Chapter 1
It was a joyous affair. Stephanie Giordano was dressed in a taupe knee-length sheath with flowers in her hair. Pax Barry wore a navy suit with a paisley tie. Both were smiling effusively.
Camille Rousseau, Steph’s best friend, stood next to her, looking like a literal doll in a dark pink suit. Jackson Kane, the best man, was dashing in his own blue suit as he flanked Pax.
Pax leaned over. He kissed Steph on the lips. “I love you Stephanie.”
“I love you, too.”
The minister, Caleb Shepherd, cleared his throat and said sternly, “None of that yet.”
Laughter filled the room. Which was good. The weight of reality—the lawsuit against Pax—was not present today, even though his lawyer was among the guests.
“We’re here today to celebrate the marriage of Pax and Steph. Like most of us…” here Caleb gazed fondly at his wife Gemma “…the path was not easy for them. But hard-won love mostly makes people thankful for what they have and I know for a fact these two are very grateful to be here.”
Both bride and groom smiled again.
“Pax. You asked to recite your vows first.”
Pax took Steph’s hands in his. He cleared his throat.
“Every time I look at your lovely face, Stephanie, I’m once again shocked that we’re together, that we’re getting married.
I promise to stand by you no matter what, to become the man you see me as now, and to cherish our life together.
I’ll never take you for granted. I’ll give you room to make your own decisions and be there if you need advice. I’m so happy to marry you today.”
Steph’s eyes sparkled in the sunlight coming from the glass in the Kanes’ sunporch.
“All I want, Pax, is to spend our lives together, to try to make you as happy as you make me. I’ll love and cherish you, too, and be the best wife I can be.
I’ll support your choices in life and lean on you to make my own. I love you so much.”
Jackson handed Pax a ring and Camille gave one to Steph. Pax slid hers on her finger first. “I marry you with this ring.”
“I marry you with this ring.”
Caleb grinned. “I now pronounce you wed.”
They turned toward the small group gathered today: their coworkers, Steph’s family, Pax’s sister, their staff at the clinic, Will and Katie, Diego and Annie, Maisy, Joe and Lara Romano and Caleb’s family. Smiles abounded. Even Nick was grinning.
* * *
Nick Redmond walked up to the makeshift bar in Jackson Kane’s house. He stood behind a woman who was also waiting for a drink. The scent of some expensive perfume wafted up to him. He’d bought enough for the women in his life, so he knew its cost.
She turned. “Hello.”
His brows raised. “Dr. Shannon. Nice to see you again.”
“You, too, counselor.”
She glanced around. “Normally, I prefer more sophisticated sites for weddings. But this house is perfect for Steph and Pax. Bigger than it appears from the outside.”
“Apparently the host just renovated.” He pointed out through the sets of sliding glass doors. “And out there, too.”
Giving him a once-over, she said, “I hear you’re in the midst of the lawsuit against Paxton, correct?”
“I am. The case where he lost a patient.”
“He lost more than a patient.” She shook back all that auburn hair. “He lost his entire way of life.”
Something about her tone made him wonder if she had feelings for Pax. Nah, she wouldn’t be at his wedding to Stephanie if she did.
“I knew him back then.”
“I’m aware.”
The bartender interrupted. “May I help you two?”
Noreen nodded. “White wine. The driest you have.”
“You sir?”
“The same.”
As the man poured their drinks, Nick thought it best to change the subject from the lawsuit. In truth, he shouldn’t even be talking to her. But for some reason, he wanted to. “So you quit medicine to write books?”
“I did.”
“Why?”
Shadows flitted across her face. “Suffice it to say I’d done everything I wanted to in medicine at that point. And I realized some important things about my personal life.”
“You had great success at Upstate Medical Center.”
“I did.”
“And your books? Are they a success?”
“Yes. The second one just hit the New York Times best seller list.”
The bartender brought their wine and Nick motioned to a nearby table set up in the year-round sunroom. “Want to sit and tell me about your work?”
Her laugh was very feminine. And she was pretty with those green eyes and near-perfect complexion. “Never ask a writer to talk about her books. She won’t stop.”
He chuckled. It was a very male sound.
Noreen watched Nick as she told him about her novels. He listened, really listened, unlike some people who asked about her work but then their eyes glazed over while she described it.
When she finished, he said, “The one about the genetic manipulation sounds fascinating. I can buy it online, right?”
“Yes, but I can send you a copy.” She studied him. What the hell? “Or we could meet for dinner and I’ll bring you one.”
Nick stiffened. “That can’t happen, Noreen. You don’t know how sorry I am about it.”
Her brows rose. This wasn’t how men usually treated her. “I must have misunderstood your interest.”
“No, you didn’t. I’d like nothing more than to get to know you better, but you’re part of the lawsuit against Pax. Until that’s resolved, no date.”
“All I have to say about Paxton is that he was upset when he came to see me.”
“Marx Associates’ lawyers won’t see it as that simple.”
“It’s my understanding that no one disputes he made a mistake.”
“The lawsuit against him is for wrongful death. They’ll slant his state of mind as proof of negligence.”
“How will this all happen, Nick?”
“We’re in the discovery phase. We’re taking depositions.”
“Will I be deposed?”
“Yes. At that point, attorneys will question you. I’ll most likely have to…discredit you.”
She stilled. Memories threatened but she quelled them.
“I’m sorry, Noreen. Maybe after the suit…
She stood abruptly. “Afterward, I’ll probably hate you.”
She would. He’d portray her as a jilted lover or as a person just plain covering her own ass. He would discredit her. She’d want nothing to do with him then! She should have known better than to even talk to the man.
* * *
Nick hit the ball hard and it slammed into the floor with a loud pop. His racquetball partner said, “Ace. Again.”
A half smile. Larry Stanton was a family law guy. He was mild-mannered and kind. At one point in his life, Nick might have been friends with him, but after Scotty’s death, he eschewed new friendships and let older ones fade.
Two of those had been his brothers.
Blanking his mind, he went back to the serving line and hit the ball hard. It bounced over Larry’s head, hit the back wall, then rocketed out of bounds. Where it died.
After the match ended, they grabbed some water and Larry said, “Want to sit and drink this?”
“No, I have to get showered and back to the office.”
The other man studied him. “You don’t want to be friends, do you, Nick?”
“I…um, I don’t have much time for friends, Larry. Nothing personal.”
“Understood. I think maybe you should get another partner who’s more on your level.”
Taken aback, Nick watched the guy’s back as he left. Fuck it! He’d do what Larry suggested. Find a partner more equal in skill. He’d check with the trainers at this exclusive gym and see if they had recommendations. He didn’t need Stanton, or anyone like him, in his life.
Nick showered off the sweat and dressed. He’d finished tying his tie when his phone buzzed.
“Nick Redmond.”
“Nicky? It’s Tommy.”
“Tommy?”
“Your brother.”
“I didn’t recognize your voice.” Why would he, though? He hadn’t talked to Tommy or Liam in…two years. “What’s up?”
“I thought you’d want to know that Mom’s in the hospital.”
His mother. Again, it’d been two years since he’d seen her.
“What happened?”
“She had a heart attack.”
His heart started to gallop in his chest. “And?”
“She’s having triple bypass surgery.” Which was dangerous in itself. People died on the table. People died like Scotty.
“Look, Nick, I know what you’ve experienced is probably still raw, but she’s asking about you. Would you come down to Pennsylvania to see her?”
“When’s the surgery?”
“Tomorrow morning six a.m.”
“Okay.”
“Okay?”
“I’ll get there tonight.”
“You can stay with Lisa and me.”
“No, thanks. I’ll get a hotel near the hospital.”
“All right, it’ll be good to see you. Bye.”
Nick’s hand was shaking when he hung up. He hated this! Hated being vulnerable to other people. He’d gone to great lengths so that wouldn’t happen! For a minute, he considered not going down to PA tomorrow. But something told him he had to be there.
* * *
“There’s a long line out there, waiting for you.” Marcy White, Noreen’s agent, was all smiles. Book signings were fun.
“I know. It’s terrific. The book’s been out for a while.”
“This second wave is probably due to the New York Times.”
Not a lot made Noreen happy these days, but making the prestigious list, the book signings that went with it, and the new contract lifted her spirits.
The doors opened and people hurried in. Marcy added, “I don’t see Eve here today.”
“She had a prior engagement. My mother will be at the next one.”
The first person in line, an older woman, handed her a copy of Do No Harm . She said, “I already read it. It was wonderful, Noreen.” She was getting used to people thinking they knew her because they’d read her book. “Is Lacy Montgomery based on you?”
“No. I used my medical knowledge to write parts of the story but I’m not her.” Except for one thing. Everybody thought Lacy had it together, but she didn’t.
Noreen took a sip of water as the next person came up to her table. A young girl, probably sixteen. Her bulky jacket was too big for her, and she wore sneakers instead of boots. “Hello, Ms. Shannon. My name’s Mindy.”
“Hi, Mindy.” She scribbled a greeting and her name in the book.
“Can I tell you something?”
“Of course.”
“I want to be a doctor, like you were.”
“Good luck with that.” She gave the girl a smile. “It happens to ordinary people like me.”
“You’re not ordinary. You’re special.”
“Thank you.” For some reason, she added, “You’re special too, Mindy. Not everybody wants to devote their lives to helping others.”
“Thanks.” She shifted from one foot to the other. “Can we be friends, Noreen?”
For a minute, she stilled. Then she said, “I’m friends with all my readers.” She searched for Marcy, her agent, who was already on her way over.
“Come with me, dear,” Marcy said. “We don’t want to monopolize our guest.” Gently, she grasped the girl’s arm and led her away.
Well, that wasn’t pleasant.
A man was next in line. He was nice looking and had a friendly demeanor. “I don’t usually read women authors, but this one was so gripping, I’m going back to buy your first, too.”
She pointed to the other pile on the table. “It’s right here. You can get it today.”
“Thanks. Would you autograph both?”
“Of course.”
It was fans like him that made the events not only lucrative but enjoyable.