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Rachel’s gaze drifted in the direction of Peter’s room. “If I were single and younger, I’d take a chance with that one.”
“Well, then, it’s a good thing you’re not. Don’t think Huey would be too happy.”
Rachel laughed. “Huey wouldn’t take his eyes off a football game long enough to notice.”
Cassie glanced at the clock on the wall behind the nurses’ station. “When Doc finishes, send him back. He wanted to meet Peter awake.”
“Okay. I’ll cover for you if you get...delayed.”
“You have an overactive imagination, girl!”
Cassie headed for her locker, distressed by Rachel’s comment about Huey. Did she ever want to get married if long-term relationships grew stale? Definitely not.
She grabbed her purse from the locker and closed the door. Amazing how a new curiosity like Peter Chapman arriving in Montauk caused such a ruckus with her female coworkers. She’d met him first, albeit through his accident, so felt a sense of proprietary interest in him. She’d flirted with him against her better judgment because, hell’s bells, he was just too handsome to resist. After hearing the other nurses’ chatter, it was time to rely on reason and behave. Taking Peter Chapman to his hotel and leaving him there seemed like the next best thing to do.
No matter how capable Peter was, hospital rule insisted that a patient be wheeled to the door. Pushing a wheelchair toward his room, she convinced herself that if Peter’s professional bedside manner proved to be anything like his charm, they’d be working together for a long time. Might as well not ruin their budding friendship by stepping over boundaries.
She inhaled a fortifying breath and whispered, “I can do this.”
She wheeled the chair into the room to find Chapman dressed and sitting on the end of the bed, hands on his knees in easy posture, talking with John, who everyone affectionately called Doc. John was of medium height, lean, middle-aged, with a full head of russet hair and a perfectly manicured beard. Dressed in his usual white doctor coat, worn open over a blue man-tailored shirt, striped tie, jeans and well-worn cowboy boots that he insisted were more comfortable than sneakers, John had his hands hooked in his pockets as they chatted.
His smile reached his warm, brown eyes while he concentrated on what Peter was saying. Doc had been head of Mercy Hospital’s E.R. for ten years running. Before taking charge, he was a resident doctor. Cassie’s mom had worked with him before Cassie attended nursing school.
Their friendship was one of the perks of small-town living. Doc’s first wife, who was a friend of her mother’s, had died of cancer. He’d since remarried a lovely woman ten years his junior, and before becoming a nurse, Cassie had babysat their two daughters. Cassie also became friends with Ellen Bailey since she was closer to Cassie’s age than her mother’s. The two loved the beach. Wore similar clothes. Biked together early on Tuesday mornings and liked to share gossip over mocha lattes Ellen would make in her kitchen while the kids played at their feet. Such was life in a small village. You worked and played with your neighbors. The bond kept life predictable, despite the occasional drama between locals, and was especially important for a tight-knit fishing community that entertained seasonal tourism and was a haven for celebrities.
Doc waved her in. “Hey, Cassie. Peter says you’ve taken good care of him.” He gave her a pointed look. “If you’re finished, I’d say he’s ready to go.”
The heat of a blush immediately burned her cheeks. Doc was baiting her because a year ago she had dated an intern, breaking his heart so badly that he had quit and moved to the city. She had no doubt that Doc was making sure she’d leave Peter Chapman alone so he would stick around.
She waved a dismissing hand. “You did all the work, Doc. I was merely the first face he saw when he woke up.”
Doc smiled, clearly enjoying her willingness to banter even though he made his point. “Peter will make a good addition to our crew.”
She met Peter’s gaze and forced herself to breathe slowly. Doc had spoken highly of Peter when he’d decided to hire him. He’d graduated at the top of his class, spent two years working in Los Angeles and came with excellent references. Amazing that an offer for a job could be made and closed by online conferencing these days. Neither man had to spend precious time or money traveling for the interview.
Cassie had been impressed by Doc’s description of Peter’s abilities. In person, he became sheer firepower in a glance, but the real test would be watching him in action. She’d seen it before. Book smarts, no matter how impressive, paled in comparison to bedside manner, fast thinking in a crisis and an ability to get along with one’s peers. For her, the jury was still out. Sure, Peter had charm. But, could he insert an IV into an unconscious and severely dehydrated patient, or anticipate a doctor’s call for meds required for a trauma victim, or accurately assess who needed attention first when multiple trauma victims arrived at the same time? His résumé said he had the experience. Now he had to prove it. Mercy Hospital worked hard to establish its reputation as a state-of-the-art facility, especially with the celebrity population in Montauk. Cassie was curious to put him to the test before she made any definitive conclusions.
Peter pointed to the wheelchair. “I’m not riding in that thing.”
Doc clapped him on the shoulder. “Sure you are. Cassie has a license to drive wheelchairs. You’re safe in her hands.”
Peter stood. “I’m fine. No wheelchair.”
Cassie wagged a finger at him. “Now don’t be a difficult patient.”
Doc put an arm around her shoulder. “You’d better not cross her, Peter. This woman is my best nurse.”
Grateful for the compliment, especially in front of the new guy, she made light of his kind words. “John says that to all his nurses when no one else is listening.”
Doc looked at his watch. “I have to go. Cassie, when Peter comes in next week, I’d like you to show him around the E.R. I want him totally comfortable before Easter.”
One-on-one with the surfer stud. Could she handle it? Inwardly, she scoffed. Of course she could. They’d be working together now. It was just a matter of getting used to a new employee. She shot a casual look in his direction. “Think you can make the grade?”
“Bring it on, Cassie Michaels.”
Doc shook Peter’s hand. “Looking forward to having you on board. Your cut should be healed sufficiently by then.”
Peter was smiling, probably at her obvious distress over being put in charge of him. Damn her transparent face.
“Wouldn’t miss my first day at work for the world, Dr. Bailey. I drove a long way to get here.”
“Call me Doc. Welcome to Montauk.”
After John disappeared out the door, Cassie pointed to the wheelchair. “Sit. I’m sure you’d like to get settled.”
Satchel in hand, Peter climbed into the chair with a suddenly cheerful attitude. “Okay, boss. Take me anywhere you want to go.”
She pushed him from the room and tried with every ounce of control to keep the visual of taking him to bed out of her mind.
CHAPTER TWO
SEATED IN THE passenger seat of Cassie’s Jeep Wrangler, Peter checked his face in the visor mirror. His left eye was swollen and bruised magenta. It would blacken in a few days. The sutures pinched a bit over the cut, which now throbbed with a dull ache.
“Looking like this, it’s a good thing I’m not coming in until next week. I’d scare patients.”
She glanced his way. “Does it hurt?”
Mostly his pride for having had the accident. This wasn’t exactly the way he wanted to present himself to his coworkers. He slid on his Ray-Ban sunglasses against the glaring sun, careful of the bandage on his brow. “No. I’m fine.”
“Why don’t you use that ice pack a little longer?”
“Because I want to see where you’re going.”
“Can’t you see with one eye?”
He laughed. Cute, but pushy. “I can use a break from the ice.”
She shook her head. “Why do doctors and nurses make the worst patients?”
Peter chuckled. “Because we know too much.”
The hospital was tucked in a cul-de-sac off the main road. A copse of newly greened woods spread from behind the building into the low hills. He was quickly learning that untouched woods were the norm in Montauk. Peter rolled down his window to breathe in the cool, crisp, sun-drenched air. Driving down Montauk Highway, which reduced to a two-way street, yielded exactly what he expected. Small town. Tourist and boutique shops, real estate offices along the sidewalks dotted with bistros and ice cream stands, old beach houses turned into trendy restaurants, local pubs with lobster traps hanging from their outside walls and antique anchors by the steps. He loved Montauk. Already.
Best thing about it was the woman driving him to his new digs. The comfort he felt so quickly in her company was something he hadn’t experienced in a long time. He’d spent so many years keeping people at arm’s length because of his mom’s issues and the situation at home. Only a handful of friends had ever crossed the threshold of his house. Cassie’s easy manner caught him off guard. He’d felt an instant attraction to her, but he needed to curb the inclination. Curious as to what so attracted him to this woman, he’d watch and listen for a while. He’d already sensed she was being cautious over the same pull he felt.
One thing for sure, he certainly wanted to know more about her. Yet, he had specifically left California to rebuild his life, to find his footing. He finally had the time to discover who he was and what he truly wanted from life. As tempting as Cassie was—if she were even available—getting involved in a relationship might distract him from needed breathing room. Because he couldn’t see out of his swollen left eye, he had to turn his head completely to look at her. Damn. She was pretty. Just how much breathing room did a guy really need?
“Can we stop by the gas station to see what condition my truck is in?” he asked.
“Sure. It’s on the other side of the plaza. We’ll go there first.”
She maneuvered the Jeep into the traffic circle. This hub was punctuated by the only six-story building in Montauk, which looked like Gulliver among the Lilliputians next to the smaller buildings.
“Why the one high building?”
“Historical. In the early nineteen hundreds a land mogul tried to recreate Miami Beach here. That was his office building. It’s now a condominium.”
Peter looked around. “This doesn’t look like Miami Beach.”
“No joke. It never happened. The Depression hit. The developer, Fisher was his name, built that tower, Montauk Manor, and dug and dredged Lake Montauk.” She gestured out the window. “He created about thirty notable spots. Then the stock market crashed. Stopped everything. Local zoning change. Nothing tall can be built any longer.”
“Wow. You’re a natural tour guide.”
Pride lit her glance. “I know everything about Montauk. What else do you want to hear?”
He shrugged. “What do you think about outsiders?”
“You’re only an outsider if you choose to stay that way.”
Interesting perspective. Would he let Los Angeles slip from his system to become a local? Hell, yes. While growing up, the threat of police, social workers or prying teachers invading his life had been an everyday occurrence with his mom’s unreliable behavior. One would have thought he’d welcome the rescue, but he’d seen too many kids his age get lost in the system, join gangs or become caught up in drugs. He and Gil had made a pact early on that they were safer at home. Mom was passive enough. With Uncle Michael’s help, their plan had worked.
He’d miss his surfer friends, wouldn’t miss the few girlfriends he’d had. Hadn’t done so well in his choice of women. Guess he’d had a learning curve there. Once Gil had moved out, Peter had become free, ready to shake the dust from his past off his mind. Right now, it felt as if he’d never made a better choice in his life.
“I’ll enjoy finding my way around.”
“I think you’ll fit right in.”
Her smile warmed him. And the dimple in her right cheek was charming as all get-out. “Have you ever had the need to go someplace else?”
She looked surprised. “Why would I want to leave?”
He imitated her gesture out the window. “It’s a big world out there.”
“Yeah, but I love it here.”
The passion in her statement hit him like a brick. Despite his and Gil’s pact, Peter had felt the urge to run away from home his entire life. He and Gil both had. Probably why they’d promised to watch each other’s backs. “What do you do for fun around here besides fish?”
She shot him an amused look. “Other than plucking newcomers from ditches when they don’t heed the deer-crossing signs?”
He laughed. “Very funny.” He didn’t need to remind her that he wouldn’t have had the accident if he hadn’t been so busy watching her in his mirror.
Her smile seemed to light up the inside of the Jeep. “It’s pretty quiet around here. Only a few bars stay open late. If you want to party hard you’ll have to drive into East Hampton, then probably get a room. The police are pretty tough on drunk drivers.”
“Do you have a big brother who keeps all the guys away from you?”
She laughed. “Nope. Only child.”
“Boyfriend?”
They’d come to a red light. She took the opportunity to stare him down. “Nosy, aren’t you?”
He grinned. “No. Interested.”
Wow. She actually looked flustered for a moment before the light of challenge filled her eyes.
“Okay, my turn. Siblings?”
He’d play. “Yes, a brother. Older by eleven months.”
“He still in California?”
“Yes. He and his partner just married and moved to San Francisco.” He missed the guys already. “I’m happy for Gil. He and Rudy have been together for years.”
She lifted a brow. “Maybe you can get them to move here. That way you’d have family nearby, too.”
He’d thought of that on the drive across the country. Why couldn’t they all stay together? But he wouldn’t want Gil pressuring him to stay on the west coast. They had to honor each other’s choices. Besides, what if Montauk didn’t work for him? He’d hate to be responsible for dragging the guys all this way for nothing.
Cassie pulled into the gas station. “Mother? Father?”
“Not fair. Didn’t get to ask you that question yet.”
“Hey. You were just bulldozing me with interrogation. Now you refuse to answer?”
Peter spied his truck. What he saw of it seemed okay; he just had to see what the front end looked like. He opened the car door. “Didn’t say that...” He trailed off as he climbed out of the Jeep to inspect the damage to his truck. He’d rather not talk about his parents now. He’d enjoyed their light banter way too much to muddy the conversation.
She followed him to his truck. “They say you can tell a person from the car they drive.”
He laughed. “Don’t tell me you’re one of them.”
“What’s a them?”
“You know. People match their pets. Couples start looking alike after years together, someone who categorizes everything.”
She tapped a finger to her lips as she went from inspecting Peter to focusing on his truck. “Late model. White. Dirty from being on the road for days.” She looked through the closed passenger window. “Tan interior. Pristine. Hmm. Even professionally cleaned clothes on hangers in the back. And now, dented. Just like you.”
She was so sexy teasing him. He had to stop himself from running his hands through her curling blond hair, pulling her face close and kissing her senseless. Man. Had the accident addled his brain?
Cassie carried on, totally unaware of the effect she had on him. “So you’re tidy. You like comfortable things, prefer utility yet are not adverse to spending money on comfort.”
Stepping away from her before he did something he’d regret, like touching her, he stuffed his hands into his pockets. Focusing on his truck, he whistled softly as he looked at the front. Tufts of grass and dirt still stuck where the grille had broken. “I wonder if I can still drive it.”
She stood next to him, and her powdery perfume filled his senses. He could definitely get used to her scent. In a huge way.
“Let’s ask.” She glanced around. “Joe’s car is gone but there’s Mike.”
Mike, wearing blue coveralls, was talking with two men. He looked over at them, and Cassie waved.
“Hope he can talk with us,” he said. “I’d like to check into my place as soon as possible.”
A line creased her brow. “You’re looking pale. Not feeling well, I take it?”
He shrugged. “Between lack of food and my headache, I’d like to take it easy.”
She prodded him back toward the Jeep. “Go sit. I’ll talk to Mike.”
He continued to keep pace with her. “Absolutely not.”
“What? You’re the type who won’t let someone else take care of them?”
A blast of reality hit. He hadn’t thought of that but leave it to this fascinating woman to get right to the point. Truthfully, he’d taken care of himself for so long that he didn’t think to ask anyone for help. Peter’s creased brow pulled at his stitches. He consciously relaxed his face. “Guess I’d have to claim guilty on your observation.”
“Well, you’ll have to work on that. We lean on each other pretty heavily at Mercy.”
“Okay then, let’s start with food. I haven’t had a bite since dinner last night. Where can we get something quick to eat?”
“I know a spot. Let’s see what Mike has to say first.”
Mike shook hands with the customer he’d been talking to and headed toward them. One look at Peter and concern crossed Mike’s face. “You must be the owner of the truck.”
“I’m Peter Chapman. Thanks for taking a look at it.”
Mike turned to Cassie, and a grin tugged at his mouth. “Jack says the deer got away.”
She grinned. “No free dinner for the locals. Sorry, Mike.”
Peter looked from one to the other. “You would have eaten the deer?”
Mike eyed him as if gauging how serious he was. “Hunting season isn’t until late fall. We appreciate the occasional venison dinner off-season, if we catch the kill fast enough.”
A true nature boy, Peter winced. “That’s like eating Bambi.”
Cassie and Mike exchanged glances as if to say they knew what kind of wuss this guy was. Mike said, “I guess you’ve never tasted venison.”
He didn’t mind being the butt of their joke. And, no. He’d never eaten venison. He clapped Mike on the shoulder. “Give me a slab of beef anytime. So, how much damage did I do to the truck?”
Mike had no trouble shifting gears. “The engine is okay. Bumper and grille will need replacing. One headlight and a radiator.” He looked toward the truck, frowning. “I’ll have to let you know. Do you have insurance?”
“Yes. This sounds like a project.”
“I’ll have to order parts. It’ll take a few days. Maybe a week or so.”
Grounded. No wheels. It was a good thing he had six days until the first day of work. “When can you let me know the full extent of the damage?”
“I’ll look at the truck next. Give me your number and insurance info. I’ll call with numbers by tomorrow, latest.”
“That’ll work.” They followed Mike into the garage to give him Peter’s information.
Cassie touched his arm, and he liked the warmth of her hand through his sleeve. “If your truck isn’t ready by the time you have to go to work, I’ll pick you up.” She shrugged. “No big deal. Doc will probably be putting us on the same schedule for the first few days anyways.”
“I’d appreciate that, Cassie. Thanks.” As much as he wanted to read into the possibility that her willingness to help was a chance to spend more time with him, he was probably more correct in thinking she was genuinely concerned. She’d already told him they helped each other out around here.
He returned his attention to Mike. “Thanks for getting to this so quickly. The insurance should cover the damage after the deductible.” His deductible was low, but this was an expense he hadn’t anticipated. He shook hands with Mike. “I’ll wait to hear from you.”
Cassie took Mike’s card from the holder on the counter. “You might want to take this. Sometimes Mike gets backed up and he forgets to call.”
Mike waved a hand as Cassie led Peter from the garage. “She’s a busybody, Pete. Don’t worry. I’ll remember this one.”
Peter turned to Cassie. He hadn’t missed the easy banter between the two friends. “Do you have all the guys dancing at the end of a string around here?”
She scoffed. “Not so. We’ve all known each other for so long that if we didn’t tease each other, we’d think something was wrong.”
“You two went to school together?”
“Grammar and high school.”
He wondered what she’d been like in high school. He’d bet she was fun. He patted his stomach. “I’m starved. Can I buy you lunch for all your help?”
* * *
ONE DOUBLE CHEESEBURGER, a chocolate shake and an order of large fries later, Cassie sat across from Peter on the ground-floor deck of his temporary lodgings looking out at a beautiful afternoon on the ocean. Spring was warming up fast, and she was glad. Winter had a way of holding ground when everyone was ready for the earth to thaw. This interesting man sitting across from her seemed to raise the temperature even more. Not the right response to a new coworker. Point one that she should get moving soon.
Her guard slowly rose. Her curiosity about him was greater than she’d like. He’d already said enough to understand he had an interest in her. Heady as his attention was, the inclination was inappropriate for them both. Too much. Too soon. She’d helped rescue him, had taken him to check on his truck, had gotten food and was now lingering to eat with him. It was already pushing two o’clock—way more of an investment in time with this man than she’d planned. Time to get on with her day.
Peter had devoured his meal in minutes. Cassie still munched her own burger at a more civil pace, amused at his appetite.
He grinned. “I was hungry.”
She held up the remaining half of hers. “Want mine?”
“No, there’s not enough left,” he teased. He filched some of her fries and popped them into his mouth. “But I’ll have a few of these.”
She sat back in her chair. He had taken her fries. Without asking. Usually she’d have no problem with that. Would enjoy sharing. But that was the action of a longtime friend or a lover. Couple that with the oh-I-like-you look from his vulnerable and bruised gaze as he chewed on her fries, and the alarm sounded. He’d just gone one step too far. They’d only known each other a few hours and he was crossing the line into her comfort zone. But had she drawn a line?
Was he mistaking her friendliness for something else? Had she stayed in his company for so long that he was now making wrong assumptions? Her chest tightened. Of course he was. They’d only just met, and she was treating him like one of her life-long friends. She’d let down her guard since he was so darned comfortable to be around. But she knew nothing about him. God knows her first sight of him was this morning on the road, and he had crashed his damned truck because he was so busy checking her out. For all she knew he was a player. He could be all about free love and a handshake goodbye afterward. A thanks-for-the-sex-see-ya’-in-a-week-at-work type of guy. She groaned inwardly. She couldn’t blame him for thinking she was interested. She’d been nothing but welcoming, doling out a fair amount of flirting on her end, as well. He could have easily gotten the wrong impression about her.
She stood abruptly. “I have to go. Have a lot to do and the day is getting away on me.”
He tilted his head. The look in the eye that wasn’t swollen blazed with interest. “Have dinner with me?”
No way, especially because she wanted nothing more than to say yes. “Moving fast, are we?”
“No. I’d just like to have dinner with you.” A smile played on his lips.
Oh, no. Smooth. Charming. Cassie understood immediately that she hadn’t met anyone like him in a very long time. And, he was a stranger. What irked her was his confidence as if she were prime on his radar and a target he wouldn’t miss. His attitude had him sitting back in his chair as if ready to watch a long tournament.