* * *
I can’t not protect the people in my life.
Chloe couldn’t erase Derek’s words from her head as he drove through the streets of downtown Philly toward whatever mysterious destination he was taking her to. Although she was still shaken up from seeing Felix at the hospital, her husband’s reappearance in her life wasn’t the only burden weighing on her mind.
Did Derek view her simply as someone who needed protecting?
The thought troubled her. She didn’t want to be the damsel that Sir Derek had to rescue. All she’d ever wanted in her life was to find a man who viewed her as an equal. A worthy partner. She’d thought she’d found that with Felix—during their courtship, he’d claimed to want a strong woman at his side, yet within a few years of marriage, he’d chipped away at her strength, molded her into a weak, obedient doormat he could control.
Derek didn’t try to control her, but a part of her wondered if he’d still be attracted to her if she didn’t need his help.
And yes, maybe she did need him, but the question was—did he need her? Had she brought anything valuable into his life, aside from fueling those protective instincts of his?
Chloe didn’t get the opportunity to make sense of her thoughts as the car came to a halt. When she looked out the window, she saw that they’d stopped in front of the Butterfly Hearts Community Center.
She wrinkled her brow. “Butterfly Hearts—isn’t that the name of your family’s foundation?”
Derek nodded as he killed the engine. “The organization also funds several community facilities around the state. This center was built right before Mom and Dad died. It caters to inner-city children and offers day-care services to single parents who can’t afford it.”
Chloe examined her surroundings as they stepped out of the car. The neighborhood he’d brought her to wasn’t the prettiest; litter marred the uneven sidewalks, graffiti covered the bus shelters and brick walls of the derelict buildings lining the street, and many of the storefronts featured barred windows. The community center almost seemed out of place amid its poverty-tainted backdrop. A redbrick building with large, gleaming windows, it featured a tidy lawn, a smooth concrete path and a bright green door with the word Welcome! painted on in yellow.
When they stepped into a main lobby that smelled of freshly baked cookies and pine cleaner, it was clear that Derek visited this place often. The African-American woman behind the front desk greeted him with a beaming smile, as did several of the staff members who stopped to talk to them as Derek and Chloe made their way down the hall.
“I usually come by a few times a month to say hi to the kids,” Derek explained. “But with all the chaos in town, the missing Amish girls, Violet’s accident...” He looked guilty. “I haven’t been here in more than a month.”
They reached a set of double doors, which Derek held open for her. Chloe slid through the doorway and found herself in an enormous room with bright yellow walls. Long tables took up the center of the room, and a carpeted play area spanned the far wall. Toys cluttered the floor, a TV in the corner blasted out a Disney movie and children of all ages occupied the various stations.
“Is this the day care?” she asked, turning to Derek.
“Yeah, but it’s not usually this busy,” he replied. “The holiday break started today, so there’s twice the number of kids.”
“Dr. Colton!”
The high-pitched female cry nearly shattered Chloe’s eardrums. Just as she recovered from the audio assault, a little blond tornado swirled before her eyes. Before she could blink, Derek swept the tiny child in his arms and playfully tugged on one of her pigtails.
Chloe’s jaw dropped. She’d never seen Derek’s eyes twinkle like that before—and the big smacking kiss he planted on the little girl’s cheek was also out of character.
“Did ya miss me?” he teased as he set the energetic girl back on her feet.
“Uh-huh! Wanna see the picture I painted?”
“I would love to, but first I want you to meet my friend,” Derek said. “Daisy, this is Chloe.”
Chloe knelt down and stuck out her hand. “Hi, Daisy. It’s nice to meet you.”
After a beat, the girl, who looked about three or four, placed a chubby, sticky hand in Chloe’s. “Hi, Cwo-ee!”
Chloe’s heart melted just a bit. “I’d love to see your picture, too,” she prompted.
Still holding Chloe’s hand, Daisy dragged her to one of the tables. Chloe and Derek oohed and ahhed as the little girl showed off her picture, which featured a lot of red-and-pink streaks that were apparently meant to be ribbons.
Within a minute, other kids swarmed the table—and all of them were thrilled to see “Dr. Colton.” No matter their age, Derek interacted flawlessly with the children. Teasing, joking, laughing.
Chloe did her best to pay attention to the kids Derek introduced her to, but a part of her couldn’t wrench her eyes off the man. He gave a piggyback ride to a six-year-old boy named Jesse. He stuck his fingers in a dish of pink paint and helped Daisy paint another picture. He talked basketball with a pair of twelve-year-olds, and when they begged him to shoot some hoops in the gym like he did “last time,” Chloe realized there was yet another side to Derek Colton she’d never known existed.
The quiet doctor, the reluctant rancher, the stern father figure, the sensual lover, the unceasing protector...and now, this funny, playful, attentive guy who played basketball with kids and finger painted with toddlers.
Oh, no, Chloe, don’t even think it.
She tried to push away the thought before it could surface, but she wasn’t fast enough.
You’re falling in love with him.
Her heart began beating at double speed, then kicked up another notch when the realization truly sunk in.
She was falling in love with Derek.
Oh, God. Hadn’t she specifically ordered herself not to do that?
Right, because that’s how it works, idiot.
Gulping, Chloe sneaked another peek at Derek, who was laughing over something Daisy had said. He had a splotch of yellow paint on his clean-shaven, mocha-colored cheek and a big grin on his face, those straight white teeth gleaming in the bright lighting of the day care. He looked happier and more relaxed than she’d ever seen him, and the ease with which he handled himself around Daisy and the other kids startled Chloe beyond belief.
Yep, Derek Colton really was full of surprises.
And yep, she’d totally, irrefutably fallen in love with him.
* * *
Later that evening, Derek rode the elevator of Philly General once again. When the doors dinged open, he strode down the hall toward the O.R. Burt Winters had booked for the surgery. Winters had arranged for Derek to be admitted into the gallery, a special privilege because the surgery was closed to viewing to protect the underage patient’s privacy. Though he had no desire to witness the famous Felix Moreno in action, Derek ended up catching the tail end of the surgery.
It killed to admit it, but Moreno was a damn good surgeon. His hands moved with graceful precision as he concentrated on his task. Because the gallery’s sound system wasn’t activated, Derek couldn’t hear what was being said in the O.R. below, but it was clear that Moreno was in charge. The rest of the staff looked on in awe—Winters, the surgical intern, nursing staff, even the anesthesiologist gazed at Moreno as if he were a medical god.
Derek shook his head, wondering how such a talented healer could harbor so much evil. Abusing his wife, scarring her, tormenting her. Moreno hid his violent, sociopathic nature behind a mask of charm and skill. No wonder Chloe had been drawn to him when they’d first met.
At the thought of Chloe, Derek’s mood grew even more troubled. She’d been quiet and distant ever since they’d visited the community center. He knew seeing Felix had shaken her up, and he suspected being surrounded by all those children hadn’t improved her state of mind. Realizing the kids must have reminded her of her loss, he suddenly wished he hadn’t brought her
with him.
In the O.R., the surgery had wrapped up, prompting Derek to rise from his seat. His muscles were stiff as he slid out the door. This was it. He was about to meet the man who’d driven Chloe to the other end of the country, who’d hurt her so deeply it was a miracle she’d been able to recover.
Taking a breath, Derek turned the corner just as Burt Winters exited the O.R.
“Colton,” Winters called, looking both exhausted and triumphant. “Did you see it? A thing of beauty, huh?”
“Dr. Moreno is incredibly talented,” Derek conceded.
“He’s a miracle worker,” Winters corrected. The sandy-haired surgeon glanced over his shoulder. “Here he comes now. Felix, there’s someone I’d like to introduce you to.”
Derek’s hands curled into fists as Felix Moreno approached with long, confident strides. Chloe’s husband still wore his surgical scrubs, but he’d removed his cap and mask, revealing his pronounced, good-looking features and a head of thick, wavy black hair. His dark eyes flickered with indifference as he extended a hand to Derek.
“Felix Moreno,” he said smoothly.
“Derek Colton. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Moreno.”
“Please call me Felix.”
Derek noted that Moreno’s expression hadn’t changed in the slightest when Derek introduced himself. Because Chloe’s wedding cake had been delivered to the Colton ranch, he’d been expecting a reaction from the other man. But...nothing. Not even a flicker of recognition.
“Are you a surgeon?” Moreno asked.
“No, Derek chickened out and went the GP route,” Winters said with a chortle.
Derek swallowed his annoyance. “I run a clinic in Eden Falls,” he told Moreno. “It’s a small town about sixty miles west of here.”
He waited, but yet again, zero reaction from Moreno. The man was good. If he was the one sending Chloe those wedding mementos, then he must know she was living in Eden Falls, yet Moreno’s face remained a composed mask of polite interest.
“So what can I do for you, Derek?” he asked, a hint of impatience in his voice.
“I’ll leave you two to chat,” Winters spoke up. “Come by my office tomorrow morning, Felix. There’s some paperwork that needs to be filled out before you head back to L.A.”
After Winters hurried off, Derek and Moreno eyed each other once more, and Derek got the feeling the other man was appraising him. Ah. Perhaps Moreno did know who he was.
“That was impressive work in there,” Derek said graciously.
Moreno nodded. “I know.”
Arrogant, much?
Yet the man’s obvious case of self-worship didn’t come as a surprise.
“I have a patient who’s considering elective surgery,” Derek went on. “Rhinoplasty.”
Another nod.
“She saw that television special you did about reconstructive surgery and is interested in securing you as her surgeon.”
Now Moreno chuckled. “I’m afraid she’ll have to join a very long list of people interested in my services.”
“Yes, Burt mentioned you have quite the waiting list.” Derek scanned his brain, trying to find a way to steer the conversation toward a route that would provide him with some answers. “My patient recently lost her husband, and she’s really set on this surgery. She feels it’ll provide her with a better quality of life and make it easier to meet someone new.”
Moreno looked sympathetic. “Rhinoplasty can be a great way to boost one’s self-esteem, but though I’m sorry for your patient’s loss, I simply don’t have the time to take on minor cases for out-of-state patients.”
“I understand.”
As Moreno lifted his hand to run his fingers through his black hair, a glint of gold winked in the corridor, drawing Derek’s
gaze to the man’s ring finger.
He forced his expression to remain neutral, even as his pulse sped up.
Moreno still wore his wedding ring.
Slanting his head in a casual pose, Derek gestured to the man’s hand. “Are you married, Felix?”
Almost instantly the man’s dark eyes went shuttered. “I was.”
“Divorced?” Derek said, injecting sympathy into his voice.
“My wife died six months ago.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. How long were you two married?”
“Twelve years.” Moreno spoke in a flat pitch. “She is—was—a very difficult woman to love, but we made it work.”
She is. Derek hadn’t missed the present tense Moreno had initially used. Some people had a hard time switching to the past tense after losing a loved one, so that could’ve been a genuine slipup on Moreno’s part.
Or it could be something else entirely.
He expected Moreno to change the subject, maybe stalk off with a brusque “Sorry, I can’t help your patient,” but to his unease, the surgeon pinned him down with a sharp stare. “What about you, Derek? Any special woman in your life?”
His guard shot up ten feet. “Not at the moment,” he answered with a little shrug.
Moreno’s dark eyes narrowed. “And why is that? I can’t imagine your little practice keeping you very busy. You don’t have anyone significant to pass the time with?”
Ignoring the jab at his practice, Derek kept his tone vague. “I’m afraid not.”
“Well, I’m sorry to hear that.” Moreno’s tone relaxed. “Now, I must be going. I’d like to discuss the surgery with the patient’s family. I imagine they’ll be wanting to thank me.”
Derek watched Chloe’s husband stride off, unable to curb the apprehension coursing through him. The man was exactly how Chloe had described—the grandiose sense of self-importance, the superficial charm and slight narcissism. Moreno was too polished, too arrogant, and Derek could easily see him being a cruel, controlling perfectionist.
But he couldn’t get an accurate read on the man. Some of Moreno’s pointed remarks hinted that he knew about Chloe, but he hadn’t given enough away for Derek to be sure.
So the question now was—how did they go about finding out exactly what Felix Moreno knew?
* * *
“Hit me,” Sawyer said, staring at the cards on the table with a look of extreme concentration.
Chloe flipped over another card, revealing the five of hearts. She placed it next to the queen of spades and looked at Sawyer expectantly. “Fifteen. What do you say, Squirt?”
He scowled at her. “Hey, I said you can’t call me Squirt. Only Derek can.”
“Tough,” she teased. “I like the nickname and I’m using it.”
“Fine,” he grumbled. “Um...hit me.”
She flipped over another five. “Twenty.”
“I’ll stay,” Sawyer said solemnly.
“Wise choice, sir. And dealer has...twenty-three. Bust. You win again.”
As Sawyer collected the massive pile of toothpicks in the center of Derek’s kitchen table, Chloe shuffled the cards, surprisingly happy that Sawyer had decided to stick around after Derek left for the hospital.
The boy had eaten dinner with them, then pleaded with Chloe to teach him how to play blackjack. It was the first time she’d been alone with Sawyer since she’d moved to town, but she no longer felt right keeping her distance from the boy, especially after he’d accused her of not liking children. As painful as it was to be around him sometimes, she’d decided to make an effort to get to know Derek’s little brother, and now she was glad she had.
With Derek off meeting Felix, Chloe’s nerves were strung tight, and Sawyer’s presence helped keep her worries at bay.
Lord, her lover was meeting her husband.
It sounded like the plot of a tawdry soap opera, yet Chloe couldn’t bring herself to feel guilty about her involvement with Derek. Her marriage to Felix had ended a long time ago. They may have been living together as husband and wife, but there had been no love. No tenderness. Not even mutual respect. Married to Felix, she’d stopped feeling like a woman. Because to him, she hadn’t been
a woman—she’d been his possession, his punching bag.
With Derek, she’d never felt more feminine in her life.
Yet at the same time, that scary truth she’d reached at the community center earlier today continued to haunt her. How could she have fallen for Derek? She’d known they’d have to say goodbye once she left to straighten out the mess her life had become, and she also knew that any feelings on her part were one-sided. Derek might enjoy her company, he might desire her, but love?
No, she suspected what he felt for her was duty, a reality that sent prickles of anguish to her heart. She didn’t want Derek Colton’s protection. She wanted...well, she didn’t know what she wanted, but it wasn’t that.
The sound of the front door opening had Sawyer shooting to his feet. “Derek’s back,” he said with a grin, tearing out the door.
Chloe smiled ruefully. Lord, was there anyone who didn’t think Derek had hung the stars and moon?
She heard the two Coltons chatting in the front hall, then Derek’s deep voice saying, “Back to the main house, Squirt. Julia says you didn’t finish your homework.” There was an annoyed groan, some more muffled words and then Sawyer shouted, “Bye, Amelia!” and the door opened and shut again.
A moment later, Derek appeared in the doorway. His navy blue sweater stretched over his big shoulders, his defined pecs flexing as he crossed his arms over the wide expanse of his chest. “I spoke to Felix,” he said without preamble.
Chloe slowly rose from her chair. “And?”
“And I have no idea what to think. He didn’t give any overt signs that he knew who I was, but he did say a couple of things that made me question what he knew.”
“Like what?”
“At one point he referred to you in the present tense—”
“What?” she interrupted as horror slammed into her.
Derek bridged the distance between them and placed his hands on her waist to pull her closer. “It could’ve been a slipup. A lot of folks continue to talk about those they’ve lost using the present tense.”
“Did he say anything else?”
“He got a little intense and started grilling me about whether I was dating anyone.”