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  “If not me, then know there are people here for you, Brett.” I walked onto the porch. “There are a lot of people who want to support our veterans. I could connect you to someone else. Someone you feel more comfortable with.”

  His hand landed on the wood post over my head. His body towered over mine and for a second I thought he was going to kiss me. But that would be crazy. That would be absurd. This man who looked like a Greek god, was not going to kiss me out of the blue.

  I stared at his lips. They were beautiful. Probably the most kissable lips I had ever seen. Full and broad. Firm and perfectly shaped for kissing.

  “Thank you. What did you say your name was?”

  “Dr. Forrest.”

  “I got that. What about a first name?”

  “Oh right. It’s Gretchen.” My back was pressed against the post now and if he leaned any closer his solid chest would be touching mine. I would be able to feel that intense heartbeat.

  “Gretchen.” He smiled, rolling my name over his tongue.

  “Mmmhmm.” I nodded.

  I knew I was lingering. I was standing on his porch, unable to take the first step toward my car. I forgot I was here as a volunteer, and he was supposed to be my veteran. Instead, I wanted to drink in every ounce of him.

  I was feeling sensations I hadn’t felt in a long time. Somehow he was awakening the sleepiest parts of my body, especially my lonely lady zone.

  Damn it. I was an educated, independent, self-made woman. I worked twelve-hour shifts, solved medical crises, commanded an entire hospital nursing staff. But standing there looking in his eyes, all I could think about was how much I wanted to be kissed. How much I wanted to be touched and held. I was spinning with the nearness of him.

  Five

  Brett

  I stared into her green eyes as my chest heaved with deep breaths. I didn’t know it could feel like this. Even standing next to this woman made my heart ache. The thought of touching her was enough to make my skin burn. She was so close. Close enough to kiss.

  I bent toward her, ready to taste her lips when I heard an engine rattling along the driveway. I looked up to see my cousin’s truck racing over the gravel.

  “Damn it,” I muttered.

  Gretchen slipped out from under my arm. Her face was flushed. The moment was gone.

  “I should go,” she whispered, tucking her hair behind her ear.

  I hadn’t seen him in years, but he hadn’t changed one bit. “Cuz, you’re home.” Cane jumped from the truck and hurried toward the porch in heavy strides.

  Gretchen walked down the stairs. I wanted to pull her back on the porch, and wrap her in my arms. Steal the kiss I was thirsting for. Cane was already halfway up the steps and threw a burley arm around me.

  “Good to see you.” Cane hadn’t even stopped to avoid bumping into Gretchen. It was as if he hadn’t seen her.

  “Hold on, man. I need to finish something.” I jogged down the stairs, catching Gretchen at her car. “Doc, wait just a second.”

  The blush on her cheeks was cute, and I couldn’t help but think it was from the kiss that almost happened.

  “Yes?” She turned before ducking in the car.

  “I don’t know if this is part of the program, but I was thinking about going out for dinner. Maybe trying the local cuisine. It would probably be good to have someone to talk to. Would you want to join me?”

  Damn I sounded like I was in high school. I knew I was rusty, but I needed to get my game back faster than that. I had to have her. And clearly, I was willing to fucking embarrass myself to make that happen. I thought I saw a smile form on the corners of her lips.

  “Are you asking me out Captain Jackson?” She tilted her head sideways.

  “Brett,” I corrected. “And what if I am? Don’t give me that doctor-patient excuse. You are not my doctor.”

  “I don’t know.” She hesitated. “I don’t think we went over this in the volunteer training.”

  “Really?” I eyed her. “You’re kidding with me right now.”

  She twisted her lips together. “Would you say this is part of your re-entry practice?”

  I chuckled. “Most definitely.”

  “Well, I can’t let you do that alone can I? Not after I just gave you that whole speech about reaching out.”

  “That’s what I was thinking.” I winked. “You’re basically obligated to have dinner with me after that exam.”

  She slid behind the driver’s seat. A second later she handed me a piece of paper. “Here’s my address. Pick me up at seven.”

  I shoved the note in my pocket. “See you then, doc.”

  I watched as she backed out of the driveway and her car disappeared in the wooded drive. I turned to face my cousin. I wanted to slug him for showing up when he did, but I hadn’t seen him in two years. That wasn’t exactly the best way to say hello under the circumstances.

  “Who in the hell told you I was back?” I barked. I knew my cousins, aunts, and uncles would eventually figure it out, but I had kept a low profile on purpose. I didn’t intend to be absorbed in the family drama just because I was home.

  “Good to see you too.” Cane grinned. “Looks like you aren’t wasting any time with the women. Don’t blame you. Two years is a long time. You picked a good one.”

  I shot him a look. I had only met the doctor half an hour ago. It was too new for my moronic cousin to screw it up. I already didn’t like the way he was talking about her. As if she was a prize or a trinket to pass around. The doc was anything but that.

  “That was nothing,” I grumbled, trying to make him drop Gretchen as a topic. “Who told you I was home?”

  “Randy said he saw your lights on last night when he was out with his dogs. Told him I’d swing by to make sure it wasn’t a vagrant who had broken in. Had a feeling you might be here though.”

  “Yeah. Not a vagrant.” My family was so damn nosey. Why couldn’t they leave me out of their problems?

  “Since I’m here I should bring you up to date on family business.”

  I sat on the top step, pulling the knife from my leg. I reached for a piece of kindling and began to whittle long clean strokes against the wood.

  “Not interested in the family right now. Can’t it wait?”

  Cane sat next to me. “Look, I know you’ve been out of country, but now that you are home, you can’t ignore the family. It’s your responsibility.”

  I huffed. “I’m not going to be home long. Not long enough to do anything to help out. I’m not done over there. You’ve been doing a good job filling in for me. Just keep it up. One day, when I’m back for good, I’ll do my job.”

  Cane laughed. “I’m not you, man. The family’s not going to keep listening to me since they know you’re back. You need to get everyone together. There are things that need to be addressed.”

  I shook my head. I wasn’t going to organize anything. “Negative. I’m only going to be here another week or so and then I’m right back where I was. I’m sure you can handle whatever is going on. I need to be brought in on anything.”

  Cane gripped my arm. I stopped whittling the wood. “No. I can’t. Not again. You’re the one who left us when we needed you most.”

  I set my eyes on my cousin and curled my lip. “I wasn't the one who caused all the trouble. You can’t pin this on me.”

  I rose from the step and walked in the cabin, slamming the door behind me.

  The last thing I wanted was to get involved in family business. I walked to the fridge and grabbed a beer. I needed something to calm down. But I knew beer wasn’t the answer. The answer was to get out of town. To leave the cabin. Head back to the desert where the turbulence and the chaos was something I could navigate. Survival boiled in my blood.

  Cane followed me into the cabin. “Sorry, man. I shouldn’t have said that.”

  I took a swig of beer. “Forget it.”

  “Can I have one of those?” He nodded at the bottle in my hand. I grabbed a second beer from the
fridge.

  He twisted off the cap. “Thanks.” He sat at the kitchen table, but I stood near the sink. I didn’t want to invite this conversation to happen.

  “Say what you have to say, Cane. Lay it out there. I’m not promising anything, though.”

  He cleared his throat. “The Osborns want to take us to court. They are contesting the land rights.”

  My eyes widened. “Like hell they are.”

  “It’s getting bad, Brett. Really bad. If you would just honor the contract Uncle Jax made. I mean your dad, then this shit would be over.”

  I scowled. I hated it every time I was reminded of what my father had lured me into on his deathbed. He thought the only way to protect his legacy was to make sure there were grandchildren. That I would carry on the Jackson name with a family of my own. He had no idea how wrong he was in choosing me for that mission.

  I’d spent the past two years watching tribes and families fight over land and family rights. Coming home to it only pissed me off. I had seen too many people die over fucking dirt.

  “I don’t want to talk about the contract. If the Osborns take us to court, then it will be settled. There’s no way they will win.”

  Cane finished off his beer. “You’re wrong. They have every intention of contesting the will. And your dad was clear. In order for the land to go to you, you have to be married. Can’t you do this for your family?”

  “I’ve been home from a war zone for one day.” I gritted my teeth. “I have no interest in getting married.”

  “It doesn’t matter who she is. Just find someone.” Cane rose from the table. “I’ll let you get some rest. You don’t seem like yourself, cuz. The man I used to know would do anything to fight for his family. I’ll catch you later.”

  The screen door slammed behind him as he walked onto the porch.

  I balled my hands into fists. What the fuck was going on around here? And how was I supposed to do anything about it?

  Six

  Gretchen

  I knew exactly how rash and impulsive I had been when I accepted Brett’s invitation to dinner. I also knew if I had told him no, I’d have regretted for the rest of the night.

  I looked at options in my closet. I wasn’t going to wear scrubs on this date. Because that’s what it was, a date. Dinner with a hot guy.

  There was something about Brett Jackson that had already gotten under my skin. It didn’t make any sense. I had only known him a few hours and I was thirsting for another look at him.

  I settled on a dark pair of jeans and a green tank top. If I paired it with my black boots it would dress it up a bit. There had to be a balance between looking sexy without looking like I tried.

  Today was the first of three days off, but ever since I left the little cabin in the woods the only thing I could think about was Brett. I didn’t get my bookcase painted or my junk drawer cleaned out as I had planned. I didn’t even take the nap I promised myself for the last four night shifts.

  I dipped my eyeliner in the well and applied it just under my lid. Then I heard a pounding knock on the front door.

  “Hold on,” I called.

  Shit. He was early. Hadn’t Dr. Mors warned me these military guys liked to be on time for everything?

  I rushed to the hall and opened the door. Standing in front of me was the most delicious looking man I’d ever seen. I blinked. This was my date.

  “Hi.” I smiled shyly. I could feel the blush creeping up my neck.

  “Ready?” he asked.

  Was I? Was I ready for a man like this?

  “I just need another minute. Want to have a seat?” I offered pointing at the sofa as I raced back to the mirror.

  “Sure.” He walked past me and I smelled his cologne. His scent was everything masculine and sexy. Good lord, he was unbelievable. I was already nervous.

  I ran to the bathroom and finished my makeup. It was hard to get the lines straight with my hands shaking like they were. The air had changed since Brett walked in the room. My skin was tingling and my breath was quick.

  I fastened my hands on my hips and took a slow, deep breath. I was a damn doctor, trained in medical science. There was a reason for this reaction. Pheromones, I told myself. It was simple male-female biology interaction in a confined space. Pure scientific fact. Also, the reality that I hadn’t gotten laid in a year wasn’t helping the situation. Satisfied with my makeup, I switched off the light and walked toward the living room.

  “Ok. I’m ready now.” I grinned. I didn’t know how Brett would react. Was it too much? Had I made it understated? Did he know that everything was for him?

  “You look stunning.” He winked.

  “Thank you.” I felt the heat in my cheeks.

  “I don’t know if you’re going to be able to help my re-entry transition, doc.” He held the door for her.

  “Why is that?” I looked up at him.

  I worried he was going to back out of the date. Or what if I had missed a symptom of depression or anxiety? I had been so busy studying the lines of his face I hadn’t tuned in to the cues of stress. I had to be the worst volunteer in the program. I had been undressing him with my mind, instead of assessing his state of mind.

  “Is something wrong?” I asked, trying to sound like I did in the ER. I needed to take tonight more seriously.

  “Oh no. Nothing is wrong. I’m worried all night I’m going to have to fight the men off you.” His eyes trailed over the swells of my breasts. I sighed. I realized I had chosen the perfect outfit after all. And there was nothing I had to worry about.

  I giggled. It was sweet and silly, but I liked it. “Do you say that to all the girls?”

  “No.” His eyes grew suddenly serious. “Only you.”

  “Oh.”

  “Come on. Let’s go eat.” His hand clasped over mine, and I suddenly felt very tiny and feminine. It was his broad shoulders, his large palms, his wide chest.

  He opened the passenger side and shuttled me into his truck.

  I couldn’t believe how neat and clean everything was inside the cab. Brett turned the station to country music. I smiled.

  “Is this what you usually listen to?” I asked.

  He put the truck in reverse. “I couldn’t tell you a popular song. In the field, there isn’t any music.”

  I frowned. “No music? Really?”

  He pointed the truck onto the road. “I can’t exactly focus with earbuds in my ear.” He looked at me quickly before turning on a side road.

  “I guess that makes sense. But that’s sad. I listen to music all the time on my breaks. It helps me unwind when I’m in the ER. My playlists are set for the week. I don’t know how I would function without it for my workouts or to do yoga.”

  “Yoga?” I saw him grin. “I think I’d like to see you do some of those bendy positions.”

  I wanted to reach across and playfully slap him, but hitting a man while he was driving wasn’t the safest way to flirt.

  “Maybe you should try it. It could help destress.”

  “Me do yoga?” He chuckled. “Yeah, I don’t think so.”

  “Have you even tried it?” I tested. The idea of him trying to do tree pose was both hysterical and somehow sexy. His massive body aligned in perfect symmetry was something I wanted to see.

  “No,” he blurted.

  “I think that means I need to add it to your re-entry tools.”

  He slowed down as we neared the parking lot. “Tools? Like coping tools? I don’t think so, doc.”

  “You are quick to turn down new things,” I commented.

  He shook his head, pulling the keys from the ignition. “No. I just know what works in my life and what doesn’t.” He turned to face me. “Yoga with you, though?” He paused and I thought my heart was going to beat out of my chest. The way he looked at me made me feel as if he was going to devour me in the cab of the truck. “I’d be willing to try yoga.”

  I smiled triumphantly. My core fluttered just a bit and I knew I was falling
way to fast for this soldier. He had a heartbreaker face and a body to go along with it.

  “We should go in. We have reservations.”

  “Oh right.” The silence between us was broken. He slid out of the truck and walked around to open the door for me.

  As we walked inside, I wondered how long it had been since he had done something as normal as going out to eat. It sounded as if his life had been completely off the grid. Part of me could relate in a small way. Life at the hospital was nothing but constant shifts. I worked, ate, and slept. Although, I wasn’t fighting for my life. He lived with a heightened sense of mortality that had to be impossible.

  Once we were seated, I thanked the waiter when he dropped off a glass of wine. I wrapped my fingers around the stem. I needed to pace myself.

  “So how has your first week back in the U.S. been?” I asked. I wanted to get to know as much about Brett as I could.

  He folded the menu and placed it on the table. “Strange.”

  “I can only imagine. But you’re happy to be home?”

  His eyes landed on mine, and I felt something in his gaze I hadn’t seen before. “I think I am. For now.”

  “You should just take it slow. Don’t put pressure on yourself.”

  “Is that you talking or the doctor?” He raised his eyebrows.

  I smiled. “Sometimes I can’t separate the two.” I sipped my wine, feeling the sudden smoothness soothe me.

  “I have that same problem. It’s a work hazard.” His eyes didn’t move.

  “Yes, exactly. A work hazard.”

  “How long have you been a doctor?” he asked.

  “I’m finishing my residency now It’s my third and final year after four years of med school. I can’t believe after this year I’ll be done. I haven’t decided if I’m staying in Havenville.”

  “Not stay in Havenville? Where would you go?”

  “Mmm…I don’t know. I don’t have family here. There are a lot of hospitals hiring right now. Not to mention private practices. I thought about trying the east coast. Maybe someplace warmer.”