The ER's Newest Dad

“He ordered one with everything and one with just the things you like. Go figure.”

Realizing that despite meeting Ross at Julian’s and their discussion at his place about her skipping meals, she’d actually ended up not eating a thing. Neither did she feel hungry, but she knew she needed to eat. She put a few slices on a paper plate and ate in the living room while her brother and Justice took toy bulldozers and demolished each other’s castles with a lot of sound effects. They visited and laughed until Justice’s bedtime. Brielle gave her son his bath, tucked him into bed with a story, lots of kisses, and a prayer. Within minutes he was sound asleep and with one last kiss to his forehead she went to find her brother.

He’d completely cleared away all traces of their building/demolition spree and now reclined, flipping through the television channels with the outstretched remote.

“Nothing’s on,” he commented, setting the controller on the chair arm. “He down for the night?”

Nodding, Brielle sank onto the sofa. “Thanks for clearing up the blocks, but that doesn’t get you off the hook.”

“You’re welcome, and I didn’t know I was on the hook.”

“You didn’t return my calls earlier this week,” she reminded him, nervous energy keeping at bay the fatigue she should be feeling after her long day.

He shrugged. “You said there wasn’t an emergency. I knew I’d see you today. Tell me about why you were late coming home tonight.”

She eyed her brother closely. If Vann Winton was the type of man to squirm, he’d be wiggling against the leather recliner. He didn’t, of course, not her big, brave older brother, but he may as well have.

“You know exactly why I was late coming home tonight, don’t you? You knew he was coming.” She couldn’t bring herself to say Ross’s name out loud.

Not bothering to pretend he didn’t know exactly what and who she meant, Vann sighed. “Samantha told me as soon as she learned who was filling in for Dr. Jenkins. I can’t say I was surprised.”

Brielle’s heart rate picked up. “Why? How could his showing up to work at the hospital where I work not be a surprise after all this time? Do you two stay in touch?”

“No.” Vann’s expression pinched and Brielle had another twinge of guilt, one triggered by how her relationship with Ross had affected his relationship with her brother. Vann shifted in the recliner, shrugged. “I ran into him a few weeks ago.”

“Ran into him?” Panic replaced her guilt. Had Vann mentioned Justice?

“At the medical conference I spoke at in Philadelphia. He was also one of the presenters and our paths crossed a couple of times.”

“That was almost two months ago,” she accused, feeling as if her chest was caving in around her lungs. “Knowing what you know, you didn’t bother to mention running into him?” Her heart beat wildly against her ribcage. Had Ross known all along and just been faking not knowing about their son? Had he been waiting for her to tell him?

“Why would I mention him to you?” Vann’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “You’re over the man, right?”

“Right, but...” She trailed off, took a deep breath, and reminded herself to remain calm. “You know the reasons you should have mentioned seeing him to me.”

His face tightened. “Justice?”

Brielle didn’t answer. There was no point in answering. Not when he already knew the answer. He’d never asked if Justice was Ross’s child. He hadn’t had to.

“That doesn’t explain why you thought he might come here.”

“He asked me about you a dozen times in Philly.”

Her heart quickened. “Asked what?”

“How you were, if you were married, if you were seeing anyone, if you ever mentioned him, where you lived. Those kinds of questions. He couldn’t seem to get enough information about you.”

Panic hit afresh. “What did you tell him?”

“I didn’t tell him about Justice, if that’s what you’re wondering.”

No, that was her job and what weighed on her mind.

“You need to tell him.”

Her brother’s words crashed into her thoughts.

“Why do you say that?”