“We do what we have to do,” she replied with a smile and a shrug.
“You need a lift to the clinic?”
“I’d better take my own car. This is a first baby, and she’s in the early stages of labor. It could take several hours yet—perhaps all night. I can nap at the clinic if necessary.”
Looking a bit disappointed but resigned, Geoff nodded. “Then I’ll head on home.”
She nodded reluctantly.
“Do you have plans for the weekend?”
“Not really. I have a birthing seminar to conduct tomorrow evening, which will last until around seven, but I’m not expected back at the clinic until Monday morning.”
His smile returned with blinding intensity. “Just what I was hoping to hear. I’ll pick you up at seven-thirty. Pack light—and don’t eat dinner.”
“Pack?” She blinked. “Where are we going?”
“Not far. You’ll be less than an hour away from the clinic if you’re needed. So what do you say? Want to sneak away for a weekend?”
A weekend with Geoff. Awa
y from the clinic, the phone, the neighbors’ problems. “I would like that. What do I bring?”
“Shorts, a bathing suit and a toothbrush. I’ve got everything else covered.”
“A bathing suit?” Few women over thirty-five considered bathing suits their favorite type of leisure wear, and she was no exception.
His grin turned wicked. “Unless you prefer skinny-dipping.”
“I’ll bring a suit.”
Putting on an exaggeratedly disappointed expression, he heaved a sigh. “Okay. Then I’ll see you at seven-thirty tomorrow. I hope everything goes smoothly with your delivery tonight.”
“Thank you.”
She saw him out and then grabbed her purse and car keys. She was definitely going to have to make an effort to put Geoff and his mysterious plans for the weekend out of her mind for the next almost twenty-four hours, or she would never be able to concentrate on her work.
Chapter Eleven
Cecilia was having lunch in the atrium with Vanessa on Friday when her brother stopped by their table, looking so handsome and professional in his dark suit, white shirt and blue tie that she couldn’t help beaming with pride.
He nodded to Vanessa, then spoke to Cecilia. “I thought I might find you here.”
“Is there something you need, Eric?”
“Yeah. Hannah and I are going out to eat tonight. Someplace nice—Melinda’s, maybe. We’d like you to come with us.”
Cecilia moistened her lips. “Thanks, sweetie, but I can’t tonight. I have other plans.”
“Oh.” He wasn’t used to hearing that. After a moment he nodded and said, “Then how about if we do it tomorrow night, instead?”
Resisting an impulse to squirm in her seat, she said, “No, I can’t tomorrow night, either. Actually, I’ll be out of town for the weekend. You and Hannah go ahead and have your nice dinner. I’ll call you as soon as I get back.”
“Out of town?” Eric parroted blankly.
“For the weekend?” Vanessa murmured.
She lifted her chin. “Yes.”