The Nurse's Secret Suitor

Caleb shook his head. “BB meant Bri’s Brother. I was planning to tell her the truth—at some point. I didn’t want to lie to her. I just wanted...” He’d just wanted to help her. And she wouldn’t have accepted help or comfort from “only Caleb.”

Bri clutched his T-shirt. “Please, Caleb. Don’t tell her yet. While she may not see or admit it, she actually needs the BB right now. The distraction, and the way you unwittingly made her feel, really helped her get through these past few days. I’m certain of it. Yes, she needs to know the truth, eventually, but not yet. She’s devastated enough with life. Let’s wait at least until her parents’ ordeal calms down.”

“I don’t know, Bri. You really want me to continue tricking her?”

“You don’t have to trick her at all. Just keep being the guy you were on the patio—the one who has made her smile just thinking about him for the past few days. That guy took her mind off her troubles—don’t you want to keep doing that for her? I asked God to send help for Kate. She refuses to burden me. God could be using you to keep her from going off the emotional deep end right now.”

“You really think keeping the...the Benevolent Bandit around will make such a difference?”

Bri shrugged. “Maybe. Isn’t it worth a shot? Kate’s dealing with so much right now—she needs something that’ll make her happy. On top of all her family issues, they have crucial inspections coming up at the trauma center. She needs her head in the game or they’ll lose vital funding.”

“EPTC, they hurting?”

“No, they’ve outgrown themselves and need to expand.”

“They hiring? I was hoping to work part-time while I’m helping you with renovations and stuff. I’m here four months.”

“I’m so glad. I’m sure they could use you at the center, especially since Mitch is gone for two months on a combined honeymoon-mission trip with Lauren. They’d already booked their flights when they received word of the inspection timeline moving up.”

“I’m happy to help if I can.”

Bri’s face lit up, and Caleb felt a sudden rush of foreboding. That smile from his sister always meant trouble. “If you really mean that, then you could do me a favor and be on the storybook ball fund-raising committee in my place. I don’t want to leave them shorthanded, but I’ve got a lot on my plate right now. Organizing is right up your alley, not mine. Then I can focus on Tia, wedding plans and the lodge.”

“Sure. Hook me up with whoever I need to talk to about it.”

A smug expression made it clear that he’d fallen right into her trap. “This’ll get interesting.”

Caleb straightened. “What are you not telling me, sis?”

Her eyes shone. “Kate’s on the fund-raising committee, too.”

Chapter Three

What was he doing here? “You stalking me, Landis?” Kate slid into the only empty chair, which happened to be next to Caleb, at the first storybook ball fund-raiser planning meeting two days later.

Caleb looked up. To his credit, he looked surprised. “Pardon?”

This close, incandescent lighting illuminated the strength of his jaw, the chisel of his cheek, the divot gracing his chin and the nice curve of his mouth. When had he grown so appealing?

Kate settled deeper in her chair and looked away, scolding herself for finding him so. The last thing she needed was attraction to someone destined for the front lines. Too many families—hers included—were ripped apart by war. That wasn’t what Kate wanted for herself, when it came to love. “You’re like my shadow.”

“Whaddaya mean?” For an imposing, well-built military guy, he looked skittish all of a sudden.

“First at Bri’s cabin this weekend, and now here at the Eagle Point Civic Center meeting.”

Guarded relief settled over his face. “I was at both places before you got there,” he teased in lighthearted tones. “Maybe you’re stalking me.”

Kate was shocked and a little appalled at the way his words made her blush. To hide her face, she became extraordinarily interested in the Frontline Army magazine he held. Nostalgia marched through her at the images of military medics tending service members. Quit it. That’s your old life, remember?

She cleared her throat. “How long are you here?”

“An hour, same as you.” He smirked.

“Ha. Always the joker. I meant how long stateside?”

“Four months. I leave after Bri’s wedding.”

“At least you get to be here for that, before throwing yourself back into d—action.” She’d almost said danger.

He didn’t need to be reminded.

“Yeah.” He cleared his throat and seemed fidgety. Was she making him uncomfortable? Replaying their conversation in her head, she realized she’d probably sounded too accusatory when she sat down. Remorse filled her. She was in a crabby mood, thanks to all the issues—personal and professional—taking up her time, but that was no excuse for being rude to her best friend’s hero brother. Especially since he had such a short amount of time to enjoy being home before he was sent off again.

Kate admired his courage, yet feared for his safety. She’d patched up too many gung-ho brave souls just like him. She cared, for Bri’s sake of course. Caleb was all the flesh-and-blood family Bri had left.

Keep him safe, Lord.

Maybe Kate could befriend Caleb while he was in town. It would be nice to have someone to spend time with, particularly since Bri would be too busy to give either one of them much of her attention. Bri would want that for her brother and, like Bri, the scope of Kate’s problems tended to dwindle when she focused on someone else’s issues.

She stuck out her hand. “Let’s start over. Friends?”

He took her hand, then glanced to her face before looking away. He was acting so strange. Guilty, almost. Looking back, he nodded. “I’d like that.”

They fell silent as the meeting was called to order. Kate tried to pay attention as the monotone mayor droned on, but found herself distracted by the solid, shy man beside her.

Lem Bates, Lauren’s grandfather, approached them after the initial information was presented. “Caleb and Kate, can you two head up the storybook ball props?”

“Us? As in, together?” Caleb raked a hand over his buzz.

Lem grinned. “You two are the youngest whippersnappers on the committee. Some of the props get heavy after they’re built. We could use your physical strength and stamina. Besides, building those props could take long hours. I think you’d work well together.”

Caleb flicked a glance her way and back to Lem. “Me, too.”

If it didn’t bother him, then it wouldn’t bother Kate. “Props sound like fun.” Her phone bleeped a text from Mom. Kate stilled when she read that Grandpa’s vent settings were adjusted as much as they could be. Kate swallowed, realizing he may be nearing a point when there’d be nothing else the doctors could do.

As Kate readied to text Mom back with “Should I come?” she was horrified to find her fingers trembling on the itty keypad. She was also mortified to feel the heat of Caleb’s stare on her. She looked up and tried to neutralize her features.

“Everything okay?” He glanced at the phone pointedly.

After debating a second, she tilted the message screen so he could see. “My grandpa’s having problems. Could you let Bri know?”

He nodded slowly. “How about you, Kate? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” She despised the quaver in her voice and the draw of his.

He raised his chin and held her gaze, making her feel her facade was far from effective. He shifted toward her and the text.

Something about the set of his shoulders seemed strikingly familiar all of a sudden. Silly, right? Why, she could count on one hand the number of times she’d seen him. Must be the sleepless nights spent awake, praying her guts out for Grandpa and her parents, playing tricks on her mind.