Page 24 of Crushed Promises

“They must have fixed the paging system. I have another patient coming in.” Her voice sounded husky to her own ears. “A woman with belly pain.”

“How long until she shows up?” His voice was low, gravely.

“Any minute now.” She stepped back, not that there was a whole lot of room between her desk and the wall. “I really have to go.”

He nodded, running his hand through his dark hair. The frustration on his features made her want to smile. “Do you work on Saturday?”

“No.” At first she thought he was going to ask her out, then belatedly remembered his daughter's party. “Alec, I don't think—”

“Shannon's been asking about you,” he interrupted. “You're her hero after the bee sting. She keeps talking about wanting to be a doctor, just like you. Would you please come, even for a short time? It would mean a lot to her.”

And to him? The unspoken question hovered there between them. She knew going to his house, to his daughter's birthday party, was treading on dangerous ground. But right now, with her lips tingling from his kiss, and his intoxicating scent swirling through her brain, she couldn't refuse. Especially because she couldn't bring herself to disappoint Shannon. She managed a nod. “I'd love to come. Three o’clock, right?”

His lips curved in a grin. “Right.” He turned and plucked a pen from her desk and scribbled his address and phone number on a scrap of paper. “Call me if something comes up and you can't make it. I'll explain to Shannon that your ability to attend depends on work. She’ll understand.”

Clearly, Alec would do anything to protect his daughter, even if that meant making up an excuse on her behalf. Rather than being annoyed by the knowledge, she was touched by his concern. Did he really expect her to renege on the party? She had her doubts about going, but she wouldn't deliberately lie to him. Or to his daughter.

“Nothing will keep me away from Shannon’s party, short of a busload of trauma patients.” She lightly touched his arm. “I promise.”

She didn't make promises likely. The way he held her gaze convinced her he understood. He took her hand and brushed a quick kiss along her knuckles. She caught her breath, taken aback by the sweet, gallant gesture.

“Thank you. I can't wait to see you again.”

His words sent a shaft of longing radiating down her spine. “Me, too,” she whispered.

CHAPTERSEVEN

Alec found himself anxiously waiting, with about as much patience as Shannon, for the hour of her party to arrive.

For one thing, he'd be relieved when his job of hosting ten six-year-olds was over. He wanted everything to go off without a hitch for his daughter's sake. Shannon deserved a memorable celebration for her sixth birthday. Her first without her mother.

But he couldn't lie to himself. The main reason he was looking forward to today was because he desperately wanted to see Jillian again.

Kissing her had rocked him back on his heels. He'd been unable to erase the taste of her from his mind. And frankly, he wanted to kiss her again. Soon. During the brief interlude in her office, he'd completely forgotten where they were. Until her pager had gone off.

He hadn't dated anyone since taking custody of Shannon. He'd been single-minded in his goal to create a loving home for his daughter. Yet one electrifying kiss had reminded him of everything he was missing.

And then there was that promise he'd made not to create any upheaval in Shannon’s life.

Why did that promise seem so foolish now?

He shook his head. If he had half a brain, he'd call Jillian and let her off the hook as far as attending Shannon’s party. His daughter likely wouldn't notice her absence. He felt certain that once Shannon was surrounded by her friends, thoughts of grown-ups would vanish from her mind.

His daughter had to be his primary concern. She had been through the most difficult transition he could imagine, losing her mother to cancer and then moving miles away to live with a father she didn't know. Not to mention the month she'd stayed in a foster home. Upsetting the peaceful balance they'd found over the past few months was not an option.

Which meant no more kissing Jillian. He repeated that to himself for extra emphasis. They would only be friends. That would be the best way to handle things moving forward. In her office, she'd seem so lonely. No one should have to imagine taking a painful test where they stuck needles into your nerves, all alone.

He wished he could talk to her about the narcotic case, but that subject was off limits. He and Rafe had interviewed the staff members along with a handful of kids on the Barclay Park football team, but no one gave them much of anything to go on. He’d hoped members of the football team would provide info, but every kid denied having seen Ricky, the boy who'd been killed, with any drugs in his possession.

Rafe thought they should concentrate on the hospital staff, not the football players. Yet he couldn't help thinking the two were related. He'd played football in high school and the morning after a tough game his entire body had hurt. Maybe it was a stretch, but it was the only theory he could come up with. He was determined to find a connection between the Barclay Park football team and someone within the emergency department of Trinity Medical Center.

Daisy barked like a mad dog, diverting his attention to the upcoming party. Shannon ran into the kitchen to get him.

“Daddy! The giant blow up games are here!”

“I'm coming.” Setting his coffee aside, he allowed his daughter to drag him outside. Sure enough, the inflatable slide and mini trampoline were being assembled in his backyard.

Shannon hopped from one foot to the other, radiating excitement. “Can I try them out before my friends get here? Please?”

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