light pressure of a hand on his shoulder jolted Rand out of a deep sleep. He came instantly awake and centered his attention immediately on Jared. The boy, dwarfed by the hospital bed, lay still.
Too still.
Terror squeezed Rand’s lungs like a fist, and he couldn’t move from the hard plastic chair where he’d slept. Couldn’t breathe. “My God, he’s not—”
“Jared’s fine,” a drawling feminine voice assured him. “The crisis has passed. His fever’s broken, and he’s breathing without difficulty now.”
Relief cascaded through him, and, for the first time, Rand became aware of the woman whose hand still grasped his shoulder. “You’re sure?”
“Dr. Anderson was just in, but he didn’t wake you. You’ve had a long night.”
Sunlight filtered through the curtains of the hospital window, and Rand checked his watch—8:00 a.m.
He stood, leaned over Jared, and placed his hand on the boy’s forehead. The toddler’s color was normal, his fever gone, his breathing easier. The oxygen mask had been removed. Weak with relief, Rand turned to the nurse—
And saw instead the police officer who’d escorted him into town.
“You here to arrest me?” His mind, fuzzy from lack of sleep, struggled to make sense of the officer’s presence.
His question apparently took her by surprise. “Arrest you?”
“For speeding. I know I was driving like a bat out of hell last night, but—”
“I just stopped by to check on Jared.”
She smiled, and suddenly she was no longer an officer but the most beautiful woman Rand had ever seen. Midnight-blue eyes glowed with compassion, and her mouth turned up at the corners in an alluring smile. Even with her auburn hair tucked neatly into a French braid, it appeared thick and luxurious, the kind of hair he’d love to run his fingers through. And its color complemented perfectly the apricot flush of her cheeks and her flawless complexion. Tall—she had to be at least five foot eight—her body filled her navy blue uniform so sensually it should have been against the law. In contrast to the severe lines of her uniform, the faintest hint of her floral scent swirled through the room.
When he’d rushed Jared into the E.R. last night, Rand had been so frantic with worry that the police officer’s appearance had barely registered. Otherwise, he would have noted those spectacular eyes, like the blue velvet of a moonless summer sky. Even if he hadn’t been distracted, he couldn’t have seen how curvaceous she was. She’d been bundled up in her police parka and a long dress. Long dress? Had she really been wearing one or had his worry-crazed mind played tricks on him?
“You okay?” she asked.
He flushed, embarrassed that he’d been staring. “What?”
“You’ve had a rough night. You should go home and get some sleep.” Her words, slow and sensual, made him think of the heady fragrance of magnolias and steamy Southern nights.
“I won’t leave Jared alone.” He checked once more to reassure himself that Jared was truly better.
“Anyone I can notify for you?” she asked.
He shook his head. “Thanks—” His gaze traveled to the name tag on the pocket above the enticing curve of her breast. “Officer Sawyer—”
“Call me Brynn.” She offered her hand.
He grasped it and noted instantly the contrast of cool, silky skin, long elegant fingers and a no-nonsense grip that he released with reluctance. “Thanks, Brynn, but I have my cell phone if I need it. And I’m Rand, by the way.”
“I can stay while you take a break. I don’t mind. He’s a sweet little kid.”
“You’re very kind, but, no. Jared’s had a tough time lately, and when he wakes up, he should see a familiar face.”
“At least let me bring you breakfast.”
He scrutinized her closely, assessing her motives. She wasn’t coming on to him. In spite of her obvious sexual attributes, she didn’t flaunt them. Her concern seemed genuine with no strings attached, probably an example of the legendary Southern hospitality he’d heard so much about.
“Doesn’t the hospital have a cafeteria?” he asked.
“You can eat here if you’re a masochist,” she replied with a friendly grin. “But Jodie’s Café is just down the street. They have the best cranberry-pecan muffins in the Upstate.”
“Upstate?”
“Northwest South Carolina.”
“Sorry. I haven’t learned the local lingo.”
“You live on Valley Road, right?”
“Just moved in. I bought the place called River Walk.”
Her magnificent eyes widened at his mention of the name. “Great location, right on the river. Good trout fishing.”
“And lots of fresh air and sunshine. Just what the doctor ordered for Jared’s health.” He glanced at Jared, sleeping peacefully, and felt a stab of guilt. “Guess I didn’t get him out of New York fast enough.”
“You’re from New York?” Brynn’s question seemed strained.
“New York City. Jared and I moved to River Walk to escape the pollution. Jared, as you can tell, has weak lungs. I’m hoping the country air will improve his stamina.”
Brynn flashed a brittle smile. “Will you be working in town?”
He shook his head. “I’m with a New York law firm.”
A wary look flashed across her very pretty face. “You’re a lawyer?”
Rand frowned. She’d uttered the word in a derogatory tone usually reserved for wife beaters, serial killers and child pornographers. “A corporate attorney.”
She backed toward the door. “Not many corporations in Pleasant Valley.”
“I’m taking a sabbatical, time for us to settle into our new life.”
Brynn reached behind her and grabbed the door-knob. “Dr. Anderson says Jared should recover completely in a day or two. That new antibiotic did the trick.”
Rand didn’t want her to leave. Not until he’d learned a whole lot more about the delectable Officer Sawyer. “Come to dinner when Jared’s better. I’d like to show you our place.”
Now that was the understatement of the year.
“Maybe.” Brynn couldn’t have sounded more noncommittal. “I’ll have the café send that breakfast over.”
Before Rand could protest, she slipped out the door and closed it firmly behind her. Officer Sawyer hadn’t appeared the type who would spook easily. He sank back into the bedside chair, wondering
