for months at a time?
Nick clicked off. The pain he’d carried since he could first remember life kindled into white-hot anger. His parents could wait. Reese couldn’t and neither could Jamie. He’d been gone too long as it was and hurried back to the E.R.
To his relief Jamie was still asleep. Reese’s blue eyes, those mirrors of the soul, fastened on him with intensity. “The doctor still hasn’t come back with the results.”
“It’s a busy night here. Why don’t you go get something to eat now?”
“I will.”
After she left through the bathroom, he washed his hands, then slipped on new gloves and a mask. Thankful his son was getting the rest he needed, Nick pulled up one of the chairs next to the crib to watch him.
He’d grown over the past couple of weeks. His father’s question about why he would bring Jamie home to live could be answered by the baby lying right in front of him with an IV in his tiny foot.
This was why! There were changes going on every day of his son’s life. Nick wanted to be in on all of them. No more chunks of time missing he could never get back.
Had his father or mother ever actually heard Nick say his first word or seen him take his first step? When Nick had gotten the flu as a baby, someone on the staff would have taken care of him. Nick’s mother wouldn’t have been able to tolerate being thrown up on. She would have left that to a nurse.
Reese on the other hand loved and kissed Jamie to death. That was her nature. Because of so much one-on-one attention, his son was blossoming. You can’t spoil a baby enough. Those were her words. Nick believed in her philosophy. Every baby should be so showered.
Nick’s parents didn’t have a clue. They’d been raised by nannies and their parents before them. His father’s mention of the Ridgeway’s daughter, another woman who had to be made in the express image of the other women in Nick’s life, sickened him.
“Mr. Wainright?” Dr. Marsh had come in.
Nick got to his feet. “What’s the verdict?”
“Your son has Rotavirus. I’ve talked to your pediatrician. He’ll be by in the morning on rounds unless the baby’s temp spikes. In the meantime we’ll continue to do what we’re doing and will come in at intervals to check his vitals. Do you have any questions for me?”
“Not that I can think of right now.”
“If you and your wife need a cot, they’re in the closet behind you.”
“I appreciate you telling me that.”
“This part of the hospital has been redone for the comfort of the parents.”
“Whoever planned it must have had a baby here at one time.”
“No doubt.”
“For your information, my wife has passed away. Reese is the nanny.”
Nick had to give Dr. Marsh credit for not reacting the way he probably would have under other circumstances. “You’re lucky to have found someone who has a strong mothering instinct. That’s going to help your son.”
“I agree.”
Reese returned soon after the doctor had left and washed her hands. “Do you know anything yet?”
He told her what he’d learned. She finished tying the mask and walked over to the crib. “I should think sleep is the very best thing for him.”
“We’re going to need it, too. It’s after eleven.” He went to the closet and pulled out the made-up cots, placing them end to end. There was enough room for the staff to move back and forth changing the IV while they did vitals and programmed their notes into the computer.
He heard a sigh. “Bed sounds good. Thank you for setting them up.” She removed her sandals and slipped under the covers with her head at the far end. Maybe she’d done it on purpose so their heads couldn’t possibly be close to each other. He was sorry about that, but at least they’d be spending the night in the same room with Jamie.
Nick shut off the overhead light. After studying his son for another few minutes, he took off his shoes and lay down on top of the cot, putting his hand behind his head. From his vantage point he could see her lying there on her side toward Jamie.
“Reese? Are you asleep yet?”
He watched her shift in the cot. “No. I know you’re worried about Jamie, but he’s getting the best care possible.”
“I believe that, too. I just wanted to say that the reason I was so long was that I had to let Jamie’s grandparents know he wouldn’t be coming to White Plains in the morning.”
“I’m sure they were upset.”
Reese didn’t know the half of it.
“Don’t be surprised if they show up tomorrow.”
“That would only be normal. In my family if anyone were in the hospital, a whole crowd would descend.” Nick couldn’t imagine what that would be like. “Too bad your parents are away and don’t know he’s ill.”
“Actually they got back from Cannes today. I listened to my father’s message on my voice mail.”
“Are they coming over here tonight?”
“No. I didn’t call him back.”
A long silence ensued. “I see.”
“You don’t see at all, but you’re so polite, you would never pry.”
“Your personal life is none of my business.”
“That’s an excellent response.”
“What do you mean?” She shot straight up in the cot. “I don’t understand.”
Just then one of the staff came in to check on Jamie. “How’s he doing?” Nick asked as the nurse finished on the computer.
“His temp is up a little from before, but these things take time. Try to get some sleep while he’s quiet.”
Nick’s stomach clenched. There was no way he could do that right now. He got up from the cot and walked over to the crib. At this point Reese joined him.
“He’s got to be all right, Nick!” He heard tears in her voice.
Without conscious thought he put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her to his side. After dancing with her last week, he needed her warm, curvaceous body next to his. Though she’d told him no more repeats, the fact that she didn’t fight him right now revealed her deep need for comfort, too.
“What you said earlier,” she whispered. “If I—”
“Forget it,” he broke in. “I’m afraid I’m not myself tonight. We may be employer and nanny, but sometimes the lines get blurred. We’ve lived under the same roof for two weeks now. I find myself wanting to ask you questions I have no right to ask.”
“I know what you mean.” The tremor in her voice made its way through to his insides.
“So you admit you’re a little curious about me.”
“Of course.” He noticed her hands cling to the edge of the crib. “I wouldn’t be human otherwise.”
“Go ahead and ask me why I haven’t told my parents about Jamie being sick.”
She bowed her head. “Not if you don’t want to talk about it.”
“Actually I do. You recall our conversation about my family being blue bloods? Well, I made a vow that Jamie’s life is going to be different. Yes, he’s a Hirst and a Wainwright, but I won’t let him grow up under a system where appearances count for everything. That kind of life might be desirable at first, but it ends up destroying you.”
“You