’d keep his distance. It was easier to resist him that way.

“No. I can’t decide. Should I be worried? The truth is I’m worried that I’m not worried. Does that make sense?”

“Yes.”

“She was still talking when we arrived. I thought that was a good sign. But now I’m thinking she might have been in shock.”

“I suppose that’s possible.” He looked thoughtful.

“You could have just said it was a good sign.”

He gave a slight smile. “I think it was a good sign.”

“Too late.”

“I suppose.” He paused. “But it was probably a good sign.”

“Noble effort.”

“I don’t see why they’d downplay it for you. They’d want you to be prepared for any bad news.”

“Okay. I’ll give you that one.” Jules relaxed a little. She moved and sat down on a padded chair.

Caleb followed, taking a chair across from her. They were both silent for a few moments.

It was Caleb who broke it. “Do you know what was she doing with the nail gun?”

“She was showing me how it worked. Noah had shown her earlier. And, well, it went off. We didn’t expect that.”

An expression of annoyance crossed Caleb’s face. “Noah showed her how to use a nail gun?”

“It’s not Noah’s fault.”

“What was he thinking?”

“That she asked a question and he answered it.”

“I don’t mean to sound sexist—”

Jules felt her spine stiffen. “But you’re about to.”

“I guess I am. Are you sure that the two of you should be undertaking a construction project?”

“We’re not undertaking a construction project. We’re helping with a construction project. Noah has been great about showing us what to do and how to do it.”

Caleb frowned again. “He didn’t do so well with the nail gun.”

“Ms. Parker?” A nurse interrupted.

Jules immediately switched her attention. “You have news?” She came to her feet.

Caleb rose with her.

The smile on the nurse’s face was encouraging, but it seemed to take forever for her to speak. “Your sister is out of surgery. It went very well.”

“Thank you,” Jules whispered, relief rushing through her. She realized then just how frightened she’d been.

“She’s in recovery for the next hour or so, and then she’ll likely sleep through the night. There’s no need for you to stay.”

“So her hand will be fine?”

“The surgeon is anticipating a complete recovery. She’ll need to rest it for a couple of weeks. She can follow up with her family doctor.”

“We’re new in town. We don’t have—”

“She can see my doctor,” Caleb put in. His hand went to the small of Jules’s back and rested lightly there.

She looked skeptically up at him. Good doctors had been difficult to find in Portland. Most had closed practices and weren’t taking new patients.

“He’ll see her.” Caleb spoke with authority, seeming to guess Jules’s hesitation.

She was reminded of his wealth, and the power it likely brought him. She realized his doctor would probably grant any favor Caleb asked. Her first reaction was to refuse on principle. But Melissa’s health was at stake, and Jules knew she couldn’t let pride stand in the way of the best care for her.