And Never Say Goodbye: A Town of Destiny Novel Page 18

  All she knew was she needed to start taking Folic acid in preparation for a healthy pregnancy, at least for three months prior. She’d start a prenatal vitamin she’d buy at Wal-Mart, just in case. Health was of the utmost importance to her, and Scott’s baby would be brought into the world as healthy as she could possibly get it.

  Her text went off and she got the OR time for a case at Joliet. And at least she wouldn’t be running into Gallagher there. Wolf was off tonight and probably on the prowl. With how angry he was at her, she couldn’t blame him. What was he going to do…become a priest? No. He’d have to eventually move on. They always did.

  But they weren’t all Gallagher.

  If she chose to have Scott’s baby, and she most likely would, she’d be setting her wolf free into the wild.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Mallory showed her ID at the desk of Mount Abby Hospital and dragged her cart behind her. This would be a long day. The OR time was set and reset about a dozen times due to unexpected emergencies—gunshot victims from a myriad of reasons. Her mind couldn’t wrap around that, because where she came from it was safe and quiet. Just to walk through the parking lot was a challenge, needing to be escorted by one of the security guards. Not to mention she was exhausted, this being her fifth case in the last three days.

  The inner city was like going to a war zone. She usually went there about once a month, with Gallagher doing the other ones. Knowing he was there right now doing another case made her nervous. It had only been a few days since their breakup, but her heart raced at the thought of seeing him. What would she say? Just act like nothing ever happened?

  She had forced him out of her mind since then, a battle she couldn’t bear. Pictures on her phone would make her cry, their text conversations even more. But she couldn’t erase them. Her heart wouldn’t let her. Just getting up in the morning was a challenge, even with the June sun welcoming her to a new day.

  And now she had to deal with this cardiac case. It was the reason she got into organ transplantation, but today of all days? Now, after she had to let go of the one man she never thought she’d love? It all felt like a horrible joke.

  After checking the heart monitor, she turned to the patient lying in the bed. An obese woman in her fifties. These always worried her. She knew from Scott’s case there was no real reason he rejected the heart, but why did sudden acute rejection happen at all? Just not meant to be here anymore? Were there underlying problems with the heart?

  But she knew that was wrong. Knew it was some fluke that his body didn’t accept it.

  Seeing that the patient was stable, she helped the ICU nurse, Respiratory Therapy, and the OR coordinator transport her to the OR suite. She was supposed to be training David again, but he wanted to train under Gallagher. Not shocking after her first day with him, but she laughed at the thought of him thinking Gallagher would be easier.

  As she stabilized the patient, she started for the nursing locker room, hurrying with her head down when she collided into him. Of all the coordinators to be here, it had to be him.

  “Hi, McShane.” He steadied her, his hands strong on her arms.

  “Hey. I didn’t realize you were here.” She knew damn well he was here.

  “Just finished a case.” His lips smiled, but it didn’t reach his dead eyes. “How are you?”

  “I’m good. I need to scrub up, so if you’ll excuse…”

  “I miss you.”

  “I can’t do this right now, Lawson. The patient is waiting.”

  He gave a resigned sigh. “Okay. I’m meeting up with a few of the others anyway. I figured might as well do something other than stare at my walls and think of you.”

  She stiffened, fighting the tears. “Right, might as well bring Wolf out. He’s lots of fun. Don’t forget a condom because you never know….”

  “Hey, I’m not even thinking like that. I bought those only for you.”

  She scoffed. “Then buy another box.”

  “Mal, don’t say that. Are you really going to go through with it? Have Scott’s baby and be all alone?”

  Two nurses walked by, staring at them and whispering as they padded away in their soft shoes.

  Whispering, she said, “Please keep it down. I can’t take anymore rumors.”

  “Well, when they see you with a big belly, it won’t be a rumor anymore.” He peered down into her eyes, his face so close she could count the stubbles. His vanilla scent flowing her way, taunting her, reminding her someone else would enjoy the sexy fragrance now.

  She yanked her arms away and ran down the hall and away from blazing blue eyes that stabbed at her and lips that wanted to kiss her. Not trusting herself, she would have kissed back, maybe drag him into a nearby closet.

  After getting her scrubs on, Sammy stepped out from the shower, wearing a towel. She was a tall beauty with auburn hair, making it difficult to not picture Gallagher running his hands through it.

  Sammy sat on the bench and smiled, brushing her hair out. “Hey, Mallory. Haven’t seen you in a while.”

  “I’ve been off. Have a patient waiting for me now…”

  “So how was meeting Lawson’s family? I’ve heard they’re nice.” She rubbed lotion on her long legs, still smiling.

  Her heart pounded. “How did you know that?”

  “These things get around.”

  “He invited me because his parents wanted him to bring someone for his birthday. Not a big deal. We’re friends.”

  “Oh, okay. If you say so. Did you say his parents? I thought it was his dad and step-mother?”

  “Right. His mother died, but they’re considered his parents still. Becky’s the best.”

  “Wait…his mother died? I thought she just left them?”

  Mallory shook her head. “I don’t think so.” But she didn’t know for sure.

  “No, I’m certain of it. He’s told me after making love to me. He shares a lot of things with me. Maybe he didn’t want to share that with you? Strange since you seem to be so close.”

  She never wanted to hit anyone as much as she did Sammy’s pert little mouth at that moment. Clenching her fists at her sides, she smiled. “When’s the last time you were with him, Sammy? Been a while, right? He told me he was done with shallow women, wanted more of a real woman.”

  Her mouth dropped. “Why would he tell you that? And how would you know since I was with him last night? He was so down for some reason, and I went over there to cheer him up. He was hot and eager to please, let me tell you. So…I’m not sure what you’re referring to.” She let her towel drop and resumed putting lotion on her endowed chest, almost shoving them in her face.

  “You’re lying.”

  Sammy laughed. “No, I’m not. He was almost possessed, like the old Wolf came out. He had me bouncing up and down like a ragdoll. Man, was he getting out some toxins.”

  “I gotta go.”

  “Yeah, say hi to him if you see him. Or better yet, I’ll see him later. Lord knows he has enough condoms to last a lifetime. I think he bought the whole store, must have been for us.” She smirked. “See ya.” She rubbed the lotion between her legs as if to say it was for him later.

  She ran out to the hall and down to the suite, scrubbing her hands raw before an OR nurse touched her back. “Mallory, you okay? I think you’re scrubbed enough,” she said, smiling.

  Realizing she hadn’t stopped, she hung her head and nodded. “Yeah, sorry. I’ll be right in.” She turned to walk towards the OR when she heard Gallagher’s laughter down the corridor. She could see him through the windows of the OR suite wall. He wore his date clothes—jeans and a purple polo shirt accenting his dark tan. Who was he laughing with? She couldn’t see and needed to get to the patient.

  He stopped and met Mallory’s eyes through the glass, a soft sadness covering his freshly shaved face before giving a small smile. He gave a thumbs up like he always did before she began her procurement. Tears misted in her eyes above her mask before she gave a slight nod and pushe
d the door open.

  ***

  Lawson fiddled with his drink at the noisy table of coworkers, slapping him on the back to liven him up. Not even Sammy’s seductive ways could do it. He’d push her hand away when she tried to slide it into his hair.

  “Come on, Wolf. What’s wrong with you? First last night and now this?” she said, trying to grab his hand.

  “I told you not to come over, but you still do whatever the hell you want, like always.” He gulped the last of his vodka and then ordered a beer. He’d finish it off with black coffee by the end of the night.

  Coco Pazzo’s was usually slow on a Wednesday night, but not tonight. The place was jammed, every bar stool taken, music blaring, and the same old crowd he used to enjoy hanging out with. He now felt tired…and old—a four-letter word he hated using.

  Joe, one of the other coordinators, sat next to him, waving Sammy off. She huffed and stood, joining the other nurses. “Hey, man, what’s going on? I hear you’re down these days. Anything I can do?”

  He used to confide in Joe but stopped since being with Mallory, fearing their secret would get out. Shrugging, he drank his beer and stared at the green label on the bottle. “Ever have a broken heart? Hurts…like…hell.” He took another drink and slammed it down on the table, turning everyone’s head their way.

  Joe gave them a hard look to mind their own business before he returned to him. “Dude! Who broke your heart?”

  “No one. Forget I ever said anything.”

  “Is it Mallory?” he said in a hushed tone, snapping Lawson’s face up.

  “How…yeah.” He hung his head.

  “It’s getting around. The way you hang out at your house, she watches your dog, the looks you exchange at the meetings. It’s pretty obvious, but I was pissed when you didn’t tell me.” Joe raised his hand to the waitress. “Another beer for my friend and one for me.”

  She nodded, staring at Lawson to get his attention before leaving.

  “You do her, too?”

  “What? Who? Oh, Carrie? I’ve dated her a few times…”

  “My God I’m jealous of you. I get to go home to the same woman every day, and you…”

  “What? Get to bang anything willing? I’ll take your life any day, man. Any day.”

  “First of all, they’re only willing with you. You don’t have the name Wolf for no reason. You have it all—the looks, the charm, money, and you’re a mini-surgeon. I couldn’t get that on my best day.”

  Carrie returned and set the two bottles down. “Hi, Lawson. Haven’t seen you here in a while. How’s Sadie?”

  His eyes stayed on the table. “Good, thanks.”

  “Maybe you can call me again sometime? I just got my own place and…”

  “Sure, sometime.” He cut her off before she made a fool of herself.

  “Great. Same number.” She smiled at Joe and walked away, giving a side glance to Lawson once more.

  “Okay, what the hell did Mallory McShane do to you? I gotta know. You know I won’t blab to anyone. I got your back.”

  “What do you need to know? She stole my heart and ripped it to shreds.” He sighed and set his beer down after taking a swig. “That’s not true. She didn’t do it on purpose. She had warned me, but I didn’t listen until it was too late.”

  With concern in his voice, Joe leaned in. “What happened?”

  He filled him in on as much as he could, knowing Joe was a good guy and would never gossip. As much as he complained about his life being married with kids, Lawson knew he loved it and wouldn’t change it for the world. He wanted that with Mallory.

  “So, you’re telling me she was married before but that he died ten years ago? Wow…that explains so much. I almost like her now.”

  “Yeah, well I love her. I think I always did, just grew deeper.” He chuckled under his breath, shaking his head. “There was something about her from when I first trained her, something in her that wanted to make this career stick, and now I know why. It was all for Scott. I don’t think she’s ever gotten over him. How can I compete with that?” He looked his friend in the eyes, needing answers that would never come.

  Joe shook his head. “Maybe she’s trying.”

  “Trying? She’s planning on having his baby!” He looked up at the eyes glaring at him from across the table. “What? Is there a problem?”

  “Dude, calm down. They’re just concerned. You’re getting loud and need to go home—shake things off. She never came out and said she was definitely going through with it, did she?”

  He slumped more in his seat, raising his hand to Carrie. When he caught her eye, he put his hand to his mouth to gesture drinking coffee from a mug, something he always did with her. She nodded and ran to get it. Too bad he couldn’t have fallen for her. Would have been so much easier. She was more than willing to give him her whole world, but he didn’t want it.

  No…he wanted only one woman, who wore a surgical mask and cap hiding luscious blonde hair and who looked darned cute in blue scrubs, trying to procure organs at this moment to save a life. She was always trying to save a life to replace the one that was lost ten years ago.

  To answer Joe’s question, he said, “No, she didn’t, but she made it clear that’s where she was headed. Once Mallory made a promise, that was it. She kept it, even if the statutory limit for promises was past its time. Makes me love her even more.” He laughed. “Hilarious, right?”

  Carrie set his mug down with steaming black coffee and winked. “Always the responsible one.” She walked away with a pronounced sway, but it did nothing for him.

  Joe sighed. “Sorry, dude. Really, I am. Hey, why can’t you help her raise it? Would it bother you that much?”

  “I tried telling her I would, but she shut me down, said it would be wrong to make me watch her have another man’s child. It would be strange, but I’d do it.”

  “Sounds like you love each other enough, almost too much. I hope it works out. Hey, you going to the summer outing? It’s a barbecue at the office. I guess Ellen will be cooking, which I gotta see.”

  “I don’t know. Maybe.” He drank his coffee, feeling sober and gaining a headache.

  “Wonder if Mallory will go. If she does, don’t go getting stupid and hang by her. People are already talking. Work it out outside the office.”

  Sammy sauntered over, sitting next to him, slurring her words. “I saw Mallory in the nurse’s lounge earlier. She has a nice body, but not better than mine. Right, Wolf?”

  “That’s enough,” he said through gritted teeth.

  She laughed. “Yeah, and I also told her how wild you were last night.”

  “You what? So, you basically lied?”

  “Well, I was partially honest. You were wild, but not with me. Why were you so angry, Wolf?”

  “What exactly did you tell her, Samantha?”

  “Samantha? You never call me that, especially when…”

  “Shut up and tell me what you said.”

  “Why? You have it bad for her, Lawson?” She pouted, playing with her hair.

  “Talk.”

  “I just told her how we made love. So I lied a little. What does it matter? You’re not with her, right? Because that would be against Hope of Life’s policy.”

  Joe coughed, almost choking on her words.

  “I don’t appreciate you making lies about me to anyone. That’s all it is.”

  “You sure about that? Seem pretty defensive to me. Prove it and take me home tonight.”

  Joe laughed and then slid down into his chair, hiding behind his hand.

  Lawson threw cash on the table and stood, shaking his head at her. “You’re lucky you’re not a man…”

  “Why? You’d hit me? What did I do that was so bad?”

  “Just lose my number, and don’t use my key again. Stick with Fenton. The guy’s been hot after you since I can remember. Make him happy and just marry him already. He’s got the MD behind his name.”

  Joe stood and slapped Lawson on the
back. “I’ll see you later, bud. Drive safely.”

  “Thanks.” He returned to the crazy redhead standing before him, itching to get away from her. He started to walk past her, but she stood and grabbed his wrist.

  “You don’t mean that. I want Wolf back. What’d she do to you?”

  He yanked his wrist away and looked her straight in the eye. “More than you’ll ever know.”

  “I knew it. Fine. I’ll call Evan. Will that make you happy.”

  “If it means you understanding we’re over, then yes. But don’t invite me to the wedding.”

  “Wolf!”

  He waved goodnight to the rest of the table and jogged through the restaurant and out the door. He needed to go find Mallory and explain. He didn’t want her thinking he’d been with Sammy or any woman since her.

  ***

  When Mallory pulled into her path that led to her house, she noticed a truck in the dark. Fear pricked her skin as she drove slowly. As she drove closer, she knew immediately whose truck it was.

  She parked behind him and stepped out to meet him as he jumped out. “Gallagher? What’s wrong?”

  “We need to talk. Can we go inside?”

  “Why? Need to share anything with me? Oh, that’s right. You only reserve that for special people.” She was lucky she got through her case at all with that on her mind. She had them blast the music louder than usual to drown out the intruding thoughts.

  “What’re you talking about? Come on. Let’s go in…please?” He stepped closer, but she backed away.

  “Like the fact that your mother isn’t dead, but left your family instead. Yeah, thanks to Sammy for telling me. I feel real special.”

  He held her hand in his, kissing it. “Let me explain that…please.”

  She sighed, ignoring the tingles erupting in her skin from his lips. Something that was impossible to ignore. His cologne wrapped around her, seducing her. A patch of hair stuck out at the top of his opened collar, knowing where it led. She hated what he did to her. Clearing her throat, she said, “Okay, but not for long.”