James Williams, chief of everything, nodded.
“We’ll give these two interns two weeks to make adjustments. Dr. McCall, you’ll speak to them?”
“Yes, sir.”
Seven minutes later, the meeting ended, thank God. He returned to his office and sent emails to Drs. Robinson and Graham to set up appointments. He answered another fifty emails and stood to make late rounds with his patients.
A knock sounded outside his door and Dr. Hutt walked inside. “Hey, Ryder. Late night. I’m surprised you can do this with the twins.”
Ryder resisted the urge to grind his teeth. “I’ve hired a new nanny and am getting new backup. Thanks for your concern. I need to do late rounds.”
“Just a minute,” Hutt said. “How’s Dr. Walters doing? No one’s talking.”
“He’s working through his recovery. These things take time,” Ryder hedged.
“That’s pretty vague,” Hutt said.
“You know I can’t discuss the confidential status of patients,” he said.
“But Walters isn’t really your patient,” Hutt continued.
“He’s my mentor and friend, the closest thing I’ve had to a father since my own father died when I was a kid. I’m not discussing his condition,” Ryder said.
“It must not be good,” Hutt said. “You know if the twins are too much for you, I’ll be glad to step in and help.”
Ryder just bet Hutt would like to step in and help. What Hutt really wanted was a promotion. What Hutt really wanted was to snatch Walters’s position away from Ryder. Although Ryder hated that Walters couldn’t fulfill his duties any longer.
“Thanks for the offer,” he said.
“Seriously, Ryder. I have a wife and a child. The wife is the critical element. She makes it easy for me to do my job. When you don’t have a wife …”
“I have a good new nanny,” he said.
“It’s not the same as a wife,” Hutt counseled.
“Hmm. See you. Good night,” he said and headed out the door. What Hutt didn’t understand was that Ryder had never had any intention of getting married and having children. He’d observed his parents’ disastrous marriage, his father’s death and his mother’s subsequent descent into alcoholism and death.
After that, Ryder had resolved that he wanted to heal people. Bag the personal relationships, with the exception of his brother and his family. His family became his patients, and after he completed his residency, his family included the new residents. And always Dr. Walters. He would never take a wife. His mind wandered to a visual of Bridget the last time he’d seen her, her eyes catlike with sensuality, her mouth soft and sensual, taking him into her. His mouth into her. When he really wanted to give her a lot more.
Ryder swore under his breath. This was all libido. He’d taken care of this issue before with other women doctors as career-driven as he was. No-ties sex provided a release that allowed him to do his job. Maintaining his focus on his profession and the twins was the most important thing. Bridget was just a distraction.
Bridget wandered around the medical association meeting and was bummed that Ryder wasn’t there. He was probably taking care of the twins. She felt a deep tug of sympathy and quickly tried to brush it aside. Ryder didn’t want her sympathy. They would never work. Remember? She covered her irritation with a smile as she nodded at someone else she didn’t know.
Halfway through the evening, the shrimp bowl was refilled and Bridget put a few on her plate.
“I always wait for the refill at these things,” a distinguished older man said to her.
She nodded in agreement. “I agree. Fresh is better. Bridget Devereaux,” she said, extending her free hand.
“Dr. James Williams, University Hospital,” he said shaking her hand. “Are you a pharmaceutical sales rep?”
She opened her mouth and it took a moment to speak. She smiled. “Not exactly. I’m representing the country of Chantaine. Very small country in the Mediterranean. We’re trying to recruit more doctors. We’re offering complimentary living expenses and paying special scholarships in addition to salary for a two-year stay.”
Dr. Williams lifted his white eyebrows. “Really? I’ll have to speak to my physician in charge of residents about that. Perhaps a couple of them could benefit from that.”
“I would appreciate that very much. I’m sure you’re a very busy man. Would you mind if I touch base with you in a week or so?”
“Not at all,” he said. “Some of our residents have money challenges. Don’t we all in this economy?”
“So true,” she said. “Are you the speaker tonight?”
He shook his head. “No, I’m lucky. Eat and leave.”
She laughed. “Don’t rub it in,” she said.
He laughed in return. “Tell me your name again. I don’t want to forget.”
“Bridget Devereaux,” she said, deliberately leaving out her title. “I represent Chantaine. I’m honored to meet you.”
“My pleasure to meet you, Miss Devereaux,” he said, and ate his shrimp cocktail.
Bridget worked the room the rest of the night and arranged a visit to the pediatric wing at Texas Medical Center to make a public service announcement for public health. She also met several doctors who wanted to pursue a more personal relationship, but she demurred at the same time that she gave them her card which contained a number for her assistant.
By the time the evening was done, her feet were also done. Her mind wandered to Ryder and the babies, but she tried to push her thoughts aside. With a glass of white wine in her hand, she kicked off her high heels and watched television in her suite at the hotel.
She closed her eyes. Soon enough she would be in Italy with a gorgeous Italian man keeping her company. She smiled at the image, but soon another image flashed in its place. Ryder, sans shirt, stood before her and dragged her into his arms and began to make love to her. He was so hot that smoke rose between them, but the sensation of his skin against hers made her dizzy. His kiss made her knees weak. He made her want in a way she never had….
She felt herself sinking into the couch, her body warm and pliable. And alone.
Bridget blinked and sat up against the couch. This was just wrong. He’d already said they wouldn’t work because of who he was, because of who she was. A part of her rebelled against the notion one moment. The next, she didn’t. She didn’t have room for this drama in her life. She had goals. She had Italy in her future.
Bridget washed her face and brushed her teeth, determined to put Ryder from her mind. As she fell asleep, though, she dreamed of Ryder and the boys.
A few days later, Ryder followed up on a surgery patient midday. The young man had been admitted to the E.R. with appendicitis. Ryder had operated and needed to give his stamp of approval for the teen to be discharged. He was stopped because there was filming in the pediatric unit.
Slightly irritated, he checked his text messages on his cell and answered a few.
“She’s a princess making a video,” one nurse said to another.
He snapped his head up at the comment. “Princess?” he repeated.
“Yes,” the nurse said. “But she’s very nice. Not at all snooty. I got her coffee and she was very grateful. More than a lot of doctors.”
“She wasn’t trying to save lives,” Ryder said.
The nurse shrugged. “Anyone can say please and thank you, and she did.”
Minutes