Dearly Loved (20 page)

David scowled. “Gee, thanks.”

“Marty,” she called to a canteen volunteer. “This one is ready.” When an older man began to escort him to a table of cookies, Meredith smiled. “The Red Cross thanks you, Mr. Steller. Have a nice day!”

David grunted. After being seated at a table with his co-workers, all lighter by a unit of blood, he moodily bit into a sugar cookie.

His producer leaned over. “That nurse you had, she was my nurse, too. I’ve donated blood before and I can tell you I’ve never had anyone with a lighter touch. I never even felt the puncture!”

Another of other employees standing nearby nodded his head. “She was fabulous! And to think I thought giving blood would hurt. Boy, was I wrong!”

“Like a butterfly she was,” someone else chimed in.

David tossed back his lemonade like it was a shot of whiskey. He got up from the table and stalked from the room, only to clutch at a table in the next room from the light-headedness. Perhaps he needed to rethink his strategy about Meredith—again. And his next plan wouldn’t include sharp weapons.

Fifteen

Meredith experienced a few spasms of guilt, however brief, over her treatment of David during his blood donation last week. She hoped it didn’t color his attitude toward the Red Cross. They needed repeat donors. She herself had given several gallons cumulative over the years.

As David had promised, she’d seen herself on TV during the following broadcast. She wasn’t thrilled with the fact, but had to admit most of her discomfort came from the way David had been looking at her during the taping—with an intimate smile and caressing gaze.
Or maybe that’s what I wanted to see
.

She reported off her last shift of the week, looking forward to the weekend. She frowned as she headed toward her car. Her new position had brought with it normal hours and plenty of rest. She’d hoped it would also help straighten out her feelings about David—much of which she’d blamed on fatigue. If anything, she felt more confused.

She’d thought, mulled, and ruminated over what David might’ve meant when he mentioned marriage to her that day. Men were notorious for being clueless to the fact single women hated jokes about such a sensitive subject. Surely that’s all it had been, just a joke. Infuriating man.

What infuriated her even more was the fact she’d missed him this past week. Watching his broadcasts just didn’t cut it any more. She wanted to experience the three-dimensional David. She only had herself to blame if he didn’t approach her again. She’d been responsible for a certain amount of pain in his life recently. A smile tugged at her lips while she got into her car and drove away from the hospital.

So much for all the socializing I thought I’d do after switching to days
. Rosa was always with Gino, and Clay…well, Clay was apparently with Erin. Scuttlebutt from the hospital had it that Erin was in grief counseling and becoming easier to work with. She was happy for them. Really.

It’s the romance of others that’s taking a toll on my social life. Maybe that explains these intense feelings for David. I’m just jealous
. Meredith sighed as she turned onto her street. Nearing her house, she spied another vehicle in her driveway.

A black Jeep.

With her heart in her throat, she pulled up alongside the curb. David, leaning on the side of the Jeep, straightened when he saw her. He walked toward her with a smile on his face. He wore a brown pullover that matched his eyes, with a pair of chinos. Meredith slowly emerged from her car and gave a hesitant smile. “How’s the arm?”

David laughed. “Not even a bruise. Or should I say hematoma? Are you disappointed?”

She shook her head, suddenly unable to think of anything else to say when he was close enough to touch.

He gazed at her with an amused expression. “I suppose you’re wondering why I’m at your house.”

She nodded her head like a marionette.

“I’m on my way to a hot air balloon event and wondered if you wanted to tag along. Rosa told me what time you usually get off work. There will be a Night Glow when it gets dark. They light up the balloons in the dark. You have to see it.”

Meredith found her voice. Here was David—in the flesh. She’d regret not spending at least a little time with him. Besides, he was on official business. It wasn’t like a date. “Sounds fun. But I need to get cleaned up first.”

“No problem.”

She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and led the way to her door. Inside, Bitsy raced around her legs, barking excitedly. David scooped him up and scratched him behind the ears. Meredith hurried to her bedroom and shut the door.

After stripping off her work clothes and tossing them into a hamper, she jumped in the shower. Fifteen minutes later, she emerged from the bathroom and dressed, putting on a violet chenille sweater and black cotton pants. Quickly braiding her hair into a French braid, she tied the end with a purple ribbon. After a light touch of makeup, she took a deep breath and opened her bedroom door.

Meredith found David on his back on the floor, roughhousing with Bitsy, who was loving every minute of it. When he saw her, David got to his feet and glanced to his watch.

“That was quick.”

“I didn’t want to make you late. I know you have a deadline.”

He brushed off the front of his pants. “Actually, we’re a bit ahead of schedule. But that’s good. There’ll be more to see that way.”

“Where’s your cameraman? Is he meeting us at the event?”

David gave her a quizzical look.
Does she think I’m working? Uh oh. Moral dilemma.
Should he tell her this was a purely social occasion? A carefully planned event with a maximum of romance potential? He decided to avoid answering her all together, reluctant to risk her changing her mind. He was surprised she’d agreed to come in the first place.

“Should we bring Bitsy?” he said, changing the subject. David bent over and picked up the dog. “You want to see the hot air balloons, huh, pooch?”

Bitsy barked. Meredith shook her head, smiling. “I don’t think so.”

“Well, then. Are you ready?” At her nod, he deposited Bitsy onto the floor and led the way out the door, waiting while she locked up.

They rode in his Jeep. David had purchased deli sandwiches and bottled water for a light meal on the road. While they ate, he asked how Meredith liked her new job, hoping to maintain this fragile, if unexpected, peace—and to keep her mind off his lack of a cameraman.

“I’m really enjoying it. Of course, some of the medical conditions the kids are dealing with break my heart. But they’re amazingly tough and resilient. The kids don’t complain nearly as much as the adults did in the Med-Surg unit.”

“Was I a whiner? I barely remember much of my stay there.”

She smiled. “No, you were a good patient when I had you.”

David suddenly wanted to ask her about her Yuppie ex-boyfriend and find out if she was over him, but didn’t dare. She might demand he take her back home.

Instead, he told her stories of behind-the-scene shenanigans and snafus at the station, watching with satisfaction when she visibly relaxed. They arrived at a huge field a short time later. Dozens of pickups and sport utility vehicles towing small trailers parked in one area. In the middle of the field, people worked with balloons in various stages of readiness.

David parked and together, he and Meredith walked over to watch. They joined a group of spectators. He explained about hot air balloons, enjoying the way her gaze rested on his face.

“The balloon is made up of three parts. The envelope, the basket, and the burner.”

“The envelope is the balloon part, right?”

David nodded. “It’s made from rip-stop nylon and coated inside with a plastic substance which helps contain the heat. It’s continuously inspected for heat damage or tears.”

Meredith shuddered. “It still doesn’t seem safe. I wouldn’t go up in one of those things for all the tea in China.”

David smiled.
Oh, yeah?
Plan C was being set in motion even as they spoke.

“They’re
very
safe, Merrie. They have instruments on board. Fuel quantity gauge, pyrometer, compass, altimeter, and a rate of climb indicator. They’re even regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration.”

“I’ll just enjoy them from the ground, thank you very much.”

David looked over at one balloon with a chevron envelope design. It was nearly filled and ready for take-off. “C’mon, I want you to meet a friend of mine. A licensed balloon pilot.”

He led her over to the balloon and shook hands with the owner. Several other crewmembers stood nearby. “Merrie, I’d like you to meet Chuck Hastings. We went to college together. Chuck, Merrie Ambrose.”

“Meredith,” she murmured, shaking his hands. “Your balloon is beautiful. David tells me they’re safe.”

“Well, since I’m the one taking the risk when I fly it, I make sure it’s very safe.”

“Any near misses?” she asked.

“Nope. Flying one is quite safe as long as the pilot knows how to read the winds and air currents. Which I do. I’m a meteorologist at a news station in San Francisco and I’ve been ballooning for the past ten years.”

“Can we get inside to see what it’s like?” David asked. He needn’t bother mentioning that he’d pre-arranged the whole thing.

Meredith clutched at his arm. “You go ahead. I’ll stay here and watch.”

“Come on in, Ms. Ambrose. It’s firmly secured to the ground.”

Before she could argue further, David picked her up and swung her inside the basket. He hopped in next, followed by the pilot.

“David,” she bleated, “this is crazy! I want out!”

Chuck pointed to the instrument panel and began to explain the function of each instrument. David stood close enough to Meredith to feel the tension in her body. He was satisfied when she began to relax as she became accustomed to the new environment.

Twenty minutes later, after explaining the intricacies of hot air ballooning, Chuck said, “How about I take you up for a bit?”

“That sounds great,” said David.

“Just let me out first. I’ll wave at you as you go up.”

He turned her around to face him. “Merrie, this is the chance of a lifetime. Everybody dreams about going up in a hot air balloon. Just think of the view.”

“I have vertigo. I’m terrified of heights.”

He gave her a lazy grin. “Then just hold on to me.” He gave the nod to Chuck. Within minutes, the balloon rocked as it slowly ascended in the air.

Meredith grabbed at the front of his shirt and pressed her face against his chest. She squeaked every time Chuck fired the burner. When David realized she was mumbling something, he pulled away and looked down at her.

“What did you say?”

She turned her fulminating expression up to his. “I said I’m going to kill you for this.”

He acted shocked. “And you, a registered nurse! Murder might put a damper on your career.”

He noticed she began to shake, her breath coming in short hitches, her white face. David put his hands on her shoulders. “Look at me, Merrie.”

She lifted her gaze to his. He could see real fear there, and experienced a pang of guilt in his plan. But he was a desperate man. “We’re going to be fine, okay? The ride only lasts about an hour. Look around you. There are other balloons in the air, some even with kids in them.”

“I can’t!”

“Then hold onto me.”

David drew her to himself and gave a sigh of pure contentment when she slid her arms around his waist, holding onto him for dear life. He could feel her heart pounding against his chest. His heart rate matched hers, but his wasn’t induced by fear.

He pressed his cheek against her hair and inhaled the light floral perfume from her shampoo. Riding high in the sky with her in his arms had to be one of the most thrilling moments of his life. Too bad it couldn’t last forever. David felt the warmth of her breath against his neck. He lightly rubbed her back and wondered if he should try for a kiss. He looked up and caught Chuck’s wink. Perhaps now wasn’t the best time. She might feel self-conscious with a stranger right behind her.

Meredith pressed her cold cheek against the warm skin of David’s throat. Her terror just about eclipsed the pleasure of being in his arms. Almost, but not quite. She was at once shocked by the intimacy of the situation and at the same time knowing she couldn’t release her death grip.

David didn’t seem to mind. She could almost imagine him taking advantage of this situation.
I just might have to kill him after all
. Gradually, fear gave way to languorous sensations coursing through her body. Meredith could sense David’s strength and his gentleness in the way he held her.

She relaxed against his body, wanting to soak up his proximity for the time when she’d be separated from him. With David, there was always separation—that’s why she had to harden her heart against his winsome appeal.

From the shelter of his arms, she finally managed to open her eyes for a peek at her surroundings. What she saw took her breath away. A gilded green and brown patchwork of fields spread out below them, the hills a hazy blue in the distance. The sun sank toward the horizon, silhouetting some of the other balloons in the distance.