His Made-to-Order Bride

CHAPTER TWO

J.D. HAD prepared himself to counter every possible argument, but Allan’s personal attack left him momentarily speechless. ‘Me?’

Allan nodded. ‘A project of this magnitude requires commitment.’

J.D. forced himself to portray a calmness he didn’t feel. ‘I’ve been researching this idea for the past three months. This isn’t something I dreamed up yesterday.’

‘It’s not the paperwork aspect. The board members might be more inclined to lend their approval if they’re assured of your intentions to see the project to its completion.’

J.D. scoffed as he crossed his arms. ‘Of course I’ll see it through to the end. Why wouldn’t I?’

‘You don’t have any long-lasting ties to our community.’

‘I’ve lived and worked in Mercer for nearly four years,’ J.D. pointed out. ‘I’ve enjoyed living here and don’t have any plans to hunt for a new job.’

‘I’m sure everyone will be relieved to hear that, but you’re not married.’

J.D. narrowed his eyes. ‘What bearing does my marital status have on improving our emergency service?’

Allan hesitated. ‘May I be blunt?’

J.D. mentally braced himself. ‘Yes.’

‘We’re all aware of your privileged background,’ Allan began. ‘Living in Mercer, your prospects of finding someone with a similar social standing are slim to none. Since you’ll want to avoid the same situation you found yourself in before…’

J.D. knew he was referring to his ill-fated romance with Ellen. His blood pressure rose.

Allan cleared his throat. ‘I’m sure you’ll choose more wisely next time. In any case, a woman used to the Dallas jet set won’t be satisfied living in Mercer. You wouldn’t be the first man forced to concede to his wife’s wishes.’

‘Aren’t you jumping the gun a little? I don’t have a wife, nor do I have one in mind. And, for the record,’ J.D. said coldly, ‘I don’t intend to get involved with any woman who objects to the location or scope of my medical practice.’

Allan didn’t appear convinced. ‘Be that as it may, if memory serves, you don’t own your home either.’

‘So?’ J.D. didn’t soften the belligerent note in his voice. ‘What’s wrong with renting?’

‘It could be construed as you having no intentions to remain in this community for long. People who own property won’t pick up and move at the first sign of adversity.’

Had Allan forgotten that houses could be sold? J.D. clamped his jaws together to refrain from saying something he might regret later. Suddenly the motivation behind the administrator’s comments became crystal clear.

‘This is about Leland, isn’t it?’ Leland Purdy was a single physician who’d come to Mercer a year ago. An eloquent speaker with enough ideas to turn the world around, he hadn’t stayed long enough to implement the very changes he’d spearheaded. In the meantime, the section heads who’d tried to accommodate his wishes were forced to deal with the chaos he’d left behind.

‘No, but now that you mention Leland I’m sure his name will come up in the discussion.’

J.D. was willing to bet money on the identity of the ‘someone’ who would point out the similarities between Leland and himself. Allan would plant enough doubt in the board’s collective mind to make J.D.’s proposal sound risky. In the end, Allan’s long association with Mercer Memorial would be pointed out and Candace’s request would seem the more sensible of the two.

He cut right to the chase. ‘So, the bottom line is since I’m not a happily married man with a mortgage my chances of the board approving my proposal are slim to none.’

Allan raised both hands as if to placate him. ‘Well, now, J.D. I won’t presume to second-guess our hospital BOD. I’m simply pointing out the obvious. As they say, forewarned is forearmed.’

Anxious to leave before his temper exploded, J.D. rose. ‘Absolutely.’

‘I’ll certainly put in a good word for your project, though. Don’t you worry.’

‘I’m glad to hear it.’ J.D. wasted little time in reaching the exit and took extra care to avoid slamming the door behind him.

He bestowed a forced smile on Allan’s secretary in the outer office, before heading toward familiar—and friendly—territory.

He burst through the pendulum-like double doors intent on finding Katie. Not only did she share his vision for establishing an area specifically for the minor emergencies, but she was the person both he and Daniel had come to rely on for the past four years. A quiet, dependable, level-headed young lady, she looked after Daniel almost as much as he did.

Best of all, she acted as his sounding board. If there had ever been a time when he’d needed her in that capacity, it was now. Luckily, he found her sitting at the nurses’ station.

Katie glanced at him, the smile on her face dying to a frown. ‘I don’t need to ask how your meeting went.’

He glowered. ‘No, you don’t.’

‘What did Allan think of your report?’

He didn’t hide his disgust as he plunked himself on a vacant office chair. ‘The report was fine. And, to quote Allan, “an impressive document”.’

A tense moment passed before she prompted, ‘But?’

‘But I’m a risky element.’

She stared at him in open-mouthed disbelief. ‘What?’

J.D. patiently explained. ‘Allan questions whether I’ll be here to see my project to completion.’

‘Where did he get that idea?’

‘From Leland.’

‘Dr Purdy?’ Incredulity crossed her face. ‘What has he got to do with anything?’

J.D. shrugged. ‘Leland left for greener pastures. Allan thinks I will, too.’

‘But Dr Purdy always said Mercer was a stepping-stone to bigger and better things. He was quite vocal about it.’

‘Yeah, well, since we’re both tarred with the same brush of bachelorhood, Allan figures I’m just as footloose and fancy-free.’

Katie crossed her arms and her brown eyes blazed with indignation. ‘That’s preposterous! You’re a single parent with responsibilities, and Dr Purdy had none. I doubt if the man even knew what the inside of his apartment looked like. He went out with nearly every woman in the county.’

J.D. was well aware of the other man’s habits. His colleague had tried to include him on some of his evenings around town, but J.D. had never taken him up on his offers. Curiosity prompted him to ask, ‘You went on a date with him, too?’

She appeared affronted. ‘I said nearly every woman. I wasn’t his type. In any case, it’s an insult for Allan to lump you in the same category as that Romeo.’

J.D. straightened a paperclip, then reshaped it into a square. ‘I’ll admit I wasn’t flattered by the comparison. Renting my house is also a point against me. I could skip town at a moment’s notice.’

Her expression became thoughtful. ‘Owning property does imply a certain amount of stability. It’s also a good long-term investment.’

‘Yeah, I suppose,’ he said, thinking of the inherent worries associated with such a major purchase. He hadn’t avoided purchasing a house—it was just that he was satisfied with the one he had. Nor did he have any complaints against his landlord—if something needed to be fixed, Mr Hepplewhite took care of it almost immediately.

As an added bonus, the location of his home was within walking distance of the hospital and a neighbourhood elementary school. As far as J.D. was concerned, he had an ideal arrangement.

‘Next you’ll tell me that I need something along the lines of a five-acre estate.’

‘At the very least,’ she said, a teasing glint in her eyes. ‘You could even add a few horses, a couple of cows, a dog and a family of cats, too. My neighbour has a few kittens ready to wean. Daniel would love taking care of a kitty or two.’

‘A dog, maybe. A cat? Forget it.’

She chuckled. ‘Rambunctious little boys and playful puppies go together better than little boys and cats, I guess.’

Her smile died and her voice became tentative. ‘What are you planning to do?’

An unholy thought occurred to him. ‘Other than perform a sigmoidoscopy on Allan without anaesthetic?’

Her grin returned. ‘Yeah. Other than that.’

‘I’m willing to do what I can to improve the emergency services department. I’ll buy a house, or build one if need be, but getting married is out of the question.’

Katie turned away to rummage through a drawer. ‘You’re right. That would be the ultimate sacrifice.’

Oddly enough, her voice sounded cool.

‘You’ve always been honest with me,’ he began, fearing he’d offended her in some way. ‘Surely you can see my point. My proposal should stand on its own merits and nothing else.’

She straightened to meet his gaze. ‘I won’t argue with you. However, a few of the more conservative members may agree with Allan. You should be prepared for that eventuality.’

‘The board is composed of intelligent people,’ J.D. said. ‘They’ll see how much more efficient and cost-effective the ER will be if they approve my idea.’

‘Are you willing to gamble that your personal life won’t influence their decision?’

Part of him was, but a small voice warned him of the perils associated with assuming how people would think. Perhaps it wouldn’t hurt if he conducted a little PR of his own before his report appeared on the next board meeting’s agenda.

The first phase of his plan included paying a visit to Dr Robert Casey, the medical director. Unfortunately, J.D.’s medical skills were constantly called for as the day unfolded and he shelved his idea for the time being.

Around three o’clock, Katie caught him in the hallway before he could see his next patient and handed him a packet of radiology films. ‘After you’re through looking at these, I have two more kids with high temps and sore throats waiting. Can I put them in one of the trauma rooms?’

He hated the idea of tying up their triage facilities in case a life-threatening situation arrived, yet he couldn’t accept making sick people wait unnecessarily.

In the end, he decided to play the odds. ‘OK, but keep one available in case we get an ambulance call. Maybe I should give Yates a call so he can actually see what we deal with on a daily basis.’

‘Good idea, but he plays golf on Wednesday afternoons. You’ll have to catch him tomorrow.’

‘It figures. Must be nice to take off whenever you want.’

‘I’d settle for the opportunity to leave when my eight-hour shift is over.’ With that parting statement, she disappeared.

Carrying the X-rays, J.D. strode into the cubicle where fifteen-year-old Alyssa Ford, still cradling her bandaged left hand in her lap, was waiting with her mother.

‘Let’s see what the pictures show,’ he said as he thrust the films into the wall-mounted viewbox. He studied them for a few minutes, then gave his diagnosis.

‘Your wrist is sprained, but not broken,’ he informed the teenager. ‘No volleyball for several weeks, I’m afraid.’

‘But the season ends next week,’ the girl protested. ‘It doesn’t feel bad if it’s wrapped. Can’t I play in the last game? I’m going to be one of the starters.’

He shook his head. ‘I know it’s tough to be on the injured list, but if you don’t take care of yourself now you could do irreparable damage. Unless, of course, you don’t ever want to play volleyball again?’ He raised one eyebrow.

The girl’s Cupid’s-bow mouth formed a resigned pout. ‘All right. If I have to sit out, I will.’

‘Check with your family physician in a few weeks to get your medical release in case you want to participate in other sports. Any questions?’

The Fords’ negative responses came simultaneously.

He gave Alyssa a sympathetic glance. ‘It won’t be for ever. If you play your cards right, there might be some young man who’s interested in carrying your book bag for a while.’

Alyssa’s eyes brightened and her cheeks turned pink as she obviously considered the possibilities.

Glad to see the teenager’s spirits had lifted, he said his goodbyes, then left. Before he reached the nurses’ station, Dr Casey intercepted him.

‘J.D. I’m glad to have caught you. Can you spare a few minutes?’ The slim, fifty-year-old chief of staff delivered his question in such a way that J.D. didn’t dare refuse.

‘Sure. I wanted to talk to you, anyway.’ J.D. thrust his hospital-issue pen into the left breast pocket of his green scrub shirt, tucked the medical record under his arm and waited expectantly for his superior to speak first.

Dr Casey motioned towards the ambulance dock. ‘Do you mind if we step outside? I’d rather get away from listening ears.’

Puzzled over the request, J.D. glanced at Katie who was standing behind the desk. Her wide eyes and the shrug of her shoulders suggested she knew as much as he did, which amounted to nothing.

He placed the Ford girl’s chart on the counter. ‘Fine with me. I could use a breath of fresh air.’

He strode alongside the other physician, comparing his shapeless scrubs to Robert’s expertly tailored herringbone tweed suit, grey shirt and multicoloured silk tie. Funny thing how ever since Katie had made the comment about power suits, he’d become keenly conscious of his colleagues’ attire.

His own closet was filled with similar apparel, but he had little occasion to wear them. Then again, he didn’t feel the need or have the desire to impress people. In an emergency, no one cared what he wore; it was his expertise that counted.

The cool October breeze, the fresh scent of wood smoke from someone’s fireplace and the open space was the perfect tonic to counteract the stuffy, crowded, sterile confines of the ER.

Taking a deep breath, he motioned Robert to a sheltered alcove. A sand-filled urn bearing a multitude of cigarette butts provided evidence of this being a popular spot among the smoking members of Mercer’s staff.

‘I’ll get right to the point,’ Robert said once they were alone. ‘What’s this I hear about you leaving town?’

J.D. walked into his kitchen later that evening and heard the soft whirl of Katie’s sewing machine. Out of habit, he hung the keys to his van on the ornamental key hook near the door.

The dish of pepper steak and rice waiting in the refrigerator didn’t appeal to him. Mentally exhausted from the day, even his favourite dessert of cherry cheesecake didn’t tempt his taste buds. Considering the mood he was in, he needed something with a little more pizzazz to raise his spirits.

A six-pack of Coors beer—left over from a September Labour Day party—beckoned and he gratefully retrieved one bottle. He turned away from the fridge to screw off the cap and noticed Katie, standing in the doorway.

She wore a pair of blue denim jeans and an oversized red Kansas City Chiefs sweatshirt. The ends of her long light brown hair brushed against the bend of her elbow as she carried a wad of multicoloured fabric in her arms.

‘It’s ten o’clock. You’re later than I’d expected,’ she mentioned.

Her tentative tone reminded him of how short-tempered he’d been ever since his meeting with Robert. Even Katie had felt his bite and had wisely left him alone to the point where she didn’t even say goodbye at the end of her shift as was her custom.

‘Busy evening.’ He took another long swig.

‘Daniel’s asleep.’

‘I assumed he was.’

She held up the mass of material. ‘I’ve been working on his Hallowe’en costume.’

‘So he’s finally decided on what he wants to be?’

Katie nodded. ‘After watching Peter Pan, he chose Captain Hook. We found a package of props and some face paint at the store tonight. I hope you don’t mind that I already bought them, but as it was the last set, I was afraid to wait.’

‘Good idea.’

‘Have you eaten?’

‘Not since lunch.’

‘Maybe you should.’

He caught her eyeing the nearly empty bottle in his hand. ‘Don’t worry, I will.’

‘Want to talk about whatever’s bothering you?’

J.D. sank onto a kitchen chair. ‘Not really, but you may as well know the latest. In fact, I’m surprised you don’t already know.’

She sat across from him. ‘Sorry. I don’t take time to gossip at work. Too busy.’

‘Allan’s started the rumour that I’m leaving Mercer.’

Her brown eyes widened. ‘You’re kidding. Are you sure?’

‘I don’t know it for a fact, but the odds of Allan being responsible are extremely good,’ he said glumly, before polishing off the contents of his bottle. ‘Dr Casey came specifically to the ER to ask if the story was true.’

She placed the half-finished costume on the table. ‘So you set him straight. No big deal.’

‘Ah, but, dear Katie, it is a big deal.’ He rose to retrieve another bottle from the refrigerator. ‘With the gossip floating around, Robert is afraid that my chances of the MEC getting approval are slim to none.’

‘I don’t see why,’ she zealously defended him. ‘Once you explain, the board will understand.’

‘Ah, but therein lies the rub. I have to put my money where my mouth is. If I’m staying, which I am, then my actions have to corroborate my story.’

‘Fine. Contact a Realtor and start looking for a house.’

‘It’s not quite so simple. To muddy the waters even more, two of the board members—Robert wouldn’t name them, but I have a good idea who they are—don’t hold too high an opinion of me. According to them, a single man has no business raising a child by himself when a couple was ready, willing and able.’

‘They’re still harping over ancient history? My word, that was four years ago!’

‘Yeah, well, from their attitude, you’d think it happened yesterday.’

J.D. knew the Lockwoods would have cherished Daniel; they treated him as tenderly as one of their own now. In fact, if anything happened to him, he wouldn’t object to them taking Daniel into their home.

The depth of Beth’s and Tristan’s love hadn’t had any bearing on J.D.’s long-ago decision to assume responsibility for his son, however. It had boiled down to his need to look after the precious gift Ellen had left behind.

Apparently the self-righteous busybodies of Mercer couldn’t understand such a novel concept.

On the flip side, those same critics would have found fault if he hadn’t taken on his familial responsibilities. It was a definite no-win situation.

Disapproval over his decision had come from every side, but Katie had been a staunch supporter. He wouldn’t have survived those dark days if not for her encouragement and her help.

‘They’re certainly not going to look favourably on any project I’ll introduce,’ he added.

Katie’s eyes burned with a fierce light. ‘Ophelia Weatherbee and Silas Cunningham, I’ll bet. They should have retired from the board years ago. The sanctimonious pair of buzzards.’

He grinned at her apt description. ‘Be that as it may, with their jaded opinion of me, plus Allan’s behind-the-scenes manipulation, I only have one way to prove the gossip false.’

‘From the way you’re drowning your sorrows…’ she motioned toward his bottle once again ‘…I assume your idea is more drastic than buying your own home.’

J.D. paused long enough for another swig. ‘It is. I’m going to get married.’

‘Married?’ She sounded incredulous.

‘It’s crazy, I know.’

‘But I thought you didn’t want to.’

‘I’m not averse to the institution of matrimony. I just haven’t met the right person,’ he clarified.

Katie pressed her lips together as she studied her fingernails for a long moment. ‘Well, then. There’s no need to ask who the lucky woman is.’

‘Not yet.’

‘Going to run an ad in the personal column?’ she asked dryly. ‘That should bring every single woman in Mercer knocking on your door.’

‘Nope,’ he said, wrapping his hands around the bottle. ‘No personal ad. Like you said, since I’m such an eligible bachelor and a great catch, I’ll have females crawling out of the woodwork.’

The smooth brown glass felt cool against his sweaty palms. Katie was vital to the success of his plan and if he couldn’t convince her he was doomed.

‘Then how are you going to search for Mrs Right?’

He clutched the bottle tightly. ‘I’ll ask someone to help me.’

‘Who?’

‘You.’

She blinked owlishly, then leaned back in her chair as she narrowed her eyes to study him. ‘Me?’

He drew a deep breath and forged ahead. ‘Yeah. I’d like you to help me find a wife.’

CHAPTER THREE

THE silence between them lengthened. J.D. held his breath, waiting and watching for Katie’s response.

She rose in disgust. ‘You’re drunk.’

He was affronted. ‘Not a chance. I’m only on my second beer.’

‘Well, something has interfered with your thinking process,’ she snapped. ‘I’m going home.’

He jumped up to grab her elbow. ‘You’re the logical choice. It makes perfect sense.’

Her eyes shot sparks. ‘To you, maybe. To me? Not a chance. I’m not running a dating service and I don’t intend to start one either.’

‘Will you hear me out?’ He hesitated. ‘Please?’

A mulish look appeared on her face, but she finally acquiesced. She sat, folding her arms across her chest.

‘I’ll listen to your nonsense for three minutes. Your hare-brained idea doesn’t deserve that long, mind you, so start talking.’

J.D. pulled a chair away from the table, turned it around and sat down. He flashed her his most appealing smile, but her stiff countenance remained unchanged. This was going to be harder than he’d thought.

‘You helped me find Martha and Henrietta.’

‘Interviewing a housekeeper is different to scouting out prospective wives.’

He ignored her sarcasm. ‘The point is, you know both Daniel’s and my tastes and our personalities. All I want is for you to recommend a few women and if necessary, make a few introductions. Consider yourself in an advisory capacity, screening the candidates, if you will.’

‘Screen them yourself,’ she said pertly. ‘Or ask one of your friends for advice, like Tristan. I’m sure you’d rather have a male perspective anyway.’

He shook his head. ‘Tristan and Beth won’t be back for another month. Even if they hadn’t left on their extended but well-deserved vacation, I trust your opinion and your instincts.’

‘What’s wrong with your instincts?’

‘Nothing, but women are often more intuitive than men. You also know me better than anyone in Mercer.’

Katie toyed with the ends of her hair and looked thoughtful, but didn’t reply.

‘I want to do this discreetly,’ he continued, leaning forward. ‘I know what it’s like to be chased and believe me when I say it’s not an experience I want to repeat.’

He recalled one woman he’d gone out with BE—before Ellen—who’d convinced his apartment manager that she was a relative. He’d come home to find her preparing a Polynesian dish and wearing nothing but a lei and a grass skirt minus ninety-five per cent of the grass.

‘Ask your mother for help. She’d be delighted.’

‘I’d rather do it myself.’

‘See?’ she said brightly. ‘You just admitted you’d rather find a wife yourself.’ She started to rise and he grabbed her wrist with lightning speed.

‘Please?’ he asked, using his most cajoling tone.

‘No.’

‘Why not?’

‘Why should I?’ she countered.

‘You’d have your life back.’

He watched her stiffen and her tone became brittle. ‘What do you mean by that?’

‘You’ve helped me from day one with whatever I needed and given up a good share of your life, caring for Daniel. To my regret, we haven’t had an equitable arrangement. The list of what you’ve done for us is endless. Daniel and I have taken more from you than we’ve given in return.’

She squared her shoulders and her eyes burned brightly. ‘For your information, J.D., I haven’t done anything that I didn’t want to do.’

‘I know, but I can’t help feeling that we’re—that I’m—taking advantage of your generosity. When I consider how hard you worked for your nursing degree and still looked after Daniel…’

‘Don’t forget how you helped me study,’ she reminded him.