Page 16 of Holiday Haven

Annoyed with the idea of Austin asking Krista out, he stood and pulled out his cell phone. He walked into the kitchen as he waited for Alec to answer.

“Hey,” he greeted his brother. “How's Shannon?”

“Miserable.” Alec sighed. “Upset we wouldn't let her come to dinner.”

“Tell her Grandma and Grandpa will have another dinner next week. I'm sure Mom won't mind.” He cleared his throat and got straight to the point. “I'm calling because I saw a woman peering into the window of Pediatric Health when I left this evening. When I called out to her, she hurried off, heading to the bus stop. I don't know, Alec but I think it's possible she could be Joy's mother.”

“Really? Describe her,” Alex said.

Adam included every detail he could remember as he described the woman in the sequence of events. “I guess what bothered me the most was the way she wouldn't talk to me and avoided looking at me.”

“Are you sure she just wasn't window shopping?” Alec asked. “Just because she looked as if she might not have a lot of money doesn't mean she's Joy’s mother.”

“There aren't any retail stores in the building we rent. There's an adult medical clinic, a pediatric clinic, and a dentist office. Do you think she was window shopping for dentures? I'm telling you I think she was Joy’s mother, looking into the window to see if I was there with the baby.”

“Okay, I'll see what I can do. But remember we don't typically search for the mothers of safe haven babies. We can’t treat her as a criminal when she hasn’t done anything illegal.”

“I know, but thanks. I appreciate your help.” Adam disconnected from the call and glanced back to where Amber, Nick and Austin were still talking. His gaze narrowed on his brother. Austin was leaner than he remembered, he'd lost weight over the past nine months. He knew smoke jumping was physically demanding. Emotionally, too, if Austin’s shuttered expression was anything to go by.

Had he been serious about asking Krista out? Nah, he couldn't believe that. Then again, why not? Austin looked so somber, it would make sense that his younger brother was looking for an lighthearted evening of fun. Krista was closer to his age. She'd probably say yes.

He couldn’t stop imagining his brother and Krista together. If Austin did ask Krista out, she'd probably touch his arm and offer to talk about his troubles, too. Austin would appreciate her comforting presence, may even open up about whatever had happened to him in California.

He didn't like the flash of jealousy that gripped him by the throat and squeezed tight.

Nope. He didn't like it at all.

* * *

Krista shotout of bed when her phone rang. For a moment she stared, disoriented, until she realized she was at home on her day off.

When she recognized the hospital's phone number on her cell phone, she reluctantly answered. “Hello?”

“Hi Krista,” Melanie her boss from Six South said. “Do you think you could come in for a few hours? Emily's son is running a fever at the daycare and she needs to go pick him up.”

“Uh, sure.” She grimaced, knowing she had things to do but unable to bring herself to say no. Especially when their tiny patients needed someone to take care of them. She glanced at the clock, realizing it was later than she'd thought. Almost nine in the morning. “I can be there in an hour.”

“Thanks so much.” Melanie disconnected from the call.

As she headed for the shower, the remnants of her dream drifted from her subconscious. She'd been in the car with Adam, the night when she'd called home, breathless and crying, desperately needing a ride. Adam had answered Danielle’s phone and offered to come get her because her sister had been in bed with a migraine.

His quiet strength and concern had helped her to calm down. After he'd picked her up, he hadn't rushed home but had driven slowly through the streets, gently probing her about what had happened. She'd tearfully explained how Robert had driven to his place, instead of taking her back to her apartment. When she'd protested, he insisted he'd only forgotten his wallet and would be right back. She'd refused to go up inside with him, but had stood beside his car. When he'd returned, he'd pulled her close for a kiss. At first, she hadn't minded, but then he'd pressed her backward, grinding his mouth against hers. When she tried to break away, he wouldn't let her go. She'd panicked, shoving at his chest and stomping on his foot until he'd finally stopped kissing her. He'd grabbed her by the shoulders demanding to know what her problem was. His tight grasp had hurt so she'd kicked him in the groin and had taken off running.

She felt foolish for allowing things to spiral out of control. Adam had been angry on her behalf, demanding to know the guy's last name and how well she knew him. She'd only gone out with Robert once before and there hadn't been any issue. He was a friend of a friend, but the incident had scared her enough that she'd stopped dating for a while.

Adam had finally driven her home, walking with her up to the apartment she shared with Danielle in giving her a brotherly hug once inside. He'd wanted her to go to the police but she'd refused. Deep down, she felt the incident was partially her fault, that she'd somehow given Robert the wrong impression or she'd simply blown the entire incident out of proportion.

Why she’d dreamed about that night now, she didn't know. Seeing him again in the hospital setting shouldn't have brought back those memories of that night. Adam had been there for her. As protective as a big brother, wanting to beat up the guy who'd hurt her.

Maybe that was it, she thought as she headed to work. She dreamed about that night because Adam had treated her kindly like an overprotective sibling. Her brain was trying to warn her not to make a big deal of the way they shared a few patients. There was no reason to think his feelings toward her had changed.

She’d always liked Adam, more than she should have. The morning after he'd rescued her, Danielle had complained about having to go to dinner at Adam's parents’ house. Krista had been angry about her sister’s attitude. She knew Danielle had just been mouthing off but felt as if her sister should have appreciated the way the Monroe family was so close. Very different from what they had experienced growing up. And she'd spent the rest of the day stewing over how Danielle didn't deserve Adam.

Enough. Krista tucked to the memories away as she rode the elevator to the sixth floor. The dream had been a stark reminder that their relationship was nothing more than simple friendship.

And wishing for something more was her problem, not his.

“Thanks for coming in.” Melanie smiled when she arrived on the unit. “Would you mind taking over Emily's assignment? Joy is one of her patients.”

---