to see a pediatrician.” Damn. Just the thought of doctor visits brought on a whole new worry that filled his gut with dread. “What do I do if she gets a fever or a tummy ache?”
And then there was the whole idea of shots, immunizations and making her take liquid medicine that tasted nasty.
Worry and fear must have altered his expression because Dana said, “You’ll do just fine.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
She placed a soft and gentle hand on his shoulder, which sent a rush of warmth to his gut, chasing a bit of his fear away. “And remember, it’s just a few days at this point. There’s no need to borrow trouble.”
“That’s easy for you to say.” He offered her a halfhearted grin, although he really did appreciate her support.
“If it’ll make you feel better,” she said, “I’d be happy to stop by your place so I can visit Rosie and give you a break at the same time.”
Kieran would take all the help he could get, even if it was just an occasional visit. “I’d appreciate that, Dana. Before you leave I’ll give my business card, along with my address.”
The hand that had been resting on his shoulder slid down to his back, giving it a rub that suggested she wanted to provide him with comfort and understanding. But her touch, the trail of her fingers, triggered a spark of heat he hadn’t expected. Nor did he have any idea what, if anything, to do about it.
“You’ll do fine,” she said.
God, he sure hoped she was right. But he couldn’t very well remain in the hospital lobby, talking to a woman who’d sent his thoughts scampering in an entirely wrong direction. So he nodded toward the elevator. “Are you ready to visit Sam?”
“Yes, let’s go.” Dana fell into step beside him, but they didn’t speak again until they reached the third floor.
As the doors opened up, Kieran said, “Here we are.”
They started down the corridor together, their shoes clicking and tapping on the tile floor. Still, they didn’t speak.
When they neared room 312, they spotted Sandra walking out the door and into the hall.
“How’s Sam doing?” Kieran asked her.
“About the same. The doctor has ruled out bypass surgery for the time being, and he’s responding to treatment. But Sam has a few other health issues they’d like to get stabilized before they dishcharge him. So it looks like he’ll be here for a while.”
“What about you?” Kieran asked. “How are you holding up through all of this?”
Sandra took a deep breath, then slowly let it out. “I’m a little tired, but I’m doing all right. My blood pressure is higher than usual, which is a little concerning. My doctor would like me to get some rest and stop worrying about Sam. But that’s not easy to do.”
Under the circumstances, Kieran didn’t suppose it would be. Not when Sandra had their granddaughter to worry about, too.
“I’ll plan on having Rosie indefinitely,” Kieran said. “Once Sam is feeling better, just say the word and I’ll bring her home.”
Sandra’s eyes filled with tears. What she couldn’t blink away, she dried with her index fingers. “As much as I hate to let Rosie go, especially when I fear it could end up being permanent, I really have my hands full with Sam right now.”
“I’ll take good care of her,” Kieran said. “And if it makes you feel better, Dana promised to help me.” He gave the attractive redhead a nudge.
Dana slipped her arm around Sandra and drew her close. “That’s right, Sandy. I know how difficult this must be for you, but don’t worry about anything or anyone except Sam—and yourself.”
“We’ll just be a phone call or a short drive away,” Kieran added.
“Thank you.” The older woman again swiped at her teary eyes. “That’s probably for the best.”
Kieran knew they’d made the right decision all the way around, although he still wasn’t sure about his capabilities as a guardian, let alone as a paternal role model. But he’d do his best by Rosie.
“Don’t worry about a thing,” he told Sandra, although his gut twisted at the thought of being on his own with Rosie.
But, hey. He’d just take it one day at a time.
“Sandy,” Dana said, “is there something I can do to help you? Do you want me to bring anything to you from the house? Or, if you give me a list, I can run errands or stop by the market and pick up groceries or whatever.”
“Since I don’t have to worry about being home with Rosie,” Sandra said, “I’d like to camp out here at the hospital for a while. So, yes. If you don’t mind, there are some things you can pick up from the house and a prescription that’s ready at the pharmacy.”
While the women continued to work out a game plan of sorts, Kieran looked up at the ceiling as if he could see through it and beyond, as if he could somehow connect with Zach and ask for his forgiveness. I’m sorry I lied to your mom. I have no idea how to provide for Rosie’s needs.
But he made Zach—and himself—a promise right then and there. He would do his best to provide everything Rosie needed—come hell or high water and damn the cost.
Dana hadn’t planned to visit Kieran and Rosie until the weekend, but less than twenty-four hours after running into him at the hospital, she changed her mind.
He’d admitted to being nervous and uneasy about his ability to fill Zach’s shoes. In spite of the assurance he’d given Sandy, Dana suspected that he wasn’t feeling nearly as comfortable taking care of a three-year-old as he might want everyone to believe.
So after putting in a full day at the history center, she drove across town to the high-rise building in which Kieran lived. She and Zach had once attended a party here, where they’d hobnobbed with socialites, techies and corporate types.
They’d moved about the well-dressed group, holding their drinks in hand and making small talk. Zach might have appeared to be a simple cowboy, but his wit, humor and charm had carried him through the evening, and he’d fit right in. Not so with Dana.
Sure, everyone had been kind and gracious to her, even when the only things she could think to say had to do with a new exhibit at the history center. She’d smiled and nodded, as if all was right in her world, but she’d felt lost, like a street urchin on the snowy lanes of eighteenth-century London.
Okay, so it really wasn’t that bad. But she’d felt out of place among the rich and successful crowd.
And now, after parking across the street in the public lot next to a busy Starbucks, she began to have second thoughts about her surprise visit.
What had she been thinking? She shouldn’t just drop in uninvited.
