Clarissa wiped the tears from her cheek. "I feel so stupid." She gazed up at Megan with an imploring look. "Will you go with me?"
"Of course." Megan said.
Now that Denton and Clarissa were openly dating, the friction between them had been oiled down to a faint squeak. Even Denton was a changed man. Unrequited love could wreak havoc on a conscience. She should know. Now she was the grouch. But it was more than that for Denton. Letting go of their relationship was essentially letting go of his political career. He resented the relationship with Megan and refused to acknowledge his feelings for Clarissa. Megan never had any stake in their relationship.
Megan followed the ambulance to the hospital and held Clarissa's hand while the technician took the X-rays. Thanks to pain medication, Clarissa was resting as comfortably as could be expected. Where were Dad and Denton? She stepped out into the waiting room and glanced around.
Down the hall, a tall lean man was walking beside a wheelchair. Something about the way he walked reminded her of Justin. Would she ever get over him? As the couple approached, the man reached down and took the infant from the woman. He handled the baby as if it were made of crystal. He lifted the baby and studied it with adoring eyes. Megan froze and her heart skipped a beat.
He leaned down to kiss the infant and her heart felt as if it were being torn from her body. As he lifted his head, his amber gaze fell on her. His eyes widened and darkened. The world stood still as they stared at each other.
At that moment the elevator door opened and Denton stepped out, followed closely by Mr. O'Hara. From the corner of her eye she saw them approach, but the amber gaze held hers in its intoxicating grip. Blood pounded in her ears. Could he hear her heart beat?
The hallway was so charged with emotional electricity that even the young mother noticed. She glanced from Justin to Megan and then back again. Leaning forward she reached for the baby and said something to Justin.
The moment his attention turned to the woman, Megan felt as if someone had severed one of her limbs. She glanced at Denton, who had instantly recognized Justin. He made a face.
"Well, at least you know what's kept him so busy."
Obviously he thought the baby belonged to Justin. She rolled her eyes. "Get your mind out of the gutter. It's his sister."
Mr. O'Hara pursed his lips and studied Justin. Finally he turned away. "I take it that's your southern beau."