After she pulled those out, she found flavored coffee—an indulgence she never had funds for—and a coffee mug that read: THE MOTTO OF EVERY NURSING STUDENT—SORRY. CAN’T. GOTTA STUDY. She laughed, even as more tears gathered. Rolled up inside was a white T-shirt with a big red heart bisected by an EKG line. Above, it read: CUTE ENOUGH TO STOP YOUR HEART. Under the drawing were the words: SKILLED ENOUGH TO RESTART IT.
Heavenly gave Seth a sniffling smile as she met his gaze, then dug deeper. Wine! She squealed. She’d always wanted to try it, and he had seemingly read her mind.
Buried at the back was a purple clipboard with a built-in calculator she’d eyed for months.
“Oh, my goodness. Thank you! It’s…everything. No one has given me a gift since high school graduation. But this is…”
When she blinked Seth’s way, shock and horror crossed his face. The expression punched her in the chest. She knew that look. She’d seen it on others in Wisconsin after she and her dad had been forced to sell their farm and move to a cramped apartment.
Pity.
The gift that had made her feel so special now made her feel like a charity case.
Heavenly jerked her stare to the floor, her face burning with humiliation. She’d hoped that maybe he like-liked her. But no. He felt sorry for her. Gosh, that hurt.
She gathered the contents of the basket and pasted on the brightest smile she could manage. “This was very thoughtful. I appreciate it.”
When Heavenly stood to escape, he gently pulled her closer. “Tell me what upset you. I only wanted to make you happy, angel.”
“It’s not you.”
“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I wanted to give you something because you’ve been on my mind.”
Heavenly bit her lip. Of course he was going to say nice things. So had the people who’d knocked on their door last Christmas to give them a holiday dinner because they’d guessed she and Dad didn’t have the money for a turkey and the trimmings. The gesture had been both welcome and crushing.
“I know you put a lot of thought into this basket. I appreciate each and every one of these items. Really.”
Seth frowned, staring at her as if she was a puzzle he was determined to solve. Ugh, why wasn’t she better at hiding her reactions? The last thing she wanted to do was guilt him. “Thank you so much.”
He took her hand in his. “Look, we met under stressful circumstances. I’m sorry if I came on strong. You’ve been on my mind, and I want to get to know you. I’m new in town and—”
“Me, too.” They had that in common. Maybe he hadn’t meant the gift purely as charity, but a friendly offering. “I’ve only been here since August.”
He gave her a wry grin, his dreamy eyes glinting with…mischief? Flirtation? “I’ve been here a week. My friends could use some time alone after what’s happened and…I’d like to take you out to dinner.”
So he likes me? Oh, his offer was so tempting. She wanted to spend time with Seth, flirt with him. Have a real first date with him.
But school, her father, and responsibility came first.
“I’d love to, but I volunteer during the day, then I take my lectures and study during the evenings.”
“What about weekends? Can you spare time for breakfast? What about lunch on your day off? We can explore the city together. C’mon. I won’t bite…unless you beg me to.”
His coaxing made her feel warm and happy. Of course, her father would tell her to go out, be young, enjoy herself. But who would cook for him? Make sure he took his medicine? Help him to bed?
“C-can I check my schedule and let you know?” Maybe one of the VA volunteers would help.
If Seth did pity her, the last thing she wanted was to tell him her father’s medical woes. Besides, was it so wrong to pretend for a few hours that she had a normal life?
“Absolutely. When you get free, call me. Here’s my card.” He dug into his pocket and handed her one. “I’m looking forward to spending time with you.”
She glanced at it. The office address was in Manhattan. His title proclaimed him a private investigator and personal security specialist. Like a bodyguard? Wow.
“Have you dealt with dangerous people?”
His smile said he absolutely had. “Before I hung out my PI shingle, I used to be a cop for the NYPD.”
She’d already noticed he could be watchful. But now she understood the barely leashed something mysterious under his surface.
“That sounds dangerous.” And exciting. He’d seen things. Lived them.
“Sometimes. And sometimes, it really was a lot of driving around while drinking coffee at three in the morning to stay warm and awake.”
“Why did you decide to become a PI?”
The playful smile slid off his face. “I like being my own boss.”
That wasn’t the reason he’d left the force. She’d dodged enough questions over the years to recognize the behavior. He didn’t want to talk about it, and she wouldn’t pry. Heavenly couldn’t mind if he kept secrets when she had plenty of her own.
“I don’t blame you. That sounds really appealing.”
Especially now. Heavenly was sick of Kathryn, Marcella, and the other nurses treating her like a lower life-form. Granted, she was merely a volunteer now, but she was making straight As. It wouldn’t be long before she’d be their equal—but better.
Until then, she’d handle the situation. Just like she’d done with persistent Dr. Manning…
“Is working here tough?” Seth asked.
“Mostly good, but there are challenging moments.”
“Challenging, huh? I guess that means you work with Beck a lot.”
“You mean Dr. Beckman?”
He nodded. “His friends call him Beck. I figured you knew that.”
Heavenly shook her head, sad that he hadn’t asked her to use his nickname. It fit him. Sharp. Strong. Straightforward. “No. I actually don’t work with him much. I run into
