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 the idea the other day when we talked.”

Chelsey patted his shoulder and this time her smile was flirtatious. “I hope you can find a way to get through to her.”

Jake smiled back, letting his gaze slide over her with a man’s interest. Chelsey’s breath caught in her throat and she gave him a little wave as she sauntered off, her hips swaying more than usual. Jake pushed open the door to Emma’s room and slipped inside.

As he entered he heard Chelsey giggle. “He’s so hot, Anna. My God, when he smiles I think I’m going to orgasm on the spot.”

He glanced at Emma and knew she’d heard Chelsey’s comment. He closed the doors on the laughing nurses and crossed to her side.

Emma held her breath. He was back. She could go far away from the others and not have to face the reality of being completely alone again, not have to think of her beloved Andrew as dead, not have to deal with losing his baby, but then this man would come in and sit down, filling the room, filling her head with the scent and sight of him, compelling her to live again. He forced her back to the surface every time, where there was no escape from the terrible grief that overwhelmed her.

Silently she pleaded for him to go, to just let her be in the fuzzy, disconnected state that protected her from feeling—but once his gaze focused on her, it didn’t leave.

“How are you today, Emma?” He always sounded intimate, talking to her as if they were best friends—more than friends. Closer. He used the pads of his fingertips to stroke back her hair. “Are you feeling any better?”

Each time he touched her, no matter how light, she felt as if electricity arced between them, zapping her alive again, so that the fears and the sorrow were closer than ever. And he held her there, gently but firmly, forcing her to look at her empty life while unimaginable grief poured into her, holding her prisoner.

She didn’t answer him. She never did, just looked up at him mutely, begging him to let her drift back into her safe little cocoon.

Jake dragged a chair to the side of the bed, spun it around and straddled it. “I named the baby this morning. I didn’t ever think much about what to call him, but I wanted to give him a good name, something that he’d be happy with even as an adult. I found a baby book on names in the waiting room.”

She couldn’t look away from his face. His tone was soft and low and very intense, but there was something that was a little off. She couldn’t tell what it was. His eyes never left her face. He reminded her of a leopard with his golden-green eyes and his unblinking, piercing stare, so focused on her there was nowhere to hide.

He leaned forward. “He’s so little, Emma. I swear I could fit him in the palm of my hand. It scares me to think of taking him home when I don’t know the first thing about taking care of a baby. Does it scare you? You’re going to have a baby. Did they tell you that? That the baby is still alive with only you to protect it?”