The Doctor's Secret Bride(35)

She rushed to his side. “Why, Erik? Haven’t you put yourself through enough pain already?”

“Perhaps, but I’ll never be able to move on until the bastard who killed Cassie is behind bars. I need closure.”

A musing look cloaked her face. “Are you saying you’re ready to move on?”

Erik gazed out the window again. Was he ready to move on? He didn’t know. He just knew that his cravings for Michelle were growing by the day. He couldn’t stop thinking about her. He had deep feelings for her. Feelings he hadn’t had for a long, long time. Yet every time he looked at a picture of his wife, he knew he had to close that door completely before he dared open another. He didn’t want that cloud hanging over his head any longer. He’d known the minute he saw Michelle walking up his driveway. She’d barged into his life and thrown open doors he’d closed two years ago, evoked feelings he’d buried with Cassie.

In addition to having Garret reopen the case, he’d also started his search for his old friend, Clayton Monroe. He hadn’t really gone looking for an explanation about that night in Clay’s kitchen because he’d been afraid of the answers. He was ready for the truth now, to unearth whatever secret Clay and his wife had been hiding.

Bridget’s arms closed around him from behind, and her head fell against his shoulder. “Erik, if this is what you must do, just know that I’m with you. I’ll help in any way I can.”

“Um, Bridget—”

“Daddy.”

Erik stiffened at the sound of his daughter’s voice. He turned, with Bridget’s hands still clasped around him. He wanted to die when he saw the stunned look on Michelle’s face as she stood just outside the office, holding a brown paper bag in her hands. Why hadn’t he closed the door when Bridget came in?

Untangling Bridget’s arms from around him, he picked up his daughter and hugged her fiercely, raining kisses on her face. “How’s my little muffin?”

“I’m a big muffin, Daddy. And it’s gonna take a whole tub of butter to butter me up.” She giggled and wriggled around in his arms as he tickled her tummy.#p#分页标题#e#

“Hello, Precious. How are you, little darling?” Bridget tried to ruffle her curls.

“Hi,” Precious responded with minimal interest and turned her head to avoid Bridget’s touch.

Erik smiled to himself as he analyzed Precious’ relationship with the two women in the room. Precious had known Bridget for about five years, and she could barely tolerate her. She’d known Michelle for less than a month, and they’d already formed a solid bond.

“Who’s that?” Bridget asked, jutting her chin in Michelle’s direction. “I thought you said Precious’ nanny was bringing her, Erik.”

“That’s my nanny.” Precious eagerly brought Bridget up to date as Erik walked to the door.

Erik heard Bridget gasp behind him. “Come in, Michelle,” he said.

She shook her head. “I can wait downstairs ‘till you’re done visiting with Precious. Here’s your sandwich.” She held the bag out to him.

“Nonsense.” He grabbed her arm and pulled her into the office. He took the bag from her and set it on his desk. “Meet Bridget Ashley, my colleague,” he said, putting extra emphasis on the word colleague. “Bridget, this is Michelle Carter, Precious’ new nanny.”

“Not what I expected,” Bridget said, looking Michelle up and down. “What happened to the older, experienced nanny, Erik? She looks like a child herself, hardly a woman. You trust her with your daughter?” she asked silkily.

Her claws were definitely unsheathed, Erik thought in dismay. Was she going to start a catfight in his office, and in front of his child? He was about to say something when he saw Michelle’s back straighten and her dark eyes glimmer with belligerence.

“I assure you, Dr. Ashley, I’m no child. I’m all woman in every way that counts. I’m definitely not inexperienced. Your concern is touching, but just so you know, Precious and I have already bonded in a very special way. Our relationship is working out quite well, thank you.” She finished with a smile Erik swore could melt the icecap on Mount Washington.

Brava, he wanted to shout at the top of his lungs. She could hold her own against snobs like Bridget. He’d been concerned about how she would react to his circle of friends and colleagues, but he should have known Michelle Carter could take care of herself, and with such class and composure. Hadn’t she quite eloquently put him in his place the day he met her?