The Doctor Delivers. Judy Christenberry

so important to her, but the fact that he interested her was warning enough.

      “So you’re going to go to another hotel? If you’re half as well-known a singer as my nurse says you are, you’ll be recognized.”

      “I’ll wear a disguise and go under a different name.”

      “With credit cards that have your real name? How will you pay for anything?”

      “I’ll get cash from an ATM,” she said, jutting her chin out and pressing her lips tightly together.

      “That will work for a little while. Except if Mrs. Tremble is your cousin, she’ll be calling this afternoon. Where will you tell her you’ll be? You don’t have much time.”

      “Stop it! You’re—you’re being difficult!” she exclaimed in frustration. She knew she was impulsive, not given to advance planning. Her mother ranted about how necessary she was to Liza’s career because Liza didn’t think ahead.

      The problem was her career was more for her mother than her. Now, the kind doctor who had protected her had disappeared and someone who pushed her, just like her mother, had taken his place. He appeared stunned when she said so.

      “I’m not— Well, maybe I am, but for your own good.”

      “That’s what my mother says, too.” She glared at him.

      As if memories of his conversation with her mother came back to him, he frowned, staring at her. Finally, he said, “I didn’t mean to upset you. Why don’t you get dressed and I’ll drive you to my house. Once you meet Mrs. Allen, you won’t have any doubts about my intentions.”

      “I can’t leave in case Emily calls,” she returned. She really wasn’t trying to be obstinate, as her mother often assured her. But the call from Emily was too important.

      She sighed with relief when he nodded, as if she’d made sense.

      “Then I’ll call Bonnie and you can talk to her.” He reached for the phone.

      “No! I don’t want you on the phone in case Emily calls.”

      “I could go down to my car and get my cell phone, but it really isn’t necessary.” He dialed zero. “Operator, my friend, Ms. Colton, is expecting an important call. Can you break in if I’m making a local call?” He paused, then added, “Good, thank you.”

      He hung up the phone and looked at her. “The operator promises she’ll interrupt if a phone call comes in for you. Is it all right if I call my housekeeper now?”

      She nodded but couldn’t help asking, “What happens if there’s an emergency?”

      He pulled back his jacket to show her the beeper on his belt. “They get my attention this way.”

      She noticed that he waited for her approval before he picked up the phone again, leaving the choice up to her. Something her mother never did.

      She nodded, not bothering to try to speak. All the talking was making her throat tight again. Besides, if she started talking, she might babble about her gratitude for his behavior. Normal behavior. It would tell him more than any words how difficult her relationship with her mother was.

      When someone answered after he’d dialed the number, he greeted the person with warmth. Then he quickly explained that a friend was concerned about causing too much trouble by staying with him. He asked his housekeeper to assure his guest she wouldn’t mind. He handed the phone to Liza.

      “Hello?” she said cautiously, her voice still husky.

      “Hello, I’m Mrs. Allen, Nick’s housekeeper. I’ll be delighted to have a visitor. I never have enough to do.”

      “But he says—”

      “You’re a woman!” the lady exclaimed, interrupting her.

      “Yes,” she said, waiting for the lady’s explanation.

      “I’m sorry, but it’s been so— I mean, we’d love to have you stay with us.”

      So the doctor had his own secrets? Somehow that made her feel better, though it should’ve worried her. “Mrs. Allen, I’m a patient of Dr. Hathaway’s, not really a friend. I hope that doesn’t bother you?”

      “Not at all, dearie. It’s very quiet here. You’ll get a lot of rest. I hope he’s told you we’re redoing the house. But there’s a lull right now in workmen. The recent rains put them behind on their other job and they won’t be back for a week or two, so it will be quiet.”

      “I see. Are you sure you don’t mind?”

      “Not at all. Will you be— Uh, the guest quarters are quite private.”

      Liza knew exactly what the woman wanted to know. And she wanted to make sure there were no misunderstandings. “The guest quarters sound perfect, thank you, Mrs. Allen.”

      “Wonderful. What shall I fix for dinner? Is there anything you don’t eat?” The woman’s voice was filled with eager enthusiasm.

      “Oh, I’m sorry, I have to stay here until after I receive a phone call, so you’d best not count on me for dinner. But I eat just about everything.”

      Nick reached for the phone, his large, warm hand covering hers. She jerked back from his touch. She’d already discovered she liked it. Too much in the short time they’d been together.