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“Unless you fear for her health and think I need to talk to her.”
“No. Stay away from her.”
In the cafeteria, a nurse who’d worked with Tyler a month ago sprinted to his table.
“All by yourself, Tyler? Need some company?”
He flashed a suave smile. “Be my guest, Ashley.”
The pretty brunette transferred her plate and drink to his table. “To think, this morning we were planning a congratulation happy hour party for you. Instead, here we are sharing dinner.”
He held up his palms. “The irony of fate. No one knows what will happen from one hour to the next.”
“Whatexactlydid happen, Dr. Kent? The staff is speculating. You wouldn’t want the wrong gossip to spread.”
“Cold feet on my part. Nothing else.” He liked thecold feetexplanation. It protected Beverly from any aspersions on her character and reinforced the notion he was afraid of commitment.
Ashley considered him with a frown. “You need to relax, forget your ordeal, and have fun.”
“Absolutely. I plan to work long hours. Nothing like work to help you redeem yourself and save money.” He chuckled.
They chatted for the next half hour, and he left her to check on his patients.
Two hours later, he stopped by the receptionist’s desk on the pediatric floor.
“I’m going home, but I’m still on call. Phone me if there’s an emergency.”
“Will do.”
When he pulled into Sienna’s driveway, the garage door opened immediately. Standing in the kitchen doorway, Dalia waved. He jumped out of the car and ran toward her. “Still awake, pumpkin?”
“I wanted to see you and say goodnight.”
“She refused to go to bed,” Sienna said standing behind her.
Both in pink pjs, mother and daughter formed the prettiest picture he’d seen in a long time. Dalia raised her arms to him, and he lifted her and threw her in the air, and hugged her. “I missed my pumpkin.”
“Missed you too, Dr. Kent.”
He set her down and caught Sienna’s gaze, a warm look sparkling with yearning. He stepped forward to hug her, and froze, recalling his pledge not to touch her.
Sienna had no such qualms and threw her arms around him in a hug.
A gentle hug wouldn’t break his vow. His arms instantly closed around her waist and brought her against him. Her delicate, flowery scent teased him, eroding rational thought, and he pressed her tightly to him. Her soft sigh jarred sense into him, and he released her, ready to apologize.
“I hope you had a good day.” The warmth of her smile echoed in her voice.
Obviously Sienna didn’t expect an apology.
“It ended better than it started.” A muscle quivered at his jaw, reminding him to better control his automatic reflexes. Relating his day would protect them both from dangerously sweet topics. “I’ll tell you all about it, but first I’ll say goodnight to Dalia.” He turned to the little girl. “Right Dalia, you’re going to bed.”
“No, I want to put up the Christmas tree.”
“Not tonight, pumpkin. We’re all tired.”
“Okay, but you said Mommy can’t carry heavy things. The tree box is heavy.”
“You’re right. Where is it?”
