The Nurse's Baby Secret

But Savannah was and he’d do what he could to make sure she and their child had all their physical needs met.

His child would grow up with a loving mother, with a peaceful home, with lots of love and happiness. It was the best gift he could give.

The gift he would give.

“Dr. Keele, there’s a hot load coming in. You’re needed in the heart lab.” The nurse filled him in on the patient’s details. “Dr. Sansbury and Dr. Louwitz are both already tied up. That leaves you on call this evening.”

Glancing at his watch, he nodded. “Thanks. I’ll head that way and get scrubbed up.”

He didn’t want to go to the cath. lab or anywhere that had anything to do with his career. He wanted to go to his apartment.

He wanted to go to where Savannah was.

Home.

No. Savannah wasn’t home. He couldn’t do that to her. He just couldn’t. Not now or ever. Having her at his apartment made him forget things he needed to remember. Savannah deserved better than someone like him and it was time he reminded her of that.

* * *

“He’s not going to come home after all,” Savannah mused to her friend.

“Sure he is. You said he texted that he got a call about a procedure.”

He had texted that he’d gotten called into doing an emergency cath. But that had been hours and hours ago.

“It’s after eight.”

“He’ll be home.”

On cue, the apartment door rattled with Charlie’s key.

Both women glanced up. Savannah lay on the sofa and Chrissie sat with a sleeping Joss against her chest. The little boy had given up about twenty minutes before and dozed off.

“Sorry I’m late,” Charlie said to no one in particular as he came into the apartment.

“It’s not a problem,” Chrissie assured him.

Savannah didn’t say anything. What could she say? She was a guest in his home and he’d gotten tied up at work. Despite her whining to Chrissie, she had no rights here.

“He’s asleep?” Charlie asked, gesturing to the little boy.

“We wore him out today playing.”

“That’s good.”

When Chrissie went to stand, still holding her son, Charlie came over to her. “Can I help you?”

Chrissie shook her head. “Nope. I’m leaving his bag and things here for in the morning. I’ve got extras at the hotel.”

“I hate that you are staying at a hotel. Are you sure you don’t want to just stay?” Savannah offered, thinking she probably shouldn’t be inviting someone to stay at an apartment that wasn’t hers. Her anxiety over being alone with Charlie was enough that she did so without hesitation, though.

Charlie didn’t say anything, just waited for Chrissie to respond.

“No, I’m good and like my time with this little guy. I will see you in the morning.” Chrissie made a puckered lip face toward Savannah, blowing a kiss without using her hands as they were full of her son. “I will let you hand me my purse.”

Charlie glanced toward where she gestured, then grabbed the pocketbook. “You’re sure there’s nothing else I can do?”

“Maybe get the doors for me to make it easier, but, regardless, I can do this. We single moms get good at these kinds of things.”