From Doctor...to Daddy (14 page)

The problem was that the sun was shining in the windows now and Erika knew she had to face her world exactly the way it was.

 

Erika was nervous. Not so much about Emilia's party. Everyone was already sipping punch and eating. Emilia was playing with the other children and having a great time.

No, she was nervous about seeing Dillon again. After he'd had time to think about last night, what would he feel?

In the kitchen, setting paper plates and plastic forks on the table beside the huge cake decorated with Winnie the Pooh, Erika felt a tug on her elbow. She turned and saw Holly.

“Hi, there,” she said enthusiastically, giving Holly a hug. “I'm glad you could come.”

“I wouldn't have missed it. You've got a great crowd here. Everyone seems to be mingling nicely.” She hesitated. “Do you have a minute to talk?”

Erika and her mother had made sure the dining room table was full of food. “Sure. What do you need?”

“I need some advice.”

Erika hadn't taken a good look at Holly since August. Now as she studied her, she could see something was different, though she couldn't put her finger on what. Ever since Holly had come home from college she'd worn flowing tunic tops. That seemed a little odd to Erika since she knew Holly had a wonderful figure. Sure, some of the time she could go with the hippie look, but all the time?

“Advice about what?” Erika asked, both curious and wary.

“On being a single mom.”

“Oh, Holly. You're pregnant?”

Holly's eyes glistened with unshed tears. She pulled at her loose blouse. “Six months along. No one knows. I've been able to hide it with these clothes, but not for much longer. Please don't tell anyone.”

“Of course I won't,” Erika promised, lowering her voice. “Who's the dad?”

“A guy from school. I thought I'd found my Prince Charming, but he…he's taking an appointment overseas, and he doesn't care about me or the baby. At least I don't think he does. Unless he changes his mind and shows up ready to be a dad. The thing is, I like the idea of being a mom. I just don't know how I'm going to do it.”

“Have you told your father?”

“Gosh, no.”

“I don't think you're going to be able to wait much longer.”

“I know. But I have to figure out what I'm going to do first.”

“What you need to do is hold your head up high and carry your baby with pride.”

“That's what you did, isn't it?”

“I tried to. You have to decide what you want and live your life on your own terms.” She gave Holly's arm a squeeze. “And remember, you have friends. I'm here if you need to talk or if you need anything else.”

After Erika gave Holly another hug she saw Erin in the doorway. “Come on in,” she said.

“I didn't want to interrupt.”

“You're not,” Holly assured her. “We're all finished with girl talk for now.” Holly picked up a tray of hors
d'oeuvres on the counter. “I'll take this into the dining room.”

Erin came over to the table. “I just wanted to let you know Dillon arrived. But he said he's going to bring Emilia's birthday present around back.”

“What did he bring?”

“I don't know. But I think if he really does have brothers, I'd like to meet them.”

There was a quick, sharp rap at the back door. Erika hurried to open it, and when she did she had to laugh. “What is this?”

Dillon was holding a brown-and-tan plush horse that was about three times taller than Emilia.

“She can ride it,” he said proudly. “It also neighs. But you might not want to push that button. She could be afraid of it.”

“And why are you bringing it in the back?”

“I didn't want it to be the center of attention. I thought we could give it to Emilia after everyone leaves.” He set the horse by the table.

Erika shook her head. “Uh-uh. It's your gift to Emilia. You deserve to give it to her during her party. You know she's going to love it. Go ahead and take it in.”

At the counter, Erin picked up a bag of chips. “I'll refill the basket and try to make room for the horse,” she said with a sly wink.

Dillon and Erika both laughed, looked at each other, then went quiet. Dillon peered around her and saw no one was coming their way. He pulled her over toward the corner at the pantry closet, away from the guests' view. “I have something for
you,
too.”

“What?” She was genuinely puzzled.

He took a light blue velvet box from his pocket and opened it.

“Oh, Dillon! It's beautiful.”
It
was a gold locket with a diamond set in the center. “I can't accept this.”

“Yes, you can,” he said, taking it from the box and slipping it around her neck. He fastened it in the back then turned her into his arms. “I wanted to give you something to commemorate being together last night. You can put a picture of Emilia inside.”

Erika wasn't sure what to do. She wanted to remember last night forever—but she didn't know if this was a beginning or an end. Did he want to give her this present so she'd remember him when he left? Did he want to give her a gift simply because he liked her? He had money. He could give gifts. Did they always mean something special?

“Dillon, when would I wear it? It's so pretty. I wouldn't want to lose it at work.”

“This is a necklace you can wear whenever you want. It has a nice heavy catch and the chain's a solid gold rope. I'd like to think of you wearing it all the time.”

Her fingertips touched it. When she looked into his eyes, she believed he cared. She believed he cared a lot. Her arms circled his neck. “Thank you.”

His arms circled her waist and he brought her close. “You're welcome.”

His kiss was slow and sexy and she wanted to drag him upstairs to her bed. But this was her daughter's birthday party and right now, that was more important than her being with Dillon. She thought about the little boy he'd lost, his regrets and his guilt. Maybe she and Emilia could help to heal all of that.

Breaking the kiss she lowered her hands to his chest. “Let's give Emilia her horse and see what she says.”

Moments later they were making their way into the living room, into the midst of people gathered there.

Emilia saw Dillon and ran to him.

He set the horse down in front of her. “Happy birthday, little one. What do you think of this?”

Emilia's eyes grew large. “Horsey.”

“
Your
horsey. Come here. Let's see how it goes.” He lifted Emilia onto the back of the animal and she took hold of the handles on the saddle. She pushed her little legs up and down in the stirrups and grinned up at Dillon.

Then she said, “Dr. Daddy! Horsey.”

The room went silent.

Stunned for the moment, Erika didn't know what to say. But then she rushed to her daughter's side. “Dr. Dillon, baby. It's Dr. Dillon.” She cast a glance at Dillon and wasn't sure what she saw in his face. He looked a little stunned himself.

“She's been around Max and Alex and Kayla and hears them calling their dads Daddy.” Dillon assured her, “It's an honor for her to call me that, Erika. Really.”

Erika's fingers went to the locket he had given her. She looked around and saw her mother watching. Her mom would notice the locket and have questions.

Right now, Erika didn't have any answers. Dillon had said it was an honor for Emilia to call him Daddy, but that didn't mean he wanted to be her dad.

O
n Monday at lunchtime Erika gazed into the mirror in the employee's lounge, fingering the locket around her neck. She hadn't seen Dillon yet today. All morning she'd been in town, thanking business owners for their cooperation with the resort for Frontier Days.

Last night Dillon hadn't been able to stay after everyone left Emilia's party. He had to get back to relieve Dr. Babchek. But before he'd gone they'd found a few more quiet moments. The way he'd kissed her—

She thought again about how Emilia had called him Dr. Daddy. He'd brushed away the faux pas as if it didn't matter. But it did to her. Was he ready for a serious involvement with her and Emilia? The locket told her he cared. They had to talk about it. Maybe tonight.

The door to the lounge opened and Erin entered. Two other employees from the front desk followed her. Checkout volume had been high today and extra staff
had been assigned to the desk. Erika didn't know Trina and Carrie well, but she'd worked with them at reception before being assigned to Frontier Days and the infirmary.

Although Erin approached her at first with a concerned expression and a glance over her shoulder at her coworkers, she attempted to smile. “Congratulations on Frontier Days. The word around the resort is you rock!”

“Zane Gunther rocks,” Erika replied, wondering why Erin's smile was forced. “I think he's the biggest part of the success of Frontier Days.”

Sidling over to Erin, Trina opened a compact, then peered into the mirror, her gaze meeting Erika's. “You should take all the credit you can. I heard Grant has his eye fixed on you for guest room manager when this is all done. That is if you're still around.”

Guest room manager? Erika had hoped for that promotion. Could the rumor be true?

“Why wouldn't I be around?” Erika asked, puzzled by the odd note in Trina's voice.

Trina and Carrie both pointedly stared at her locket. “Nice necklace,” Carrie said, as if that were an answer. “I heard Dr. Traub gave it to you.”

Erika's gaze swerved to Erin's. Could Erin have gossiped about her?

But Erin was already shaking her head.

“Oh, we didn't find out from Erin,” Carrie revealed. “Word travels. There were a lot of folks at your daughter's party. Besides, everyone saw you with Dr. Traub on Saturday night. We know what's going on.”

Trina added, “Yeah, a girl has to take care of herself. You've hooked up with a good one. Past the necessi
ties, you won't even have to be concerned about your daughter's college fund.”

Erika was too stunned to speak.

After Carrie applied makeup and dabbed on lip gloss, she concluded with an edge, “I bet you'll soon have the earrings to match that diamond in the locket.”

Erin moved closer to Erika in support as if she wanted to say something but didn't know what.

Sudden tears came to Erika's eyes and she looked down at her purse, opening it and concentrating on some thing inside.

Finally Carrie and Trina finished at the mirror. With a last look at Erika, and a “See you later,” they left the lounge.

As if all her strength had seeped out of her, Erika dropped down onto one of the stools at the vanity. “Is that what everybody's saying about me? They think I'm with Dillon because he can…take care of me?”

“They're just jealous,” Erin told her. “You've done well here, from what I hear, and in a short amount of time. Trina and Carrie still check in guests, whereas you had a giant responsibility for Frontier Days.”

“That has nothing to do with Dillon.”

“No, it doesn't. But the jealousy does.
You
are the one he noticed.
You
are the one he's dating.”

Erika's fingers clasped the locket again. “This locket…he gave it to me because we shared something special. It's not a sugar-daddy gift. I don't want someone to take care of me. I can take care of myself as well as Emilia. I've proven that.”

Erin sank down onto the stool next to her. “Do you love him?”

“Yes, I do. But the truth is, I don't know how he feels about me. He was married. He had a little boy
who died. I don't know if he's ready to jump into this relationship.”

“But you are?”

Erika sighed. “Yes. But not because he'll take care of me.”

“Then you need time to find out how Dillon feels.”

“We don't have that much time. He'll be leaving at the end of the week.”

“A lot can happen in a week.”

Erika supposed that was true. She needed to cherish each day they spent together. She had to hope that Dillon was falling in love with her as deeply as she was falling in love with him.

Still the old insecurities nagged at her. What if he wasn't?

 

Frozen in place, Dillon stood in the hall between his office and Ruthann's, cell phone to his ear. “When did this happen? How long ago did Peter start having symptoms?”

Dillon hadn't heard tears in his mother's voice since a few months after his father had died. She'd been a rock since then, taking over the business, standing up for her right to love and marry another man. And now that man had just been transported to the hospital.

“This morning, about 5:00 a.m.,” she responded. “But he didn't tell me about the chest pain right away. Men. Trying to be strong when they should be asking for help.”

“But he's in the CCICU now?”

“Yes. They're still evaluating him! They've been evaluating him for hours. I'm supposed to have a consultation with the doctor later. But Peter could be dying in there. Can you come? I know you could get information
I can't shake out of them. And you understand all that doctor talk. Besides, you're my oldest and—”

Dillon didn't hesitate for an instant. “Of course I'll come. But I need to find someone to cover me here first.” Babchek had covered him most of the weekend. Would he want to take on more? If not, maybe he could recommend someone else. “I'll be there, Mom, but I also have to book a flight out. I don't know if I can get there before tomorrow.”

“Your brothers and sister are here. It's not as if I really need you,” she assured him, her voice clearing, strength filling her words once more.

“You asked me to come and I will.”

“I know you and Peter have never really hit it off. But he said the last time he talked to you, you seemed different, more accepting of him.”

“We had a good conversation. I guess I've been realizing how happy he's made you. That's what's important.”

“I don't want to lose him,” she practically whispered.

“I know you don't. I'll be there as soon as I can. I'll leave a message on your cell phone when I figure out flight arrangements.” He wanted to say,
Peter's going to pull through this. You'll be able to retire with him. You'll have years of todays and tomorrows.
But he couldn't say that. After all, he
was
a doctor. He knew what was possible and he knew what wasn't. Until he saw Peter's chart, he wouldn't know exactly what they were dealing with. In his office now he took out a pad and pencil. “Give me the name of his cardiologist.”

His mother did.

“I'll give him a call and find out anything useful.”

“Thank you, Dillon. I—” His mother's voice broke.

He gave her a few moments, then he advised her, “Go sit with Peter as often as you can. He needs your strength and support. A wife can make a big difference in a husband's recovery.”

“I'll stick to him like glue,” she said with determination. After a pause, she said, “I love you, Dillon.”

“I love you, too, Mom.”

When Dillon closed his phone, he thought about leaving Thunder Canyon so quickly. Leaving Erika…and Emilia. Last night when Emilia had called him Daddy he'd gotten a glimpse of what the future could be. He
was
ready for it. Was Erika? Did she trust him? Were her doubts assuaged that he wasn't a man like her father or Scott Spencerman? What would happen while he was gone? Would the bonds they'd established break away?

He didn't know how long he'd be in Texas. He did know he had to make quite a few decisions while he was there…about his career as well as Erika.

 

Still upset from the conversation in the employees' lounge, Erika moved through the central wing of the lodge to gather the Frontier Days posters. Trying to believe Erin's words that Trina and Carrie were just jealous, she struggled to compose herself as she went from floor to floor with the expensive locket swinging at her neckline, reminding her that she had accepted the gift. A gift that could simply be a token from an affair. Doubts assailed her concerning her relationship with Dillon.

Returning to the main lobby for the final placard, her arms full, she intended to take the elevator to the storeroom beside the underground garage. But Erin came hurrying over from the desk, looking worried.

“I heard something I think you should know,” Erin said.

“More gossip?” Erika asked, frustrated by it all.

“No. I wish it was. One of the bellhops was called up to Dr. Traub's suite. His orders were to collect Dr. Traub's clothes and pack them in the suitcases in his closet.”

Erin's words felt like a lethal blow to Erika's heart. For a moment she couldn't catch her breath.

“Are you okay?” Erin asked.

“No. I thought I'd have time to talk to Dillon tonight…that we'd have more time together this week.”

“Did you have a date tonight?”

No, they didn't. She'd just assumed that they'd spend the evening together. So much for assumptions. “You're sure about this?”

“I was right at the desk when the call came in.”

“I can't believe this,” Erika murmured, the posters almost slipping from her arms.

Erin caught them. “Here, let me take these. Where do they go?”

“The storeroom downstairs. But I have to do it.”

“I think there's something else you need to do right now. Go talk to Dillon.”

Could she face him when he hadn't bothered to tell her himself? Was this the reason he'd given her the locket? A goodbye memento? Was he like Scott after all? For the past few weeks she'd begun to dream again. She should have known better.

Erika took a bolstering breath and squared her shoulders. “Thank you for telling me.” With a nod, she left Erin at the elevator and hurried toward the infirmary.

As much as Dillon's leaving hurt, it would have hurt even more if Erika had found out after he was gone.
Maybe there had been a message on her phone and she hadn't heard it. Pulling it from her purse, she slid it open. No messages.

Had she been so very wrong about Dillon? The horse for Emilia, the locket for her—they must have been parting gifts and she hadn't even realized it. How stupid could one woman be?

Erika hesitated only momentarily in the reception area. This wasn't the time to waver. She unclasped the necklace from around her neck.

Clenching it in the palm of her hand, she headed to Dillon's office, hoping he wasn't already gone. He was on his cell phone when she walked in…without knocking. She wasn't going to wait. She couldn't wait. Her heart already felt as if it were breaking in two.

Dillon looked totally preoccupied with his call. When his gaze came to rest on her, there was something there she couldn't read. Guilt? Regret? Was that all he was going to feel?

“Everything's taken care of, Grant. Yes, I will. Thanks.”

He closed his phone and his eyes dropped to the V of her neck where the locket no longer hung.

She extended her hand and dropped the locket to his desk blotter.

His voice was clipped when he said, “It doesn't look as if the chain broke.”

“No, the chain didn't break. But I have to return it to you. I can't accept a token from an affair that isn't going anywhere. Obviously.”

“Obviously?”

“You're leaving and you didn't even bother to tell me! This is all my own fault. I knew you were going to leave. I even knew the date—October first. Were we
getting too serious? Did you get shook up last night? Or maybe you're just not ready to move on with
me.
”

“Are you finished?” he asked, looking wounded.

Wounded? Why would
he
look wounded? “There's nothing else to say.”

He looked down at the necklace and then back at her. “There's a
lot
more to say. But you're never going to trust me, are you?”

“Trust you?
You're
the one who's leaving. And you didn't even tell me.”

He appeared to be counting to ten. He appeared to be angry or frustrated or a mixture of the two. “That's because I didn't
know
I was leaving until about an hour ago. I didn't want to call your cell phone because I wanted to talk to you in person. Apparently I didn't get to you in time.”

Was he telling her the truth? But why—

He continued, “I'm going home because my stepfather had a heart attack. My mother thinks I can interpret what the doctors have to say and give her the translated version. She's scared. She's going to expect me to find a way to save him. Maybe I'll be able to, maybe I won't.”

“Dillon!”

“You sound shocked. As if I couldn't possibly have a good reason for leaving. I can see now, Erika, you're always going to doubt first and ask questions later.” He attached his phone to his belt and moved out from behind the desk. “Ruthann's coming in. She'll be here in about ten minutes. Dr. Babchek will be taking over the office until Marshall returns. I guess you'll have to get your orders from Grant as to what you do next. Since I couldn't get a flight to Midland tonight Dave Lindstrom is flying me down.”

“Dillon, I'm sorry I jumped to conclusions.”