Chapter Two
EMERSON’S HEART WAS racing, and she was pretty sure it had just as much to do with Dr. Wicked as it did her worries about Ollie. Although she was a little less worried after what Dr. Wicked had said. The man must be a dog whisperer, because Ollie was miraculously calm as the handsome doctor petted him. She’d never seen a veterinarian who looked like him before. He was deliciously alpha—big, brawny, and tattooed, wearing jeans and black leather boots—but his shaggy dirty-blond hair, sexy scruff, and bronzed tan gave off the laid-back aura of a surfer. Why did she have to like that rough and sweet combination so much? And why did he have to have knee-weakening puppy-dog eyes?
She’d never seen eyes like that in real life, and now that she had, she wished they were reserved for only fictional boyfriends. She couldn’t afford weak knees right now. She was barely holding herself together. Not only was she running on almost no sleep due to the ninja baby kicking her bladder all night, but she was also trying to get two big editing jobs off her plate before the baby came, and she was still unpacking from her move a few weeks ago.
Dr. Wicked’s brows knitted. “You have a little something in your hair.”
He reached over, his fingers brushing her neck as they moved into her hair, sending trickles of awareness through her. Her pulse quickened, and those piercing blue eyes found hers, holding her captive. The edges of his lips quirked, exposing panty-melting dimples that made her insides quiver. Or maybe it was the baby messing with her, but it had been so long since she’d felt a flicker of anything remotely lustful toward a man, she smiled flirtatiously and began weaving a dirty fantasy about the delicious doctor.
“Looks like lunch got away from you,” he said, jerking her from her thoughts as he held up the withered piece of lettuce.
Consumed by embarrassment, she uttered, “Ohmygosh. I was working and—” She looked down at her clothes, realized she was a freaking mess, and began brushing crumbs off her shirt, trying to explain. “I got hungry. I’m always hungry, actually. This baby has turned me into an eating machine, so we went for a sub. That’s when I got the cookie. I’m not usually this messy, and I swear I never leave chocolate where Ollie can get it.” The muscles around her belly tightened uncomfortably, and she clutched it, forcing herself not to groan. “Do you mind if I sit down for just a minute?”
“No, of course not.” He helped her into a chair.
Ollie whined, moving closer to her, and licked her hand. “It’s okay, Ol.” She petted him through the discomfort.
“Can I get you some water or call someone?” Dr. Wicked asked.
“No, thank you. But if you’ve got a vanilla shake and fries, sure . I’m kidding. I’m okay. They’re just Braxton-Hicks contractions. I’ve been getting them all day.”
His brows knitted. “When are you due?”
“I was due last week, but it’s not a big deal.” She sighed as the contraction eased. “My mom was late with me, and the doctor said most first-time babies are late. They’re inducing me next week if I don’t go into labor first.” She paused, and in that brief moment, she realized he’d probably been closing the office for the day when she’d shown up. “You were closing when I got here, weren’t you? If you’re sure Ollie isn’t in any imminent danger, I can take him somewhere else.” She started to push to her feet, but he put his hand on her arm, giving it a gentle squeeze.
“Don’t be silly. I never turn away animals in need or the pretty pregnant women who feed them cookies.”
Was he flirting with her? No, you idiot. You’re as big as a house. He just doesn’t want you to go into labor and ruin his night. Now that her head was clearer, she also had a feeling he was seeing the pretty brunette he’d called Eves earlier. The one he was meeting later tonight. God, I really am losing my mind.
“I’ll get my things and examine Ollie out here.”
“I don’t want to inconvenience you any more than I already have. I can go into the exam room with you.” She shifted in the chair, and he tightened his grip on her arm.
“This is my office, Emerson, and here we play by my rules.”
There was something far too titillating about the authoritative way he said it. Like he’d strolled off the pages of one of the steamy romance novels she edited. Where was this guy when she was four months pregnant and her hormones were on fire? “Okay, you win.”
“I usually do.” He smiled, unleashing those panty-melting dimples. He snagged the clipboard and a pen and handed it to her. “Why don’t you fill this out while Ollie and I go get my things.”
“You can leave him here with me.”
“I don’t want to take a chance of him jumping on you. Ollie, come.” He made a fast clicking sound, and Ollie bounded down the hall with him.
She stared after them. It had been a long time since anyone had worried about her like that. She’d gotten so good at going without, she hadn’t realized how much she’d missed it.
When they returned, he read over the form she’d filled out. “My guess was right. He’s a Staffy–heeler mix. How long have you had this handsome boy?”
“Eight months. I was picking up takeout one night, and he was hanging around outside the restaurant. He didn’t have a collar or anything, and he was just a puppy. I asked the people in the restaurant if they knew whose dog it was, but they didn’t, so I went to the neighboring shops, but nobody knew anything about him. One shop owner said she was going to call animal control, so I took him home, and the next day we went to a vet to see if he was microchipped. He wasn’t, which wasn’t surprising. The vet said he thought he was around twelve weeks old, and he was undernourished. If he had a home, they didn’t do a good job of taking care of him, but just in case, I put a sign up in the restaurant window saying I found him, and then I went home and prayed no one claimed him, because I already loved him and I’m selfish like that.”
He grinned. “Sounds like you both got lucky.”
“I think so. I can’t imagine my life without him.” She petted Ollie’s head.
He looked over the rest of the paperwork. “Do you have an emergency contact?”
“For…?”
He pointed to the empty spot on the form. “We usually get one in case your pet is ever here for an extended period of time and we can’t reach you. It could be your significant other or a friend?”
“Oh.” She’d had no idea she’d need an emergency contact for her dog. She wasn’t about to tell him that she didn’t get close enough to people to have one, but she didn’t want to look like a horrible dog mom, so she deflected, hoping he wouldn’t notice her oversight. “Do you have an emergency contact?”
“I don’t have a dog, but I have several emergency contacts for myself.”
“Great. I’ll just borrow one of those.” She waved her hand like it was no big deal.
He grinned. “It doesn’t really work that way. I take it you don’t have one?”
“I moved here a few weeks ago, and it’s just me and Ollie. I work from home, and I haven’t really met anyone yet. I guess I could give you my best friend’s number, but Gwen lives in Chicago, so it won’t do you much good. Is that a requirement? Having an emergency contact?”
“No. It’s just helpful. Who’s going to watch him when you have the baby? Do you have someone coming into town to help you?”
“Unfortunately, no. Gwen can’t come. She’s eight months pregnant.” She wished they lived closer so they could raise their babies together, but Emerson didn’t want to live in Chicago, and that’s where Gwen’s husband, Yuri, had been transferred for work. “I did meet a neighbor who lives around the corner from me, Chip Makos, and he said he’d let Ollie out and feed him while I’m in the hospital. I just don’t know him well enough to list him as an emergency contact.”
Dr. Wicked’s gaze turned serious again. “But you’re comfortable letting him into your house when you’re not there, and you trust him with Ollie?”
“Chip seems nice enough, and Ollie loves him. Don’t look so concerned. I’m from New York. I know a creep when I meet one. There was a creepy barista in the coffee shop where I used to go. Well, that’s not fair. He didn’t leer at me, but he gave off a weird vibe, so I kept my distance. My creep radar is strong, and my neighbor doesn’t give off any weird vibes. I don’t have anything worth stealing, either. As long as Ollie is taken care of, that’s all that matters.”
Dr. Wicked’s jaw muscles ticked. With a curt nod, he went back to examining Ollie. What a sight he was, crouched beside her pup, serious faced one second and talking playfully to him the next. His brow furrowed in concentration as he listened to Ollie’s heart. “Your ticker sounds good, Ol.” He ran his big hands along Ollie’s body and down each leg, stealing a glance at her. “So, you moved here from New York?”
“Yes.”
“Big change. What brought you here?” he asked as he inspected Ollie’s paws.
“This little one.” She rubbed her belly. “I wanted to raise my baby in a small town, and I vacationed here with my parents when I was young. I also read a series of books set on the Cape last year, and it sounded like a nice place to raise a family.” She shrugged. “So here we are.”
“I guess that’s one way to pick a place to live. How do you like it so far?”
“I like what I’ve seen of it. Not that we’ve seen much of it yet because I’ve been working a lot. But I did find a beach where I can let Ollie off leash in the evenings when there’s nobody around, and he loves that.”
“I bet he does.” His gaze turned playful again as he petted Ollie, and Ollie licked his cheek. “Would you mind if I clip his nails?”
“No, please do. Thank you. I’m afraid to do it. I don’t want to hurt him. I used to take him to a groomer, but I haven’t had time to do much of anything beyond walking him since moving here.”
He reached into his bag and took out nail clippers. “I’ll show you how to do it, so you won’t have to be afraid.” He moved closer so she could see what he was doing.
“It won’t help. Gwen showed me a million times, but his nails are black, and one time I cut a nail too low and it bled like crazy. He cried, and I cried, and it was not pretty. I’d rather pay to have it done. I know that makes me a wimpy dog mom, but I don’t want to hurt him.”
“That doesn’t make you a wimpy dog mom. It makes you empathetic.” As he clipped Ollie’s nails, he said, “You were probably far more upset than he was.” He glanced up at her between nail clippings. “I’ll tell you what. The next time you notice he needs his nails cut, pop in here, and we’ll do it at no charge.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“No, but I’d like to.” He finished clipping Ollie’s nails and put the clippers back in his bag. “Heelers and Staffies are loyal breeds, and if he’s been with you throughout your pregnancy that’ll help him around the baby, but he could still get jealous. I know you said it was just the two of you, but do you have someone to help you introduce him to the baby?”
“No. I figured I’d bring the baby home and do it carefully.”
“That can be harder than it sounds if the dog gets jealous.”
“I’m sure we’ll be okay. With the exception of the cookie faux pas, we’ve done great so far.”
His jaw muscles bunched again, and he gave another curt nod.
“What?” she asked.
“Hm?”
“I’m an editor. I notice details. If you grit your teeth any harder, you’ll break a tooth. Just say whatever it is that’s on your mind.”
“I just think it would be helpful for you to have someone around when you introduce Ollie to your baby.”
“I appreciate your opinion. It probably would be helpful, but I don’t have those types of friends yet.”
“Right.” His jaw clenched again, and she smiled, which eased that tight jaw a bit. “Sorry. One more thing to consider. Ollie is a strong boy, and jumping up is dangerous, especially where children are concerned. My brother Gunner and his wife, Sidney, run the animal rescue next door. Sid was a canine trainer in the military, and she’s excellent at it.” He grabbed a business card from the desk and handed it to her. “Give her a call if you’d like help training him.”
She scanned the card. W ICKED A NIMAL R ESCUE . “Thank you. Maybe I will.”
“Well, your boy looks good. I have a feeling he was feeding off your worried energy earlier, because he’s pretty chill now. But he may get an upset stomach from the chocolate, and he could throw up or have loose stools. If you notice anything excessive, give me a call.” He grabbed another business card and scribbled a number on the back, holding her gaze as he handed it to her. “That’s my cell.”
As she took the card, the single girl in her cheered, and the mama-to-be tried to wrangle her into submission. But that single girl couldn’t help saying, “Do you give your personal number to all your female clients?”
He shook his head. “Are you always this feisty?”
Are you always this hot? “I don’t get out much, and when I do, I never know what’s going to come out of my mouth. Thank you for everything. Hopefully I won’t need to bother you again.” She tucked the cards into her pocket.
“You’re no bother at all, Emerson.”
Her name sounded far too good slipping off his lips. Down, girl. She started to push out of the chair, and he offered his hand. “They need to make maternity pants with a spring on the butt for this very reason.”
He unleashed those killer dimples as he helped her up to her feet, just inches from him. He was bigger and broader than she’d first thought, and holy cow, he smelled as good as he looked. Like sandalwood and a warm hug on a cold winter’s day. She’d bet he could hug like no other, too. God, she missed hugs. Real hugs. The kind that said I will love you through anything. The kind her parents used to give her, but even more so, the kind of embraces her parents had shared with each other. She could still see them holding each other, still feel the longing in her heart to find that kind of love.
Her throat thickened. She reached down to pet Ollie, trying to get her head on straight and scrambling for something to say. “How much do I owe you?”
“It’s on the house.”
“No, you can’t—”
“Emerson, what did I tell you about my office and my rules?”
She sighed. “Seriously?”
“Yes. Consider it a baby gift.”
She rubbed her belly. “Thank you. That’s really nice of you.”
“Yeah, well, I like your dog.” He crouched beside Ollie again and took his face between both hands. “Try to stay away from those tempting cookies, buddy, and take care of your mama and your new baby brother or sister, ya hear?”
Ollie licked his cheek.
“Attaboy.” He rose to his feet.
“I don’t know how to thank you,” she said as he walked her to the door.
“That smile’s enough of a thank-you. Don’t hesitate to use my number.”
“I bet you say that to all the pregnant women who come in here with lettuce in their hair and mustard stains on their shirts.”
“You caught me, but don’t tell anyone or they’ll start flocking to my office.” He winked and held the door open for her. “Have a nice night, Emerson.”
“You too, Dr. Wicked.” She stepped outside, then turned back. “Great name, by the way.”
There went that grin again. “I’m glad you approve.”
As she headed for her car, she was hit with another Braxton-Hicks contraction. She grabbed the trunk, measuring her breathing through the contraction.
“You okay?” He jogged over to her.
“I’m fine.” She waved him off. “It’s just one of those practice contractions. As if women need to practice that part of childbirth. Clearly the powers that be are male, because they have absolutely no clue what pregnant women really need, like practice sleeping .” She exhaled with relief as the contraction ended. With a hand on her lower back, she straightened her spine and drew back her shoulders. “See? Good as gold.”
“Even better than gold.” He nodded to her belly. “Gold can’t bring a life into the world.”
Was he for real? The guys she’d known never said things like that.
He opened the back door to her car, and Ollie jumped in. “Be good, buddy.” He unhooked Ollie’s leash and closed the door, turning a curious gaze on her as he handed her the leash. “You’re really having this baby all by yourself?”
“That’s the plan,” she said cheerily.
“My sister-in-law recently had a baby, and she was nervous and a little scared about giving birth. You don’t seem nervous or scared.”
“I’m not.” It was half the truth. She’d been through a hell of a lot worse things than bringing a baby into the world, and she was trying to be strong. She was strong. What was she supposed to say to the guy? I miss my parents? I wish I hadn’t spent the last twelve years without them? Nobody needed to hear that, including her. She was looking forward to having a family of her own again, and she didn’t need anyone’s pity. “Women have been having babies forever.”
He looked at her like he wasn’t sure he believed her. “Well, Emerson Lockhart, you’re a brave woman. But childbirth and new babies can be trying. If you get nervous or just need a friend to lean on, don’t hesitate to use my number.” He opened her car door for her.
A friend . Now, that was something she could use, but she was pretty sure he was just saying it to be nice. She climbed carefully into the driver’s seat and said, as confidently as she could, “I won’t, but thank you,” as if she wasn’t aching to take him up on it.
With that signature nod, he closed the door.
She glanced in the rearview as she drove away and saw him standing there, legs planted hip distance apart, arms crossed, watching her drive out of the parking lot.
What kind of cruel trick of fate was this?
It was like the universe said, Let’s dangle a sweet, hot guy in front of her when she’s as big as a house and about to be consumed with feedings and diapers and weeks of sleepless nights, and let’s give him a name that’s sure to conjure all sorts of naughty thoughts.
She glanced at Ollie in the rearview mirror. “If I weren’t pregnant, I might thank you for eating that cookie.”
If I weren’t pregnant, I wouldn’t have moved to the Cape.
The thought of not being pregnant brought a wave of sadness, and she rubbed her belly. “Don’t worry, baby. I love you, and I’d never wish you away.” Not even for a hot vet with panty-melting dimples.