“Because you’re leaving Memphis Children’s?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You didn’t say you weren’t.”
She dropped her head back against the sofa, closed her eyes. “It would be better for both of us if I left.”
Matthew was suddenly struck by the memory that Robert had always said someday he’d meet someone and know exactly how Robert had felt about Carolyn. Matthew hadn’t really believed his friend. What Robert and Carolyn had had wasn’t what most people had. It wasn’t what anyone else Matthew had ever known had had. They’d been best friends and colleagues as well as lovers.
He finally understood what his friend had been telling him.
Understood and wanted all it had to offer.
He took her hand into his. “I want you, Natalie. In my life. In Carrie’s life, helping me with her. Because I’m falling for you.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
NATALIE WAS SURE she’d misheard. Matthew couldn’t have just said he was falling for her. Why would he say that? Why now?
But she knew. The scare with Carrie had him overly emotional tonight.
“I think you’re just grateful I helped you find Carrie and that’s why you think you want me.”
He laughed. “You think how I feel toward you is gratitude?”
“That and that your friends died and you have a void in your life, Matthew. A void you’re trying to fill and I just happened to come along at the right time.”
“Robert dying gutted me. He was my best friend from my earliest memories. But you and I have nothing to do with any of that.” He stood, paced across his living room. “But if that’s what your thoughts are when I tell you I’m falling for you, then I guess that says everything, doesn’t it?”
“I suppose so.” She stood, knowing it was past time she left. She should have gone long ago. Or not have given in to Carrie’s request that she come home with them in the first place.
She might not have, except she’d been so worried about the girl, felt so connected to her, and wanted to make sure Matthew reassured her that he wasn’t ever going to leave her.
He wasn’t. Natalie knew that in her heart. Carrie would always be loved and cared for.
* * *
“Thanks for coming, Dr. Sterling. I’d thought you’d want to be here.”
“You thought right.” At the call from Dr. Robards, Natalie had dropped what she was doing and scrubbed in for surgery. Cesarean sections weren’t her thing, but she did want to be there for this particular one.
“I wish we’d had longer before Delaine went into labor.”
“Me too, but I couldn’t get the labor stopped and can’t delay any longer without worrying the baby is going to get into distress.”
“A month is a blessing,” Natalie assured, following him into the surgical suite where Delaine’s baby would soon be born. “I just hoped for l
onger healing time prior to birth.”
“As did we all.”
Natalie glanced at Matthew. She should have known that Dr. Robards would have called him, too. Actually, the room was filled with neonatologists and specialists, all ready to jump into action when Delaine’s baby entered the world.
Natalie avoided meeting Matthew’s gaze. What was the point?
They’d said what needed to be said.
Two weeks had passed since Carrie’s zoo trip. Two weeks in which Natalie had missed Matthew and the little girl, but knew she was doing the right thing in staying away.