Page 57 of Playing with Temptation

CHAPTER 19

Kendra rushed off the elevator on the surgical floor with Nate hard on her heels.

“My name is Kendra Williams. I’m looking for my son, Kai Johnston. He’s scheduled for surgery on a broken arm.”

The woman tilted her head, her dark eyes narrowing. “I remember you. You were in here with him a few months ago. He knocked out his front teeth.”

“Yes.” Heat filled Kendra’s cheeks. There was something accusatory about the woman’s tone. “Can you please tell me where my…our son is?”

“Nate Johnston.” The nurse’s eyes lit up with recognition. “I saw you on the Donnie Jones Sports Hour earlier today.”

“That’s right.” Nate’s tone was measured. “Could you please just tell us where we can find our son? We’re hoping to see him before he goes to surgery.”

The woman seemed miffed at Nate’s rebuff. She pointed down the hall. “Check in at the next nurses’ station. They can help you there.”

Before they made it to the nurses’ station, Liam approached them. His tall frame seemed shorter and there were deep furrows across his forehead.

“Kendra, I’m so sorry. We tried to hold them off as long as we could, but the surgeon couldn’t wait any longer.” Liam’s British accent was more pronounced, his voice heavy with distress.

Kendra’s heart fell. Kai had gone into surgery without her there to assure him everything would be okay. “Thank you for getting him here so quickly, and for doing what you could. We appreciate it.”

She turned back to look at Nate, who was scowling at Liam as if he was considering pounding him into the floor.

She placed a gentle hand on Nate’s arm, hoping he received her silent plea. “Nate, this is Maya’s fiancé, Liam Westbrook. Liam, this is Kai’s dad, Nate Johnston.”

Nate didn’t extend his hand and Liam didn’t force the issue. He simply nodded and repeated his apology to Nate.

“Why was he with you?” Nate folded his arms.

“Kendra’s mum had a doctor’s appointment, Maya had a big meeting at work today and our nanny has come down with a bug of some sort. I took the day off to care for the children. We went to see an animated film, then they wanted to stop at the playground before we returned to our flat.”

Nate grunted. “And exactly how did this happen?”

“Kai climbed atop the climbing frame while the girls played on the slide. Ella came down the slide too fast and hit the ground. I was tending to her when Kai called out to me, ‘Uncle Liam, look what I can do.’ He was airborne before I could tell him not to jump. I only turned my head for a minute. It happened so fast. I’ve gone over it in my head again and again, wondering what I could have done differently.”

“Don’t.” Kendra squeezed Liam’s arm. “Boys do crazy things. We ended up here just a few months ago when he fell down the stairs at my mom’s house. These things happen.”

Liam didn’t look convinced.

“And you won’t believe the crazy things this one and his brothers did when we were kids.” Kendra jerked a thumb over her shoulder in Nate’s direction, hoping to loosen up his sour face and genie stance. “He’s got quite a collection of scars and broken bones to prove it.”

Liam hugged Kendra and sighed. “I still feel absolutely dreadful about it, but I appreciate your kindness. Please, allow me to take care of the medical bills. Kai was in my care at the time—I should be the one to handle it.”

“We can take care of our own kid.” Nate’s words had a sharp edge. “So thanks, but no thanks. We’re good.”

“Of course.” Liam nodded solemnly. “Didn’t mean to cause any offense.”

“You didn’t.” Kendra narrowed her gaze at Nate before turning back to Liam and forcing a smile. “We appreciate the offer. Now, can you tell us what the doctor said?”

Kendra slipped her arm through Nate’s. He softened his stance, allowing his hand to fall to his side as Liam explained that Kai had Monteggia fractures of the left radius and ulna. Pins would be inserted to hold the bones in place. However, the growth plates weren’t affected and he should recover fully after wearing a cast for several weeks.

---