Rescue My Heart (21 page)

“
Crazy might be pushing
it…”

“
I’m Bruce, her
boyfriend.”

“
That’s
right. The guy who crapped out on the trip to the hospital.” Hack
narrowed his eyes.
They broke up. What’s
he doing here? Left his favorite tie at her
place?

Bruce blushed. “Yeah, well. That’s
water under the bridge now.”

“
What do you mean?” Hack
leaned back against the ironwork, an uneasy feeling landing in the
pit of his stomach.

“’
Cause we’re back
together.” Bruce shot a big grin at Hack.

“
What?” Hack straightened
up. His heartbeat quickened as adrenaline pumped through his
veins.

“
Yeah. Since two days ago.
I made a mistake, blowing her off for another chick. Frigid babe,
honestly. Can you imagine giving up banging Rory for a cold chick?
Well, maybe you don’t know that side of her. Rory’s the hottest
chick on the West Side. I was an idiot.”

Without giving it a thought, Hack
punched Bruce in the stomach, and he went down on his knees.
“You’re disgusting. Don’t talk about her like that.” Hack’s victim
sputtered, clawing for air. “Does she know that’s how you
feel?”

Holding his middle, Bruce fought to
regain his breath. “Think I’m stupid?” the boyfriend managed to
squeak out. “Fucking maniac,” he muttered under his
breath.

“
You don’t want to know
what I think,” Hack growled.

“
I already do. She told me
about you.”

“
What did she
say?”

“
That you were sentenced
to typing for her.”

“
Oh.” Hack glanced at his
shoes.

“
But I can read between
the lines. I know she had a thing for you.”

“
So, what’re you doing
here?”

“
You blew it. I moved
in.”

“
I did blow it. She’s
taking you back, just like that?”

Bruce grinned, making Hack
want to belt him again. “Took some persuading. I’m
good.”

A wave
of nausea shot through Hack.
I had a
chance and let it go. Dumbass!
His muscles
stiffened, his hands fisted. “I’ll bet. Sleazebags like you are
often good at conning women.”

“
Some of us have what it
takes.” Hack brought his fist up in front of his face and faked
another blow. Bruce cowered. “Hey, watch it!”

“
Wadda
ya going to do about it, Brucie?” The heat of anger raced through
Hack’s veins.
I’ve lost
her!

“
Take it up with Rory.
She’s dating me, and I only do exclusive.” Bruce skirted around
Hack and started down the sidewalk so fast he was almost
running.

Hack’s
shoulders sagged. A heaviness passed over his heart.
He’s right. It’s her choice. Not his and not
mine. I had her, I know I did. And I let her go. I should have told
her the engagement was fake. Should have told her I loved her.
Should have, should have, should have.
He
kicked a small rock that blocked his path.

The sight of Mary’s eager
smile sent pain shooting through him. He raised his hand once.
“Stop. Mary. Don’t.” Then, he hurried into the back. The picture of
her worried face stuck with him. He didn’t utter one word outside
of his veterinary work all day. He concentrated on his patients and
refused to think about Rory or his broken heart.

* * * *

Waiting
to hear from the publisher had her pacing the floor.
Mail delivery’s late today.
Fortunately, her dog-walking business kept her running most
of the day.
Less time to think about
getting turned down.
Nights were long.
When Bruce didn’t come over to have sex, she rattled around her
small apartment like the last pea in a pod.

To
distract herself, she began outlining another romance book, in
case, by some miracle, someone wanted her stories. Rory learned
something else about herself—writing without Hack was hard. Her
mind was fertile with plots for romance books, but they all
revolved around a hero like him. He was her inspiration.
Who knew that hostile, smug, holier-than-thou,
know-it-all guy was the wind beneath my wings?
Dammit.

Stubborn as always, Rory
was determined to write without him. His image stayed in her mind
as her fingers typed love scene after love scene with a man like
Hack and a woman like her. She paced and bit her nails. Frustration
seeped into her body, and she had no idea how to shake it or erase
it. Ignoring it sure wasn’t working.

Dating Bruce had grown tedious. He’d
take her out to dinner one night a week and show up at her
apartment for sex four nights. He never hung around in the morning,
except on Sunday, when he’d snore like a truck until eleven then
make an excuse to go home.

The brightest spot in her week was The
Monday Night Dinner Club. The only time she’d laugh was with Bess,
Brooke, and Miranda, or with the dogs she was walking. She’d talk
out plot points with her charges as she walked them through Central
Park.

Rory
didn’t kid herself when she entered the park. She knew she was
looking for Hack. When the weather was good, she’d be there three
or four times in a day. Each time, her gaze would drift to the
road, to the infamous curve where he’d lost control of his bike and
slammed into her and Baxter. He never appeared, and each day, not
seeing him there, she became more depressed.
If only I could have a do-over. I’d tell him to dump Felicia.
I would…

The
bright lights and holiday music everywhere saddened Rory. She
wasn’t looking forward to another Christmas by herself. Bruce was
going to his family in Connecticut, but he didn’t ask her to come.
Shirley and Hal were thinking of taking a cruise. That meant she’d
be alone.
Maybe one of my Dinner Club
friends will be around.

The buzzer sounded and, as usual, she
hoped it was Hack. She let in a messenger. Brooke had sent over a
dress. It was one she had borrowed before—a dark purple, velvet,
strapless, short number. It looked great on Rory. She needed it for
Bruce’s Christmas party that evening.

After soaking in a bath, she slipped
on her robe and made a cup of tea. Shirley buzzed.

“
Join me?” Rory asked,
indicating the pot.

“
It’s so cold today, why
not?” Shirley sat down by the tiny table and petted Baxter while
Rory poured out two cups of the brew.

“
Yum. I love vanilla
chai.”

“
My favorite, too,
especially in the afternoon.”

“
What’s up?” Rory turned a
curious eye to her friend.

“
Remember the Secret Santa
from last year?”

“
Yeah.” She glanced over
at the brass pug perched proudly on her bookcase.

“
They’re having it again
this year.”

“
Oh, I don’t know,
Shirley. I’m not feeling very Christmas-y right now.”

“
That’s exactly the point.
That’s why you need to do it. I’m sure it’ll cheer you
up.”

“
No money to buy
anything.”

“
How about another afghan?
They’re so beautiful. I know you’ve been working on
one.”

“
How do you know
that?”

“
I hear your TV in the
hall sometimes. You crochet when the television’s on.”

“
Can’t fool you for a
second, can I? Were you a bloodhound in another life?”

Shirley laughed.

“
I suppose you and Hal are
doing it again.”

“
Yes. And I’m hoping to
pull his name this year, too. Don’t tell him. He’s still amazed
that last year his Secret Santa knew exactly what coffee flavor to
buy him.” She laughed.

“
You have some pull over
there. Should be easy to get Hal’s name.”

“
Yeah,
I’ll use the same bribe that worked last year—a
Starbucks
gift card. Come on, Rory,
you’re spending way too much time cooped up in
here.”

“
Bruce comes over several
nights a week…”

“
Yeah, and we both know
what for,” sniffed Shirley. “That horn dog isn’t good enough for
you.”

“
Shirley! I’m surprised at
the language.”

“
I’m not some old lady,
you know. I get what goes on. I have eyes…and an
imagination.”

Rory felt the heat in her cheeks.
“You’re right. I just finished another afghan yesterday,” she said,
changing the subject.

“
Let me see it.” Rory
dragged out the baby blue lap blanket. “Gorgeous. Perfect Secret
Santa gift for anyone,” Shirley said.

“
Are you and Hal going to
be here for Christmas?”

“
We’re going away. Taking
a cruise.”

“
How
wonderful!”

“
It’d be more wonderful if
I knew you were taken care of. Where’s that vet? Doctor
Hack?”

Again, embarrassment brought heat to
Rory’s face. “I don’t want to talk about it. He’s engaged. Leave it
at that.”

Shirley patted her hand. “Don’t worry,
someone great’ll come along soon.”

“
Yeah, right. And horses
can fly,” Rory muttered.

After
Shirley left, Rory sat at her mirror and applied makeup. She wanted
to look spectacular.
Make Bruce appreciate
me.
But she knew that no matter how good
she looked, Bruce would never prize her until she earned a hundred
grand a year.

Parties
are supposed to be fun. I’m going to have a great time.
She kept telling herself how great the food would
be.
Free alcohol. Dancing.
But she wasn’t able to rustle up much enthusiasm.
Bruce leaving her on Christmas had sealed his fate with her. She
finished putting on a happy face then zipped up her
dress.

* * * *

Hack took late duty at the clinic most
nights to make up for the time he had been away, typing Rory’s
book. He didn’t have anywhere to go, so it didn’t mess up his life.
His colleagues with spouses and children thanked him. Mary worked
late too. When it was quiet, they grabbed a cup of coffee and
chatted. Hack found Mary sympathetic and kind. He was surprised how
much her understanding meant to him.

He’d always had everything he wanted.
He didn’t want to attach himself to any girl. He played the field.
Never at a loss for a date when he needed one, or a bed partner,
either, Hack had been the quintessential, rich bachelor-about-town.
Now, he was mooning over some woman totally out of his social
circle and chastising himself over his weakness.

Get over
her. You’ll find someone else.
But his
heart wanted the zany, sharp-tongued, sexy woman, and nothing less
would do.
She’s taken, and you’re free. It
stinks. I know how she must have felt, if she had any feeling for
me. She slept with me. But does that mean love? Maybe
not.

“
Are you so sure Rory’s
committed to that guy, Bruce?”

“
He was coming out of her
apartment at eight in the morning.”

“
Maybe he forgot
something?”

“
Good try, Mary. She slept
with him.”

“
How do you
know?”

“
I’ve read her writing.
She’s not exactly a prude.”

The door
opened, and two more patients entered, interrupting Mary’s
conversation with Hack. The vet and his assistant were busy for the
next hour. He glanced at the clock.
Seven
o’clock. No place to go and nothing to do.

“
Mary, you might as well
pack up. We’re closed in half an hour.”

“
I’m disappointed in you.”
Mary turned her back to him and gathered her things
together.

“
Why?”

“
You’re letting that guy
get your girl, and you’re not even fighting for her. Not like you
to give up.”

“
Her choice, Mary. She
knows where I live.”

“
That reminds me, she’s
coming in with Baxter for a checkup tomorrow. Do you want to see
her, or should I schedule another doctor?”

“
She’s coming here? I’ll
see her.” His pulse kicked up, and his fingers tingled.

Mary nodded. “I figured.” She sighed.
“You’re a disappointment, Hansen Roberts. No guts. No gumption. No
competitive spirit.”

“
Respect, Mary. Respect
for her decision.” Mary finished packing up, bid him goodnight, and
left. Hack kicked back, put his feet up on the coffee table in the
waiting room, and popped open a beer. One led to another and
another.

By the end of the third, Hansen
Roberts had morphed into a man from a mouse. He got up and paced in
the waiting room, talking to himself. “Mary’s right. I should make
a play for her. Why should I roll over and play dead and let that
shit, Bruce, make it with my girl.”