I Promise (13 page)

N
oah stormed down the long hallway toward Malcolm's office. When he reached the door, he didn't bother to knock and entered. Finding the room empty, he cursed under his breath. “Where is he?” he barked the moment Nicole, his son's secretary, rushed into the room.

“Uh, he—”

“Yes? Out with it!”

“He only said that he needed to go to an emergency meeting with the marketing department.”

Noah left the room furious. “An emergency meeting?” He emphasized each word with disbelief. With the board meeting tomorrow morning, the last thing he needed or wanted was for anything to go wrong.

Nicole rushed behind him. “Is there something wrong, sir?”

He stopped and pivoted toward her, causing her to collide with his chest. “Did he say where he was going?”

She blanched, then sputtered as she tried to recall. “N-no, sir. Would you like for me to page him?”

Noah shook his head and rubbed the stress lines across his forehead. “I need my head examined for hiring him.” He resumed his quick pace down the hall.

Nicole raced after him. “Anything I can help you with, sir?” she asked, struggling to match his long strides.

“Yes. See if you can get Jordan on the phone, maybe I can get him to help.”

She jotted down the information, then paused. “But Jordan is out of town, sir.”

Noah stopped.

She crashed into him again. Sheaves of paper scattered everywhere.

He bent to help her. “Where did he go? When did he leave?”

“I left a message with your secretary. He called yesterday and said that he would be out of town for a week. He didn't say where he was going.”

“I might as well slip the noose around my own neck,” he grumbled, handing her the rest of the papers.

“What, sir?”

“Nothing.” He straightened. “Call me the minute Malcolm calls or comes back into the office. It's urgent that I speak with him.”

 

Christian's body ached. Pain coursed through her throbbing temples. She moaned, but the hoarse voice sounded nothing like hers. Rain drummed off in the distance along with the sound of a familiar voice calling her name.

She opened her eyes. Pain welcomed her back to reality's threshold.

Eyes the color of rich sable probed hers. An odd mixture of tenderness and fear reflected in their depths. “Oh, thank God,” Jordan whispered. He slumped next to her.

Christian's gaze touched the gash above Jordan's right temple. She pushed up, surprised by the amount of glass that pricked her body. “Are you all right?” she managed to ask.

He nodded, but his eyes and hands continued to check her.

“How long have I been out?”

“Not long. Less than a minute, I would guess.”

She breathed a sigh of relief, then grabbed his hand. “What about the other car?”

“I haven't checked, yet. I needed to make sure you were all right.”

A shiver of excitement rippled through her at the tender note of concern in his voice. Mindless to her own pain, she turned and pushed open her door. The heavy rain drenched her clothes. Her sandals filled with water and squished as she struggled to make her way over to the late-model Mercury.

The other vehicle had smashed its passenger-side doors along the front of Jordan and Christian's car. Christian made her way to the driver's side and peered through the window. The tinted coloring made it impossible to see if everyone was okay. She pulled on the door handle.

“It's stuck,” she yelled, then jumped when she discovered Jordan behind her.

With one quick jerk, he opened the door.

Her eyes wide, Christian stood dumbfounded in front of a heavy-breathing woman, clutching her swollen belly.

“Oh, my God,” Jordan whispered before jumping into action. “Ma'am are you all right? Are you hurt?”

Troubled blue eyes lifted toward them. “M-my baby!” she screamed, then struggled to catch her breath.

Jordan's hopeful gaze sought Christian's. “You know anything about delivering a baby?”

Horror struck Christian's features as she shook her head.

“Christian?”

She blinked and wiped at her rain-drenched face. I-I've helped my Uncle Pete deliver a foal before.”

The expectant mother squeezed her eyes shut. Her wet flaxen hair was plastered to her face.
“Uuuuugggh!”

“I guess that's going to have to do.” He rubbed his hands together. “After all, how much different can it be?”

Christian ran a hand through her wet hair. “You hit your head harder than I thought.”

Another gut-wrenching moan jarred Christian and she scrambled to recall the night she helped deliver that foal. “I can't do this,” she said in a shaky whisper.

Jordan jumped up and grasped her shoulders. “Don't panic on me.” His scrutiny sharpened. “You
can
do this.”

She swayed on her feet. “You don't understand. I was only eleven years old when I helped him.” The pregnant woman squealed through clenched teeth.

Christian stepped back. “I can't do this.”

Jordan pulled Christian's attention from the woman. “Then I'll do it. Do you think you'll be able to help me?”

Christian hesitated, forced air into her lungs, then nodded.

Jordan turned back toward the car.

Christian kneeled in front of the woman onto the wet street. “Okay, all right,” she took the woman's clenched hands to comfort her, but Christian had a hard time controlling her own nerves. “My name is Christian and this is Jordan.” She indicated to him with a tilt of her head. “We're going to try and help you. Can you tell me your name?”

“D-Drew,” the woman replied.

Christian's eyes lowered to Drew's stomach and held there, fascinated. “Do you know how far apart the contractions are?”

The woman shook her head. “My w-water broke. I was trying to get to the hospital. M-my husband is supposed to meet me there.”

Jordan jumped. “She has a phone!”

A rush of relief swept through Christian, then she refocused her attention on Drew. “We're going to call for help.”

Drew screamed and squeezed Christian's hand in a steel grip. When the contraction passed, Christian pried her hand back and shook out the pain.

“I got nine-one-one on the line,” Jordan exclaimed with one hand over the mouthpiece.

Drew screamed again.

Christian hunted for the latch to lower the driver's seat. “Her contractions seem awfully close together.” She cast a worried glance toward Jordan.

“Help is on the way,” he assured them.

“I—I don't think I can wait that long,” Drew informed them as another jolt of pain seized her.

Christian glanced at Jordan.

His eyes implored her. “Please don't say it.”

“How soon can they get here?” she asked.

“Fifteen, maybe twenty minutes.”

Drew screamed.

Jordan's mind raced. “I keep thinking we need clean linen and hot water.”

“What are we suppose to do with those?” Christian asked.

“I don't know. It's something they always say on TV.” He shook his head. “Maybe we should turn her around so she can lay flat across the seat?”

Christian nodded. “Good idea.”

With some tricky maneuvering, they repositioned Drew, but had to get some bags from their car in order to support her back. No sooner had they finished than Drew propped up her legs and pushed.

Christian panicked, while Jordan whispered a prayer.

He positioned himself between Drew's legs. His eyes widened as his mouth dropped open.

“What's wrong?” Christian asked, fearful of his answer.

“There's something poking out,” he said flabbergasted.

Drew grunted and pushed again.

“Maybe you shouldn't push,” Christian suggested.

Two sets of eyes looked up at her.

“I mean until help gets here.”

Drew screamed against the next wave of pain.

Jordan flinched. “My God. It's the baby's head.” He rolled up his sleeves.

“What are you going to do?” Christian blinked with stunned disbelief.

“I guess play catch. This baby looks like it's not going to wait for a doctor.”

Drew's breathing accelerated into rapid pants, while Christian suppressed her own fears and forced an encouraging smile in place. “Everything is going to be just fine.”

Drew's grip tightened as a flicker of pain crossed her features. “I'm scared.”

Christian's heart squeezed. She wished she could take the pain away for her. When she glanced over to Jordan, she watched a series of emotions play across his expression. The one that held her spellbound was the unmistakable look of awe of the miraculous act of childbirth.

Regret stabbed Christian's heart as what little amount of hope she had allowed herself to feel toward Jordan died. She forced air into her lungs and pried her gaze away from him and returned her attention to Drew.

Sirens sounded in the distance, Jordan breathed a sigh of relief and wiped the sheen of perspiration from his forehead.

Drew screamed and squeezed her eyes shut as she pushed.

Christian shook her head. “She's not going to be able to wait until they get here.”

“Uuuuugggh!”

Jordan's eyes grew wider. “The baby's coming!”

Christian continued to murmur words of encouragement to Drew, but kept casting nervous glances at Jordan.

Red lights flashed just as the baby's loud cry disturbed the trio with a set of healthy and powerful lungs.

Jordan laughed as his face brightened. “It's a girl.”

H
ours later, inside Holiday Inn's lounge, Christian and Jordan huddled over two steaming cups of coffee. The day's events replayed in Jordan's mind. He stared down at his hands and shook his head. “I just can't believe it.” He laughed and looked over at Christian.

She averted her gaze and took another sip of her coffee.

His good humor faltered. “Is there something wrong?”

“No.” She flashed a quick smile that didn't reach her eyes. “Of course not.”

“Why don't I believe you?” He crossed his arms and leaned closer.

Her hands shook as she drank her coffee.

A frown tilted the corners of his mouth. “Christian. Look at me.”

When she met his gaze, he read the uncertainty in her eyes.

“Talk to me.” He spoke in a firm voice.

She shook her head. “I'm fine. Really. I'm just tired.” She smiled again.

He clamped his jaws tight, finding it difficult to reign in his mounting irritation. “I wish you would give me a break.” His harsh tone wasn't what he intended.

Christian lifted her chin.

Jordan swore under his breath. “I can't win with you.” He heaved a frustrated sigh and tossed up his hands. “Every time I try to get to know you or try to get you to open up to me, you slam me into this brick wall. What's the big mystery about you that you can't allow people to get close?”

She opened her mouth to protest.

He stopped her. “Maybe you like playing games. Is that it? Do I amuse you?”

“Of course not!” Her brows furrowed. “I just can't allow myself to get involved with you. I—”

“Why not?”

Her speech died in her throat. She propped her elbows onto the table and placed her hands along her temples. “I can't make you understand.”

“You mean you don't want to.”

She looked up at him. Nothing could be further from the truth. “I've known you for less than a week and already you are challenging everything that I am.” She said in a calm voice. “I've already told you that I could never offer you more than friendship.”

He shook his head. “Is that what you call this? I don't treat my friends with this kind of indifference. I don't put my friends in neat little boxes and set them aside until I'm ready to play. I don't know what your definition of friendship is, but this isn't mine.”

Clasping his hands together, Jordan exhaled. “Look, I know that thus far this has been a trip from hell, but it wouldn't hurt for you to try and open up a little.”

Stunned, she flinched as if he had slapped her. “Are you blaming me for the vandalism and the accident?”

Frustrated, Jordan placed his head against his hands and pinched the bridge of his nose. “No, I'm not. I'm just saying you can learn to loosen up a bit. I've gone out of my way to try to get you home.”

Christian's eyes narrowed. “I never asked you to do any of this!”

His anger matched hers. “And you never thanked me either. I can't get you to answer a simple question about yourself without feeling like I'm facing a firing squad. Is it too much to ask that we try to get to know each other?”

“Yes,” she shouted, then glanced around to see that she had drawn attention from the surrounding tables. She slid her purse strap across her shoulders and held out her hand.

Jordan stared at her.

She drew in an unsteady breath. “May I have the key to my room?”

“No.”

She closed her hand. “Why not?”

Determined to get answers, Jordan crossed his arms. “Not until you answer some questions.”

“I'm not in the mood for games,” she snapped.

“All right, then, just one question.”

Squaring her shoulders, she lifted her chin and held his gaze. “Fine. One question.”

He moved forward. “You're an intelligent woman. I've made no attempt to hide the fact that I'm interested in you.”

She squirmed in her chair.

Jordan maintained eye contact. “If you ask me, I'm not the one playing head games. You are.”

“What is your question?” she demanded, but her voice hitched as though her patience held on by a thin thread.

“It's a simple one. And tell the truth if you can. Why did you agree to come with me?”

 

Noah paced the floor of his bedroom. Every nerve in his body tangled into knots. “What have I done?” he muttered, clasping his hands together. With tomorrow's board meeting looming over him, the last thing he needed to worry about were the rumored changes to the marketing strategies.

“Sweetheart?” Rosa asked. She clicked the light on and frowned at him. “Why are you already dressed for bed? Aren't you coming down for dinner?”

The mere mention of food sent a wave of nausea coursing through him. “I'm not hungry,” he said, turning to look out the bedroom window.

“Is there something wrong?” Concern infused her voice.

“No. Nothing's wrong.” Noah closed his eyes to the pain of not sharing his dilemma, but he couldn't confide in her that he stood on the verge of losing everything. Would she be disappointed in him?

Her footsteps drew closer.

“You know,” she said, stopping beside him. “I wasn't born yesterday. And I've been married to you long enough to know when something is wrong.” She laid a hand on his shoulder. “Tell me what's bothering you.”

Expelling a long breath, he turned and looked at her. What was the point in hiding anything from her? She could always see straight through him.

“Is it about the board meeting?” she asked in a gentle tone.

He wanted to laugh.

She leaned against him and implored him with her eyes. “Talk to me.”

“It would kill me if you were ever disappointed in me or lost faith in me.”

She shook her head, her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “That could never happen.”

He opened his arms and she slid into his embrace. Love filled his heart as his shoulders slumped with relief. He kissed her forehead. “I think maybe you should sit down for this.” He pulled her back and met her direct gaze. “There is a lot I have to tell you.”

 

Christian's stomach clenched. She struggled to control the feelings that tore through her, but her vulnerability rose like a tide. She stood.

Jordan continued. “Can you even admit to yourself that there is something between us?”

She held out her hands. “Can I please have my key?”

“You haven't answered the question.”

She glared at him as she thrust out her chin. “I came because I wanted to get home. Remember?”

He stood from his chair, a sudden smile on his lips. As he edged closer, she stepped back. He lifted his hand, brushing her cheek with his fingertips. “My beautiful, sweet liar.”

His touch stole her breath. Her knees trembled while she stood defenseless against the heat of his gaze. She took another step back and held out her hand again. “My key.”

Jordan reached into his pocket. “A deal is a deal.” He dropped her card key into the palm of her hand. “I just wish you would open up to me.”

“Thank you,” she whispered then turned. “For everything,” she added before walking away.

As she left the café, she breathed a sigh of relief. Close to tears, she forced one foot in front of the other and didn't stop until she made it to her room.

Once inside, she slumped against the door. “One more day,” she whispered to herself. She caught a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror across the room. Her short hair looked limp and lifeless while her face had tired lines etched around her eyes. Could she survive another day?

She moved from the door with her eyes focused on her image, hoping to catch a glimpse of the girl she once was. Strange, she could remember being carefree. Since her parents' death, she grew up early.

Expelling a tired sigh, she closed her eyes. Maybe she had been rude toward Jordan. She thought about her behavior with a tight frown. He was right.

Christian shook her head. Her motto until this point had always been It was better to be safe than sorry. And whenever she was near him, her heart was anything but safe.

The telephone rang.

She answered it. “Hello?”

“I'm sorry.”

Her heart quickened at the sound of his voice.

“Are you there?” Jordan asked.

She struggled to find her voice again. “Uh, yes. I'm here.”

“I mean it.” His tone sounded serious. “I'm sorry. I had no right to talk to you the way I did. I hope you will accept my apology.”

Christian sat on the bed and twirled the phone cord around her fingers. “I think I'm the one that owes you an apology.” She took a deep breath and continued. “You were right about a lot of things. I didn't mean to treat you with indifference. I really do appreciate everything that you've done to take me home.”

A long silence hung over the line.

“Are you there?” she asked.

“Yeah. Why don't we just start over?”

She smiled against the phone. “I think I would like that very much.”

“And since this will be our last night alone together,” he added. “Would you care to join me for dinner?”

She hesitated. “Maybe I should just lie down for a while.”

“Is your head bothering you?”

Touched by his concern, she shook her head as she answered. “No. I'm fine. Really.”

“I wish you had gone to the hospital and had that checked out.”

“Look who's calling the kettle black. What about that gash above your temple?”

“Gash? It's only a scratch.”

She laughed.

“What's so funny?” he asked.

“I was just wondering who is the most stubborn between us.”

His deep laughter rumbled through the phone. “In that case, I would have to tip my hat to you.”

“You may be right,” she conceded.

Another silence permeated the line.

“Have dinner with me,” he said in a persuasive tone.

“Yes” sat on the tip of her tongue. Her grip tightened on the phone.
It's your last night.
“What time?” she finally asked.

“How about in an hour?”

She glanced at her watch. “Okay. I'll see you then.”

“Great. It's a date.”

 

Malcolm banged on Alex's door. His anger mounted when she didn't answer. “Come on, I know you're in there,” he shouted. “I just want to talk to you.”

Still, no answer.

His fist pounded the door until it rattled.

“She's obviously not there!” a voice shouted from down the hall.

“Mind your own business,” Malcolm yelled.

Another neighbor poked her head through the door. “Do you mind? People are trying to get some sleep around here.”

He ignored her and knocked again. “Alex. Please open the door.”

Other voices threatened to call the police. Malcolm laid his hand against Alex's door and closed his eyes in defeat. “Alex, I'm so sorry. I didn't know,” he whispered, then turned and walked away from the door.

At the sound of his footsteps moving away, Alex closed her eyes and clenched her teeth at the urge to cry.

 

Jordan kept the conversation light. In his heart, he accepted the fact that he would be returning her to this Bobby and he would never see her again. With that in mind, he resolved to make the best of the remaining time they had together.

During the course of their dinner, he caught himself staring at her. He studied every detail of her angelic face. Every once in a while, a sudden sadness flickered in her eyes.

“What did they say at the car rental place?”

Jordan moaned. “Our insurance tripled on the Land Rover they gave us. Let's cross our fingers that we can make it to your place without another incident.”

“I don't think my heart can take anything else.” She laughed.

“I wanted to tell you that you did pretty good out there with Drew. Maybe I should call you Dr. McKinley.”

“You were the one who delivered the baby,” she answered.

“Nah. I only stood there with my hands out and played catch.”

Instead of laughing at his joke, a sad smile tilted her lips. When he thought she wasn't going to respond, she looked up and met his gaze. “My father was a doctor.”

Jordan frowned at the anguish edged in her voice. “What does he do now?”