Chapter 35

STILL HALF-ASLEEP, Jess reached for Kim's warm body and encountered empty space. She jolted into full alertness, and her eyes popped open. That was when she became aware of Kim spooned up against her back. She went limp with relief.

How did she end up behind me? She always held Kim, not the other way around. Then she remembered the dream. A cold shiver chased down her spine.

Kim stirred, and her arm tightened across Jess's belly.

She comforts me even in sleep. Jess's heart filled to overflowing with love.

Kim lifted up and placed a sleepy kiss on Jess's temple.

Shifting onto her back so she could see Kim's face, Jess smiled at her. "Morning."

"How are you doing?" Kim propped her head on her hand and used her free hand to stroke Jess's belly. "You were pretty restless last night."

"I'm fine. It was noth —"

Kim stiffened. Her hand froze on Jess's abdomen.

Don't lie. Jess bit her lip. She forced herself to meet Kim's eyes. The warmth there just a moment ago had dimmed.

"I had a bad dream." She swallowed heavily. "About the... past." Jess looked down, unable to hold Kim's gaze.

The tension drained from Kim's body. She resumed her gentle stroking of Jess's belly.

Jess braced herself for all the questions. She was determined to answer them, no matter what it cost her.

The questions never came. She started when Kim finally spoke.

"The alarm is about to go off," Kim said.

As if on cue, a strident beeping filled the room.

Jess slid across the bed and shut off the alarm and then scooted back over next to Kim. "I'm sorry. I have to get ready for work." She met Kim's gaze. "I'm not trying to avoid —"

Kim pressed her finger to Jess's lips, her gaze full of love. "We're fine. I promise." She kissed Jess gently on the lips.

Jess sank into the loving touch. She drew Kim into her arms and held her. "I love you," she said, soft and low.

Kim's arms tightened around her back. "I love you too."

Loath to move, Jess sighed. "Duty calls." She reluctantly released Kim and climbed out of bed. Despite Kim's reassurances Jess still felt vulnerable and unsure. Kim running from her yesterday had spooked her. She gazed down at Kim. Although nauseated at the very thought, Jess knew she couldn't put this off. "We'll talk tonight. After work."

Kim sat up. "You don't have to do that, Jess."

Resolve stiffened Jess's spine. She locked gazes with Kim. "Yes. I do."

Kim stopped outside the staff lounge door to try and tame her smile. This couldn't have come on a better day — for either of us. It had filled Kim with guilt to see Jess so tentative and scared this morning. The depth of Jess's reaction to her running had shocked her.

This will cheer her up. Kim poked her head in the door.

Jess was getting herself a cup of coffee.

A quick glance around showed the lounge was empty. Perfect.

"Hey, Jess. Have you got a minute? There's someone I'd like you to see."

"Sure." Jess set her coffee down. "What have you got?" she asked as she followed Kim down the hall.

Kim tried hard to hide her smile. "I need to show you." She stopped outside an exam room door.

Jess arched an eyebrow.

Biting the inside of her cheek to keep from grinning, Kim pulled open the door and stepped inside before Jess could question her.

What the heck is she up to? Jess followed Kim into the exam room.

Kim headed straight for the woman standing next to the gurney.

Jess quickly surveyed the scene.

A thirty-something, stocky man, dressed in faded blue jeans and a flannel shirt, stood on one side of the gurney.

The woman, about the same age, also dressed in jeans, stood opposite him. She was what was commonly referred to as pleasingly plump.

A dark-haired little girl, maybe four years old, sat on the gurney, playing with a stuffed animal. There was something vaguely familiar about the little girl, but Jess saw so many patients she couldn't place her.

Kim motioned Jess forward. "Mr. and Mrs. Bailey, this is Dr. McKenna," she said.

Mr. Bailey strode over and grabbed Jess's hand. He pumped it enthusiastically. "We can't thank you enough for what you did for our little girl."

Am I supposed to know them? Jess shot Kim a puzzled look.

Kim grinned. She gestured to the little girl on the gurney. "You remember Tara?"

The little girl looked up at the sound of her name. Bright blue eyes met Jess's.

Jess's jaw dropped and she stared. That's Tara? She could not reconcile the filthy, skinny little girl they had taken care of with the pink-cheeked, cherubic angel on the gurney. She took a step toward Tara, then stopped. She gazed over at Kim.

Happiness shone on Kim's face. She moved over next to Jess. "Mr. and Mrs. Bailey are fostering Tara until they can adopt her."

Jess smiled. Oh, little one. I'm so happy for you.

"I helped Daddy," Tara said. She stood up and leaped off the gurney into Mr. Bailey's arms.

Fear widened his eyes even as his arms wrapped tightly around Tara.

"Land sakes!" Mrs. Bailey said. She came around the gurney. "None of your antics, young lady." She tugged on Tara's pant leg. "We've had enough excitement for one day." Standing on her tiptoes, she pressed a kiss to Tara's forehead.

"Daddy makes me fly," Tara said. She laid her head down and snuggled against Mr. Bailey's chest.

Mrs. Bailey wagged her finger at her husband. "No more flying today." Her husband glanced away, a sheepish look on his face. She looked back at Kim. "Those two are going to make me gray before my time."

They all shared a laugh.

That's when Jess remembered just where they were — the ER. Tension stiffened her muscles. She had not seen any sign of injury, but that didn't mean anything. Her gaze darted to Kim. "Is she okay?"

"She's perfect," Kim said. She unobtrusively touched Jess's back.

She's got your number. Jess threw Kim a grateful look.

"She was helping her daddy in the garage and stuck a metal screw up her nose," Mrs. Bailey said. "I was going to take her over to our family doctor's office, but someone," she shot a mock-scowl at her husband, "panicked and insisted we rush her to the ER."

Mr. Bailey flushed and shuffled his feet.

"But I'm glad we did." Mrs. Bailey met Jess's gaze, and her eyes misted with tears. "We can't thank you enough for what you did for Tara."

Jess shook her head. "It was really the police. I just checked her out when they brought her in."

"You did more than that." Mrs. Bailey moved forward and gave Jess a quick hug.

Jess felt her cheeks heat.

"We're friends of Val Williams," Mrs. Bailey said.

Was she supposed to know who that was? Jess's brow furrowed. She glanced at Kim.

Mrs. Bailey answered before Kim could. "She's the police officer who brought Tara in that day. She told us how gentle and caring you were with Tara."

A moment's confusion cleared at the memory of Officer Williams coming into the room after she had finished her exam. Jess had been sitting on the gurney with Tara, gently rocking her in her arms, singing softly to her.

Mrs. Bailey smiled brightly at Kim and reached out to squeeze her arm. "You and Dr. Donovan both."

Jess didn't know what to say.

Kim came to the rescue. "You're very welcome. It's wonderful to see Tara so healthy and happy."

Mr. Bailey moved up next to his wife. His big arms were wrapped securely around Tara. "She's the light of our life," he said.

Jess's pager shrilled. She glanced down at the screen. "I'm sorry. I have to go."

"We appreciate your time. We just wanted a chance to thank you," Mrs. Bailey said.

After taking one last long look at Tara, Jess waved and headed for the door. She turned back at the last moment and sent a bright, loving smile Kim's way.