Michelle grinned. “Yeah, the day I canceled Precious’ lessons. She told me to stand up to you. I like her.”
“She seems to like you, too.”
“She must have a big heart to forgive your father for choosing another woman over her then giving them her own child to raise,” Michelle said.
“When you truly love someone, you could probably forgive them just about anything.” If Cassie had lived, he was almost certain he would’ve forgiven whatever secret she was hiding from him. He did love her, still did. And God, he missed her, even more now with Michelle’s delightful presence in his home reminding him how much he enjoyed being a father, a husband, a lover.
“I hope I find someone to love me that much, one day,” Michelle murmured, interrupting his nostalgic moment.
He smiled at her, his heart racing at the thought of loving her. “I’m sure you will.”
“So what’s wrong with your other mother, Danielle?” she asked quickly as if regretting she’d voiced her hopes.
“She has brain cancer.”
“Oh, that’s awful. I’m so sorry.”
“Thank you. That’s why I’m taking Precious to see her before it’s too late. She never got to say goodbye to her mother.” Erik took Michelle’s hand from her lap and curled his fingers around hers. “You still want to come along after I made you go ballistic?”#p#分页标题#e#
“I was acting like a jealous teenager. I thought you and Bridget had made plans.”
“Why would you think that?”
“Well, you took her call in your study last night, and then when we left Precious’ bedroom, I thought we would… Well, I just thought…” She dropped her gaze, seemingly embarrassed again to have vocalized her hopes.
Erik put his hand under her chin and raised her face. He brushed his thumb across her flawless cheek. “I have no interest in Bridget Ashley, and I’m not denying that I want you, Michelle Carter. I do, more than you can imagine. But making love with you would change everything. I’m not ready for that deep a commitment. Until then, I have to keep my desires in check. Do you understand?”
She nodded, her smile wrapping around him like warm honey. She leaned over and pressed her warm lips against his cheek then suddenly pulled her hand from his and jumped up.
The unexpected gesture sent Erik floating up on cloud nine. He pushed to his feet, grinning like a shot fox.
“When are we leaving?” she asked.
“In about an hour. I have to stop by the hospital to check on a patient then we’ll head up from there. It’s a three-hour drive. I thought we’d stop for a picnic on the way. Precious is already packing. I suggest you check to make sure she has the right clothes. She packed for our last Christmas visit and when we got there, all she had was a swimsuit, two pairs of shorts, a shirt, and no underwear. We were there for a week. She got a new wardrobe for Christmas. Maybe that was her plan all along.”
Michelle laughed. “Then I’d better make sure she does it right this time.” She glanced down at her attire—too short shorts and a spaghetti strap top. “I should change, huh?”
He gave her the once-over. “Yeah. I wouldn’t want a line of horny truckers honking at us all the way to Granite Falls.”
“Would that make you jealous, Dr. LaCrosse?” Her eyes challenged him to be truthful.
“Yes. Ms. Carter. It would make me extremely jealous.” He turned and began descending the stairs. At the bottom, he stopped and looked up. She was still standing where he’d left her, and gazing at him with a warm smile on her face. “Michelle?”
“Yes, Erik?”
“Bring along a nice dress, nothing fancy. I’m taking you out tonight. I promise it won't be McDonald’s this time.”
Michelle bit into her lower lip, her smile spreading across her face as she watched him walk in the direction of his study. They were going on a real date. He’d said that lovemaking would change their relationship, but as far as she was concerned, it was already changed. They weren’t just employer and employee any more, two people from two different worlds who’d come together for a common cause. They had crossed over into friendship and now maybe courtship. The knowledge sent a warm glow flowing through her.
***
As the Mercedes sped along Interstate 93 North, Michelle took a swift glance in the back seat. Satisfied that her charge was safely secured and still deeply engrossed in her latest Dear America Series book, Michelle donned her sunglasses, pulled the car visor down against the morning sun, and settled comfortably into the cool leather seat.