The Best Laid Plans

CHAPTER FIVE

TODAY WAS THE DAY. Dr. Spencer was starting in the Saint Joseph’s ER this morning. All Emma had to do was make a good first impression and she knew the rest would work itself out. It always did. When she stuck to her plan, everything else simply fell into place.

“Have you seen him yet?” Tammy asked as she approached the nurses’ station. Tammy, another nurse on duty, was married and had two sons, one in high school and the other in college. She often lamented that Emma wasn’t a few years younger so she could marry one of her boys.

A silly-girl grin found its way to Emma’s face. “Not yet.”

“Who are we talking about?” Tessa set down her tablet and her eyes moved back and forth from Tammy to Emma.

“If you must know, Dr. Gavin, I’ve finally accepted that Emma is too old to be my daughter-in-law, so I am here to see to it that she finds herself a gorgeous, intelligent, wealthy man to settle down with. I believe our newest doc fits the bill,” Tammy answered with a wink.

“My new intern? Oh, Em! Don’t let her talk you into marrying a doctor. We’re horrible creatures, really. Find yourself a nice plumber or maybe a sweet schoolteacher.”

If all doctors treated their significant others the way Tessa treated her boyfriends, Emma would have taken the risk and changed her plans. Thankfully, Tessa was the exception to the rule. Therefore, she would not be deterred.

Grace, the nursing assistant on duty, joined the conversation. “Oh, I think Emma should get together with that paramedic who’s always here. He is one tall drink of water.”

“Charlie?” Emma could only laugh at such a suggestion. Charlie Fletcher was...Charlie. Granted, he was handsome and completely adorable, but he was the guy who lived below Max, the guy who gave everyone silly nicknames, the guy who was helping her plan Kendall’s wedding because Max didn’t trust her. Spy Charlie was not her favorite.

“Oh, I know who you’re talking about,” Tammy said, nodding and waggling her eyebrows.

“Why are you nodding? Stop nodding,” Emma demanded. She was not going to date Charlie. That was not the plan.

Grace sighed. “He’s so totally charming. Did you hear him tell the story about delivering that baby a couple weeks ago? He was amazing.”

“Paramedics usually know how to have a good time,” Tessa added, twirling her pen around her fingers. “Maybe I need to date him. What’s his name again?”

Emma’s stomach knotted up. The thought of Tessa getting anywhere near Charlie made her want to wrestle her to the ground. That was an unexpected feeling, one she wasn’t about to give any credence to, so she quickly pushed it aside.

“Knowing Charlie the way I do, I’d say he’d be a better fit for someone like Grace,” she said, fully aware that Grace had a boyfriend—a serious boyfriend who had taken her to look at engagement rings last month.

“Don’t tease me.” Grace pulled on Emma’s ponytail before leaving to check on a patient.

“You know the cute paramedic?” Tessa’s interest in Charlie was bothersome, and that in and of itself was even more bothersome. Charlie could date whomever he wanted. It shouldn’t matter to Emma one bit.

“He’s my sister’s fiancé’s friend. I think he’s a little too nice for you. He’s...like our favorite psych resident.” It was a lie, but very effective in chasing Tessa away.

“Well, never mind, then,” she said with a disgusted expression. “Did you recognize the guy who supposedly threw his back out sneezing? I feel like I’ve seen him before. I swear he’s the guy who wanted pain meds for some other injury not too long ago.”

Emma had thought the same thing and did some digging. It wasn’t unusual for drug-seeking patients to use the emergency room to get their fix.

“His records show he was here three months ago complaining of shoulder pain, and four months before that, he was here because of a shooting pain down his leg. No diagnosis—he was given pain meds and a referral.”

“Suspicious,” Tessa said. “I’m going to give him my speech about the ER not being the best place for pain management and offer him some Tylenol.” She went to check on him, leaving the two nurses alone.

“I saw what you did there,” Tammy said knowingly.

“What?” Emma feigned obliviousness.

“The paramedic likes you, too.”

Did he? She shook it off. It didn’t matter. “I am not interested in Charlie,” she insisted.

Paramedics hadn’t made the cut as her perfect mate because their job was a little too risky for Emma’s liking. Paramedics were right up there with firefighters and police officers in terms of on-the-job danger. Emma wanted someone whose career didn’t put him in harm’s way. A punch in the jaw from an autistic teenager was nothing, but paramedics in the city of Chicago dealt with much scarier things than that.

Tammy threw her hands up. “Whatever you say. Maybe you were just being a good friend. Lord knows I wouldn’t let Dr. Gavin within a hundred yards of my boys.”

That was it. She was being a good friend. Emma could absolutely be friends with Charlie. There were no rules against that. Being friends wouldn’t interfere with her well-laid plans.

Emma’s next patient was a five-year-old boy who had fallen off a park swing and possibly broken his arm. His father had brought him in and seemed rather anxious. He kept checking his phone, unable to sit still.

The little boy’s name was Oliver Grady, and he reminded Emma of her nephew. She got him settled in an exam room and put in the request for an X-ray. While they waited, she blew up a latex glove and drew a smiley face on it.

“Can you hold on to this with your good hand?” she asked Oliver, who nodded with tear-stained cheeks. “Whatever I do to you, I’ll do to Mr. Smiley first, so you can see that it won’t hurt, okay?”

“Promise?”

“I promise. Watch this.” She put on her stethoscope and pressed the chest piece against the makeshift puppet and pretended to listen carefully. “See, he didn’t pop. Let’s try you.” She listened to the little boy’s heartbeat, which slowed as he relaxed. “Good job.”

“Ollie’s very brave, aren’t you, bud?” Mr. Grady stood beside the bed and gently swept the boy’s hair out of his eyes. “I could use some of that bravery for when his mom gets here. She’s going to kill me.”

“Accidents happen, right?”

“Not when my ex-wife is in charge of him. Accidents are always my fault.” He ran his hand through his hair as his phone beeped with a text. He checked it and held it up for Emma to see. “Told you she was going to kill me.”

That was exactly what the text said. She planned to kill him when she got to the hospital. Angry exes in the ER were never a good thing. Emma made a mental note to ask the intake nurse to give her a heads-up when Oliver’s mom arrived.

“We’ll make sure everyone survives this trip to the emergency room,” she promised. “Now, Oliver, I need you to do one thing for me while we wait for an X-ray.” She grabbed the bag of ice she had brought in with her and set it on top of the blown-up glove. “Mr. Smiley can handle a little ice. I bet you can, too.”

The boy cringed and tightly squeezed his eyes shut as she lifted the bag and set it gently on his swollen and most likely broken arm. His face relaxed and his eyes opened. “That doesn’t hurt,” he said with obvious surprise.

“I knew you could handle it.” Emma smiled and ruffled his hair. “I’ll be right back, tough guy.”

The best thing to do was avoid trouble before trouble happened. Emma went out to the waiting area to follow up with the intake nurse. Unfortunately, it appeared that Oliver’s mom was already there. Perhaps what gave her away was the woman’s insistence that she be allowed to see her son “this second or else.” Or maybe it was her threats to press charges against her ex-husband for neglect.

“I can take her back,” Emma offered. “Her son is waiting for an X-ray.”

The intake nurse was more than happy to pass the irate woman off. Even the people waiting in the family-and-patient room seemed relieved to see her go.

Emma tried to appeal to the more rational side of the former Mrs. Grady that had to be dwelling somewhere inside. “He’s been very brave and is resting comfortably. We see so many kids this time of year who get carried away at the park or fall off a bike—it’s really not that unusual. He’s going to be fine, but it’s really important that we keep him calm.”

“This never would have happened if it weren’t for his father’s inability to do anything right,” she snapped.

Clearly, she was not going to let her ex off the hook so easily. Emma would have to be more direct. “I understand you’re worried, but Oliver needs to know everything is okay. He needs his parents to get along while we do our best to get him fixed up.”

“I think I know what my son needs.” The woman’s face turned red.

Emma was treading on thin ice. Instead of backing down, she smiled as sweetly as she could. “Good, because I would hate to have to escort you out of the ER after I just brought you in.” She pointed to Oliver’s room. “He’s right over there. Exam room five.”

Oliver’s mom harrumphed, but thankfully she headed into the room without any words for his dad. Satisfied that she had prevented a fight, Emma spun around to tell Tammy about her good deed but accidentally slammed into someone instead. Not just any someone. The someone.

Dr. Spencer was a pretty man. His honey-blond hair was carefully and purposely styled to look messy, and his big brown eyes exuded the perfect mix of warmth and wonder. He steadied her with his hands and began to apologize at the same time she did.

The sound of his laughter was like a gentle breeze on a warm day, exactly what she needed. “I’d give you a hard time about not watching where you’re going, but I never complain when a beautiful woman bumps into me.”

This was not how she wanted to make a first impression. Running him over wasn’t part of the plan. She tried to forget it and focus on the fact that he wasn’t bothered by her clumsiness. “I appreciate the compliment.”

His smile revealed two rows of the straightest and whitest teeth Emma had ever seen. “I appreciate the bump, Nurse—” he studied her name tag “—Everhart.”

“Well, until we bump again, Doctor.” He laughed once more and stepped around her. Heat rose up her neck to her cheeks. Her plan had been to impress him with her wit and skills. Instead, she’d been ridiculous. He had dazzled the brain right out of her head.

She watched as he pushed the sliding door to Oliver’s room open and greeted the boy’s parents. Taking a deep breath, she told herself that years from now she and Dr. Spencer would reminisce about how they’d first met by colliding outside the room of the boy with a broken arm. He’d tease her about having been so awkward and she’d admit to enjoying the contact more than she should have. They would both laugh and remember the moment fondly.

“It is your fault!” someone screamed from the examination room. “If you used your head, you would have realized he’s too little to go on the swings!”

“You treat him like a baby! He’s a boy. He likes to run around and go on the swings and get dirty.”

“That doesn’t mean he can jump off a swing eight feet in the air!”

Emma headed over to run interference. Dr. Spencer didn’t need to deal with this on his first day.

“How would you know how high he was when he jumped? You weren’t there.”

“I have witnessed your incompetence firsthand more times than I’d care to admit.”

“Oh, come on, Laurie. I’m sure you’d love to tell everyone exactly how many times I’ve screwed up. You probably have a nice long list in that briefcase of yours. Please, tell the doctor all about it!” Mr. Grady’s face was almost purple. His ex-wife was equally enraged. Poor Oliver seemed on the verge of tears, while Dr. Spencer looked absolutely shell-shocked.

“Excuse me,” Emma said as she closed the door behind her. “This is a hospital. There are very sick people here who gain nothing from hearing the two of you air out your differences in public. If you cannot keep your voices down, I will have you both removed from the emergency room. I thought I made that clear, Mrs. Grady.”

“He started it,” she replied like a child.

Mr. Grady snorted. “Seriously?”

“Believe this—I will end it.” Emma meant business. If there was one thing she didn’t tolerate in the ER, it was grown men and women behaving badly, especially when she knew they knew better. “Dr. Spencer is here to help your son, not to referee your shouting match. I suggest you let him do his job.”

The two sparring parents retreated to their corners. Dr. Spencer’s mouth hung open as he stared wide-eyed at Emma. One corner of Oliver’s lips curled up ever so slightly in a silent thank-you.

“Carry on, Dr. Spencer,” she said with a nod.

He came to his senses, a smile replacing the previous dumbfounded expression on his face. “Thank you very much, Nurse Everhart.”

Emma left the room with one more warning glance in Mrs. Grady’s direction. Mission accomplished. Dr. Spencer was thoroughly impressed. Her plan was moving along brilliantly.

* * *

AFTER WORK, Emma went straight to Kendall’s house. There was no little boy to greet her at the door. She found her sister relaxing on the couch, listening to music with her eyes closed.

“Where’s Simon?”

Hopefully, Kendall’s serenity was contagious. She didn’t bother to look at Emma when she answered. “Boys’ night out with Max and Charlie.”

“No Aidan tonight?”

“Katie said no because he’d have to stay up way past his bedtime. Max didn’t see the point in fighting over it.”

“Probably a smart move on his part.” Emma flopped down on the couch hard, causing Kendall to crack open one eye. “At least you got a nice quiet evening to yourself.”

“It was nice and quiet. Until you arrived.”

Emma snuggled up against her. “Aw, come on. I came to talk about the wedding and to tell you about finally meeting my future husband.”

Kendall perked up. “He started today, huh?”

“He did, and he is gorgeous and thinks I’m beautiful. Maybe a little scary, too.”

“Scary?”

“I may have channeled Lucy for a minute or two today.” Emma related the whole story, perhaps embellishing it here and there.

Kendall fell into a fit of laughter. That was definitely contagious. The sisters laughed until their sides ached. They were still giggling when Simon came bursting into the room, ready to tell his mom all about his night with the guys.

They had gone out to dinner and then to a hockey game, where Max bought Simon the largest pretzel he had ever seen in his entire life. It was so big, Simon had to share with Charlie.

“Don’t forget the part where Patrick Kane looked right at you and waved,” Charlie said as he and Max joined them in the family room.

Properly prompted, Simon began to tell his story in great detail. Emma tried to pay attention, but her eyes kept wandering back to Charlie as he leaned against the door frame all casual with his thick arms folded across his broad chest. His eyes were glued to her. Every time she glanced his way, his smile would spread a little wider across his face. And against her better sense, she found herself smiling back.

He always seemed so happy to see her. Like running into her was a gift he wasn’t expecting but was hoping to receive. The feelings that created in her were unfamiliar. She liked it even though she shouldn’t. Charlie was a friend. A mutual acquaintance, really. She shouldn’t have any feelings in response to him.

When Simon finally finished his story, Charlie stepped closer. “How was your day, Nightingale?”

“I had a very excellent day, thank you. In fact, I was coming to give Kendall an update about the wedding plans. It’s good you and Max are here.”

“From the Hawks to wedding planning. A man’s ultimate fantasy night.” Max’s sarcasm was unappreciated.

“You’re the one so worried about what tricks I have up my sleeve,” Emma quipped. “Or did Charlie tell you all about it already?”

“Ah, that’s not exactly a guys’-night-out conversation topic,” Max replied.

What was the point of having Charlie spy on her if he wasn’t going to report what he found out? He was either a terrible spy or Max didn’t care as much as she thought he did.

“Well, I’m sure Charlie meant to tell you that I’ve already found a great place close to the church that can accommodate us on the Friday we talked about earlier. I also found this caterer—”

“Hang on there, Nightingale,” Charlie interrupted. “I wanted to talk to you about that. I have a better idea for the caterer. Someone who comes highly recommended.”

“Highly recommended by whom?”

“Me.”

Emma’s eyebrows lifted. “You?”

“Yes. Me.”

“Who do you know that could cater an entire wedding reception?”

“A small wedding reception. More like a large family dinner,” Max clarified.

“I’ve got the perfect people for the job. They’re a husband-and-wife team. He cooks for large groups of people all the time, and she’s the best cook you’ll ever meet.”

Where was the Charlie who loved all of her ideas to the moon and back? Had that punch to the face rattled his brain?

“My caterer was referred by an actual bride and groom.”

“I think we should have another meeting to discuss this,” Charlie said. “I had nightmares about those flowers you showed me. I think we need to reassess a couple things.”

“Reassess?” Emma was baffled by this suddenly opinionated Charlie. Traumatic brain injury could cause personality changes. Maybe he wasn’t as fine as he had proclaimed to be. “Are you feeling all right?”

“I’ve also been dreaming about a sundae from the Triple C. Maybe Lucky Lucy can get a large one free and we could split it.”

A strange noise erupted from Kendall. “Have you been pretending to be Lucy again? That is so uncool!”

“Oh, please. Lucy doesn’t care. You could do it, too, if you weren’t such a goody-goody.”

“Some of us need to set a good example for impressionable children,” Kendall said, nodding toward Simon, whose interest was piqued at the mention of ice cream.

“We play a game when we go to the Triple C, right, Simon? I pretend to be Aunt Lulu and he pretends to be Spider-Man. Fun is had by all.”

Charlie and Max laughed. Kendall did not.

“You are a piece of work, Emma Elaine.”

“Elaine? Is that your middle name?” Charlie sat next to her. His proximity was as annoying as his question. He flustered her.

“It was my grandmother’s name. And why are we talking about this? We were talking about the wedding.”

“I think it’s a beautiful name. It fits you.” His sincerity disarmed her once again. She didn’t want to change the wedding plans. She had wanted to hire the caterer tomorrow if Kendall and Max agreed. Charlie obviously loved to throw a wrench into things.

“I vote you two talk this over at another time and come back to us when you agree on things,” Max said as he picked up Simon and threw him over his shoulder. “I am going to get this little guy ready for bed, and then I would like a few minutes alone with my fiancée.”

Maybe this was a test. Emma could only assume Max wanted to see how flexible she could be about this. She would prove to him she could bend.

“Fine. Charlie and I will compare notes and get back to you.”

“Perfect. Say good-night to everyone, Simon.” Max turned around so they could all see Simon hanging down his back. The little boy’s face was red, but he giggled as if he was having the time of his life.

“Good night, everyone,” Simon squealed.

Max brought him over for Kendall to kiss and then carried him upstairs to bed. Emma’s sister had found herself a good man. Emma would make sure they had the best wedding. Even if that meant she had to adjust her plans, thanks to Charlie. He’d better not make a habit of that, though.

CHAPTER SIX

PROGRESS. CHARLIE WAS finally making some progress with Miss Emma Elaine Everhart. Max had reported that she had no boyfriend, only a potential date to the wedding. Max had heard she hadn’t even asked the guy yet. Serena’s advice to step up and have an opinion had given Charlie the push he needed to set up another meeting. Emma had agreed, and his hope had been renewed.

Hiring Pete and his wife to cater the wedding reception was a brilliant idea. He didn’t know why he hadn’t thought of it earlier. Of course, he needed to make sure the O’Reillys were going to be around on the Fourth of July or he was in trouble.

“I’ve got a job for you, O’Reilly,” Charlie announced, leaning against the counter in the station’s kitchen.

“Cooking for you guys isn’t enough?” Pete asked as he pulled a large frying pan out of one of the cabinets. The heavy skillet clanged when he set it on the stove top.

“Not here. It’s a catering gig in a couple months, on the Fourth of July actually. If you and your wife are available.”

Pete lit the burner before giving Charlie his full attention. “Yeah? You got a catering job for me and the missus?”

“My buddy’s getting married and there’s a small reception afterward. Only forty to fifty people. You think you could handle something like that?”

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