CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
In the wee hours of the night, slipping into morning, Flynn was sitting next to Jonni’s hospital bed, thankful she’d fallen asleep at last. He wasn’t usually a praying sort of guy, despite his mother’s attempts to impart a few basic spiritual principles into his and Sean’s heads and hearts. But this night, he’d found himself asking he knew not what power or beneficence to spare Jonni the loss of her unborn child. And most of all, to make sure Jonni would be all right.
He rose and walked to the window, gazing out at the never-darkened skies of Los Angeles. Valley of Angels.
None of them had been around to rescue the unborn child. Not this night.
He heard the door open and turned around, prepared to shush whatever nurse or technician had come in.
Cameron stood in the doorway, eyes red-rimmed. He looked first at the bed, at his sleeping wife, and then to Flynn.
Flynn shook his head, ever so slowly.
Cameron’s mouth turned even grimmer. He took two steps toward the bed and paused.
Jonni’s eyes fluttered open. She reached her hand not hooked to the IV tubing to her husband. “We lost the baby. I’m so sorry.”
He gripped her hand and knelt beside her. “Are you going to be okay?”
She made an impatient movement of her hand. “Don’t worry about me.”
Cameron groaned. “But I do, sweetheart. I’m so, so sorry about the baby. But I can’t live without you.”
She stroked the back of his head.
Flynn dashed at his face. Damned if he didn’t have a tear in his eye. “I’m going to leave you guys alone. Do you want me to go to the house with the kids to be there when they wake up?”
Cameron stood, pulled a chair close to the bed and took Jonni’s hand again. “Thank you,” he said to Flynn. “And thanks for reaching me on the phone.”
“So happy you’re here,” Jonni murmured, her eyes almost closing.
“How did you get here so quickly?” Flynn knew the flight schedules pretty well.
“Had MegaFilms turn over their jet. It was at the Lakefront airport.”
Flynn grinned. “Yeah, that’s the least they can do for their number one star.”
Cameron shrugged and placed a kiss on Jonni’s forehead. “You’re my number one star,” he said.
A few tears slipped down Jonni’s cheeks.
Flynn cleared his throat and slipped out of the room. Neither of his friends needed him to stay any longer. They had one another.
He squinted against the bright lights of the hospital corridor, wondering what it was like to share the kind of deep, emotional bond that linked Cameron and Jonni. Cameron probably spoke the truth when he said he couldn’t live without his wife. Flynn stepped into the elevator, frowning as he remembered Mai at his brother’s funeral. Stoic, stalwart Mai, sobbing her heart out and clinging to the casket when the pallbearers tried to carry it from the chapel to the hearse. Mai’s mother had gone to her side, put her arms around her and held her gently back.
Flynn’s jaw worked. Thankfully, he was alone in the elevator.
Alone.
What better word to describe the state of his existence?
He’d never known, or thought he wanted to know, the depth of feeling that Jonni and Cameron shared or that Mai now had to live without since his brother’s death. He kicked his toe against the floor of the elevator. Who needed it, anyway? Who needed risking a loss so great it could suck all the life out of a body? Why not trundle on through life enjoying the good stuff and avoiding the bad?
“Freaking coward,” he muttered. He’d been right when he told Jonni that he and Cameron had been a pair of cowards.
The elevator doors opened.
Flynn strode out into the pink-tinged dawn. Why had he slipped out of Sami’s bed and out of her life?
For her sake.
Right. He’d done it for her, knowing he wasn’t the guy to give her the life she so desperately wanted.
But was he the guy willing to hang back and let some other man stand by her side?
Flynn got to his car, jumped in and headed for his condo. The thoughts in his brain were driving him crazy. He had to quit thinking of Sami Pepper. Doctor Pepper. Luscious, lovable, Sami, whom it felt as if he’d known for years instead of two weeks less one day. He roared onto the 405, gunned the engine, raced around a slower-paced vehicle and then, as that car’s blue lights shot on, realized he’d passed a highway patrol car.
He groaned, made his way to the off-ramp and pulled over, awaiting the inevitable traffic stop. At least he was cold stone sober. And who knew? Maybe he’d talk his way out of the ticket. Explain about the miscarriage and his grief.
And maybe he’d stop driving like a maniac.
Flynn lowered his window and greeted the officer, who brooked no excuses and handed him a ticket in record time.
Flynn thrust the ticket into the glove box and drove off, more sedately, his thoughts still focused on Sami. He got back to his place, showered, changed, and headed toward Cameron’s. He pulled into a Starbucks and while in line, couldn’t help but remember his and Sami’s first stop on the drive from New Orleans to Nashville.
McDonald’s.
He grinned, remembering her telling him his money was no good.
He recalled her handing him the bag of quarters at the rest area and grinned again.
Sami had an answer for everything.
What the hell. If he couldn’t get her out of his mind, he’d board another plane for Nashville. Maybe she’d be able to give him an answer as to why he was so fricking fixated on her.
Whistling, Flynn paid for his double tall latte. Then he let his whistling die away.
Maybe Sami was the answer.
His answer.
He gulped his coffee and almost spit it out as his tongue burned.
“Forget it,” he said out loud. “Stay the hell away from Nashville.”
The rain and thunder that awakened Sami on Sunday morning did not slacken. She wasn’t at all surprised to receive a text from Chase asking her to meet him and his parents at the Union Station Hotel for a late luncheon rather than at the marina. Sami opted for her conservative aqua dress with the short jacket, paid careful attention to her makeup, and drove to the famous downtown landmark, hoping against hope that she did not make a fool of herself.
The valet took her car. Sami entered the soaring lobby converted from the space of what had once been the central train terminal in Nashville. The rain thundered against the elegant stained glass but inside all was cheerily lit. She stood inside the door, gazing around, and as she did, she saw Chase approaching.
He smiled, took her hand briefly, and then guided her through a knot of sightseers toward a comfortable seating area. A man who looked like he could be Chase’s older brother sat next to a lovely, blonde-haired woman. They both smiled as she approached with Chase.
They couldn’t have been warmer or more relaxed, treating her like an old friend. Sami was relieved that they didn’t make a fuss over the introductions. She settled into the chair Chase indicated, next to his mother.
“Please call me Mam,” his mother said. “And my husband is always Puck.”
Sami tried to hide her surprise. It seemed to be rushing fences slightly to address Chase’s mother in such a familiar way. Her hesitation must have shown, because Mam said, “Oh, everyone calls me Mam. I don’t think many of my friends even know my birth name.”
Sami nodded. She pleated the skirt of her dress with her fingers.
“Shame about this rain,” Chase’s father said. “I was looking forward to trying out your new boat.”
“Sami was out with me last Sunday,” Chase said. “She loved it.”
“I did find it both exhilarating and a trifle terrifying,” Sami said.
“Terrifying?” Chase stared at her. “Whatever could have scared you?”
“Simply that it was my first time on a sailboat,” she said.
“First time?” Mam and Puck spoke in unison.
Sami kept pleating her skirt.
Mam leaned over and patted her on the back of the hand. “You never need to worry about your safety when you’re with Lil’ Doc. He’s been an expert sailor since Puck taught him the ropes at thirteen.”
Sami smiled at her. The woman was genuinely nice. “Thank you,” she said. “I truly enjoyed the afternoon.” She glanced at Chase. “Your son does your sailing training great credit.” She couldn’t bring herself to call his father ‘Puck.’
“Chip off the old block, he is. All my sons are.” He reached over and touched hands with his wife. “A credit to you, Mam.”
Sami watched Chase’s parents exchange loving glances. Her heart did a leap and a tumble. Their kind of loving marriage was exactly what she wanted.
Mam squeezed her husband’s hand. “Chase tells us you’re from Nashville,” she said.
“I grew up here. But I live in New Orleans.”
“She’s a Commodore,” Chase said. “Perfect background for learning how to sail.”
At least Sami recognized the nickname of the Vanderbilt team. “I did my undergraduate degree at Belmont. My doctorate is from Vanderbilt.”
“I didn’t realize that,” Chase said. “I thought you were all Vandy.”
Sami shrugged, feeling vaguely uneasy, as if she had committed a social solecism.
“You’re on faculty at Tulane?” That was from Puck.
Sami nodded. “Tenure track, associate professor.”
“Very laudable,” Mam said. “What are your other interests?”
Sami’s brow wrinkled. “I’m not certain that I fully understand the nature of your query.”
Chase laughed. “There you go with that rather unique speech pattern.” He turned to his parents. “She’s a professor. Comes with the territory.”
“Social interests,” Mam said. “Philanthropic? Literary? Musical?”
“Oh,” Sami said. “I don’t really have time to devote much energy to anything outside of my academic career.” She could tell Mam was a bit disappointed, so she added, “I do play the piano. And the violin. And I rescue dogs.”
“Chase’s sister plays the violin,” Puck said. “She’s with the New York Philharmonic.”
“Impressive,” Sami said.
“Shall we move into the restaurant?” Puck rose, glancing at his watch. “I’ve agreed to consult with one of my former colleagues at Vandy at three.”
“Oh, Puck,” Mam said. “Just when you were going to be able to enjoy the day off.”
“With the rain, seemed like I might as well say yes. He’s been asking me to drop by.”
Mam slipped her hand through Sami’s arm as they walked toward the restaurant inside the massive lobby. “Puck works so hard. Chase is exactly the same. I understand your parents are both doctors, so I’m sure you’re used to the demands of the profession.”
“Definitely,” Sami said, wondering what would happen if she told Mam just how abandoned she’d felt the many, many times in her childhood when the sitter had stayed late and tucked her in and she hadn’t seen Emile or Nathalie for sometimes days on end.
“It can get lonely,” Mam said. “That’s one of the reasons it’s helpful to have a range of interests of one’s own. Especially before and after the children.”
Sami wanted to hug Chase’s mother. “I was lonely quite a bit of the time as a child.”
Mam nodded. “I opted not to pursue my career in order to be at home for the children. I’ve never regretted it, in case you’re wondering.” She smiled. “I was a junior stock trader on Wall Street, and when I think of that grind compared to my wonderful home and family, I shake my head.” She laughed lightly, withdrew her hand, and ushered Sami ahead of her toward their table.
With all the food for thought Mam was providing, Sami didn’t know if she could eat a bite of the tasting menu Puck was praising and suggesting for the table. She felt as if she’d fallen into a rushing stream and was bobbing about, the water tossing her from side to side, gently enough, but persistently moving her forward at a pace that had begun to terrify her. She liked Chase. He checked every box on her Husband-to-Be list. Emile and Nathalie were going to drool over him. But she barely knew him.
She sensed Chase watching her. She turned toward him. He placed his arm on the back of her chair and leaned over. “You’re the best,” he said in a low voice.
She smiled. It was nice to be praised and appreciated, even though she couldn’t think of anything she’d done for him to award her with that particular accolade.
“Lil Doc, you’ve got that right,” Puck said. “I don’t know where you found Sami, but you’ve outdone yourself.”
Chase looked a bit uncomfortable. “I thought I mentioned Dr. Acosta and Sami are best friends. She introduced us.”
“Oh, of course,” Puck said. “Dr. Acosta, now she’s one up-and-coming young doctor. Where did you two meet?”
“In the E.R.,” Chase said.
“In second grade,” Sami said. “She always knew she’d be a doctor.”
Puck nodded. “Most of us do. The good ones, anyway. I have a feeling that’s true of both your parents, Sami.”
“Definitely.” Sami nodded, wondering as she did so if that had been true of Philippe. Had the wildly emotional, motorcycle-riding man had other dreams?
“Have you met them, son?” Puck was nothing if not direct.
“Not yet.” He dropped his arm from the back of Sami’s chair as the waiter approached. “But I’m sure we’ll remedy that soon.”
Sami wasn’t sure she was ready to introduce Chase to Emile and Nathalie, but it made her feel special that he expected an introduction. “They are in the process of moving into a new place. It’s rather a turbulent time for them.”
“Moving,” Mam said, “is exhausting, but the potential in any new home is exciting.”
“I like to think you are correct,” Sami said, “but the circumstances in their move make it otherwise.”
Mam looked a question.
“They’ve sold our family home and downsized.” Sami didn’t feel she should mention Emile’s Parkinson’s. He might not want that news spread abroad into the medical community.
“We’ll be doing that sooner rather than later,” Mam said. “There’s not much point in keeping a seven-bedroom home with pool and tennis court and stables when all the children are grown and sad to say there are no grandchildren, yet, to enjoy visiting.”
She didn’t sound like she was bragging, but Sami couldn’t help but consider how much a house like that would cost to keep up, let alone purchase.
“Do you ride?” Puck asked.
Sami shook her head.
“Chase, you’ll need to toss her up on a horse and show her the ropes.”
Chase nodded. “She’s a great swimmer. And you play tennis, don’t you, Sami?”
“Yes,” Sami said. She’d slipped down the Daughter-in-Law Desirability index. “I played All State in high school.”
“Lovely,” Mam said. “You and Chase must find a long weekend to slip away to our little place on the coast.”
“Mam,” Chase said, “you know my time is not my own.”
Mam set her chin in a rather stubborn fashion. “You don’t want to make Sami think you’re a workaholic who doesn’t know how to stop and have fun once in a while. Does he, Sami?”
“Actually, I’d rather know the truth,” Sami said. “I am a fervent believer in gathering factual data before drawing inferences or conclusions.” She smiled brightly at the others. “It’s best for Chase to be himself.” Even as she finished her sentence, she realized what an absolute hypocrite she’d been. She’d employed Flynn’s advice, adopting his tricks and wiles to enchant Chase—rather than being true to her own personality.
“Well said, Sami,” Chase said. He took one of her hands in his. “Isn’t she an angel?”
Sami blushed from embarrassment and the dawning realization that she needed to quit pretending to be some lovable, adorable empty-headed bit of fluff. She was Samantha Pepper, Ph.D., and she wasn’t giving up her career or her rescue mutts for the sole purpose of serving the world as a stay-at-home wife of a doctor who preferred AKC-registered Standard Poodles to pound puppies.
Puck signaled the waiter to the table and said something Sami couldn’t hear.
“For my part,” Puck said, “a workaholic is better than a bum any day.”
“Here, here,” Chase said, letting go of Sami’s hand and raising his water glass.
“How do you like New Orleans?” Mam asked. “We’ve been there a number of times for orthopedic surgeons’ conferences.”
“I believe I have settled in fairly well,” Sami said. “I lease a shotgun house, fenced, of course, within biking distance of the university. My colleagues are congenial and don’t exhibit any of the cut-throat academic competition I was warned to beware of.”
“Do you still consider Nashville home?” Puck asked, glancing toward Chase.
“That’s not an easy question to answer,” Sami said.
“But you’d be happy returning?” Mam smiled at her as she asked the question.
Sami glanced at her lap. She should be able to meet Chase’s gaze as she answered, but somehow she couldn’t. “If the right opportunity should present itself,” she said at last.
The waiter approached, carrying a champagne bottle and four glasses. He presented it to Puck, who approved the label.
“Seems to me a celebratory toast is in order,” Puck said. As soon as the waiter filled the glasses, he lifted his. Sami and the others followed suit, Sami squirming a bit in anticipation and dread at what Chase’s father might say.
“To Chase and Sami,” Puck said. “A beautiful and charming couple.”
Sami blushed. Chase leaned over and kissed her, on the lips for the first time ever. Sami blushed again.
“To us,” Chase said, toasting her.
“To us, and to your parents,” she said.
Afterwards, Sami could only be thankful that Puck had to rush to his appointment and that Mam was meeting his colleague’s wife for tea. They hugged all around. Chase walked her to her car, telling her he’d be happy to pick her up at her place the next time they met, rather than her having to drive alone.
As the valet stepped out of her car, Chase put his arms around her shoulders, gazed into her eyes, and kissed her. Sami leaned into his kiss, which didn’t linger.
He stepped back. “I’m happy that went so well,” he said.
She almost asked him if he meant the kiss, then realized he was referring to her meeting his parents. “Me, too,” she said.
“I’ve got a crazy week,” Chase said. “It may be Saturday night till I’m free. Dinner then?”
“I’ll consult my calendar,” Sami said.
He looked surprised.
“Of course,” she said. “I was just making a joke.”
“Sami, getting to see you, to be near you, is no joking matter.” He took her hands in his. “You know I’m crazy about you.”
She nodded. She should say ‘Me, too,’ but her lips wouldn’t move.
He lifted her hands and kissed her fingertips.
“Your car,” the valet said.
“Be good,” Chase said, holding the door for her and tipping the valet. He closed the door after her and wagged his fingers. “Text me when you’re home.”
She nodded, gave a brief wave, and drove out into the still pouring rain.