Buch lesen: «Christmas With The Best Man»

CHAPTER ONE

DR. HELENA TATE knew what a madhouse the ER could be during and after a major nor’easter but to experience it first hand was always a draining experience. Not only was snow piled everywhere, the wind was howling and the temperature teeth-clatteringly cold.

Injured people filled the chairs and any extra space in Manhattan Mercy’s emergency department in New York City. Even though the department might be the one of the most modern and efficient ERs in the world, it had still been all hands on deck for the last couple of days. Inside it was at least warm and cheerful. Being a week before Christmas, the nurses had banded together to decorate the department. Garlands hung around the unit desk, wreaths adorned doors, and there was even a Christmas tree in the corner of the waiting room.

Despite the festive time of the year the sick and injured just kept coming. Thankfully the flow had started to ease. She must be out of here in an hour if she had any hope of making Grace and Charles’s wedding on time. A must, since she was the maid of honor.

She and Grace had been friends and roommates during medical school and had stayed in touch. When Grace had mentioned needing a change from her overseas work, Helena had told Grace about a position becoming available in the ER and had offered her a place to stay. Grace had soon learned Charles Davenport would be her boss and had talked of cancelling the interview. Helena had encouraged her to come on anyway, having no idea there had been something between Grace and Charles during their medical school years.

Helena smiled then sighed. Now they were getting married. She was thrilled for them.

Finishing with her latest patient, Helena looked at her watch to check how much time she had to shower and change. The locker room wasn’t the perfect place to dress for a formal event but unusual circumstances called for flexibility. If anything, she’d learned long ago as an unwed pregnant teen to adjust to what life threw at her and move on.

The pain of finding out that her boyfriend had wanted nothing more to do with her, and especially the baby, had been horrible. More devastating had been the loss of the child. Seventeen was too young to become a mother, but the guilt she carried over not wanting the baby was what had stayed with her all these years.

She had survived with the love and support of her family. That’s what mattered now. The part of her personality that made her think positively had made being an ER doctor a good fit professionally for her. Days like the last few only proved it. How she was holding her love close. She wanted a man who wanted her forever. Some might think she was foolish to believe in happily ever after but she was still going to hold out for it. Grace and Charles were proving it could happen and Helena had to believe Prince Charming was somewhere out there for her as well.

Drawing back Trauma Four’s curtain, she stepped out of the bay and was sideswiped by a blur of white. “Ho.”

Dr. Elijah Davenport, Charles’s twin, glanced over his shoulder. “Hey Helena, can you give me a hand? A kid just came in with a broken leg and the father’s having trouble breathing.”

She hurried to keep up with him. “I saw Jim Leonard come in a few minutes ago. Isn’t he the doctor relieving you this evening? Shouldn’t you be thinking about getting ready for the wedding? After all, you’re the best man.”

“Yeah, but there’re also patients to see. When Charles left me in charge I promised not to let the place fall apart.”

Like Elijah would ever do that. He might be the quintessential playboy doctor but Helena had never doubted he was a dedicated physician. Truth be known, she thought him the best doctor in the department. But no way would she tell him that. His head was already big enough where women were concerned. It would only add to his already over-the-top ego.

Still, he had earned it. Elijah was beyond good looking. From his dark brown hair, charmingly out of place most of the time, to his tall, buff beachboy physique and the “Davenport blues” that sparkled when he laughed, Helena easily understood why women were agog over him. She might be as well but she wasn’t interested in anyone who worked their way through the nurses. Or in the heartache he would cause if she lost her heart to him. She wouldn’t accept anything but true love.

Helena’s attention went to Elijah, who had paused at the door to an exam room. “I’ll take the kid and you see the father.”

“Okay.”

She covered it well but no matter how much time had passed since she’d lost her baby the young patients still got to her on occasion. Sometimes a look or a laugh from a child triggered something in her that sent her emotions spinning out of control. During those moments, the pain was so harsh her chest felt like it might explode. The questions came flooding in. What would she have looked like? Would her child be acting the same as this one? The list and the pain went on. Thank goodness it didn’t happen often. But when it did...

“Done.” Elijah walked into the room.

A boy of about eight lay on the exam table with his face contorted in pain, while a tight-lipped father holding his side paced beside him.

“Mr....” Elijah looked at the clipboard he held “...Kakasides, I’m Dr. Davenport and this...” he nodded his head toward her “...is Dr. Tate. Why don’t you have a seat and tell us what happened.”

“I’d rather stand. It hurts worse when I sit. We were sledding in the park. Like an idiot, I tried to catch Louis when he came by me, going too fast. I fell on him. I think I’ve broken his leg. I hit the edge of the sled and messed up my side.”

Elijah glanced at her with an Are you believing this? look and then said to the father, “I’m going to check out your son while Dr. Tate does the same for you, okay?”

“Why don’t we step right over here?” Helena indicated an area off to the side.

The father glanced at his son, nodded. “Louis, I’m not going far. Hang in there, buddy.”

“Before I have a look at your side I need to listen to your heart and check a few more things.”

Again, the father dipped his head but his attention remained on his son.

With vitals completed, she said, “I know this is going to hurt but I need you to take a deep breath.”

The father winced but did as she asked.

“Now, Mr. Kakasides, I have to look under your shirt. Can you raise your arm?”

He hissed as he brought his arm up. Moving the shirt away, Helena could see a dark blue hematoma spreading out along his left side. The fall had definitely been hard.

“I’m going to need to step out and have a look at your chest X-ray,” she announced. “At the least you’ve broken a few ribs but I need to make sure there isn’t more. Unfortunately, there isn’t much we can do for broken ribs. They’ll have to heal on their own. You can take an anti-inflammatory for the pain.”

They rejoined Elijah as he was saying, “Okay, Louis, I need to have a look at your leg. I see the nurse has already done her worst with your pants.”

The material had been cut away so that it flapped back, exposing the leg. There was a large bump with redness and bluing around it.

“Yep, that looks like a broken leg. You and your father sure know how to have a good time in the snow.”

The boy gave Elijah a weak smile. “He fell on me but I know he didn’t mean to.”

Elijah patted him on the shoulder and winked. “I’m sure he didn’t. Maybe next time you can save him.”

The boy’s smile was brighter this time.

Good with kids, Elijah would make a great father. But he was also “good” with women, which would not make him a great husband. Fortunately, that wasn’t an issue. He’d never approached her and that suited her fine. Just watching him in action with the other female staff was enough for her to know he wasn’t what she was looking for in a man.

Elijah gave a reassuring smile to the boy’s father. “Radiology should have sent the pictures over by now. Let us review them. Dr. Tate and I’ll be back in soon.”

“Thanks.” The father looked at her and then at Elijah. “To both of you.”

On their way back to the unit desk Elijah was stopped by one of the nurses with a question. Helena didn’t wait on him. At the desk, she pulled up the X-ray for Mr. Kakasides. His eight, nine and tenth ribs were cracked. He would be in pain for a few weeks but would recover. She had the X-ray Elijah needed to review up on the screen by the time he arrived. He slid into the chair beside her.

“Thanks, Helena.”

“No problem. As maid of honor, I think it’s part of my duty to remind the best man he needs to get out of here as soon as possible.”

He studied the computer screen. “Well, Louis has a break to his femur.”

“His father is going to take it hard. He feels bad enough as it is.” Helena stood and checked her watch again. “I’m going to give him instructions about his ribs and get ready for a wedding. You need to do the same.”

Elijah rolled back his chair. “Yes, Doctor. I’m right behind you. First, I need to call Lloyd up in Ped Ortho and have him come in on the case. The boy will need surgery to put a rod in.”

“Then I’ll let the father know you’ll be in to speak to him. I’ll see you in the park.”

“Yeah, in the park.” There was a dry note in Elijah’s voice.

“Don’t sound so excited.” Helena grinned back at him as she circled the desk and headed down the hall. “Remember, weddings aren’t contagious.”

* * *

Elijah sure hope they weren’t. He wanted nothing to do with one.

Forty-five minutes later, he left the unit desk and headed down the hall toward the locker room. He had plenty of time to shower, put on his tux and make it to the park. At least the hospital was just across the street, but Central Park was a huge space. Just to walk to the Shakespeare Garden would take time.

Charles would never let him forget it if he was late to the ceremony. Grace would be upset and nothing Elijah said would make that okay in Charles’s eyes. The ER had been so busy Elijah had seen two more patients before he’d felt he could call his shift done. It had then taken another fifteen minutes to bring the doctor taking over for him up to speed on the patients being seen.

Elijah admitted to himself that he was dragging his feet about the whole wedding thing. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to be there for Charles or that he didn’t like Grace. He did. He wished them both the best. Was truly happy for them. It was just that the “wedded bliss” idea didn’t appeal to him much. He’d seen little of that in his parents’ marriage. Knew he wouldn’t be good at it.

He was halfway down the hall when one of the two swinging doors at the end opened. Helena came toward him. Elijah stopped dead in his tracks. She was a vision of loveliness like he’d never seen. Her curly, shoulder-length auburn-colored hair was now pinned up, the waves flowing randomly about her head. A red poinsettia was fixed behind her right ear. She wore a long forest green dress that hugged womanly curves usually hidden by loose scrub shirts. The top of the dress dipped, giving him a hint of cleavage that only made him want to see more. Short sleeves cupped her creamy shoulders. The skirt swirled about her legs as she came toward him, drawing his attention to her hips.

His heart picked up a beat. Not to mention the stirring south of his beltline. Heaven help him, Helena was breathtaking. Why hadn’t he noticed before?

They had been working together for a couple of years. More than once she and a few other of the staff had gone out to eat as a group after a shift but he’d never thought of her in any way except as a colleague. She’d always been pleasant but seemed closed off somehow. She gave off the vibe that she wasn’t someone who played around. With her wholesome southern drawl and gentle smile, she wasn’t one of those women who gave him a come-hither look he had no trouble obeying. Everything about her said serious, down-to-earth, love me forever. That was the type he stayed clear of. Maybe that’s why it had never registered that Helena could be so completely stunning.

Whatever the cause, it had been lifted from his eyes. He was noticing her now. Big time.

He needed to snap out of it. Had Helena said something to him? He blinked.

“Elijah, are you only now going to get dressed? You have less than an hour before we’re supposed to be walking down the aisle. Grace is going to have your hide.” She stepped closer.

Her wonderful aroma filled his nostrils. Nothing like the antiseptic smell of the hospital but something warm and earthy, intriguing. He was acting like a fool. Working to get a grip on himself, he grinned. He focused on a point just over her shoulder to get beyond how enchanting she looked. “It’s a good thing you’re a doctor. At least you’ll be able to patch me up.”

She lowered her chin and gave him a speculative look. “I don’t think I have enough medical training to save you from Grace’s wrath if you’re not there on time.”

He laughed. Helena did too. It had a sincere ring that sounded as if it came from her heart. He’d always liked that about her. She had a sense of humor. “Then I guess I need to get moving.” He started down the hall.

“That would be my suggestion.” She headed the other way.

Elijah stopped and looked back, his attention drawn to her hips. It was a shame her scrubs had been disguising those full curves for so long.

Minutes later he was under a hot shower. He was surprised he hadn’t needed a cold one after seeing Helena. How spectacular she’d looked still amazed him. At least he’d managed not to make a fool of himself. This sudden interest—no, infatuation—in Helena was crazy. He’d seen many woman in formal clothing yet had not reacted this way.

He was probably overtired from covering for Charles when the ER had been impossibly busy. Or maybe it was due to the wedding hoopla he normally stayed clear of. There was something out of sync with the universe for him to have had such an intense reaction to Helena. Especially when she was clearly not his type.

Half an hour later he shrugged into his black overcoat, adjusting it over his tuxedo. Wrapping his groomsman’s gift, a scarlet red scarf, securely around his neck, he popped a short black top hat on his head. It might be the silliest thing he’d ever worn if it wasn’t for the fact that it was so cold and not wearing a hat was even more ridiculous.

He received more than one interested look and a few grins as he made his way through the older part of the building to the lobby and out the front entrance of the hospital. His idea of dressing up was putting on a pair of slacks and a collared shirt. Casual was his style, less dog and pony show. He worked hard and liked to relax and have fun when he was off duty. Only when he couldn’t avoid it did he put on a suit for a medical meeting. To be wearing a tuxedo was taxing. The only reason he was doing so was because he loved his brother. Elijah wished him well. It had been hard on Charles when he’d lost his wife and had been left with two small sons to raise. Elijah was glad his brother had found love again, happiness.

Elijah pulled on his black gloves as he went down the stone steps to the street to catch a cab. It would get him to the park entrance nearest Shakespeare Garden and then he would have to walk from there. Just as Helena had told him more than once, he’d be cutting it close on time.

The taxi driver put him out at the curb and he hurried down the path. Thankfully, having grown up in New York, he knew Central Park well. He’d heard of people getting lost in the massive acreage. As a child, he and his siblings had played there. More than once they had picnicked in the Shakespeare Garden area among the trees and foliage. Those had been sunnier days, both literally and figuratively. Ones from a long time ago.

He hurried up a slope and made a left turn at a sign reading “Grace and Charles” with a large red bow on it. Up another rise he followed another path into an open area surrounded by snow-tipped trees. Smaller trees in the area were decorated in white lights that were shining brightly in the dimming daylight.

An arch made of red poinsettia and more white lights were at one end of the open space and facing it were rows of white chairs with red bows tied to the ones closest to the aisle. A few people were already taking their seats. Tall portable heaters were stationed around the ceremony area. At the other end of the field was a huge tent with four low round fire pits that glowed. His family was standing around them.

Elijah took a deep breath to fortify himself for what was coming.

As he approached, Charles left the group and walked toward him. “I thought I’d have to send Zac after you.”

“I told you I’d be here.” Elijah grinned at his brother. As twins, they had always been close. It wasn’t until they were eighteen that they’d had secrets between them. Elijah carried that guilt and regret to this day.

“Yeah, but I know better than most that you’re always five minutes behind.”

Elijah gave him a wry smile. “Funny, big brother. I’ve heard it all before. Just because you were born before me it doesn’t mean I’m one step behind you.”

“About following in my footsteps, how’re things at the hospital?” Charles asked as they continued toward the tent.

“Under control. We managed to get the patients waiting down to a reasonable headcount before I left.” Elijah couldn’t fault Charles for his dedication to his job, even on his wedding day. “What you need to be worrying about is that beautiful bride of yours. I’ve got the ER covered. Enjoy the day, your honeymoon and let me handle the rest.”

“I’m trying. I guess most of my worrying has to do with nerves.”

Elijah didn’t doubt that. The thought of a wedding made him edgy as well and he wasn’t the one getting married. He looked around. “So where are the rugrats?”

“Max and Cameron are with Grace. They’ll be coming down the aisle ahead of her.”

Elijah gave him a brotherly pat on the back. “I hope you have them bundled up. It’s cold out here.”

Charles laughed. “I know. But this is what Grace wanted. I love her so that’s what we’re having.”

That kind of love Elijah couldn’t comprehend. He’d never felt that for a woman. Didn’t think he ever would. He understood wanting, enjoying, appreciating a female but loving one the way his brother did Grace wasn’t something he’d experienced. More than that, Charles had been able to find it twice. Elijah didn’t plan to have it even once.

They approached the group of people creating a semicircle around one of the fire pits. His mother and father were there, standing close but not too close. His two younger sisters, who were dressed the same as Helena had been, except for white capes over their shoulders, stood off to the side, talking to Zac, his other brother, who was dressed like Elijah, down to the red scarf and hat.

This was his family. The one he loved and had betrayed. He’d kept an ugly secret from them that he had no right to. He had hurt his mother, who had done nothing but love and support him, to protect his father. He blamed himself for the farce they all were. And for the horror of the media circus they had become.

He took his sister Penny in his arms for a hug. “Hey, sis. You look great. Big change from that flight suit I usually see you in.” Turning to the other woman, he gathered her to him. “Good to see you, Miranda.”

“You look nice, Elijah,” his half-sister said. “Love the hat.”

“Thanks.” He slapped Zachary on the back and stepped over to his mother. The harsh look she’d worn as she’d watched him and Miranda embrace turned to one of warmth as she gave him a tight hug. His father came up beside them and extended his glove-covered hand. Elijah hesitated a moment before taking it. “Father.”

It was still difficult for Elijah to face him. The years had gone by and the pain had eased but all that had happened still hung like a bad smell between them. It couldn’t be erased. Elijah glanced at Miranda. The issue was a living, breathing person among them.

He’d been eighteen when he’d been on his way to meet a high school friend in the Hell’s Kitchen area of New York City. Passing a café, he’d glanced in the window to see his father sitting at a table with a woman and a girl of about twelve. Elijah hadn’t recognized them. He’d stopped and stared. It hadn’t been the type of place Hugo Davenport would frequent. Not thinking twice, Elijah had entered the café and approached the table.

“Hey, Dad. It’s a surprise to see you down here.” Elijah had stood there, grinning.

The shocked then stricken look of his father’s face had created a sick feeling deep in Elijah’s middle. His father had been caught. That was the moment Elijah had grasped he’d stepped into something dirty. He’d glanced at the woman, who had worn a worried look as she’d glanced between his father and him.

“Uh, Elijah. I h-hadn’t expected to see you,” his father had stammered.

He’d given his father a pointed look. “I hadn’t expected to see you either.”

Elijah had watched the woman fix her frightened eyes on his father.

“Daddy, can you pass me the ketchup?” the girl had asked.

Elijah’s attention whipped to the child. Daddy! What was going on here? Yet he already understood too clearly. Apparently, something had been going on for some time. His stomach roiled. He had to get out of here.

His father quickly stood. “Eli, it’s not what you think.” Panic filled his voice.

Elijah didn’t wait to hear more. He made it to the sidewalk before his arm was caught and he was turned to face his father.

“Son, I never wanted you or anyone else to find out like this. Think twice about what you’re going to do. This could destroy your mother. The rest of the family.”

His father should have been the one to think about that. “So what do you want me to do?” He was yelling. His heart was pounding. All he desired was to run.

“Calm down. We don’t want to make a scene.”

How like his father to worry about the family name while he was out ruining it. Protect the family name at all costs, Elijah had heard all his life.

“I want you to keep quiet about this. The affair ended long ago but... I do have a responsibility to Miranda.”

Elijah leaned toward him and all but spat the words, “You have a responsibility to Mom, to me, Charles, Penny. Your other family.”

“And I’m meeting that responsibility. What would be gained by telling everyone about Miranda? Hurting your mother?”

Stepping back, Elijah glared at his father then turned and walked off. The event changed his life and his relationship with his father forever for over the next five years Elijah carried his father’s secret. It’d gnawed at him like a rabid dog all that time until the day had come when the media had found out and all hell had broken loose. But with that Elijah had found relief yet he still carried the weight of having known and not said anything. Blamed himself for the lack of strength to tell everyone that the head of their perfect family was not perfect.

Elijah had been taught not to show emotion. His family was so well-known the media were interested in them. If he displayed his feelings they could be used against him or his family. Elijah had perfected concealing how he felt over the years of keeping his father’s secret. The skill had served him well when it came to his personal relationships also.

By all appearances, his parents, his father in particular, had gone on as if nothing had ever happened. His parents’ marriage had been one to admire by anyone looking from the outside but Elijah knew better. After the media had gotten involved and all the smoke had cleared, his parents had remained married but it was just for looks. His father did his thing and his mother hers.

They remained devoted to the hospital and fund-raising that went along with the Davenport legacy. For generations the Davenport family had been associated with the hospital both as physicians and philanthropists and his parents wouldn’t let that change for any reason. Now his parents showed up as a couple and smiled for the pictures but there was nothing real between them any more. Everything looked all clean and shiny on the outside but was rotten to the core on the inside.

Elijah wanted nothing to do with that kind of relationship. How could he ever trust anyone on an intimate level? His father had been bigger than life in Elijah’s eyes until he’d tumbled far and broken. It was safer not to get involved with anyone. Caring too much hurt. Going from one woman to the next meant his heart never became entangled and that suited him just fine. Appearances meant everything to his parents. Their example of love was a hollow thing. Nothing he was interested in being a part of.