Leopard 03 - Burning Wild

believed that she’d left Jake brokenhearted, and it suited them both to let that assumption go unchallenged. Now that Shaina was dead, sympathy would surround Jake, and he could use that to his advantage.
    “You’ll have to talk to the doctor, but for a preemie, he’s healthy. Maybe a week, but I honestly couldn’t tell you.” Chelsey let out a soft sigh. “Emma really wanted a family. It was so important to her and to Andy, because they didn’t have anyone at all, so they kept saying they would have a big family.”
    Jake raked a hand through his hair. He should have his son transported immediately back to a hospital in Texas and return home. This wasn’t his mess to clean up. But he knew he wouldn’t. He had looked into Emma Reynolds’s blue-green eyes and something had opened up in him, something nameless he didn’t understand. Whatever it was, he couldn’t just walk away.
    A man approached, and beside Jake, Chelsey straightened, immediately changing her demeanor to a very professional face. The newcomer must be a hospital administrator. Someone had probably recognized Jake and they were sending the big guns to make certain he was comfortable with his son’s treatment.
    “You’re burned, Mr. Bannaconni, on your hands and arms. You need to have that taken care of.”
    “I didn’t even notice,” Jake said truthfully, but he allowed the hospital staff to lead him away to an examination room.
    He sized up the hospital administrator as his burns were treated. Dignified. Sincere. He was fiercely proud of his hospital—Jake could tell that the moment the doctor began showing him around—yet clearly the hospital had little money to bring in modern equipment.
    Jake seized the moment, murmuring about a sizable donation for the care his son had received, asking questions about his child, about how long he’d have to stay, about the repercussions of an early birth and what he could do to better help the hospital care for him. And then he managed to turn the conversation to Emma Reynolds and how terrible he felt for her situation. What were her injuries? Did she need special doctors? He would be more than happy to fly in who or what they needed to help.
    Dr. John Grogan, head of the hospital, tried to convince Jake that Emma Reynolds wasn’t his responsibility.
    Jake looked very grave. “I’m well aware that the rest of the world might think that, but the mother of my child was responsible for Emma’s injuries and the death of her husband. Since apparently Emma has no one else, taking care of bills and making certain she has anything she needs is the least that I can do for her.” He glanced around and lowered his voice. “I’d prefer that no reporters know I’m here or that my son is still here.”
    Grogan nodded. “We’re a small hospital, Mr. Bannaconni, but we’re very discreet.”
    Jake let out a relieved sigh and slumped a little to show how tired and upset he was. “Please let Emma’s doctors know I’m willing to help out. I need to see my son now, if that’s possible.”
    The first step toward inserting himself into Emma’s life was accomplished. He let himself be led to the nursery where he donned a gown, mask and gloves to stare down at the wrinkled little boy who lay naked in the small incubator beneath the glare of the hospital lights.

    “ HOW is she today, Chelsey?” Jake asked as the young nurse came down the hallway toward him.
    “I’ve just come back from seeing my son and thought I’d peek in on her.”
    Emma’s room was the first room closest to the nursery. She was pregnant and the OB doctor wanted her nearby in case she began to miscarry after her traumatic ordeal. It was easy enough for Jake to use the excuse that she was so close to his son to look in on her. Though conscious, Emma had been listless and unresponsive to the doctors and nurses. But when he walked in, her blue-green gaze would jump to his face and stay there.
    Chelsey sighed. “She doesn’t talk to anyone, Mr. Bannaconni. We’re all a little afraid for her. But I heard your son was doing better. He’s breathing on his own now and it’s been only three days.”
    “Yes, he seems much better, although he should be gaining more weight, they tell me.” Jake paused with his hand on Emma’s door. So far no one had ever stopped him from going in. Today he wanted Emma to give the staff her permission to allow him to help her. “I’m going to try to give Emma a reason to live today. You gave me