The Rancher Wore Suits Page 9

  Uh, no, to visit the children.

  Seeing Jessica would be a nice bonus. A really, really nice bonus.

  A knock sounded at the door, and Ty opened it, not surprised to see George.

  “Sir, Ms. Bridget is here. She said you have a racquetball date.”

  “What?”

  “She’s waiting in the living room.”

  Ty scratched his head, panic streaking through him. He wasn’t totally ignorant; he had heard of racquetball, but he’d never actually played. It was sort of like tennis, right? Did this constitute a real date or had George used the term loosely?

  Dex’s valet disappeared down the hall, and Ty tried to gather his composure. Would he be able to fake playing racquetball when he didn’t even know the rules of the game, much less the object of it? Or should he fake an illness to get out of it?

  “Dex, there you are.” Bridget suddenly appeared at his door. “We need to hurry.”

  “We do?”

  Impatience flared in her eyes. “Yes, have you forgotten to look at your schedule again? Drake and Stern are meeting us at the racquetball courts.”

  “Who?”

  “Drake and Stern.”

  “Do we have a business deal pending with them?”

  Bridget narrowed her eyes. “You just closed a deal with them, Dex. What’s wrong with you?”

  “Oh, yes.” Ty nodded, rubbing his head. “My mind’s been foggy lately.”

  “Tell me about it. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you switched places with someone else in Chicago.”

  He coughed, nearly choking with panic, and she paused and stared at him. He finally calmed himself; but he had to go along. “Right. Lead the way.”

  She folded her arms, drawing up the short tennis skirt outfit a notch. “Aren’t your forgetting something?”

  He halted, searching his memory. He had on Dex’s exercise shorts and tennis shoes; what else did he need?

  She raised one dark eyebrow. “Your racquet and goggles?”

  “Oh, yeah. Right.” This woman made him feel about three years old and three inches tall. Flustered, he hurried back to the bedroom, but couldn’t find any kind of racquet amidst the dozens of suits and ties in Dex’s closet. He met her in the hallway. “I think I left it in the t room.”

  George was waiting at the bottom of the stairs, Dex’s gym bag and racquet in hand. “Here you go, Mr. Dex.”

  Ty took the gear, but detected a slight quirky smile from George. “Thanks.”

  A few minutes later, he spent a harrowing ride in Bridget’s silver Mustang convertible. It was her pride and joy, she’d told him, and came with all the latest bells and whistles, including seat warmers.

  He much preferred Jessica’s rattletrap Nellie, and his old pickup truck at home. And he didn’t need seat warmers in his car. He’d rather have a warm woman. A warm soft woman like Jessica. But that would never happen.

  When they arrived, he and Bridget greeted the two businessmen. Apparently this outing was simply a goodwill game to smooth ruffled feathers over a recent takeover.

  Ty’s were definitely ruffled, though.

  Thank goodness he wouldn’t have to fake it through business talk, too. Under the guise of being polite, he insisted Bridget and Drake take the first court and he watched, hoping to pick up the rules of the game. He had played baseball in high school, but this game was nothing like it. Bridget attacked the ball the same way she did the financial reports, with gusto and her cutthroat confidence, her lithe body sailing back and forth with ease, the short skirt accentuating long thin legs. Even half-naked, she held no appeal. What did Dex see in the woman? She was all sharp angles and planes, nothing like the soft curves and enticing femininity of Jessica Stovall.

  Hell, he’d find a curvy, soft woman back home. One who liked the outdoors and didn’t wear those stuffy suits.

  Another court came available. Before he knew it, Ty was pounding the ball back and forth against the wall, dodging it as it zoomed back at him like a speeding bullet, the constant whip of the racquet contacting the ball zinging in his head.

  “Dex, when did you start playing with your left hand?”

  Ty froze, panicked and tried to hide his hand from Bridget. She and Drake had obviously finished their game. But he forgot to watch the ball. Seconds later, it smacked him in the head with the force of a jack-hammer. He spun around, dropped his racquet and stumbled backwards. Stars swirled in front of him just before his body collided with the floor.

  JESSICA WOULD NOT ALLOW herself to act like a star-struck teenager. She had firmly put Dex Montgomery out of her mind.

  Well, almost.

  She steered Nellie toward the hospital. It would be easier if the nurses hadn’t been talking about him last night when she’d made her nightly visit, raving about how he was not only the best-looking, most eligible doctor around, but that he had changed drastically in the last week, and he was now also the most generous.

  She couldn’t argue with either point.

  Rumors had even started about naming the children’s wing after him. How would Jessica ever forget the man then?

  Disgusted with herself and this odd obsession with the new Dex Montgomery, she’d sp the morning out at the stables where she’d ridden and groomed her favorite horse, a gelding named Sundance. She’d thought the long ride in the fresh air and sunshine would clear her head, but no—she’d had silly fantasies about Dex riding up on a black stallion and sweeping her away into the sunset.

  Fat chance of that.

  She couldn’t allow herself to get swept up in foolish fantasies.

  Dex Montgomery struck her as a die-hard bachelor. And if he decided to change that status, a dozen women would be waiting in line to fill the bridal shoes. Women who could give him everything he’d ever want, from a blue-blood name that would suit the Montgomerys to prestige to…children.

  Something she could never do.

  Pushing aside the ache in her chest, she parked in her usual spot, then strolled into the hospital to check on Donny. A moment of fear gripped her when she saw his empty bed.

  She caught the head nurse’s arm. “Where’s Donny?”

  “Oh, hi, Dr. Stovall,” Tina said, with a smile. “He was doing so well we moved him into his own room.”

  Relief flooded her. “That’s wonderful. I bet his mom is thrilled.”

  “She is. She started crying when Dr. Scranton gave her the good news.”

  “I’ll go see them in a bit. I think I’ll stop in and see Ashley first.”

  Tina nodded, and Jessica hurried to visit the three-year-old, worried Ashley might be alone or scared. Although a nurse or volunteer stayed with her around the clock, Jessica still felt as if she had to see her every day.

  She’d even contemplated adopting her.

  They all wanted to get Ashley through her surgery first, though, and see if her aunt came forward to take her. So far, she hadn’t. In fact, her aunt already had seven kids, and an impending bankruptcy situation. She hadn’t even visited.

  Jessica found the volunteer asleep in the chair beside Ashley’s bed. Ashley lay snuggled up asleep, her injured leg bandaged from a recent infection.

  Her heart breaking for the little girl, she nudged the woman. “You can take a break. I’ll stay with her for a while.”

  “Thanks.” The elderly woman smiled and stretched. “How long will you be here?”

  As long as Ashley needs me, she wanted to say. But she bit her tongue, not wanting everyone to see how attached she’d grown to the child. “At least a couple of hours.”

  “All right. I’ll be back by three. I could use some time to get my errands done.”

  Jessica gave her arm a squeeze and watched her leave. Pulling up a chair, she sat down beside Ashley and simply stared at the child’s angelic face.

  “Don’t worry, baby,” Jessica whispered, gently pulling the sheet up over Ashley’s sleeping form. “I won’t leave you alone.”

  She closed her eyes and imagined t
aking Ashley home, helping her learn to w again, spending holidays and Christmases together. Thank God the precious little girl would receive the plastic surgery and wouldn’t have to cope with such horrific scars—all because of Dex Montgomery.

  It was too bad he wouldn’t be a part of that happy little family scenario.

  But she’d learned long ago not to count on miracles.

  TY HAD NEVER been so humiliated in his life.

  Well, except the time the bull had kicked him in the privates and he’d had to ice-pack his nether regions. But at least then he’d been home and he’d hidden out in his bedroom. Sure, his brothers had ribbed him, but he hadn’t had to face an army of paramedics, businessmen, the other people working out at the health club, many of whom were doctors and knew Dex, and a financial advisor who wanted to slice and dice him under a microscope. He had to face Jessica today as well.

  Damn. He couldn’t avoid her.

  “You’ve got some goose egg,” Stern said over the paramedic’s shoulder.

  “Are you dizzy?” the young emergency attendant asked.

  “Dex, I still don’t understand why you were playing left-handed,” Bridget said. Her brittle voice grated on his nerves like a scrub brush against a saddle. But she just wouldn’t forget that slip-up.

  He gave her a warning look, told the paramedic he was fine, and pushed to his feet. “I’ll be all right. It was stupid of me to look away. I know better.”

  The paramedic grinned. “Sir, you’d be surprised at the number of similar injuries we have. Golf is just as bad.”

  Ty did not feel better. And he prayed Bridget didn’t have a golf date on his calendar. He’d probably knock himself out with one of those sticks; what did they call them—irons?

  “I think we’ll call it a morning,” Stern said. Drake agreed, the two men shook his hand and left together. But Ty could have sworn he heard them snicker as they headed to the showers.

  “I’ll drive you home,” Bridget said, taking his arm. “Unless you need to go to the hospital.”

  He did, but he didn’t intend to tell Bridget he planned to see Jessica. He’d close the deal, then let things be done.

  “If you experience dizziness or blurred vision, Dr. Montgomery—”

  “He knows,” Bridget said. “He’s a doctor, remember?”

  “Just doing our jobs,” the paramedic said.

  Ty thanked them, then headed to Bridget’s Mustang for another crazy ride home. On the way, he’d have to engineer a reason why he was using his left hand to play racquetball when Dex was right-handed.

  He suddenly had an idea. He’d convince her he’d used his left hand to give Stern the advantage. After all, she’d wanted them to mend ruffled feathers over M3I’s takeover. He could insist that he was sacrificing himself for the job. It was a stretch, but maybe she would believe it.

  He frowned, his conscience kicking in. One lie just led to another.

  THE NURSES, aides and volunteers helped the children gather in the rec room for story time. Little Ashley curled up in Jessica’s lap sucking her thumb.

  When Dex entered the room, the children whispered in excitement. They were accustomed to women nurses and volunteers, but having a man visit thrilled them even more.

  Dex’s gaze caught hers, and Jessica winced. She’d heard a rumor floating through the hospital that he had been hit by a ball, but she hadn’t expected his entire forehead to show the damage.

  “Oh, Dex,” she whispered as he caught her gaze.

  A blush crept up his dark jaw, and she couldn’t help but smile. Good grief, even bruised and embarrassed, the man exuded more sex appeal than a movie star.

  “You gots hurted?” one of the little boys said.

  “Yep.” Dex ran his fingers through his hair, pushing the locks back to reveal the full extent of the injury. A red knot the size of a walnut bulged outward, the skin already turning purple and yellow around it.

  Ashley tugged at Jessica’s lab coat and dropped her thumb from her mouth. “I gotted hurt, too.”

  Jessica laid her palm on Ashley’s soft cheek. “I know you did, sweetie.”

  Dex stopped, smiled at Jessica, then knelt down to speak to Ashley. “Hey, princess.”

  “That’s a whopper boo-boo.”

  Dex chuckled, a deep rumbling sound that made Jessica’s stomach tighten.

  “I know. Hurt like—” Jessica shot him a warning look “—heck. I should have kept my eye on the ball.”

  “I shud’ve stop and drop.”

  Jessica hugged her close. Since Ashley had been burned in the house fire that killed her parents, the nurses had talked to her about fire safety.

  “We’ll both know better next time, won’t we?” Dex said with a wink.

  Ashley nodded, her eyes big. “Dr. Jesse gots to kiss it and make it better.” Ashley pointed to the bandage on her leg. “That’s what she done fer me.”

  Jessica shifted, heat scalding her neck.

  Dex grinned wickedly. “You know, I bet that would make it better.”

  “Maybe Dr. Jesse will do it later,” Jessica said, aware the other nurses and kids were watching.

  Ashley tugged on her arm again. “No, Dr. Jesse now. He hurts.”

  Dex pushed his hair back again and leaned forward. “I think she’s right, Dr. Jesse. It hurts real bad. Maybe you can take away the sting.”

  Jessica narrowed her eyes at him, promising retribution. But pushed at Jessica’s arm and Dex’s, so Jessica compromised by kissing her finger, then gently pressing it to his forehead.

  TY READ three stories to the kids and helped the volunteers get them back to their rooms, then watched as Jessica tucked Ashley into bed and kissed her good-bye. His heart had completely melted. He wasn’t Dex Montgomery, but for the moment, everyone thought he was and he enjoyed helping them.

  He was also beginning to really like Jessica. He’d have to remind Dex to be nice to her when he returned. But not too nice.

  “I have an idea to raise money for the children’s wing—”

  “You’ve changed your mind about the donation?”

  He heard the disappointment in her voice and briefly wondered if she might be playing up to him for the money. But he dismissed the thought immediately.

  No, not Jessica. She was loving, kind, sincere. Honest.

  Which he wasn’t. Not since Chicago.

  “I haven’t changed my mind.” He ached to touch her but refused to allow himself the privilege. “I don’t go back on my word, Jessica. You can trust me. You’ll get the funding.”

  Wariness flickered in her eyes, arousing his conscience. He wanted her to trust him, yet he was still lying to her.

  But he couldn’t tell her the truth yet.

  Besides, it wouldn’t matter. She was attracted to Dex. And he could never be his brother.

  “Okay, Dex. What was your idea?”

  “Let me take you to lunch and we’ll discuss it.”

  “I’ve already eaten.”

  “How about some coffee?”

  “The hospital coffee is terrible.”

  “I saw one of those coffee places around the corner, they serve that fancy stuff with whipped cream and all.”

  Jessica finally relented. “Okay, I’d love a mocha.”

  Five minutes later, they’d walked to the Java Café. Ty ordered plain black coffee and was in heaven. Jessica gathered her café mocha and sat in a corner booth, torturing him as she licked whipped cream from the top with her tongue.

  “Okay, tell me about this great idea.”

  “We’ll put on a big backyard barbecue.” He leaned back in the vinyl chair, feeling more relaxed than he had since he’d arrived in Atlanta. “We can invite investors to add to my donation, and we can also kick off the new playground project. It’ll be like an old-fashioned barn raising.”

  Jessica’s pink lips curled into a radiant smile. “That’s a wonderful idea, Dex.”

  “And we can have games and pony rides for all the kids. Once people see
those little innocent faces, they won’t be able to write their checks fast enough.”

  Jessica sat up straighter, her excitement growing. “You’re right. Oh, Dex, the kids will love it, too.”

  Ty grinned. “We’ll have it on the Montgomery property.”

  Jessica laughed. “Are you sure that injury isn’t affecting your brain? Somehow, I can’t see your grandfather allowing a barbecue and pony rides at his house.”

  Ty bit the inside of his cheek. His grandfather might not go for it, but he would do his damnedest to convince him. After all, Ty had been doing everything he could do to fit into the Montgomery world. It was about time they loosened up around that house and learned something from the Coopers.

  “Don’t worry.” He reached out and covered her hand with his, aware of the subtle tension between them. “I’ll handle Grandfather. But this bruise is bothering me again. How about giving me another kiss to make it better? Maybe you could put a big lip-lock on me.”

  Jessica laughed again. “Good try, Doc. Next time you’d better be more careful.”

  He silently cursed himself for flirting with her; Gran always said he couldn’t control his tongue around the women. He had to change the subject. “What made you go into medicine, Jessica?”

  A second of silence stretched between them while she shifted in her chair and toyed with her coffee stirrer. “My mother, I guess.”

  “She wanted you to be a doctor?”

  “No, not exactly.”

  “Come on, Jessica, if we’re going to be friends, we can share a few dark secrets.”

  Jessica managed a smile. “It’s not all that dark. It’s just my mother…she was sick. Actually I was sick when I was little, too. I had severe asthma and had to be hospitalized several times.”

  “I’m sorry. That must have been tough.”

  Jessica shrugged. “It’s scary being in the hospital when you’re a kid. I guess that’s why I went into pediatrics.”

  He sipped his coffee, watching her, admiring her more every minute. But the silences told him as much as her confession. She hadn’t had a very happy childhood. “So what kind of illness did your mother have?”