His Unexpected Twins

Chapter Two

“Check out the guy who just walked in.” Stacy, the triage nurse on duty, elbowed Ellie.

Ellie looked up from the notes she’d been studying to glance out the large glass window into the emergency waiting area. Her heart sped at the sight of Liam dressed in jeans and a dark blue Red Sox championship T-shirt approaching them. She hadn’t seen him since the community luncheon two days prior, but he hadn’t been far from her thoughts. If Stacy hadn’t spotted him first, Ellie might have wondered if he was figment of her overactive imagination.

Ignoring Stacy’s obvious curiosity, Ellie opened the door to the triage area. “Hey, what are you doing here?”

“Hey, yourself.” He gave her that sexy half grin that threatened to leave her in a puddle.

Janitorial, mop up triage, please.

She clutched the clipboard across her chest as if it could protect her vital organs like a lead apron during X-rays. “Everything okay?”

“Heard you’d be getting off soon.” He shrugged. “Thought you might like to grab some supper with me.”

In the little office, Stacy cleared her throat, but Ellie ignored her.

Was he asking her on a date? “And where did you hear my shift was ending?”

“I asked Meg.” He put his hands into his front pockets and hunched his shoulders forward. “So, how about some supper?”

A pen dropped, followed by a sigh. Stacy was probably memorizing every word and detail of the encounter to pass along later in the cafeteria.

Ellie shuffled her feet. Was she going to do this? Repeat after me: “not a real date.” “Sure. I’ve got some extra clothes in my locker. If you don’t mind waiting while I change.”

From the sound of it, Stacy was rearranging files on her desk, and evidently, they were fighting back.

Ellie grinned and turned around. “Stacy, have you met my friend Meg Cooper’s brother, Liam?”

Stacy stepped forward and stuck out her hand. “Pleased to meet you, Liam.”

“Let me get changed. I’ll be right back,” Ellie said while Stacy and Liam shook hands.

Stacy laughed. “Don’t rush on my account.”

Despite Stacy’s comment, Ellie hurried to her locker. Had this been Liam’s idea or was Meg somehow behind this? After changing into jeans and a short-sleeved cotton sweater, she undid her hair from the braid and brushed it out. Even if this wasn’t an honest-to-goodness date, she wanted to look her best. She fluffed her hair around her shoulders and applied some cherry lip gloss and went in search of Liam.

Hands shoved in his back pockets, Liam stood in front of the muted television in the waiting area. He turned as she approached and smiled broadly. “I gotta say, Harding, you clean up nicely.”

“Not so bad yourself, McBride.” She put her purse strap over her shoulder and waved to Stacy through the window. The triage nurse was with a patient but glanced at Liam and back to Ellie with a grin and a thumbs-up.

“I thought we’d take my truck and I can bring you back here for your car,” Liam said as the automatic doors slid open with an electronic whoosh.

A light breeze was blowing the leaves on the trees surrounding the parking lot. A thunderstorm earlier in the day had broken the heat and humidity, making the evening warm but comfortable.

“Sounds good.” Sounds like a date.

Using his key fob to unlock his truck, he approached the passenger side and opened the door for her. “Riley says that new hard cider microbrewery on the town square has great food.”

“They do. Best burgers in town, if you ask me.” She sucked on her bottom lip as she climbed into his truck. Everyone in Loon Lake knew Hennen’s Microbrewery was the place to hang out with friends, while Angelo’s was the restaurant you brought your date to. So, not a date. At least we cleared that up.

Once she was in the passenger seat, he shut the door and strolled around the hood of the truck. He climbed in and settled himself behind the wheel.

“Yeah, Meg mentioned that Angelo’s has added a dining patio but—” He started the truck and music from the Dropkick Murphys blasted from the speakers. Leaning over, he adjusted the volume. “Sorry about that.”

His movements filled the front seat with his signature scent. She was able to pick out notes of salty sea air, driftwood and sage. Thinking about his aftershave was better than trying to figure out what he’d been about to say about Angelo’s. Okay, color her curious. “You were saying something about Angelo’s new patio.”

He checked the mirrors and the backup camera before leaving the parking spot. “Hmm...oh, yeah. Meg said during the winter you can see across the lake to their house from the patio.”

Serves you right for asking. “That’s cool.”

He cleared his throat. “She was going on and on about how romantic the new patio was with something called fairy lights.”

Not exactly subtle, Meg. Ellie fiddled with the strap of her purse. “Yeah, they’ve got small trees in ceramic pots scattered around with tiny LED lights strung around the trunks and branches. Very pretty, with lots of atmosphere.”

The air in the confined space felt supercharged with something...awareness? Chemistry? She couldn’t be sure, couldn’t even be sure that he felt it, too. Maybe this was all in her head. All one-sided, like it had been in her childhood.

He glanced at her for a second before bringing his attention back to the road. “So, you’ve been to Angelo’s patio?”

Was he trying to get information on her social life or lack thereof? “No, but Mary and Meg have both been.” She huffed out her breath. “Believe me, I’ve heard all about it.”

He reached over and laid his hand over hers. “Sounds like I may have to take up the challenge to be sure you get to experience this patio, too.”

Her heart did a little bump, but she laughed, hoping to brazen through. “You signing me up as their new janitor, McBride?”

He squeezed her hand and brought it to his chest. “You wound me, Harding. I was thinking more along the lines of the waitstaff. I can see you in a white blouse and a cute little black skirt.”

“Glad we cleared that up.” She laughed for real this time. Date or not, there was no reason she couldn’t enjoy being with Liam. Even if anything that could happen with Liam had nowhere to go. They didn’t live in the same town. And then there was the whole thing with Liam having used his job to avoid dealing with his emotions. Even his sister couldn’t deny that truth. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t enjoy hanging out with him while he was here. Having a life-threatening illness like lymphoma had taught her she didn’t want to die with regrets if she could help it. After enduring chemo coupled with radiation, she’d been in remission for almost nine years, a good chunk of time, and her oncologist was optimistic but the experience had changed her outlook on life.

“How are the renovations coming?” she asked.

He squeezed her hand and put it back on her lap. “Is this you changing the subject?”

“So you can take a hint.”

He jokingly muttered something about respect for her elders but launched into an amusing story about framing out the new master bedroom closet at Meg and Riley’s place.

“That house is going to be awesome once the addition is finished.”

He made a hum of agreement. “Yeah, I guess she made the right choice moving here.”

“She said you had tried to get her to move into one of your rentals.” She hadn’t seen Liam’s place, but she knew he owned one of those iconic Boston three-family homes commonly referred to as “three-deckers” by the locals. He’d purchased it as a bank foreclosure and had been remodeling it ever since, according to Meg. Ellie knew it was Liam’s pride and joy.

“I did, but she’s always loved this town and that vacation home. Even all the repairs it needed didn’t deter her. My sister can be stubborn.”

Ellie laughed. “Yeah, so I noticed.”

“But I gotta say, she made the right choice for her.” He stopped for a red light.

“What about you?” The words were out before she could prevent them.

He turned his head to look at her. “Me? I’m exactly where I belong.”

Yeah, that’s what she thought. And like Meg, he was happy where he lived.

Swallowing, she pointed out the windshield. “Green light.”

She glanced at Liam’s strong profile. Could she be happy in Boston? “No regrets” included trying new things, new places.

Hey, Ellie, aren’t you getting a little ahead of yourself? This wasn’t even a real date.

The route along Main Street took them past a few rectangular, early-nineteenth-century gable-roofed houses gathered around the town green. Some of the stately homes had been repurposed as doctors’ offices, an insurance agency and an attorney’s office, but some were still single-family residences.

The manicured common space boasted a restored white gazebo that doubled as a bandstand for concerts and picnics in the summer. Homes soon gave way to brick-fronted businesses, and the white Greek Revival church where they held the weekly lunches. With its black shutters and steeple bell tower, the church anchored the green at one end.

No doubt the town was picturesque, but she recalled how, when she was sick, the women of Loon Lake had worked year-round to keep the Hardings’ refrigerator full of casseroles and sandwich fixings. In the summer, the men had made sure their lawn was mowed. In the winter, the men plowing for the town had been careful to keep the end of their driveway relatively clear.

He pulled the truck into one of the angled parking spots in front of the pub-style restaurant. “I’m assuming you’ve been here before, since you said you liked the burgers.”

“Yeah, I’ve been a few times with some of the people from work.”

He turned the engine off and opened his door. Ellie opened hers and was getting out when he came around to her side. He put his hand under her elbow to steady her as she scrambled out. His touch sent sparks up her arm...straight to her core.

You’d better be listening, she cautioned her heart. Liam and I are hanging out, nothing more. Unlike Angelo’s, this wasn’t a romantic date place. Since this wasn’t a date, she had no right to feel disappointed. And she certainly had no right to be using or thinking the word romantic in context with anything she and Liam did.

They strolled across the sidewalk to the entrance, his hand hovering over the small of her back, not quite touching. How was she supposed to read the mixed signals he was sending? Maybe it was all her fault for trying to read things into his actions and words that weren’t there. Your fault because you wanted this to be a date and it’s a let’s-hang-out night. She swallowed the sigh that bubbled up.

He turned his head toward her as they made their way toward the restaurant. “Something wrong with Hennen’s?”

Had he picked up on her confusion? She shook her head. “No. It’s fine.”

“Hey, I’m not such a guy that I don’t know what ‘fine’ in that tone of voice means.” He held the glass entry door open.

After stepping inside, she glanced up at him, her eyebrows raised. “And what does ‘fine’ mean?”

The outer door shut, leaving them alone in the restaurant’s vestibule. A small table with a bowl of wrapped mints and stack of takeout menus stood off to one side. Muffled sounds—music, conversations and clinking of dishware—came from beyond the inner door.

“I’m thinking it means there’s something wrong and I’m expected to figure it out.” His light blue eyes darkened.

Lost in those eyes, she had to swallow before she could speak. “And have you figured it out?”

“No, but I have an idea how to fix it.” He took a step toward her, his intense gaze on her lips.

“Oh? You can fix it without even knowing what it is?” All thoughts of why she was even upset flew out of her head. Liam’s sexy and oh-so-kissable lips took up all available space.

“Uh-huh,” he said, and lowered his head. “I was thinking of kissing it and making it all better.”

She noisily sucked in her breath. Were they really going to do this? Here of all places?

“Are you in?” His voice was hoarse, his expression hopeful as his gaze searched hers.

She rose on her tiptoes, placed her hands on either side of his face, pulling him close enough she smelled breath mints. “Does this answer your question?”

He dipped his head until his lips latched onto hers. The kiss was gentle, probing but firm. Her sigh parted her lips and his tongue slipped inside. The kiss she’d been waiting for her entire life was even better than she’d thought possible. It was sexy enough to send heat to her most sensitive areas and yet sweet enough to bring tears to her eyes. Make-A-Wish, eat your heart out.

She wanted it to last forever, but cooled air and noise from the restaurant blasted them as the inner door opened. Someone cleared their throat and Liam pulled away so quickly she swayed. His hands darted out, coming to rest around each side of her waist and lingering for a moment before dropping away.

“Ellie?” a familiar voice inquired.

Liam stepped aside and she came face-to-face with Brody Wilson. She groaned inwardly. As if getting caught kissing in public wasn’t embarrassing enough, it had to be by someone she knew, someone who would tell his fiancée, Mary, who would tell Meg. Trying to salvage the situation, Ellie plastered a smile on her face, which was probably as red as the ketchup on the tables inside.

“This is, uh...a surprise.” She turned toward Liam. “Have you two met?”

Brody juggled a large white paper bag into the other hand, then reached out to shake. “We met very briefly at Meg and Riley’s wedding.”

“Speaking of weddings, you must be the groom.” Liam shook hands. “I met the bride a couple days ago.”

“Yes, Mary mentioned that.” Brody nodded, his assessing gaze darting between them.

“Are Mary and Elliott with you tonight?” Ellie glanced through the glass door to the restaurant.

“No. They’re at home.” He held up the bag. “I stopped to grab burgers on my way back from checking in on Kevin Thompson.”

“Checking on Kevin?” Ellie touched Brody’s arm. “Did something happen?”

Kevin Thompson was a local youth who could have headed down the wrong path if not for Loon Lake’s caring residents. Ellie knew Riley and Meg had encouraged Kevin to stay in school, and Brody and Mary had boosted his self-confidence by having him interact with the kids at their summer camp for children in foster care.

The camp had been Mary’s dream. When she and Brody became a couple, they’d started a nonprofit and made her dream a reality. Their farm on the edge of town was the perfect spot.

Brody nodded. “Yeah, he sprained his wrist yesterday.”

“Oh, no. Wasn’t he your helper for the carnival preparations?”

Brody sighed. “With Riley working on their house and picking up overtime hours, I hate to ask him, but I may have to if we’re going to be ready on time.”

Liam quirked an eyebrow at her. “What’s this about a carnival?”

“I help out with a childhood cancer survivor group,” Ellie said. “We counsel survivors and those going through treatment. Plus, every year we put on a carnival as a fun activity for the kids.” She enjoyed giving back to a group that had been so helpful when she’d needed it. “We have as much fun as the kids and it’s important for them to see they can get through sometimes grueling treatments and enjoy life.”

“What sort of help do you need?” Liam asked Brody.

Brody stroked his chin with his free hand. “Mostly muscle and someone to assemble wooden booths. You good with a hammer?”

Liam bobbed his head once. “Sure. I’d be happy to help out.”

The inner door opened and Brody stepped aside to let a couple pass through. “Ellie, why don’t I give you a call later and we can make arrangements.”

“That sounds good. You might want to get home before those burgers get cold or you’ll be in trouble with Mary.”

“Yeah, we don’t want that.” Brody laughed and winked.

* * *

Liam’s hand found the small of Ellie’s back as if magnetized. He licked his lips at the cherry taste that lingered on them. What had he been thinking, kissing her like that in public? Yeah, no thinking involved. Ellie’s presence tended to scramble his thought process.

A hostess inside the restaurant greeted them and led them to a booth.

“Thank you for offering to help out with the carnival,” Ellie said as she slid into the seat. “You’re here working with Riley and now spending off-time working some more. Hardly seems fair.”

He sat across from her. “Are you going to be there?”

“Yeah. I always help out,” she said, and picked up the colorful menu.

Normally he’d run a mile from reminders of the disease that claimed his ma. Just thinking about cancer made his skin crawl, but he could man up and do this. For Ellie. “Then I’m in.”

She gave him a big smile and flipped open the menu. Yeah, that smile was worth giving up a few hours to help some kids. He should regret the kiss but he didn’t, couldn’t regret something that felt so damn good. With that kiss, tonight felt more like a date, despite him being careful not to turn it into one.

He’d decided to keep things casual with Ellie because being in remission was no guarantee the cancer couldn’t return. Nothing like wanting his cake and eating it, too, or in this case, wanting his Ellie and none of the burdens of a real relationship. How the hell was he going to make this work?

“Do you want to?”

Ellie’s question brought him back with a jolt. Had he said any of that aloud? “Huh?”

She tsked. “I asked if you wanted to split an appetizer.”

Before he could answer, someone called her name. Two men in EMT uniforms approached their booth. Liam frowned at the way they strutted over to Ellie’s side. The tall one appeared to be around Ellie’s age, while the shorter, dark-skinned one was older.

“Sorry, Ellie, we didn’t mean to interrupt your date,” said the older one.

She glanced over at Liam. “Oh, we’re just—”

“On a date but it’s no problem.” What the hell prompted him to say that? He was still striving for control, for keeping his feelings casual. If they’d run into two of Ellie’s female friends, would he have made the same claim? If he were a better man he’d know the answer. Since he didn’t, that put him in the “not a better man” category.

“We’re not staying, just picking up our supper, and noticed you in here while we were waiting,” said the younger guy.

“I’m glad you came to say hi,” Ellie said. “This is my friend Liam. Liam, this is Mike and Colton. As you can plainly see by their uniforms, they’re EMTs. It just so happens Liam is a firefighter.”

Liam shook hands with both men, applying a bit of pressure with the younger one, Colton, whose intense gaze had been on Ellie since they’d come over to the table. Yeah, more juvenile than a better man would behave, that’s for sure.

“We missed you at the softball game last weekend,” Colton said to Ellie, but gave Liam the once-over as he said it, as if Liam had prevented Ellie from playing.

Ellie rested her elbows on the table, lightly clasping her hands together. “Sorry I missed it. Did you win?”

“No. We got clobbered.” Colton shook his head and scowled. “That’s why we need you.”

Mike backhanded his partner on the arm. “Looks like our order’s up.”

Colton nodded but didn’t take his eyes off Ellie. “The cops challenged us to another game to raise money for a K-9 unit. You in?”

“Sure.” Ellie smiled and nodded. “Give me a call when you get a time and place.”

Liam bit down on the urge to tell the guy to get lost already. If Colton was interested, why hadn’t he taken her to the new patio at Angelo’s? Pot? Kettle. You brought her here instead of trying to get reservations at Angelo’s.

“Some of the guys were talking about getting a bowling night together.” Colton mimed holding a phone. “I’ll give you call.”

“Hey, man, you can’t pick her up while she’s on a date with someone else,” Mike said, and attempted to pull his partner away from the table.

“Sheesh, I wasn’t picking her up, just asking if she was interested in bowling. It’s for charity,” he grumbled, but turned back and grinned at Ellie. “See ya, Els.”

Els? What the...? Liam ground his back teeth as the two EMTs walked away. “He was definitely trying to pick you up.”

Ellie rolled her eyes. “Yeah, right. Colton called a couple months ago asking if I had the number of the new X-ray tech.”

So this Colton was a player? Well, he could go play in someone else’s sandbox. He and Ellie were...what? Hanging out to get Meg off their case did not a relationship make.

“Believe me, he was hitting on you,” Liam insisted.

She glanced over at the two men leaving the restaurant.

“Maybe it didn’t work out with the X-ray tech,” Liam muttered, and shook the menu open with a snap.

“Maybe.” She shrugged and set her menu down.

Did she have feelings for this Colton? He pretended to be interested in the menu’s offerings. “That Mike guy—”