Carla marveled at the way her mother could talk so frankly with her and at the same time keep perfect pace with her knitting.

  “Joe pointed out that your personality is stronger than I’ve given you credit for. You’re not afraid to say what you feel or to speak out against injustice. Your work at the hospital proves that…” Rachel paused, and after taking a shuddering breath, she bit her bottom lip.

  Carla moved out of the chair and kneeled at her mother’s side. Rachel tossed her yarn aside and leaned forward to hug her daughter as she hadn’t since Carla was a child. “I would have chosen another man for you, Princess. But I can’t hold against Philip the very things that make me love your father. Be happy, baby. Be happy.”

  “I love you, Mom,” Carla murmured. She’d never thought she’d feel this close to her mother. Philip had done that for her. He had given her the parent she had never thought she’d understand—the closeness every daughter yearns to share with her mother.

  Carla laughed and said, “It’s not every day your only daughter decides to get married. Could we do something together? Just you and me.”

  Leaning back in the cushioned sofa, Rachel reached for a tissue and blew her nose. “What do you want to do?”

  “Can we go to Dad’s softball game?”

  For a second Rachel looked stunned. But gradually a smile formed at the edges of her mouth. “I’ve been waiting twenty years for an excuse to do just that.”

  * * *

  —

  Monday afternoon, on her way home from the hospital, Carla stopped off to visit Gramps, but she stayed just long enough for a single game of checkers and to tell him she’d made a decision about Philip.

  “So you’ve come to your senses and decided you’re going to marry him?”

  “If he’ll have me.”

  “No worry there,” Gramps said with a chuckle. “The problem, as I see it, is if you’re ready to be the right person for a man like Philip.”

  Carla didn’t hesitate. “I know I am. Philip is a policeman, and I should know what that means. After all, I’ve been a policeman’s daughter all my life.”

  His eyes beamed with pride as he slowly shook his head. “I see you’ve come to terms with that. Now I pray that you’ll be as good a wife as your mother has been all these years.”

  “I hope I can, too,” Carla added soberly.

  * * *

  —

  The phone rang just as she let herself into the apartment. Carla dumped her purse on the kitchen table and grabbed the phone.

  “Hello.”

  “Carla. Thank heaven I caught you. Where have you been? This is Jeff, Philip’s partner.”

  Carla felt the blood rush from her face. Jeff would be phoning her only if something had happened to Philip. Her knees went weak, and she leaned heavily against the counter. “We aren’t allowed to keep our phones with us while on duty. What is it?”

  “Apparently, you didn’t check your messages, either. Philip’s in the hospital. I think you should get here as soon as possible. I checked with Alaska Airlines, and there’s a flight leaving Seattle in two hours. If you can be on it, I’ll pick you up in the patrol car and take you directly to him.”

  Chapter 10

  “What happened?” Somehow Carla managed to get the words past the bubble of hysteria that threatened to overtake her.

  “We were on patrol and…It was my fault, I should have known what was happening. With all the medical training I’ve had, I can’t believe I didn’t know what was going on. But I got him to the hospital in record time. Listen, Carla, I can’t explain everything now. Just get here. Philip asked for you when he came out of surgery. I want to tell him that you’re coming.”

  “Yes…of course, I’m on my way now. And, Jeff”—her hand tightened around her phone—“thanks for letting me know.”

  Unable to move, Carla felt an almost tangible fear move through her body. Her senses reeled with it. Her mouth was dry, her hands were clammy, her knees felt weak. Even the rhythmic beating of her heart slowed. It seemed unfair that once she had reconciled herself to who and what Philip was, her newfound confidence should be severely tested this way. With a resolve born of love, Carla had thought she could face anything. Now she realized how wrong she was. She would never come to terms with losing Philip.

  By rote, she reached for her phone and contacted her parents. “Mom,” she cried, not waiting for a greeting, “Philip’s been shot.” Carla heard her mother’s soft gasp and fought her own rising panic. “He’s just out of surgery and I’m flying to be with him. Call the hospital and explain that I won’t be in. And let Gramps know.”

  “When’s your flight?”

  Carla ran her hands through her hair. “In two hours….There’s a flight on Alaska, but I…I…”

  “You pack,” her mother said, taking over. “I’ll call the airport for you. Your father will be there in ten minutes to drive you. Don’t worry, Princess, Philip will be fine.” Her mother hadn’t any more information than Carla, but the gentle reassurance gave her the courage to think clearly.

  Carla yanked clothes off the hanger and stuffed them into a suitcase. After adding her toothbrush, curling iron, and a comb, she slammed the lid closed. She’d be fine if only she could stop shaking. Pausing, she forced herself to take several deep, calming breaths. The shock of Jeff’s call prevented tears, but she knew those would come later.

  The doorbell rang, and Carla rushed across the living room to open the door.

  “You ready?” Her father looked as pale as she did, Carla realized, but she knew he was far too disciplined to display his emotion openly.

  She gave an abrupt nod, and he took the small suitcase out of her hand and cupped her elbow as they hurried down the flight of stairs to the apartment parking lot. During the ten-minute drive to Sea-Tac International Airport, Carla could feel her father’s concerned scrutiny.

  “Are you going to be okay, Princess? Do you want your mother with you?”

  “No, I’m fine,” she said, and with a sad smile amended, “I think I’m fine. If anything happens to Philip, I don’t know that I’ll ever get over it.”

  “Cross that bridge when you come to it,” he advised. “And phone as soon as you know his condition.”

  “I will,” she promised.

  * * *

  —

  Jeff was nervously pacing the tiled airport floor when Carla spotted him just minutes after stepping off the plane. Without hesitation, she ran to him and gripped his forearm. “How’s Philip?” Her eyes pleaded with him to tell her everything was fine.

  “There weren’t any complications. But apparently I misunderstood him. He said he didn’t want you to know.”

  “Didn’t want me to know?” she echoed incredulously. If that bullet didn’t kill him, she would. Philip was lying on a hospital bed wanting to protect her from the unpleasant aspects of his occupation. It infuriated her, and at the same time she felt an overpowering surge of love.

  “Just before I left, the doctors told me it would be several hours before he wakes.”

  Carla weighed Jeff’s words carefully. “Take me to the hospital. I want to be there when he wakes.”

  A smile cracked the tight line of Jeff’s mouth. “As the lady requests. Tell him the decision was yours and I’m not responsible.”

  “I’ll tell him,” she said and winked.

  “Great.” He looked at his watch. “I’m afraid I can’t take you to the hospital personally; I’m still on duty. But another friend of ours will get you there safely. If you like, I can take your things and drop them off at Philip’s condo.”

  “Yes…that’ll be fine.”

  Jeff introduced Bill Bower, a ruddy-faced officer Carla didn’t recognize from the previous weekend. Bill nodded politely, and after saying good-bye to Jeff, the two of them headed for Bill’s car.

  “Can you tell me what happened?” she asked Bill when they were on the freeway. During the flight, she had prepared herself to hear the details of what exactly had gone wrong. In some ways, Carla realized that she didn’t want to know. It wasn’t important, as long as Philip was alive and well. There would be time for explanations later, when Philip could make them himself. But knowing that he would make light of the incident, she’d hoped to get a fuller version of the story on the way to the hospital.

  “I wasn’t there,” Bill stated matter-of-factly, “so I don’t know how it happened. But Philip was in tremendous pain, and Jeff may have saved his life by getting him to the hospital as quickly as he did.”

  Carla paled at the thought of Philip in agony. He’d be the type to suffer nobly. Her lips felt dry, and she moistened them.

  The stoic-faced officer must have caught her involuntary action. “I wouldn’t worry. Philip’s healthy and strong. But he’s bound to be in a foul mood, so don’t pay any mind to what he says.”

  “No, I won’t,” she replied with a brave smile.

  * * *

  —

  The hospital smelled faintly of antiseptic. Carla was admitted into Philip’s room without question, which surprised her. Seeing him lying against the white sheets, tubes coming out of his arms, nearly undid her. She sank gratefully into the chair beside his bed.

  “The doctor will be in later if you have any questions,” the efficient nurse explained.

  “I’ll be leaving now,” added Bill. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call. Jeff will be back later tonight.”

  “Thanks, Bill.”

  “All the thanks I want is an invitation to the wedding.”

  “It’s yours.” She tried to smile, but the effort was painful.

  Still wrapped in the warm comfort of sleep, Philip did little more than roll his head from one side to the other during the next two hours. Content just to be close to him, Carla did little more than hold his fingers in hers and press her cheek to the back of his hand.

  “Carla?”

  Forcing herself to smile, Carla raised her head and met Philip’s gaze.

  “Is it really you, or is this some befuddling dream?”

  “If I kiss you, you’ll know for sure.” Gently, she moved to the head of his bed and leaned forward to press her lips to his. Philip’s hand found her hair, and he wove his fingers through its rusty curls.

  “Oh Philip, are you going to be all right?” she moaned, burying her face in the side of his neck.

  “Stay awhile longer, and I’ll prove it,” he whispered against her temple.

  He lifted his gaze to hers, and the intense look in those steel-gray eyes caught her breath. A muscle worked in his lean jaw as his gaze roamed possessively over her face. “I didn’t want Jeff to contact you.”

  “I know, but I’m here now and nothing’s going to make me leave.” Her hand clasped his as she took the seat beside the bed.

  “What did Jeff say when he phoned? He has a high sense of theatrics, you realize.”

  “You warned me about that once before. He said that you’d just come out of surgery and had asked for me.”

  “What I asked was that he not contact you. I didn’t want you worrying.”

  “Philip Garrison, if you think you can keep something like getting shot from me”—she tried to disguise the hurt in her voice—“you’ve got a second think coming, because I can assure you, wild canoe racers wouldn’t keep me away from you at a time like this.”

  “Shot?” His breath quickened as he raised his head slightly to study her. “Jeff told you I was shot? I’ll kill him.”

  “Well, good heavens, something like a gunshot wound is a little difficult to keep from me. Just how were you planning to tell me about it? ‘Carla, darling,’ ” she mimicked in a deep rumbling voice, “ ‘I guess I should explain that I got scratched while on duty today. I’ll be in the hospital a week or so, but it’s nothing to worry about.’ ”

  “Carla…” His voice was a husky growl. “If I told you I’d been shot, paranoia would overtake you so quickly that I’d never catch you, you’d be running so fast.”

  “It’s a high opinion you’ve got of me, isn’t it?” she asked in a shaky voice. “You’re missing the point. I did learn what happened, and I’m here, because it’s exactly where I want to be.”

  “Only because Jeff made it sound as if I were on my deathbed.”

  “He said you asked for me—that’s all.”

  “And I hadn’t.”

  Sitting became intolerable, and she stood, pacing the floor with her arms gently wrapped around her to ward off the chill in his voice.

  “As it is, you’ve wasted a trip. There won’t be any deathbed scene. I was never in any danger from a gunshot wound. I had my appendix out.”

  Carla pivoted sharply and her mouth dropped open. “Your appendix out?”

  “If you need proof, lift the sheet and see for yourself.”

  She ignored the heavy sarcasm lacing his voice. “Then why did Jeff—” What kind of fool game was Philip’s friend playing, anyway? Did he feel he needed to fabricate stories to convince her to come?

  “That’s exactly what I intend to find out.”

  Silence hovered over them like a heavy thundercloud.

  “I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m not exactly in the mood for company, Carla.”

  She’d thought he’d been shot and all the while it was his appendix. To her humiliation, she sniffled and her soft breath became a hiccupping sob. Frantically, she searched for her purse, needing to get out of the room before she humiliated herself further.

  “Carla. Don’t go,” he said and groaned in frustration. “I didn’t mean that. I’m sorry.”

  “That’s all right,” she mumbled shakily, wiping the tears from her pale cheeks. A kaleidoscope of emotions whirled through her—shock, relief, hurt, anger, joy. “I understand.”

  “This is exactly what I didn’t want. If it had been up to me, you wouldn’t even have known I was in the hospital. I don’t want you worrying about me.”

  “You didn’t even want me to know you were in the hospital?” Carla closed her eyes. She didn’t want to think about the life they’d have if Philip insisted on shielding her from anything unpleasant. She wondered how he’d feel if the tables were turned. By heaven, she was going to get Jeff for this. She’d arrived expecting something far worse, and he’d let her believe it!

  “I may be out of line here, but didn’t you ask me to marry you not long ago?” she reminded him.

  Philip looked at her blankly. “What’s that got to do with anything?”

  “Doesn’t a wife or a fiancée or even the woman in your life have a right to know certain things?”

  His hand covered his weary eyes. “Do you mind very much if we discuss this at another time? Go back to Seattle, Carla. I’ll call you when I’m in a better frame of mind, and we can discuss it then.”

  Placing four fingers at her temple, she executed a crisp military salute. “Aye, aye, Commandant.”

  Carla couldn’t tell whether the sound Philip made was a chuckle or a snort, and she didn’t stay long enough in his room to find out.

  Luckily, Jeff was due to arrive at the hospital within a half-hour. Her anger mounted by the time Philip’s partner arrived. The minute he appeared, she stood, prepared for battle.

  “That was a rotten trick you pulled,” she declared with clenched teeth.

  “Trick?” Jeff looked stunned. “I didn’t pull any trick.”

  “You told me Philip had been shot.”

  Jeff looked all the more taken aback. “I didn’t.”

  “You implied as much,” she returned, barely managing to keep her voice even.

  “How could you have thought he’d been shot? Especially since he was feeling so crummy during the canoe race. Saturday night someone suggested it could be his appendix, and…” Jeff swallowed, looking chagrined. “That’s right, you left early. Phil was feeling even crummier later, and I think we all should have known what was wrong. Listen, I apologize, I thought you knew. You must have been frantic. I wouldn’t have frightened you, had—”

  “It’s all right.” Carla accepted his apology with a wry grin. Obviously she had read more into his comments than he had intended. The misunderstanding hadn’t been intentional.

  “I’d better explain to Philip,” Jeff said with a thoughtful look. “He’s probably mad as hops.”

  “It’s best to let the beast rest for now. If you want, you can explain later.”

  One glance at Carla was enough to convince him that Carla knew what she was talking about. The ride through Spokane seemed to take forever, and when Jeff stopped at a traffic light, Carla couldn’t hold back a giggle.

  “What’s so funny?” Jeff glanced at her curiously.

  “I don’t know…Just my thoughts, I guess. I assumed that someone as wonderful as Philip would be a good patient. I thought he’d be the type of man to suffer silently…and he’s terrible. Just terrible.”

  “Give him a day or two,” Jeff advised good-humoredly. “He’ll come around.”

  Philip’s condominium was located in the heart of the city near the Spokane River. “Here are the keys to his car,” Jeff said, handing them to her after unlocking the front door. They stood just inside the entryway. “Bill dropped it off on his way home tonight. Listen…” Jeff paused and ran his hand along the side of his short-cropped hair. “Sylvia called and said she was feeling strange. I don’t know what that means, but I think I should head home. I have this irrational fear that the baby is going to come into this world without me coaching, and I’d hate to think that all those classes would go to waste. Call if you need anything, all right?”

  “Sure. Go on, and give Sylvia my best.”