When Hearts Collide

chapter 11

Molly assisted Pearce into the wheelchair without breaking a sweat. Not an easy task with someone of his size. He towered over her by at least seven inches. It was accomplished in silence, as if both were afraid to speak, afraid they might say something that revealed emotions they needed to keep tightly reined.

Molly pushed the wheelchair close to the window where he could watch Gracie playing in the sandbox. She needed to know more about this man, needed to understand more about the feelings he roused in her every time she came near.

Molly, can you help me to go outside? I want to be closer to Gracie.”

They sat on the deck watching Gracie play in the sandbox. Trooper lay close by, keeping a watchful eye on the child. They spent a pleasant hour before Trooper’s barking announced Doctor Graham’s arrival.

The doctor was pleased with Pearce’s progress. After he examined his incision and checked his leg, he handed Molly a bottle of pills and said to Pearce, “I’m changing your antibiotic to an oral one. It will be easier. Keep up with your physiotherapy. You’re making great progress.”

Turning to Molly, he asked, “Have you taken any time off to tour the area?”

No. I’ve been pretty busy here.”

Yes, I can see that. You need some time off.”

But...”

Doctor’s orders.”

Molly grinned. “A break would be nice, but Gracie and Pearce need me here.”

He flashed a row of straight white teeth. “How about Wednesday? I’ll show you some of the highlights of the area, and then take you to my favorite restaurant.”

But Gracie and Pearce?”

What time does Gracie settle for the night?”

Usually at seven.”

Then I’ll pick you up at seven-thirty.” He turned to Pearce. “You have no objection to me giving Molly a well-deserved break and showing her a bit of the area, do you?”

Doctor Graham tipped his head as if challenging Pearce to object. The smile faded from Pearce’s face and the muscles tightened over his high cheekbones, but he kept his voice controlled. “How can I object? You’re right, Molly hasn’t had a break.”

Well?” Molly looked from one man to the other.

Good then, I’ll see you Wednesday.”

Doctor Graham hurried to his car, not giving either Molly or Pearce a chance to object. Molly had to admit, she didn’t want to refuse the invitation. It would be exciting to get out of the house and see the area. Young, attractive, intelligent, Doctor Graham would be the ideal date, and would get her away from the man who’d started occupying every waking thought. She followed him to his car, in case he had further instructions for her.

Keep up the good work.” He started the car and headed down the driveway with a wave and a shouted, “See you Wednesday.”

He left her with more things to think about. What if she decided to take a job at the local hospital? She didn’t relish the idea of going back to Saint Christopher’s and having Randy for a boss. She’d already met a few people at the local hospital, including Rita and now the good-looking doctor. Nervous and excited, Molly found herself looking forward to Wednesday. She hadn’t been on a date since she’d broken up with Randy. What would she wear? She ran through the contents of her suitcase. She did have that red silky thing she’d bought on an impulse and had yet to find an occasion to wear. Well, this would be it. Molly hummed the chords of “Lady in Red” on her way back to join Pearce and Gracie.

He sat staring at the lawn, his face a marble mask. He didn’t turn at her approach. Molly couldn’t tell if he was angry, or indifferent. As his employee, she deserved time off. Was he angry with her for wanting it, or at her choice of companion? She felt her jaw tighten. What she did with her time off was her own business.

I’m going to play with Gracie.”

She shook her head at his grunt. Surely he wasn’t angry with Dr Graham’s offer to show her the area. He’s the one who’d been grumpy with her ever since their confrontation.

Pearce kept his hand busy twirling a pencil while he watched Gracie playing with Molly. He felt a pang of guilt. Of course Molly deserved time off, so why did it bother him so much? He had no hold on her. She had every right to go out with whomever she wanted. Besides, he didn’t want, or need, anyone in his life again—not for him, nor for his child. He couldn’t put her through a mother figure walking out on her again. He just prayed Gracie didn’t get too attached to Molly before he was well enough to take care of her himself.

Molly was walking toward the house. The weather had turned hot, and she’d worn shorts to take Gracie to the park. Her legs were long, tanned, sleek, and he had trouble taking his eyes off them. Did Doctor Graham find her legs as appealing? He thought of Molly and Doctor Graham together and snapped the pencil in two.

Molly hadn’t been out on a date in ages and took longer than usual to get ready. Not that this was a date, she told herself. Doctor Graham was just being courteous to a colleague, showing her the area, getting her out of the house. Still, she couldn’t prevent her heart rate increasing, or her palms sweating in anticipation of the outing. How could the idea of going out to a fancy restaurant with a gorgeous young doctor not be appealing? She glanced at the clock—almost seven-thirty.

After a nervous once-over in the mirror, Molly headed downstairs. With Gracie asleep, Molly wanted to make sure Pearce had everything he might need in her absence. She slid the hospital table beside the bed, placed a jug of ice water and a box of tissue on top, then she put his evening antibiotic bedside them. Just in case he needed it, she left out a pain pill.

Pearce grew more independent every day, and he should be able to get himself into bed without too much trouble. Looking around the room, everything seemed in order. The door was slightly ajar, and Molly heard the tapping of Pearce’s crutches as he came along the hallway. Then he pushed the door all the way open.

Pearce found it hard enough to keep his eyes off Molly in casual clothes, but this vision facing him made it impossible. Copper highlights glinted in the hair that floated in a thick cloud around her face. She wore it loose, and the crimson waves cascading over shoulders gleamed the color of cinnamon. He wanted to reach out and stroke the long strands. As she came toward him, the red silk of her dress swished around her, clinging to her hips, accentuating every luscious curve. The swish of silk, a whisper that screamed at him.

Every cell in his body remained on full alert; every cell felt the need to hold her against him. He wanted to cross to her and pull her into his arms. This was his angel, yet she’d dressed for someone else. Pearce couldn’t help the pangs of jealousy he felt. He made his way slowly toward the bed.

Molly filled a glass of water from the ice pitcher and slid it along the table before turning to Pearce. “I’ve read Gracie a story. She’s sleeping.”

He watched in dismay as she went toward the door. “Do you have everything you need?”

How did he tell her no, that he needed her? That he needed her to stay here with him, needed her to look after him, needed her not be out gallivanting with his doctor. But how could he tell her that she was all he needed, especially when he couldn’t yet admit it to himself?

Will you be all right while I’m gone?” Molly asked.

Humph. I guess I’ll have to be, won’t I?”

She started at his angry tone. She had a sudden urge to throw the glass of water at him, the ungrateful sod. She deserved time off. She’d put her life on hold to look after him and his child, and this was the thanks she got. She’d barely had a minute to herself since the night of the accident. All she wanted was a few hours away. What a selfish, insufferable man he was. He should apologize. He didn’t.

I deserve time off.” She glared at him. “What I do with it is none of your business. Neither is where I go, or who I go with.”

She didn’t deserve the snarl he answered with, but again he didn’t apologize.

Doctor Graham appeared right at seven-thirty, almost as if he’d waited until the exact moment to ring the doorbell. Glad she’d decided to start getting ready well ahead of time, she pulled the door open before the bell chimed again. He was dressed in casual slacks and a golf shirt. She wondered if she’d overdressed, but the appraising look in his eyes told Molly her efforts hadn’t been wasted.

Still light out, they had a pleasant drive around the countryside. He showed her the usual tourist attractions—a stone church built in 1891, the MacDonald Art Centre, the civic museum. They walked through Riverside Park on the shores of Lake Scugog investigating the local shops. By the time they arrived at the Aberfoyle Mill, Molly had worked up a healthy appetite.

Molly felt like she’d stepped back in history. With its the limestone exterior, gothic windows, and gleaming antiques, the Aberfoyle capture the aura of a Victorian era. The hostess led them to a table near the back of the restaurant. Subdued lighting and expensive linens added an intimacy to the atmosphere. Molly had the baked salmon with spinach and goat cheese stuffing. He had the seared duck with pinot noir. Both were delicious. The shared bottle of a local Chardonnay enhanced their enjoyment of the evening.

So, Molly, what do you do to switch off from work mode?”

I like to read and travel. What about you?”

I bike. Do a bit of golfing, spend time with friends.” He took a sip of wine. “Do you think you might stay in the area?” His tone stayed casual, but Molly sensed he might be throwing out a line, seeing if she would take the bait.

Rita wants me to apply for a job, but I’m not sure. It is a nice area, and the hospital is quite modern.”

We work hard to keep up our equipment and services at, or above, the standard. A lot of families depend on us.”

His voice sounded almost wistful, and she wondered if he wanted a family, or if he already had one. “It would be lucky for all of us if you stayed in the area.”

I guess only time will tell.”

The rest of the evening they spent in companionable repartee. When he drove her home, Molly didn’t object to the quick peck on the cheek he gave her. Doctor Graham was attractive, intelligent, a perfect gentleman. An excellent catch. Too bad he didn’t do a thing for her.

The whole evening, her pulse rate hadn’t changed one iota. Not like she knew it would as soon as she walked in the house and peeked in on Pearce. Then her heart would be doing all sort of erratic things. Even her breathing would get tight, like getting into a Scarlet O’Hara corset. And the heat. If she didn’t know better, she’d think she was having hot flashes.

Molly unlocked the front door and tiptoed across the foyer. She thought Pearce might be asleep, but saw the glimmer of light coming through the open door.

Molly? Is that you?”

Suddenly, her heart thundered like a galloping filly and she had trouble getting a whole breath. Someone had pulled on that corset, and Molly was sure the furnace had been turned on.

Coming, Pearce.”

Pearce had spent the evening either looking at the clock on the fireplace mantle or trying not to look at it. The hands didn’t seem to move. How long would she be out? Why did she have to pick today to go off and leave him? But would any other day be better?

He was being unreasonable, and he knew it. What’s wrong with you? He had gotten too used to her presence, too used to her smile, too used to her laugh, and definitely he had gotten too used to the way she made him feel. He had to stop it. He couldn’t afford to let himself fall in love again.

Where the hell was she?

When he heard the purr of the car’s engine, and then the lock turning in the front door, a wave of heat swept through his body. He couldn’t stop himself from calling her name. He needed to see her, and quickly. He stretched and poured the water in the jug into the plant near the bed.

He looked up and she was at the door, a vision in red, like the song she’d been humming for the past two days.

Hello, Molly.” He kept his voice controlled and casual. “Did you have a nice evening?”

Very nice. Did you need something?”

My water jug is empty. Would you mind filling it?”

She leaned forward to refill the jug, and he inhaled the scent of her perfume. Another wave of heat surged through him and his pulse soared. Had she noticed the pool of water in the base of the plant two feet from the bed?