Blair glanced up, but quickly returned her attention to her food. She’d grown quiet the moment he’d stepped up to the table. Although he’d never figured out why, she didn’t much care for him. Her earlier praise to Mr Duke had caught him off guard, had swelled his chest with pride and made him feel a little light-headed.
Praise from Blair didn’t come easily. He’d found himself wanting more, to have her look at him with admiration, with attraction matching what he felt for her.
Just as well that Mr Duke’s comment about Blair being a “keeper” had reminded him that he and Blair were nothing alike.
“I talked with him this morning before they left. He sounded so d
own.” Blair still didn’t directly look at him. “Did something happen?”
“He couldn’t sleep. I sat up with him most of the night.”
With a long, intricately designed fingernail, Kanesha gently scratched the base of a tightly wound hair braid. “I thought he had a private duty nurse around the clock?”
Although Dr T had complained about the cost, Oz had hired the private duty nurse, paying for the care himself when Dr T’s insurance had refused. Normally a nurse stayed around the clock from Sunday night through Friday evening. Usually Oz covered the weekends, with Blair and Stephanie’s help.
“Angie had something come up with her grandson around ten and had to leave.”
Unfortunately after Angie had left, Dr T had awakened in pain and dry-heaving. He hadn’t been able to return to sleep and had wanted company. Despite the long day Oz had put in at the hospital, he’d sat up with him.
“She’ll be staying tonight, though?” Blair’s concerned eyes met his.
Oz’s breath hitched in his chest. Damn, but she had beautiful eyes. The most vivid green he’d ever seen. Her makeup-free face and natural beauty quite often had him staring at her, trying to figure out what it was that made him wish she were different, that she didn’t expect the things from a man he knew she’d expect.
Not to mention Blair’s daughter. Although he adored the little girl, Addy was enough reason to leave Blair alone.
He never became involved with women who had children. Never. Too complicated.
He nodded. “As far as I know, Angie will be there. She was back this morning prior to Stephanie arriving with Dr T’s breakfast.”
“I can sit with him tonight so you can get some sleep.”
As if he’d sleep, knowing Blair was under the same roof.
“Me, too.” Becky gave Oz a flirty smile.
“Thanks, but sitting up with Dr T isn’t a problem.” Oz cherished the time with his friend. How many more opportunities would he have to chat with him? How long before he’d never again look into his friend’s caring eyes?
Seeing the once vibrant man so feeble was wearing on Oz, but he’d never admit that to anyone.
Especially not Blair.
“No, but you can only sit up so many nights in a row before doing so takes its toll on you,” Blair pointed out, staring at him closely.
Her concern pricked a sore spot deep in Oz’s chest. Other than Dr T, had anyone ever expressed concern over his well-being? His mother on occasion when he’d been young, but she’d sent him away to private school about the time he hit puberty. He’d never returned home.
“You look tired. Dr Talbot needs you taking care of his patients, not getting sick.” Blair’s reprimand put him in his place. “If you get rundown and can’t work, he’ll worry about the cardiac unit. He doesn’t need that right now.”
He should have known her real concern was for Dr T, not him. She’d always shot him down at every opportunity during his visits. Or avoided him altogether. That wasn’t so easy this time.
“If Angie has to take off, I’ll call, Blair.” He shot an apologetic look toward Becky. “Dr T is picky about who he’ll let stay overnight, but you’re welcome to visit him.”
“Thanks.” Becky didn’t attempt to hide her disappointment.
Kanesha chuckled.
Blair toyed with her fork, dragging the tines across her mashed potatoes.
“What would you do about Addy?” He adored the imp who, with the exception of her pale blond hair, looked just like her mother. Only Addy’s green eyes lit with delight when she looked at Oz.