With no clothes but those she’d arrived in, she was sleeping in her T-shirt. Padding barefoot down the hall and into the nursery, she used the nightlight to see to scoop up Lily. Sara pulled the child against her chest in an effort to quiet her. Despite Sara’s annoyance over Dr. Smythe’s attitude, she did have compassion toward him regarding his rest. At two months, Lily wasn’t quite old enough to sleep through the night yet. She probably had a wet diaper and would soon settle down after her nighttime bottle.
Laying the child back in the crib, Sara gathered what she needed to change Lily. All the while the baby’s cries grew. She talked softly, trying to soothe her. Wasn’t that what a mother would do? Sara didn’t need to think that way. She was halfway back to the crib when a large male form filled the doorway. She groaned.
“Can’t you make her hush?” a deep sleepy voice grumbled. Grant stood there like a thundering god with his chest bare and boxers covering his slim hips.
“She has a wet diaper. I’m changing her.”
“Good. I have to be at the hospital early.” He turned to leave.
Sara couldn’t stop the words. “I don’t control when Lily wets herself.”
He blinked then pushed a wavy lock of brown hair off his face and took a step closer. “Hey, I’m sorry. I’m not being fair. Just do what you have to do. I don’t have the time or the inclination to look for anyone else to help me right now. Please try to ignore my sour attitude.”
That was more like it. “I’ll do what I can but we need to establish some ground rules.”
Sara wasn’t intimidated by type-A doctors. She wouldn’t be walked over by a self-important domineering doctor, or anyone else for that matter.
“I’ll check in at the hospital and then we’ll have that discussion. Will that be satisfactory?”
“That’ll be fine. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll take care of Lily.” She had started toward the baby’s bed again. “Oh, by the way...”
He stopped in mid-turn.
“I would appreciate it if you would put some clothes on around me.”
He glanced down. “I did.”
An O formed on her lips as he walked away.
* * *
Grant was dressed in his casual work clothes when he entered the kitchen to the sound of humming. Sara had Lily sitting in her baby seat on the table while she fed her. Lily seemed as enthralled with the nanny as she was with her.
Sara had made a smart comment about his dress last night. What had she expected from a man awoken out of a deep sleep? A tux? She’d had on that T-shirt that showed her full breasts to their best advantage and he hadn’t complained. She believed she had the moral high ground and he let her stay there while he enjoyed the view. The woman had something special about her that he couldn’t put a name to.
“Hello.”
Sara turned, a surprised look on her face. “I hope we didn’t wake you this morning.”
“I heard nothing. It’s time for me to head to the hospital.”
She went back to feeding Lily. “You keep long hours.”
“That’s what happens when you’re building a transplant program.” He went to the coffeepot and poured himself a cup then leaned a hip against the counter.
“It must be tough to do while taking care of your daughter’s needs at the same time.”
His chest constricted for a second. He’d not told a soul about his father’s betrayal. What should he say? The truth in as few words as possible. It still wouldn’t make it hurt less. “Lily isn’t my daughter. She’s my half-sister.”
Sara gaped. “Your sister? How?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “You know, in the usual way. My father impregnated his very young second wife and, ta-da, I have a baby sister.”
Her eyes widened. “I had no idea. Kim said nothing.”
Grant set his coffee down with exaggerated care. Their gazes met and he said softly, “My father and stepmother both died in a car accident last week.”
Her look of shock deepened to one of disbelief. He didn’t doubt her sincerity when she said, “I’m sorry to hear that. I just assumed your wife left...I’m sorry.”
“I guess, based on my actions so far, you wouldn’t be surprised if my wife had left me. But I don’t have a wife. Never have.” Had never planned to. But that was going to have to change.
Going back to feeding Lily, she said quietly, “I’m sure Lily’s parents would be relieved to know you are taking care of her.”