that he had an opportunity to dwell on her reluctance to notify her father about their marriage.
Although surprised by his unexpected marriage, his parents and siblings accepted Caitlin into the family with open arms. But nothing, Dex thought, could have prepared him for the horrible scene they’d encountered upon arriving at Caitlin’s home and announcing their marriage and her plans to accompany him to Australia.
Halston Parker had gone into a rage, which subsequently doubled him over clutching his chest. After he was rushed to the hospital, Caitlin had been told he’d suffered a mild heart attack.
She had been upset and besieged with guilt. Dex had spent his last day in the States pacing the waiting room of the hospital with her. He’d somehow managed to convince her to come back to the hotel with him. Once there, she had found comfort in his arms. He’d made love to her to erase her fears. The next morning he had felt her withdraw from him, and wondered if their newfound love could withstand the external pressures.
Before catching a cab for the airport, he had literally begged her to join him in Australia as soon as her father recovered. She had promised him she would.
As the weeks passed and she’d begun avoiding his nightly phone calls, he’d made arrangements to return to the States on an emergency leave. The day he was to depart, he received the divorce papers and Caitlin’s wedding ring. She wanted out of their marriage.
According to the brief letter she’d enclosed with her ring, she claimed she loved him, but her father needed her more and she couldn’t leave him. She thought it best they end their marriage.
The impact of her decision had hurt deeply. Deeper than any pain was supposed to hurt. He had always known and understood the internal war he had fought since Greg’s suicide. He had waged such a fierce battle against ever falling in love that when it happened, he had been totally consumed by it. Caitlin had been everything he had ever wanted and desired in a woman. And when he had fallen for her, he’d fallen hard. No one, and that included his family, had understood the depth of his bitterness after his breakup with Caitlin. Considering her age when they had married, and the brief period of time they had known each other, Caitlin’s actions, as far as his family were concerned, had not been surprising.
Unfortunately he did not share their reasoning. The way he saw it, Caitlin had said her vows and had made promises, and neither was meant to be broken.
Sighing deeply, Dex reached for the phone and began dialing.
“Hello?”
“Clayton, I’m leaving tonight for San Antonio.”
Chapter 2
T he antiseptic smell of the sterilized facility stung Dex’s nostrils the minute he walked into the hospital’s lobby. Stepping into the elevator, he punched the button for the eighth floor.
It seemed like an eternity before the elevator door finally opened. Stepping out, he dismissed the interested looks he received from a couple of nurses and walked over to the nurses’ station. A middle-aged woman stood behind the counter with her head bowed, reading a patient’s chart.
“Excuse me. I’m here to see Halston Parker.”
The woman lifted her head and smiled at him kindly. “Are you a member of the family?”
The question was a common one to ask, but Dex couldn’t help but flinch. “No,” he answered curtly. “I’m not, but I was asked to come here by Caitlin Parker.”
The woman gave him a bemused glance although her smile continued to be friendly. She glanced down at the chart she pulled from a nearby rack. “Caitlin Parker?” she questioned.
“Yeah. Caitlin Parker. Halston Parker’s daughter,” he replied, glancing around the nurses’ station.
“You must mean Caitlin Madaris.”
Dex’s head whipped around sharply. “What did you say?”
“I said Mr. Parker’s daughter is Caitlin Madaris.”
“I’ll take care of this, Diane,” a deep voice said behind Dex.
Dex turned around and came face-to-face with a man he remembered as being Halston Parker’s physician.
“Mr. Madaris, welcome back to San Antonio.”
Dex nodded tiredly and rubbed his temples. The nurse had referred to Caitlin as Caitlin Madaris? Why was she still using her married name? His name? Why had she kept the name when she’d rejected the man who’d given it to her? He stared into the doctor’s face. It had aged considerably in the last four years. “This isn’t a pleasure trip, Doctor,” he said, shaking the hand the man offered.
Dr. Flores nodded his head. “You’re right, it’s not. Did you have any problems getting here?” he asked politely.
“No. I caught a cab from the airport.”
The older man lifted a brow. “Your luggage?”
“I didn’t bring anything but what you see here,” Dex said, indicating the overnight bag he carried. “I don’t plan on staying long,” he added in a clear, firm voice.
Dr. Flores looked at him for a moment. “Oh, I see. Did you know that Caitlin isn’t living here in San Antonio, Mr. Madaris? She moved to Fort Worth six months ago.”
Dex looked at the older man in complete surprise. “No, I didn’t know that.” Heat stained his cheeks and his eyes narrowed “But then I haven’t had a reason to keep up with my ex-wife over the past four years. Where she lives is no concern of mine.”
The doctor appeared slightly flushed. “I’m sorry, my mistake.”
Dex nodded. “No sweat. We all make them.” He glanced around. “Where’s Caitlin?”
“She’s resting. I gave her something to relax her. It’s been a very trying time for her. I’ll go get her now.”
Dex grabbed the man’s arm when he turned to walk off. “Don’t bother. Whatever Halston Parker has to say, he can say to me alone. There’s no need to involve Caitlin.”
The older man shook his head. “Halston wants to speak with both you and Caitlin.”
Dex studied the doctor for a moment. “Do you have any idea what this is about?”
“Even if I did, I’m not at liberty to say, Mr. Madaris. If you would like to wait in a private waiting room, I’ll get Caitlin.”
In the waiting room, Dex stood at the window looking down at the smaller office buildings below. His body tense, his senses alert, he knew the exact moment Caitlin quietly entered the room. He turned slowly to face her.
Their eyes connected immediately. Dex dragged his gaze over her. Even with tired lines etched around her eyes, her hair in disarray and her dress slightly wrinkled, as far as he was concerned, she still looked utterly beautiful. His heart felt like it was about to explode in his chest. How could he find her desirable after the hell she’d put him through? He resented the fact that his strong attraction to her was still there. His reaction to her sparked his temper.
“Hello,
