“I always knew you’d make your mark in Royal.”
She frowned. Her ambition had been partly the cause of their breakup, but not from her perspective. She hadn’t wanted to stand in the way of Hutch’s dreams. When he’d offered to wait on Africa until her agency was established, she had insisted he should go. Hutch read that as a rejection. He thought she cared more about her business and money than about him. Stupid man.
Still, that was a long time ago.
For several long minutes they drank their coffee in silence. She was tired and queasy and sad. Seeing Hutch again was a painful reminder of how many times in her life she had made mistakes.
Would she ever learn?
At last, the silence became unbearable. She set her cup on a side table. “I think you should go now,” she said. “I don’t feel very well. I’d like to rest. And if I’m being honest, I’d rather not have people see your car in front of my house.”
Three
Hutch grimaced. Her words stung, even though they gave him an easy out.
He had told himself he was indifferent to Simone now, but in his gut he knew the truth. The first moment he laid eyes on her in that exam room a week ago, he’d felt the same dizzying punch of desire he’d always experienced when he was with her.
Panic swept through him like a sickening deluge. He couldn’t do that again. Not after what had happened in Sudan. It was better that Simone knew the score.
She lost patience with his lack of verbal response. “If you have something to say, say it. I’ve had a long, stressful day, and I want to take a bath and get into bed.”
I’d like to join you... His subconscious was honest and uncomfortable.
The dark shadows beneath her beautiful eyes reminded him she was in a fragile state, both mentally and physically.
The fact that he wanted so badly to hold her told him he had to protect himself.
He stood and paced, his hands jammed in his pockets. “I understand why you want me to move my car. Now that I’m back in town and we’re both still single, the gossip mill will undoubtedly have us hooking up any day now. People may even say your triplets are mine.”
Simone swallowed visibly. “Gossip isn’t reality.”
“Maybe not. But I have to be up front with you. I’m not willing to get involved in a relationship.”
She was pale and silent, her sapphire-eyed stare judging him. “I don’t recall asking you to. But to clarify, is your distaste for romance because of our past?”
“Not entirely. I fell in love with a fellow doctor while I was in Sudan. Her name was Bethany.”
For a split second, he could swear he saw anguish in Simone’s eyes. But if it was there, she recovered quickly.
“You said was? Past tense?”
He nodded jerkily. “She died two years ago. Cut her foot on a rock. Doctors make the worst patients, you know. She didn’t tell any of us how serious it was. Ended up with sepsis. I couldn’t save her.” Even now the memory sickened him.
Simone leaned forward. “I am so sorry, Hutch.”
Her sympathy should have soothed him. Instead, it made him feel guil
ty. “I’ll always be fond of you, Simone...and I’ll care about you. But I need you to know that’s all it will be.”
She blinked. “I see.”
“I suppose you think I’m assuming a hell of a lot to think you would even be interested after all this time.”
“Not at all. You’re a gorgeous man. With a kind heart. I’m sure I won’t be the only woman in Royal who appreciates your sterling qualities.”
“Aw, hell. You’re making fun of me, aren’t you?”
“Maybe a little.” She smiled gently. “Six months ago your virtue might have been in danger. But now I have three babies to consider. Their welfare has to come before anything else in my life.”