thick, fox-brown hair and a strong brow were piercing though slightly apologetic brown eyes. They crinkled at the corners and his familiar mouth slipped into a tentative half smile. He followed it with a cautious nod.
Anxiety burst free in her chest, sending her heart into a gallop. She evened out her breathing and waited for her pulse to calm while continuing her death grip on the stand.
Hunter Phillips.
Fast as fireworks, thoughts exploded through her mind. She wanted to cry and point at his baby. That’s what I wanted and you wouldn’t let me have it!
When they’d married, they’d both agreed to pursue their careers at the expense of having children. Hunter’s parents had done a grand job of ignoring him and his sister in favor of their professions, and he’d vowed never to repeat their mistakes. Amanda had accepted his conditions, since she had wanted to become a nurse practitioner and one day achieve her doctorate in nursing.
After her missed period and the newfound desire to be a mother, she’d pressed him on the topic. He’d accused her of being so wrapped up in work and school that she’d be too busy to care for a houseplant, let alone a child. That had stung to her core, and it still hurt to recall his lack of confidence in her. Just like her parents…
She stared at the gurgling baby. He’d moved on, found someone else and had the family he’d told her he’d never in a million years want. Pain seared her side as if he’d stabbed her. Could Hunter be so cruel? She thinned her lips and tried to hide the sadness coiling in her heart.
Moisture prickled in her eyes. Feeling betrayed, she bit back emotion, swallowed hard and forced her face into a professional expression, praying that somehow she’d make it through the night. Then, first thing tomorrow morning, she’d call the medical director and demand a new mentor. She’d wing it by herself, work doubly hard—whatever it took until he found another replacement. No way would she work with Hunter.
She shook her head. Unbelievable as it was, her savior had turned out to be her ex-husband, in a wrinkled business suit with a bright pink baby surprise strapped to his chest.
Everyone in the classroom watched and waited. She couldn’t stand there dumbfounded for one more second, so she took a deep breath to introduce him.
Oh, God.
“Good evening, everyone. Sorry I’m late,” Hunter said, realizing they were all staring at him and Mandy hadn’t yet been able to make her mouth work.
With everyone watching, he bent to pick up the baby carrier and almost bumped heads with Sophie. Could things get any more awkward? Even though he’d rehearsed and prepared for this moment the entire drive over, the depth of pain at seeing her again almost took his breath away.
After three years of hell and soul-searching since their divorce, the last thing he’d wanted to do was face her again under these unusual circumstances. But it seemed there was no way out. If he didn’t help Mandy, the class would be history. And though he wasn’t sure what her stake in it was, he was certain of his motivation.
Joel Hersh, the man who’d made sure Hunter had gotten a staff position at Mercy Hospital after his residency, had contacted him just that morning.
“You’ve heard about Charles Beiderman?” Joel had said.
“Yeah. Poor guy. And so unexpected.” He’d been diagnosed with lymphoma.
“Charles was set to mentor one of our nurse practitioners on a community outreach program at our Serena Vista Clinic,” Dr. Hersh had gone on to explain in detail.
“Sounds interesting.”
“Yes, her approach to reaching patients long before they require surgical cardiac intervention is the way of the future. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“Absolutely. Preventive care is the best offense.” If only his father had thought the same, maybe his stroke could have been averted.
“I’m in a bind. The patients have already been lined up and everything is set to go. It would be cost-effective if you stepped in.”
It was the first favor Joel had ever asked of Hunter. “Hey, I’d be glad to help,” he said, straightening his tie. Since his father’s recent death, he’d made it a personal goal to enlighten his patients about blood pressure and heart health. This would be an opportunity to reach more people.
“Good, then. I’ll let Amanda know she can proceed with the study.”
His shoulders had stiffened at the name. “Amanda?”
“Yes. Amanda Dunlap.”
Hunter’s heart had stumbled. His fingers had clutched the knot in his tie just above the similar knot that had formed in his throat. Mandy? As in his ex-wife, Mandy? Obviously the medical director didn’t know. This couldn’t have come at a worse time for him, but he couldn’t very well weasel out now. And he did owe the man a major favor…
Now, placing the carrier on a nearby table, Hunter looked around the room filled with middle-aged faces, ignoring the painful reminder at the head. “Don’t mind me.” He waved his hand, pretending to have everything under control, while still reeling from the earthquake in his gut at seeing Mandy again. If he felt this shaken up, he could only imagine what must be going through her mind. “Go right ahead.”
“Class, this is my ex-hu…er…Dr. Phillips,” Mandy said, with a corrected businesslike tone. She blushed crimson at her near mistake, which turned her blue eyes almost neon and softened the effect of her curt introduction. Obviously she was no happier to see him than he was to be here.
He’d missed those fiery eyes, even though they looked boggled right about now, as though she’d just been caught out on reality TV. He could only imagine how he must look.
“We were getting ready to have a quick anatomy class on the heart,” she said, obviously trying to hide her true reaction to his showing up in her classroom. “Why don’t you do the honors?”
He fought the urge to glance over his shoulder, point to his own chest and mouth, Me? Instead, he forced an affable smile and said, “Sure.” She’d put him on the spot and given him no choice.
He could handle this. No problem. He glanced around wondering where to put the baby carrier, planning to buckle Sophie inside. That was if he could remember how to set it up outside of the car.
Sophie gurgled and cooed. One of the women students sprang up. “I’ll hold her. I’ve got seven grandchildren.”
“Oh,” he said, relieved. “Thanks.”
She lifted the child from the harness around his chest. As naturally as a penguin sheltering its young, she took the baby into her arms and grinned at her. Sophie didn’t seem to mind, so he nodded in gratitude.
As he approached the front of the class, Mandy rolled a cart to the center of the room for his use. Perched on top sat a larger-than-life plastic heart complete with arteries. She’d wasted no time getting him involved. Was this the price he had to pay for being late?
Doing a quick mental review of heart physiology, he stepped forward. He remembered the absurd harness and fought clumsily to remove it. After running his hand through his hair and straightening his shirt
