A Man to Believe In

He blew out a breath just to make sure he was still breathing. He didn’t know if he liked her better in scrubs or biking clothes. He’d like the chance to see a few more choices to round out his decision.

A look of surprise crossed her face when she saw him.

He waved. “Hi.”

She came over. Her momentary frown disappeared. “You’re not due until Monday.”

“Slept most of the day away yesterday. Wanted to do something useful today.”

Rachel chimed in. “Now, Cassie, don’t be discouraging our newest employee from showing some enthusiasm for his job.”

Cassie held up a hand. “Oh, I’d never want to do that.”

Something in her body language set Peter’s antenna pinging. Cassie was uncomfortable, as if she were wrestling with thoughts about him. Had his flirting turned her off?

He pressed on. “I don’t want to put anyone out. I know you’re busy. I just thought if someone could set me up I could nose around the computer to learn your charting system, the department layout. Things like that.”

“Getting your paperwork done is a great idea,” Rachel said. “I’ll take you to human resources, if you’d like. I can make sure you have passwords for the computer and for access to the supplies and meds on Monday.”

“That would be great. Thank you.” He glanced around. “Is there anything I can do to help today?”

Rachel shrugged. “I’m just about to get off shift. I can take you to HR to process you. Afterward...?” She looked at Cassie.

Cassie looked apologetic. “I’m sure all of us can show you around as we free up. Given that you’re not in scrubs and your eye still looks pretty raw, I’m not sure you want to meet patients today.”

Rachel sighed. “There you go again, discouraging the new help.”

“No. No. I’m simply saying that I can’t take the time right now to show him around.” She gave Peter a soulful glance. “Come find me when you get back from HR. I’ll take you to the back nursing station, and you can get a feel for the area, check out the computer. Is that okay?”

There were other nurses walking around, glancing over as if they knew Peter was the new hire. “That’ll be fine, Cassie. I don’t want to intrude.”

“Doc is here, as well. He’ll be glad to see you.”

Rachel tapped his arm. “Come on. I’ll take you to HR.”

An hour later, Peter returned to find Cassie exactly where he left her at the nursing station.

She smiled when he walked up. “All set?”

He nodded. “You’ve been standing here since I left?”

She waved a hand. “Hardly. Come with me. I’ll introduce you to Brenda and Anna.”

Her perfume wafted around him as they walked side by side down the hall. He inhaled another long breath. He’d just spent an hour around three other women going through his orientation and he tried to catalogue Cassie as just another woman. Yet, why did she seem to shimmer and shine, her voice like music to his ears? He shook hands by way of introduction with the two other nurses, registered their smiles, welcoming words and willingness to help him acclimate to the department, but all he could hear, see, smell and concentrate on was Cassie.

Man. He had it bad.

Not until she walked away, leaving Brenda to show him how the computer entries worked, was he able to focus on the task at hand. Holy smokes. If Cassie continued to have that effect on him, he’d never be able to work with her as a teammate. He’d be too wrapped up in her to concentrate. Or maybe he’d get used to her in time. The infatuation would die and she’d just be another coworker. No. Maybe not.

Twenty minutes later, Doc appeared at the nursing station. “Cassie said you were here. Showing up to help before your start date is a great way to brownnose the boss. Well done.”

Peter laughed. Brenda did, too. He stood up from his seat to shake hands. “I was going stir-crazy at the hotel. Been hunting for an apartment. Got frustrated there, too. Couldn’t think of anywhere else to go.”

Doc held up a hand. “Oh, come on. Tell me you’re so dedicated you couldn’t stay away. That’ll improve your job review.”

Both men laughed, then Peter asked, “So, how’s it going today?”

Doc and Brenda exchanged glances. “Pretty quiet so far, but it’s only Thursday.”

“Believe it or not, Mondays are our busiest,” Brenda said.

“Oh, I remember well from the E.R. in Los Angeles. Everyone nurses their problems through the weekend so they won’t blow their days off. Then, Monday morning hits and the E.R. becomes jammed.”

“Exactly.” Doc waved for Peter to follow. “If Brenda’s finished with you, join me. I’ll show you the trauma unit.”

“He’s all yours,” Brenda said.

As the two men walked, Doc asked, “Did you get a chance to look around?”

“A bit. Nice facility. Great waiting room.”

“The trauma unit is state-of-the-art. Everything is on wheels so that we can move the equipment wherever we need it.” He led Peter down another hallway into a room with glass partitions that opened into an identical adjoining room, both holding a bed, supply cabinets and a monitor station with an overhead operating light.

Doc motioned to the partitions. “That wall opens in case we get hit with multiple trauma victims. We can fit up to four beds in here.”

“Looks great.”

“Rachel will get the protocol list to you. You’ll see. Our routine is pretty straightforward.”

“Do nurses work rooms individually or as teams?”

Doc met his gaze. “Usually depends on the day. If we’re crowded, we work solo, unless help is needed. On quiet days, we’ll attend patients in teams. Keeps the experience fresh and two sets of eyes can observe more. Helps to double-check charting.”

This all sounded routine to Peter. “I’m clear on that. A second observation helps prevents oversights. Important in today’s litigious world.”

Doc grimaced. “My worst nightmare. We’ve been lucky so far in avoiding lawsuits. Let me show you our new CT scan.”

Peter followed Doc to the tech room. Passing a treatment room, he saw Cassie dressing a patient’s wound. She must have heard their voices in the hall because she glanced up as they passed. Doc stuck his head in. “All good here?”

The patient, a young woman who was watching Cassie’s ministrations with concern, pouted when she saw John. “It still hurts.”

“We’re almost finished,” Cassie added.

“Sue scalded herself with boiling water. Second-degree burn,” Doc explained to Peter. He returned his attention to the patient. “If you don’t want to change the dressing yourself, come back in. We’ll help. Don’t get it wet. You have to treat this wound gently.”

She smiled. “Okay.”

Doc waved. Peter followed suit. Cassie’s smile when their eyes met hit like a punch to his heart, which cinched his decision. He’d ask her out before leaving. Made no sense to wait. Just thinking about being one-on-one with her again made his pulse race while his mind settled into liking the idea. So much for backing off.

Luckily, tech-geek that he was, he became distracted by Doc’s new toy. They weren’t five minutes into checking out all the features of the CT scan when Doc got called for patient aid. When he took his leave, Peter went in search of Cassie.

He retraced his steps to the last spot he saw her. The patient room was empty. Next step would be to document Sue’s treatment. He made a mental note to recall the woman’s name should she show up next week. Nothing like fostering good patient-hospital relations with name recall. He liked doing that. Remembering names to faces was like a game to him. And, folks always seemed to appreciate being recognized. He headed for the nurse’s station in the back. Cassie glanced from the computer as he walked up before returning to her task.

“My goodness. I already recognize the sound of your steps,” Cassie said as she typed in a sentence.

“That’s impressive.”

She shrugged. “You start to use all your senses around here. Matter of survival.”

He leaned both elbows on the high counter to watch her work. “I understand.”

She raised a brow. “Do you?”

Of course he did. Not only from working the E.R. in Los Angeles, but also from listening to cars pulling into his driveway as a kid, or the footsteps on the walkway up to the door announcing friend or foe. He’d know the sound of the social worker’s footsteps in his sleep. He grinned. “Sure. I’ll tell you all about it sometime.”

She stopped what she was doing to meet his gaze. “Okay.”

“How about tonight. Dinner?”

She shook her head, an odd look in her eye. “Sorry. Working ’til midnight.”

He shrugged. “I don’t mind eating late.”

She laughed. “Thanks, but I’ll pass. Another time. Okay?”

Damn. Shot down. He gave her what he hoped was a careless smile. “I’ll hold you to it.”

The sinking feeling disappeared once he noticed the rising color in her cheeks. What did that mean? She certainly wasn’t shy. Hmmm. Maybe he had a chance here, but didn’t want to spook her. He’d play on his need for help since she’d chided him about that the other day.

“I spoke to Mike before coming here.”

Bingo. She seemed to relax once more. “I’m guessing you’ll need a ride to work on Monday.”

“Actually, the entire week.” When she looked at him again, he wasn’t sure what the look on her face meant. Surprise? Satisfaction? He held up a hand. “But, I can walk if that’s too much.”

She frowned. “It’s almost a half hour to get here on foot from the Oceanside.”

“So?”

“I don’t know about you but a half hour extra sleep is like gold around here.”

He jumped at her reasoning. He wanted the ride. “True.”

“Give me a second to finish logging this chart. We can see if we can coordinate our schedules.”

He couldn’t keep the grin from his face. “Thanks. That works for me. I’ll wait for as long as it takes.”

CHAPTER FOUR

CASSIE AND ELLEN herded the girls onto the beach around eight o’clock on Friday morning. The beach was quiet since the tourist season hadn’t yet begun. But in a few weeks, the Hither Hills campground would swell with campers and families. Kids from all over would fill the beach to compete with the local residents for the children’s sand-castle competition. Right now, it was easy to scout out a spot to sit. When the competition started in June, getting a strategic corner of sand close to the high-tide line would be tricky. The right spot gave the competitors quick access to the water, but also ensured the tide wouldn’t wash away their hard work.

Ellen had learned a few years ago, that if they made one or two outings before the competition, the twins learned two valuable lessons: one, how to prepare for testing or performing; and two, how to relax and have fun achieving goals by being prepared ahead of time.

While Cassie and Ellen set up the blankets and umbrella, the twins with half-eaten donuts and bags in hand, searched along the tidewater lines and dunes for shells, driftwood and seaweed—mermaid accessories. Everything used to build the sand sculptures had to be from nature and found on the beach.

Since competition rules stated that only children alone could create the sculptures, Cassie and Ellen enjoyed stealing these few hours together while the kids were distracted. There was nothing Cassie liked more than to pass time with her friends on the beach. A good dose of sun, salt water and fresh sea air worked wonders to renew the spirit. It was still too cool to swim or boogie-board without a wet suit, but today was for the girls, so Cassie hadn’t brought any gear. She’d worn a new blue bikini, but unless it warmed up, she’d keep her shorts and sweatshirt on.

She realized she’d left her beach chair in her Jeep and headed back to the parking area. Reaching into the trunk, she heard a low, appreciative whistle. Expecting to turn around, insulted, she found herself staring at Peter Chapman with a Cheshire grin, seated in the passenger side of an SUV. He was wearing sunglasses, but that look said he was ready to start bantering anytime she was.

“Bet you get whistled at all the time,” he said. “Thought I’d join the ranks.”

He was so damned cute, she couldn’t resist. Planting her fists on her hips, she said, “Hey, that’s no way for a coworker to behave.”

“I’m not working yet. So consider me a blatant admirer.”

She laughed. Ducking her head to see who was driving, she didn’t recognize Peter’s companion.

He leaned back in his seat. “Cassie Michaels, meet Eric Davidson. Surfer from up-island. Staying at the Oceanside.”

A blond-haired guy nodded at her. “Hey.”

She smiled in return, then noticed the surfboards on the roof. “You’re going in the water with your sutures?” she asked Peter.

He shrugged. “It’s been over forty-eight hours. The salt water will be good for them.”

She shook her head. “Nurses make the worst patients.”

He smiled. “So you keep reminding me.”

She wasn’t sure, but thought she could feel him discreetly checking her out from behind his sunglasses. “Are you finding your way around town okay?”

“So far, so good, but I’m having trouble finding a place to live.”

“I have to introduce you to my friend Brian. He’s just finishing renovations on a new duplex.”

“That would be great.”

She gestured toward the sand path. “I’m with Doc’s wife, Ellen, and their twin daughters. Stop by later, I’ll introduce you.”

“You’re off today?”

She shook her head. “No. Late shift. The girls are practicing for a sand-castle contest. We do this every year to kick off the season.”

She waved goodbye, feeling the heat of Peter’s stare on her back. Damn it all if she didn’t like the thought of him watching her. Why was she telling herself it was wrong when it felt so right?

Ellen watched her returning to the blanket. “Why the frown?”

Cassie placed the chair next to Ellen’s beneath the shade of the umbrella. She pushed her sunglasses onto the bridge of her nose. “Just saw my accident victim.”

“Peter Chapman? So you’re frowning?”

She refused to admit what she was thinking. “He’s a bit of a flirt.”

Ellen smiled. “Is that good or bad?”

“It would make it easier to work with him if he wasn’t.”

“I have to meet this guy.”

“That’s good because I invited him to come by to introduce you.”

Ellen looked over the top of her sunglasses. “Hmm. The blond-haired guy looks young, so I’d say Peter is the hunky surfer dude with the grin heading straight for us?”

Cassie followed her gaze. Damn. Damn. Damn. He looked good in motion, surfboard under his arm. Sunglasses. Backpack slung on one shoulder. She made herself sound bored. “Yes, Ellen. That’s him.” She waved him over, aware her tune lightened when she spoke to him. “That was fast.”

Peter carefully laid his board in the sand. Kneeling, he sat on his heels at the base of the blanket. “I know you won’t be here later when we’re finished in the water, so wanted to stop by now.” He held out a hand to Ellen, “I’m Peter Chapman. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Ellen shook his proffered hand. “I’ve heard about you from John. Welcome to Montauk.”

“I’m glad to be here. Looking forward to working with Cassie and the crew.”

Cassie did all she could to keep the heat from her cheeks when he smiled in her direction. What was wrong with her?

He motioned to his companion. “My new friend, Eric. We’re neighbors at the Oceanside.”

Eric waved hello. “Always start the season with a trip to Montauk. Didn’t think I’d meet a nurse, but I’m glad in case I run into a shark or something.”

The women laughed. Cassie said, “I can hear the theme song from Jaws coming over the water. You’d better take care.”

Eric shot a longing look toward the surf. He gestured down the beach. “Peter, I’ll set up over there. I’ve waited all week for these waves.”

Peter stood. “I’ll go with you.” He smiled at the women. “Glad to meet you, Ellen. Cassie, I’ll catch up with you soon to get your friend’s number about the rental.”

“Sure.”

Cassie watched as the guys walked down the beach. Ellen exhaled a sigh. “Well, if word gets out that he’s the new E.R. nurse, a lot of women may start calling for ambulances.”

Cassie scoffed. “Oh, please.”

Ellen burst out laughing.

* * *

THE NEXT MORNING, Peter blew through the doors of the Mercy Hospital emergency room, justifying in his mind why it was perfectly okay for him to be there at eight o’clock in the morning. He didn’t want to spook Cassie and come off as if he were stalking her, but truth be told, he sure felt like he was.

He had two days until starting work and he hadn’t found a place to live. Besides spending most of yesterday thinking about Cassie, he really needed to find a place and who could help him better than a local? And she’d mentioned knowing someone.

He felt foolish. Under any other circumstances, he would have no problem following up on a lead. He hadn’t exchanged phone numbers with Cassie so showing up here would be legit. Only, his chest pounded a bit more asking for this favor because Cassie ignited a hunger in him that tweaked his guilt toward his motives to seek her out again. He liked her. A lot. She was comfortable to be around. Beautiful to watch. He loved the sultry sound of her voice. Her perfume. She was rapidly becoming an obsession. He kept blaming it on being new in a strange town, but who was he kidding? She intrigued him, something fierce. That feeling was brand-new and it was lighting a fire in him.

She’d mentioned yesterday she was working the late shift. He remembered how mornings were after a long night. She’d probably welcome an offer of breakfast. A nurse builds up a powerful hunger after working all night.

Carmen smiled at him through the window in triage as he approached. He motioned to the door into the E.R. She nodded. When he heard the buzzer, he slipped into the treatment area.

Doc, Rachel, Brenda and—thank you, God—Cassie stood around the nurse’s station. It looked as if Cassie and Rachel were filling in Brenda and Doc about the patients from last night.

Doc waved him over. “You’re just in time for the morning shift.”

“Not yet, but I’m looking forward to Monday, for sure.”

“What brings you in?”

He gestured to Cassie. “Wanted to catch Cassie before she left.”

Doc raised a brow. Peter didn’t quite get what his look meant, so he said to Cassie, “I was hoping to get your friend’s number on that apartment.”

She slapped her forehead. “That’s right. I’m sorry. I’d forgotten.”

“No trouble. I was up early. Enjoyed the walk.”

“Let me finish up here and I’ll give you a ride back.”

Damned good luck. “Sure.”

He listened quietly as Rachel and Cassie passed on the morning stats regarding the four patients currently being processed. One elderly woman with chest pains. A landscaper with a broken foot. A parent whose baby had a high fever. One ambulance delivery with lacerations from a minor car accident.

Peter watched the three nurses interact comfortably with Doc from years of working together. Peter looked forward to the day he fit that mold and didn’t feel so much like a fish out of water, even though the emergency department layout and process was familiar to him. What mattered most to him was the personal interaction. Finding out who he’d mesh with best, or who would get as excited as he did over any new technology. The medical field was always changing. Half the satisfaction of nursing was bringing the new treatments to the community.

When they finished, Doc took the charts. “I’ll check Mr. Nelson’s foot and release him. Brenda, see if cardiac care has a bed ready for Mrs. Olsen.” Doc gave the women a thumbs-up. “Thanks for all the hard work last night, ladies. You make it easy to start the day.”

Rachel punched the air. “Go team.”

Heading down the hall, he waved to Peter. “See you on Monday.”

Brenda picked up the phone, and Rachel gathered her things. “See you all tomorrow. Good luck finding a place, Peter.”

Cassie motioned for Peter to join her. “I just have to get my purse.”

He didn’t have to be asked twice. He matched her brisk pace to the nurse’s locker area then out the back door to the parking lot. He snapped his fingers. “I have an idea.”

“What?”

“What do you feel like having for breakfast?”

“Excuse me?”

He shrugged. “Let me buy you breakfast. I know what it’s like coming off graveyard shift.”

She thought a moment then grinned. “Okay. I am hungry, but I’m also wiped. So I can’t hang out.”

“Perfect. I have to hunt for new digs anyway. It’ll be nice not eating alone.”

“Oh, yeah. Brian. Let’s call him when we stop.”

“Affordable?”

She shot him a knowing glance. “I think we can negotiate with him.”

She said we. He liked that. A lot. “Well, then I’m happy to buy breakfast. Where shall we go?”

She brightened. “I know just the place.”

God, he loved her grin. One would never know she’d just finished working through the night. Her color was high. Her hair was a crown of curls held back by a baby blue headband that matched the color of her scrubs. Just like on Thursday, she wore a white long-sleeved T-shirt beneath the scrubs, a perfect solution for the air conditioning in the hospital. Her fingers tapped the steering wheel in time to the music playing low on the radio. Being in her company was so comfortable, Peter felt like he’d ridden every day of his life in a car with her.

Cassie pulled into a spot in front of John’s Pancake House. The restaurant was a converted Cape Cod-style house with a red-and-white-striped awning across the front. The place was pretty busy for a Saturday morning before the summer season hit.

“I heard that Montauk was a ghost town until summer.”

“The pancake house is always crowded with locals on the weekend. It’s a favorite spot.”

He opened the restaurant door for her and ushered her in. He followed and almost ran into her back when she stopped short.

A wary surprise filled her voice. “Well, hey, you guys.”

Cassie greeted five people seated at a round table just inside the door. The older two were a handsome-looking duo. The other couple looked to be around his mother’s age, casual in jeans and light sweaters. One woman looked suspiciously like an older version of Cassie. Her mother, perhaps? They seemed glad to see her.

The older woman with the silver braid said, “Morning, Cassie. Just getting off work?”

“Yeah. Friday night was busy.”

All five pairs of eyes fell on Peter. The woman who looked like Cassie’s mother said, “And who do we have here?”

Cassie stepped aside. “Peter Chapman, meet my family. My mother, Beth. Grandma Mica, Grandpa Phil, Aunt Judy and Uncle Micky.”

He shook hands with them all. “I’m Cassie’s newest coworker. I start on Monday.”

Beth gestured to his eye. “Ah, the man who had the run-in with the deer.”

“My reputation is preceding me. Don’t know if that’s good or bad.”

Beth smiled. She even had the same dimple in her right cheek that Cassie had. “All good. Don’t worry.”

He glanced at Cassie and saw the color rise in her cheeks. Had she been saying good things about him? Damn, she was cute when flustered.

“I’ve offered to drive Peter around while his truck is being repaired,” she said.

“And I’ve been stalking her,” Peter added, thinking he was being funny.

The group laughed. “Well, that’s not unusual, young man,” Cassie’s grandfather said.

Grandma Mica winked. “I’m sure Cassie doesn’t mind a bit.”

“So, you came all the way from the Left Coast?” The look in Micky’s eyes said he’d love to help Peter out from this awkward moment by changing the subject.

Peter smiled back, grateful. “Glad to be here, too. Montauk is beautiful.”

“Well, we hope you like it here.”

Cassie gestured toward an empty table far enough away to give them some space. “We’re just going to grab a quick bite. I’m exhausted and want to head home.”