The Man Who Wouldn't Marry

‘I see. And just who is this friend?’

Sammi’s phone buzzed, indicating she was getting a text. She scrunched her nose. ‘Sorry guys, I know it’s not polite, but I told Brad to let me know if their plans were going to change. Do you mind?’

‘It’s fine.’ Molly waved her fork.

Retrieving the phone from her handbag, she pressed a button to retrieve the message. The low lighting in the restaurant caused her to squint as she tried to make out the letters, but once she did, she gasped, her heart dropping. ‘Oh, God, I have to go.’ She threw her napkin on the table and stood.

Alarmed, her friends got to their feet as well. ‘What is it?’

She stuffed her phone back in her purse. Her voice shook as she tried to get the words out. ‘They’re rushing Toby to the hospital.’

CHAPTER FOUR

SAMMI raced through the doors of the emergency room, while Molly parked the car. They’d left Blake at the restaurant to pay the bill and follow in his own vehicle.

Brad met her in the reception area, his wife and daughter nowhere to be seen. ‘Where is he?’ she demanded, her breath rushing from her lungs.

‘Calm down. He’s with one of the doctors.’

‘Then why the hell are you out here, instead of back there with him?’ Toby had to be frightened out of his wits.

Her ex’s eyes narrowed in warning. ‘I did go with him. But I didn’t want you to hear what happened from some stranger.’

‘Sorry.’ Her anger deflated. ‘Was it his asthma?’

‘Yes.’ He stuffed his hands into his pockets. ‘He’s never had an attack while with us. I thought it wasn’t really that serious… that he’d be okay.’

She remembered his face when she’d handed over the inhaler. He’d thought she was just babying Toby yet again. ‘You left his medicine in the car, didn’t you?’

‘Not on purpose. I had it in my pocket when we left, then asked Toby to put it in his backpack for safekeeping. When we got to the zoo… well, I didn’t want him lugging the pack with him all day.’

‘I’m going back there to see him.’

By that time, Molly had joined them. ‘I’ll see where he is.’

‘Why didn’t you just go and get his inhaler once you realized he was having trouble?’

‘It came on so fast. He couldn’t get enough air.’ His lips tightened. ‘I didn’t know how long it would take to work. I—I panicked, Sammi.’

She touched his arm, compassion sweeping over her. She knew how frightening Toby’s attacks could be. ‘You did the right thing getting him here as fast as possible.’

Molly returned. ‘He’s okay. I’ll take you back to him.’

‘Thank you.’ She glanced at Brad. ‘Are you coming?’

‘I’ll wait for Maribel. She’s dropping Jessie off at the sitter’s.’

Molly led her back to an exam room, where her son sat on a table holding a nebulizer mask over his mouth and nose. Hurrying over to him, she leaned down and looked into his face. She raised her brows in the wordless question they’d devised to communicate during these times. He answered with a thumbs-up sign, although his breathing still sounded a little ragged to her ears. His color looked good, so Brad had told the truth about not wasting any time getting him here. She pressed her lips to his forehead, then checked the amount of medication remaining in the nebulizer cup. The treatment was about half-finished.

‘Did you talk to the doctor?’ She glanced at Molly, who was standing by the door.

Molly nodded. ‘It was serious…’ she glanced toward Toby as if unsure how much to say in front of him ‘… but manageable. They want to observe him for a couple of hours before they discharge him. They’ve got a call in to the pulmonologist, who should be here in a few minutes.’

‘I—I don’t know if Brad still has his inhaler. Can I get a new prescription just in case?’

‘I’m sure we’ve got some extras here at the hospital. I’ll give you one to take home with you. Albuterol, right?’

‘Yes.’ Sammi hopped up onto the bed beside Toby and put her arms around him, a surge of love and thankfulness going through her. She kissed the top of his head. ‘I’m going to leave in a minute or two to give Daddy a chance to see you, okay? He’s pretty worried.’

Toby pulled the mask down. ‘I want to go home.’

‘We will.’ She put her hand over his, steering the mask back into place. ‘As soon as the doctor says it’s safe. We’ve got a long trip ahead of us tomorrow.’

Molly touched her arm and nodded toward the door. ‘The doctor’s in the hall.’

‘I’m going with Aunt Molly for a minute. I’ll be right outside that door, if you need me.’ She gave him one last kiss and slid off the table.

Going into the hallway with Molly, she was able to speak with the doctor who’d treated her son. He assured her Toby was going to be fine. His breathing was already better, but they wanted to do a pulmonary function test as soon as he finished with the nebulizer.

Sammi smiled. ‘That’s Toby’s favorite part of any hospital visit.’ She sighed. ‘Actually, that’s the only part he likes. It’s like a challenge to see if he can beat his last set of results.’

‘It’s my favorite part too.’ Dr. Donnelly’s kind blue eyes twinkled, helping to reassure her. ‘Believe me, I want our buddy in there to ace that test as much as you do.’

‘Thanks for everything you’ve done. I’m going to run and get his father, okay?’

‘Of course,’ he answered.

Sammi wasn’t sure, but she thought she detected a hint of interest in the man’s look at her. The doctor was attractive enough, his dark, conservatively cut hair falling neatly over his forehead. Nothing like Mark’s slightly shaggy locks that seemed as loose and free as the rest of him.

Why had she thought of him, of all people?

Besides, despite her earlier thoughts about putting herself back on the market, now was not the time. Not with her son sitting in that room fighting for each breath. ‘I’ll go and get his father.’

She headed for the waiting room. Brad, his back to her, stood at one of the large windows, staring outside. Maribel had arrived and was leaning against him, whispering in his ear. Sammi hesitated before touching his arm. ‘You can see him now. He’s better.’

‘Thank God.’ He turned part way around and met her eyes. ‘I think I’ll keep an extra inhaler or two on hand from now on. Can you help me get them?’

‘I think that’s a great idea. Molly’s going to see if she can find a couple.’ She dropped her hand to her side. ‘Go ahead. He’s waiting for you.’

Brad and his wife walked away, pushing through the double doors that led to the various exam rooms. She stood there for a few moments, her arms wrapped around her waist, trying to convince herself things were going to be all right. It was a losing battle.

‘How is he?’ The sudden question raised the hair on her neck. Actually, it wasn’t the question itself but the familiar voice behind it. Low and mellow, the tone slid over her like warm honey.

Sammi whirled around to find Mark standing there, both hands shoved into the pockets of his jacket. She could have sworn he wasn’t there a second ago. ‘How—? What are you doing—?’

‘I dropped off some clients this afternoon and was supposed to meet up with Blake later for drinks. He called my cell on his way to the hospital.’

So this was the friend Blake had mentioned meeting earlier. ‘He did? Why?’