Denton waved a hand in dismissal. "Where's Clarissa?"
"In there." Megan indicated the emergency room to her right. "She's been sedated, but she's conscious."
When Denton disappeared into the room, Megan glanced up at her father, acutely aware that Justin was less than twenty feet away. "His name is Justin."
A twinkle came into his eyes. "Why don't you invite him to the party tomorrow?"
"I thought you said I would be smart to forget him?"
Justin was handing the baby to his sister. Her heart did double time as he straightened and looked her way again. She met his intent gaze. Should she go to him? No, he liked to do the chasing. She held her breath, waiting for him to start in her direction. Let him take the first step...then she could start toward him.
The nurse began wheeling his sister down the hall and he turned abruptly to follow. Megan expelled her breath in an exasperated sigh. How could he carry this on for so long? It wasn't like him to be so petty. She dropped into a chair. Obviously he was no longer interested. And yet, wasn't their meeting charged with emotion? Had it been imagination - wishful thinking?
Mr. O'Hara carefully lowered his frame into the chair beside her. "Why didn't you say something to him? He was waiting for you to make the first move."
"No, he doesn't like pushy females." The lump was back in her throat. "In other words, he doesn't like me."
Mr. O'Hara stared at her, the cogs of thought turning. "Doesn't like you, huh?" That was all he said, but she had the feeling the subject wasn't closed.
Denton joined them, hands tucked into his dark slacks. "Where's your country bumpkin?"
She glared at him, and spoke through clenched teeth. "His name is Justin. Why do you guys find that name so hard to remember?"
Denton glanced at Mr. O'Hara and winked. "Testy, isn't she?"
Mr. O'Hara smiled, but his mind was obviously on something else. "Justin Keaton, didn't you say?" He stood, glancing toward the elevator where Justin had disappeared. "How's Clarissa?"
Denton settled into a chair. "They're putting a cast on her leg right now. It was only a fracture, but she's going to have to stay off it for six weeks. They'll be done in a few minutes and I can take her home."
Mr. O'Hara nodded. "Well, you take care of her. I've got to talk some business." He turned toward the elevator. "I'll check back with you later."
The elevator door opened and he stepped inside, swallowed by its stainless steel walls.