“Chasing after her just isn’t cool,” Leif added. “It makes you look needy.”
His partner had a point. Mike had made himself too available. It might be best if he backed off.
“Linda has a couple of friends. They’re both single and hot. Without a doubt, either of them would drop everything to go out on a date with you.”
The trouble was, Mike didn’t want to go out with anyone other than Simone. And he sure as hell didn’t want to go out with anyone when Simone was having his baby.
Damn.
His baby.
Their baby.
“What you need is a diversion,” Leif said. “And have I got the woman for you. Her name is Christy, and she’s about five-two. She’s a school librarian, but don’t think that means she’s prim and proper. She’s bright, well read and funny.”
Mike needed to get his mind off Simone, all right. But not by dating another woman. “I may back off with Simone. But I’m not ready to go out with anyone else.”
“Why not?”
“It’s complicated.”
“Suit yourself,” Leif said. “But promise me you’ll stop pining for a woman who doesn’t want you.”
While Mike could see the value in that advice, he couldn’t completely give up on Simone.
Not just yet.
But how could a woman be so stubborn?
Mike still hoped to change her mind, but he was beginning to have his doubts. He suspected that was why the seed of a plan B began to form. A plan that he’d implement if backed into a corner.
A move that could end any dream Mike had of him and Simone creating a family together.
Chapter Ten
After Mike left Simone’s house, she’d cleaned up the dinner mess. It had been quick and easy; she’d just packed up the leftovers in plastic ware before refrigerating them, then thrown away the take-out bags and cartons.
But she suspected she’d made a mess out of her friendship with Mike. And if she chose to do something about that, it wouldn’t be as easy to straighten up.
She’d shut him out by suggesting he go home, which she was prone to do whenever things got emotionally involved. But for once in her life, she hadn’t been especially happy about being left alone.
After feeding the dogs and getting them situated in the kitchen for the night, she’d showered and put on her favorite pink flannel gown, then climbed into bed. The sheets had been laundered earlier that day, which, under normal conditions, meant she could expect a good night’s sleep.
Instead, her mind refused to shut down and continued to go over their dinnertime conversation again and again. She’d kept trying to figure out a better way she could have handled it, but hadn’t been able to.
Mike had a different spin on the pregnancy situation than she had. And he had a different solution, too.
Unfortunately, she’d had to work the next day, and as a result, had arrived at the hospital a bit distracted by lack of sleep and thoughts of Mike and the baby. Of course, she’d tried to shake them off the best that she could.
Now she sat behind the desk at the nurses’ station in the E.R., reading the orders one of the residents had written on a patient’s chart.
There’d been a traffic accident on the interstate about an hour earlier, and a seventeen-year-old passenger in one of the cars had been sent to X-ray with a possible broken arm and collarbone.
“Is that the Stephens chart?” Ella asked.
“Yes, it is.” Simone handed her the paperwork, pleased Ella had been the orthopedic surgeon who’d been called in to treat the teen’s injury.
Ella looked the chart over, then asked, “When is he due back from radiology?”
“It shouldn’t be much longer.”
Ella nodded. When she finished perusing the chart, she glanced across the desk at Simone. “Did you hear that the state attorney general’s office is sending an investigator to do a preliminary investigation about possible insurance fraud?”
“When?”
“Within the next few days, I’ve heard.” Ella set the chart aside.
“I don’t like the sound of that.”
“Neither do I.”
“It’s so unfair,” Simone added. “Walnut River General might keep its patients longer than most hospitals, but it’s not an attempt to defraud insurance companies. It’s because we don’t believe in sending patients home early just to keep the costs down.”
“They won’t uncover anything fraudulent. But from what I understand, the investigator is going to interview anyone who might have information about the alleged fraud. That means doctors, nurses and the administrative staff.”
“That will cast suspicion on everyone, which won’t be good for morale. Besides, I’m not looking forward to having a stranger snooping around here. Not that I expect them to uncover anything.” Simone chuffed. “You know, we have enough to worry about these days. Since the board rejected NHC’s last offer, the takeover attempts could become hostile.”
“I’m glad my father isn’t alive to see what’s going on. He loved this hospital.”
Ella didn’t mention it, but Simone wondered how James Wilder would have felt about his adopted daughter, Anna, working for the conglomerate that wanted to take over Walnut River General.
Not pleased, Simone decided.
“Are you going to attend the retirement party for Henry Weisfield on Sunday afternoon?” Ella asked.
Simone wasn’t up for another party/dress-up affair. But she’d have to at least make an appearance. “I may stop by for a few minutes.”
“Long enough to have a glass of champagne?” Ella asked. “J.D. and I are having a private celebration.” She grinned. “It’s now official. He’ll be taking over Henry’s position.”
“That’s great news, but I’m afraid I’ve given up drinking champagne. It doesn’t sit well with my resolve to remain unattached.”
“Maybe you ought to drink more of it,” Ella said with a smile. “You had a lovely glow that night we rechristened the hospital library.”
Yep. Wrapped in Mike’s arms, Simone had smoldered until dawn that night. And now she had a pregnancy glow to look forward to.
“By the way,” Ella said, “I saw Mike walking Woofer and the puppy the other day. It looks like you two have figured out a shared-custody arrangement.”
Simone’s heart sank to the pit of her stomach, causing a wave of nausea to render her speechless.
“What’s the matter?” Ella asked. “Is that a touchy subject?”
“It’s just that…” Simone blew out a wobbly breath. Normally, she’d keep news like her pregnancy a secret. But it was going to be common knowledge as soon as she started showing.
Besides, she and Ella had become closer in the past few months.
Simone hadn’t been sure how or when it had happened. She’d always respected Ella, but lately she’d come to enjoy her company, too.
So, she scanned the immediate area, checking to see who might be listening in. When she was convinced their conversation was private, she cleared her throat. “Well, there’s the dog thing,