any way except as a colleague. She’d always been pleasant but seemed closed off somehow. She gave off the vibe that she wasn’t someone who played around. With her wholesome southern drawl and gentle smile, she wasn’t one of those women who gave him a come-hither look he had no trouble obeying. Everything about her said serious, down-to-earth, love me forever. That was the type he stayed clear of. Maybe that’s why it had never registered that Helena could be so completely stunning.
Whatever the cause, it had been lifted from his eyes. He was noticing her now. Big time.
He needed to snap out of it. Had Helena said something to him? He blinked.
“Elijah, are you only now going to get dressed? You have less than an hour before we’re supposed to be walking down the aisle. Grace is going to have your hide.” She stepped closer.
Her wonderful aroma filled his nostrils. Nothing like the antiseptic smell of the hospital but something warm and earthy, intriguing. He was acting like a fool. Working to get a grip on himself, he grinned. He focused on a point just over her shoulder to get beyond how enchanting she looked. “It’s a good thing you’re a doctor. At least you’ll be able to patch me up.”
She lowered her chin and gave him a speculative look. “I don’t think I have enough medical training to save you from Grace’s wrath if you’re not there on time.”
He laughed. Helena did too. It had a sincere ring that sounded as if it came from her heart. He’d always liked that about her. She had a sense of humor. “Then I guess I need to get moving.” He started down the hall.
“That would be my suggestion.” She headed the other way.
Elijah stopped and looked back, his attention drawn to her hips. It was a shame her scrubs had been disguising those full curves for so long.
Minutes later he was under a hot shower. He was surprised he hadn’t needed a cold one after seeing Helena. How spectacular she’d looked still amazed him. At least he’d managed not to make a fool of himself. This sudden interest—no, infatuation—in Helena was crazy. He’d seen many woman in formal clothing yet had not reacted this way.
He was probably overtired from covering for Charles when the ER had been impossibly busy. Or maybe it was due to the wedding hoopla he normally stayed clear of. There was something out of sync with the universe for him to have had such an intense reaction to Helena. Especially when she was clearly not his type.
Half an hour later he shrugged into his black overcoat, adjusting it over his tuxedo. Wrapping his groomsman’s gift, a scarlet red scarf, securely around his neck, he popped a short black top hat on his head. It might be the silliest thing he’d ever worn if it wasn’t for the fact that it was so cold and not wearing a hat was even more ridiculous.
He received more than one interested look and a few grins as he made his way through the older part of the building to the lobby and out the front entrance of the hospital. His idea of dressing up was putting on a pair of slacks and a collared shirt. Casual was his style, less dog and pony show. He worked hard and liked to relax and have fun when he was off duty. Only when he couldn’t avoid it did he put on a suit for a medical meeting. To be wearing a tuxedo was taxing. The only reason he was doing so was because he loved his brother. Elijah wished him well. It had been hard on Charles when he’d lost his wife and had been left with two small sons to raise. Elijah was glad his brother had found love again, happiness.
Elijah pulled on his black gloves as he went down the stone steps to the street to catch a cab. It would get him to the park entrance nearest Shakespeare Garden and then he would have to walk from there. Just as Helena had told him more than once, he’d be cutting it close on time.
The taxi driver put him out at the curb and he hurried down the path. Thankfully, having grown up in New York, he knew Central Park well. He’d heard of people getting lost in the massive acreage. As a child, he and his siblings had played there. More than once they had picnicked in the Shakespeare Garden area among the trees and foliage. Those had been sunnier days, both literally and figuratively. Ones from a long time ago.
He hurried up a slope and made a left turn at a sign reading “Grace and Charles” with a large red bow on it. Up another rise he followed another path into an open area surrounded by snow-tipped trees. Smaller trees in the area were decorated in white lights that were shining brightly in the dimming daylight.
An arch made of red poinsettia and more white lights were at one end of the open space and facing it were rows of white chairs with red bows tied to the ones closest to the aisle. A few people were already taking their seats. Tall portable heaters were stationed around the ceremony area. At the other end of the field was a huge tent with four low round fire pits that glowed. His family was standing around them.
Elijah took a deep breath to fortify himself for what was coming.
As he approached, Charles left the group and walked toward him. “I thought I’d have to send Zac after you.”
“I told you I’d be here.” Elijah grinned at his brother. As twins, they had always been close. It wasn’t until they were eighteen that they’d had secrets between them. Elijah carried that guilt and regret to this day.
“Yeah, but I know better than most that you’re always five minutes behind.”
Elijah gave him a wry smile. “Funny, big brother. I’ve heard it all before. Just because you were born before me it doesn’t mean I’m one step behind you.”
“About following in my footsteps, how’re things at the hospital?” Charles asked as they continued toward the tent.
“Under control. We managed to get the patients waiting down to a reasonable headcount before I left.” Elijah couldn’t fault Charles for his dedication to his job, even on his wedding day. “What you need to be worrying about is that beautiful bride of yours. I’ve got the ER covered. Enjoy the day, your honeymoon and let me handle the rest.”
“I’m trying. I guess most of my worrying has to do with nerves.”
Elijah didn’t doubt that. The thought of a wedding made him edgy as well and he wasn’t the one getting married. He looked around. “So where are the rugrats?”
“Max and Cameron are with Grace. They’ll be coming down the aisle ahead of her.”
Elijah gave him a brotherly pat on the back. “I hope you have them bundled up. It’s cold out here.”
Charles laughed. “I know. But this is what Grace wanted. I love her so that’s what we’re having.”
That kind of love Elijah couldn’t comprehend. He’d never felt that for a woman. Didn’t think he ever would. He understood wanting, enjoying, appreciating a female but loving one the way his brother did Grace wasn’t something he’d experienced. More than that, Charles had been able to find it twice. Elijah didn’t plan to have it even once.
They approached the group of people creating a semicircle around one of the fire pits. His mother and father were there, standing close but not too close. His two younger sisters, who were dressed the same as Helena had been, except for white capes over their shoulders, stood off to the side, talking to Zac, his other brother, who was dressed like Elijah, down to the red scarf and hat.
This was his family. The one he loved and had betrayed. He’d kept an ugly secret from them that he had no right to. He had hurt his mother, who had done nothing but love and support him, to protect his
