Stacking the Deck (A Betting on Romance Novel Book 2)(79)

“You’ll all be bored. They’ve got me hooked up like a science experiment waiting for me to spit out data. But, it’s your time…”

Liz sat in the chair by the bed, noting the worried crease on her great-aunt’s forehead. “When did it start?”

“Friday. They come and go. Then they came again this afternoon. Scared me a little.”

“You were smart to come and get checked out.” Liz squeezed Claire’s hand, knowing she must have been more than a little scared to check herself into the E.R.

Liz closed her eyes as Carter’s hand brushed her shoulder. She wanted to lean into him, his quiet support, but steeled herself against it.

“I’ll wait in the lobby,” he whispered in her ear. “They don’t want more than one visitor in here.”

“You don’t have to—”

“I’ll wait,” he said firmly, giving her shoulder a final squeeze before slipping out.

Liz caught Aunt Claire’s speculative glance when she turned back around. “He’s just a friend.”

“Could’ve fooled me.” Liz’s face grew warm, but she didn’t reply. “He’s a good boy, Liz. It’s nice to see you’re smart enough to see beneath the surface.”

“It’s complicated.”

Claire scowled as a phlebotomist came in the room. “Life’s complicated,” she insisted as he rolled up her sleeve. “That’s what makes it interesting. Get used to it.”

Liz slumped in the chair and sighed. “Then my life must be very interesting right now.”

Claire shooed the phlebotomist on his way as soon as he was done. “Well don’t hold back. What’s interesting?”

“You don’t want to hear. Besides, now is not the time.”

“I’ve got nothing better to do.”

“I come out of it looking pretty foolish in the end.”

“I thought we were talking about Carter.”

“Him, too.”

“You’d better start from the beginning.”

Minutes later, after editing out the steamier scenes in her little daytime drama, Liz sat back and spread her hands. “See? I’ve been wasting my time—and risking my job—dating a coworker for months who only wanted... a casual fling, and I’ve become... emotionally involved... with a man who has a reputation for using illegal drugs. I told you I’d come out looking foolish.”

Claire shook her head and pinned Liz with steely eyes. “I thought you were smarter than this.”

“I know. I know. Me, too.”

Claire tsked impatiently. “Talk about thick-headed! If I weren’t trussed up like a chicken I’d smack you ‘side the head. I would have thought you—of all people—would be better about not judging others by their reputation! Haven’t you railed against that your whole life? What did they used to call you? Smarty Pants? Beth the Brainiac?”

“Brainy Beacon,” Liz mumbled.

“Ah, right. And here you are taking all the sordid gossip you’ve heard about Carter at face value? I’m shocked.”

Liz eyed the heart monitor worriedly. “Please don’t get yourself worked up right now...”

“Pfft. Then stop being a ninny!”

“I’m trying to be cautious. Being a ninny is what landed me on the front page of the newspaper with my underwear hanging out.”

“Being a ninny is what has you sitting in this chair like a sad sack thinking you’ve run out of options.”

“No, I’ve just run out of plans.”

“Then smarten up and make a new plan.”




CARTER STOPPED PACING the moment Liz entered the waiting room. She’d been gone nearly two hours. He’d practically worn a path in the carpet. “How is she? Is she okay?”

“Yeah.” Liz stepped toward him as if dazed, shaking her head, a small, relieved smile tilting the corners of her mouth. “She was just dehydrated. Can you believe it?”

“Dehydrated?”

“I guess too much alcohol and caffeinated coffee and not enough healthy fluids will do that. The doctor thinks the dehydration was triggering mild palpitations and dizzy spells and anxiety made them worse. Trish is taking her home as soon as she’s discharged.” Liz smiled. “I just ran into your grandmother in the hall. She’s headed to the hardware store. It seems she’s convinced a water filter will encourage Aunt Claire to drink more tap water.”

Carter nodded, the relief rolling off his shoulders in waves. Despite their earlier confrontation, he’d hated to see Liz worried. Had felt her concern as if it were his own.

Liz fidgeted with her purse strap and glanced over his shoulder. “I’m sorry to take you away from your work for nothing. I suppose it’s too late for you to get back to your job.”

He didn’t bother to tell her he hadn’t been working. The intermittent rain had been a convenient excuse to spend the morning kicking himself for being so insensitive earlier. He’d acted like a jerk. “It’s okay. I was happy to wait.”

“Thanks.” She glanced at her watch and Carter felt an overwhelming urge to keep her with him. To make it up to her.

“How about an early dinner?” he suggested.