Barbara Dunlop - His Temptation, Her Secret

“Hey.” TJ’s tone was soft, and he was the one who took her hand.

She turned to look at him.

“Don’t do that to yourself,” he said.

He gave her hand a squeeze, which inexplicably made her feel better.

“It’s going to be all good,” he said.

“You don’t know that.” Her voice was dry, high-pitched. She tried to swallow, but she couldn’t.

He came out of the chair, on one knee in front of her, taking both her hands in his. “Positive thoughts,” he said, his voice as gentle as she’d ever heard.

She managed a nod, but she was terrified to be optimistic, as if karma would reach out and smack her if she dared to hope.

The door opened, and Dr. Stannis entered the room. “I won’t keep you in suspense,” she said briskly, breezing toward her desk. “The results are what we were hoping for. There are no signs of rejection or infection at this point.”

Sage thought she might faint with relief.

Before she could move, TJ’s arms were around her. He drew her to her feet and hugged her tight.

“Yes,” his deep voice hissed next to her ear. “Yes.”

His body was strong and solid against hers, warm and welcoming. She was suddenly transported back ten years, to their dance, their kiss, the acute and unexplainable feeling she’d had of coming home, like she belonged in TJ’s arms, like she’d been waiting her whole life to be held by him.

She hadn’t been able to let go then, and she didn’t want to let go now. It was a frightening feeling, and she tried to pull back.

TJ didn’t seem to want to let her go either. He held on tight for long seconds before breaking his grip.

“He did it,” he said.

“You did it,” Sage said.

At the moment, she didn’t care who TJ was, what he’d done in the past or what he might do in the future. He’d saved her son, and she owed him everything.

“He needs to get his strength back,” Dr. Stannis said.

Sage felt a dampness on her cheek and swiped at it with the back of her hand. She hadn’t even realized she was crying.

“And we’ll have to carefully monitor his T cells. Infection is still a very serious concern.” Dr. Stannis dropped into her high-backed chair. “But at this point, all signs are positive.”

TJ eased Sage back into her chair and then took his own.

“How long until he can come home?” she asked. She couldn’t wait to have Eli back in his own bed.

“Normally, we’d wait a week,” Dr. Stannis said. “But in Eli’s case, I’m recommending two.”

Sage’s euphoria disappeared. “Something is wrong?”

“The chemo was very hard on him. And we’ve already fought one infection. He’s young, and his body has been through a lot.”

“Are you sure that’s all?”

“I would tell you if there was anything else.”

“What about another hospital?” TJ asked.

Sage wanted to shout no.

Dr. Stannis switched her attention to TJ. “What do you mean?”

“Highside Hospital, on the coast.”

“They’re top-notch. There’s no doubt about that,” Dr. Stannis said.

“I’m affiliated with them,” TJ said. “They’re world renowned. I want to do everything possible to support his recovery.”

Dr. Stannis looked at Sage. “Medically speaking, yes, he could be moved there.”

“He’d have a private room,” TJ said to Sage. “It would be quieter for him while he recovered. Their equipment is state-of-the-art. If Eli came down with an infection or any other complication, he’d be in the best possible facility.”

Sage’s hands began to shake. “He wouldn’t have his mother.”

“You’d come with him. They have a residential facility for parents. You can stay there the whole time free of charge.”

“I have a job,” Sage protested. There was no way she could take another two weeks off. “After he’s out, once he’s better, the two of you can—”

“This isn’t about me seeing him.” TJ’s tone was firm. “This is about Eli getting the best care. The nurse-to-patient ratio in Highside is the lowest in the country. They have a pediatric ICU, an extensive on-site laboratory system, and they’re an oncology teaching facility.”

Dr. Stannis rose to her feet. “I’ll leave the two of you to talk.”

“One more question,” TJ said to Dr. Stannis.

“Of course.”

“If Eli was your son, would you choose St. Bea’s or Highside?”

Dr. Stannis’s hesitation and her guilty look in Sage’s direction answered the question.

“I have to be honest,” Dr. Stannis said. “Highside is unrivaled for patient care and outcomes.”

“Thank you,” TJ said.

Dr. Stannis left the office.

“I have to work while he’s recovering,” Sage said to TJ. “I can’t do that from Whiskey Bay.” Surely a mother’s love counted for something.

“Take some time off. Don’t worry about money, I can—”

“It’s not just the money.” She was embarrassed that her voice cracked. “I’ve missed so much time lately. They’re trying to be patient with me, but they’re going to have to replace me if I don’t get back there soon.”

“Where do you work?”

She found herself raising her chin. “The Eastway Community Center. I’m their event planner.”

She wasn’t embarrassed by her job. She did meaningful work that helped people in need. But she knew it was nothing compared to what TJ had accomplished since high school.

“Maybe I can talk to them.”

“Oh, no, you don’t.” The idea was offensive. She was an adult. She didn’t need some tall, male financial mogul in an expensive suit to advocate on her behalf. “Eli’s home is here. His mother is here. My life is here.”

“And my life is—” TJ suddenly stopped talking. He rocked back in his chair, looking annoyed with himself. “Fine. I’ll let it drop.”

“Thank you.” She was grateful he’d seen the light.

“Right now, we should check on Eli.”

She was all for that. “Yes.” She nodded rapidly. “Yes.”

TJ came to his feet. “We can talk about it some more later.”

“Wait. What?” She didn’t want to revisit an argument she’d just won.

“I haven’t changed my mind. But I’m not unreasonable.”

“Not changing your mind is being unreasonable.” She stood.

“Not if I change yours.”

“You won’t change mine.” Of that, she was positive. If that was what he was waiting for, she was home free. She headed for the door.

It was a ten-minute walk from Dr. Stannis’s office to the pediatrics wing. It was almost dinner, and Sage was hoping to coax Eli to eat something, maybe a little Jell-O. He liked red the best.

She couldn’t wait for the day when his appetite returned, then his strength and his energy. She couldn’t wait for the day when he was an ordinary little boy all over again.

Three

Once again, TJ was struck by how small and pale Eli looked in the stark white hospital bed. But at least this time he was sitting up. He had a comic book in his lap, and he was slowly turning the pages.

He heard them come in, and he looked up.

“Hi, Mom,” he said in a quiet voice.

“Hello, sweetheart.” Sage approached his bed and gave him a kiss on the forehead.

There were three other beds in the room. Two were occupied. One with a young girl whose leg was in traction due to a car accident, another by a boy who TJ had learned had his appendix taken out and was in the process of being discharged.

The hospital was spick-and-span. But it was also showing its age, with noisy heaters, worn linoleum and lights that flickered and buzzed overhead. The privacy curtains were a faded yellow, and the table trays squeaked when they were wheeled to a new position.