Destiny Mine Read online

  “Your horrible apology is accepted. Tell me more about the patient you called me in to see.”

  Has he been with some willing, slutty female? An unwarranted stab of jealousy ran through her. Cut it out. You have two lives to help him save. She gave him the rundown on the laboring woman.

  “We’ll take her to surgery for a Caesarean,” Adam said after he’d examined the patient.

  According to her folder, Mrs. Boamah was a thirty-eight year old who had gone through three miscarriages and one stillbirth. The reasons for the misfortunate incidents weren’t specified, but Esi understood the fragility of life within the womb. When she had started duty that evening, the previous midwife had noted that Mrs. Boamah was four centimeters dilated after laboring for twenty hours. When Esi had done her vaginal examination, the cervix hadn’t changed. She’d implemented the midwifery protocol measures for such a situation and monitored the woman.

  A nagging feeling percolated in her gut. Although the fetal heart rate stayed within normal range, the woman’s history of losing child after child worried her.

  Four hours later, the woman was still at four centimeters when she should have advanced. Fearing prolonged labor with its impending complications, she called Adam.

  ***

  Esi couldn’t hide her surprise at his willingness to send the patient to surgery instead of attempting more interventions and observing her for longer.

  “Just like that?” She asked his broad back. She’d been expecting a heated argument. She would’ve had one with any other doctor.

  He pivoted to face her. His cringe as his hand cradled his neck made her grimace with empathy. “Her labor isn’t progressing, and with her obstetric history, it wouldn’t be a good idea to wait. There’s no need to prolong the inevitable.”

  Esi had been thinking along the same lines. She made sure there was no attitude in her voice when she asked, “What’s wrong with your neck?”

  “Muscle pull. I think I lifted more weight than I should have tonight.”

  “Are you okay? I mean…to do the surgery?”

  “I’ll be fine. Just as long I don’t make any sudden moves.”

  She nodded once, feeling sorry for him. “Okay.”

  “After the surgery, I could use a shoulder massage—”

  She held up her hand. “No thanks. Let one of your harem massage you.”

  The left side of his mouth curled up. “I didn’t ask you. I only mentioned what I needed. You’re a little touchy today.” He reached out to lay a hand on her shoulder. She flinched away so he wouldn’t make contact. She’d learned from experience that his touch made her skin feel all warm and tingly. She’d consider it a pleasant sensation if any other man induced it, but not him. Dangerous bastard. “I’m tired,” she mumbled. “I’ll get everything ready for the surgery.”

  “Okay.”

  In the delivery room, she met her colleague, Diana, stitching up the one other patient on the ward. The new mother held her baby as Esi sidled up to her. “How are you doing?”

  The patient responded with a huge smile. “Fine, thank you.”

  “Good.” She prayed things would go as well for Mrs. Boamah.

  She moved to observe Diana’s handiwork. “Episiotomy or tear?”

  “I had to cut her. She’s delivered the placenta, and the baby is well,” Diana said without looking up.

  “I’m headed to the theatre.”

  Diana stopped mid-stitch and glanced up with wide eyes. “He agreed?”

  “Yes. With no argument.”

  Diana returned to her suturing. “You have the magic touch when it comes to him.”

  Esi gathered the Caesarean section pack and loaded it into a rolling bassinet “What do you mean?”

  “He gives you anything you ask for. I think he likes you.”

  Esi snorted. “He likes anyone who is of legal age with two X chromosomes.” The patient giggled. This wasn’t the appropriate time to have this conversation, but she needed to clear the air. “Besides, I rarely ask him or the other doctors for anything. When I do, they should know the situation is beyond what I can handle.”

  “True, but there’s more to it.” Diana must be as exhausted as she was to come up with such a ridiculous notion.

  The vivid interest of the patient in their conversation made Esi cut the conversation short. “I’ll be back soon. You know how quick he is with a Caesarean.”

  “He’s one of the best.”

  As she walked to Mrs. Boamah to prepare her for the procedure, the thought of Adam’s efficient surgical skills flittered into her mind. He seemed to love his job, instead of going through the motions of being a doctor like so many others did.

  Muse about Quarshie later. Save lives now.

  ***

  Mother and baby survived the surgery with no complications. Sitting at the nurse’s desk, he stopped writing his note in the patient’s chart to observe Esi.

  Her nose appealed to him the most. He’d enjoy rubbing it with his own. Not too big, and not too small. Perfect for her face. Really? You’re fantasizing about kissing her nose? You need to get laid. Preferably by Esi.

  He returned his attention to his notes and held in a groan at the sharp pain in his neck. He’d pushed himself during his workout and used more weight than recommended during his lateral pull downs.

  He frowned. What had happened to make him want to do something so stupid? Oh yes. The petite woman sitting across the room. She’d been on his mind ever since he’d started the obstetrics rotation.

  They had first met when Jason and her cousin Ora got together. Their encounters had been brief and inconsequential. It wasn’t until they had started working together four months ago that they’d spent more time in each other’s company. Wasn’t that the last time he’d had sex? He sat bolt upright with a grimace of pain. Had it been that long since he’d slept with a woman? That couldn’t be right. He recalculated the dates with the same outcome.

  What the hell is wrong with me? As soon as he left this ward, he’d call one of his standbys who was always up for a good time. Yeah, that’s what he’d do.

  He looked up at Esi. When their eyes met, the need to touch her overwhelmed him. With a mental slap, he vowed not to go another night without having sex.

  “Is your neck still paining you?” she asked. Her voice was so sweet, he thought the question came from Diana. Which was silly, because the other midwife had taken a patient to the maternity ward.

  “Why do ask?”

  “Because you’re rubbing it.”

  He dropped his hand. “The surgery stressed it more than I anticipated.” He went back to writing the note.

  She stood. “If you want, I could massage it.” She pointed her index finger at him. “But don’t try anything.”

  He put on his most innocent face. “What would anything include?”

  She sat back down with her lips pressed together so hard he feared they’d lose circulation. “Forget it.”

  “Why are you so uptight? I was joking. A massage would help.”

  After considering him for a few seconds, she got up and walked over to him. When her hands touched his shoulders, the pleasure of it almost made him gasp. The warmth of her hands kneading his shoulders sent tingles running down his spine. Blood rushed to the body part that tended to rule his life. At least it had…up until four months ago.

  He angled his neck to the side to stretch the injured muscle while she massaged. She moaned. He looked up, and the heat in her eyes set his groin on fire.

  Adam stood with the intention of taking her in his arms and kissing the hell out of her. She must have sensed his aim because she stepped away before he could lay a finger on her.

  “I hope that helps.” Turning on her heel, she rushed down the hallway while he stood rooted to the spot in bewilderment.

  What just happened? He no longer had a doubt. The midwife who’d never given him a kind word wanted him.

  He’d thought it odd none of the other doctors wh
o’d worked with Esi had a problem with her. They described her as kind, respectful, and professional. He would describe her as insolent and feisty.

  He flirted with her because he enjoyed seeing her exasperated. He’d found it to be the single way he could return the favor for her negative behavior towards him. What had he ever done to deserve such disdain from her? Her cheekiness had started a couple of years ago, magnifying when they’d been forced to spend time together as Jason and Ora’s best man and maid of honor.

  She had ignored him the whole wedding, making him feel uncomfortable. Perhaps that’s why he hadn’t spoken to her about her nasty disposition towards him. He never allowed anyone to get away with acting like a shrew…except Esi.

  He preferred her borderline disrespect over being ignored. From any other woman, he wouldn’t have cared. But from Esi, he became unsettled at the negative feelings it induced. This upset him, because he hadn’t done anything wrong.

  He’d observed her laughing and chatting with everyone at the wedding, even his colleague doctors. But the moment she’d set her eyes in his direction, it was as if he’d become transparent. Not even his legendary charm could break through. So he’d given up and tried to have a good time, but he couldn’t…not with her frigidness surrounding him.

  He recalled the conversation he’d had with Jason at the reception.

  “What the hell is wrong with Esi?” Adam asked.

  Jason glanced over at her. “What do you mean? She looks fine.”

  “Take off your happy glasses. She’s acting cold.”

  Esi’s hearty laughter rang through the air. “That’s cold?”

  “Well, no. She’s been fine with other people. But, with me, she’s aloof.”

  Jason gave him his full attention. “Just you?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Did you sleep with her?”

  “Not that it’s any of your business.” He ignored Jason’s raised eyebrow. “But, no, I did not.” He huffed. Not that he hadn’t wanted to.

  “What do you mean none of my business? You tell me everything with no coercion needed.”

  Adam grinned and rubbed his chin. “You’re right. Did I ever tell you about her?”

  “No. I figured maybe she was special.”

  He forced down the beer he’d drunk instead of showering the groom with it. “Special? What do you mean? All women are the same to me. Get what you want and get out. You had to go marry one, leaving me with the rest of them. I should thank Ora.”

  Jason’s head turned towards his new wife, “It’s the best thing I’ve ever done in my life.”

  “She put you through hell.” Jason’s current happiness with Ora had come at a price of pain and misery he’d never want to go through.

  “Yes, but I survived and ended up with the most wonderful woman I’ve ever known.”

  “Whatever, man. Do you have any idea why she’s acting like that?”

  “Why do you care?”

  “I don’t.”

  Jason’s eyebrows furrowed. “Hmmm.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Nothing.” He dipped his head towards a stunning Ora who stood posing for a picture with a young woman he knew to be Adjoa, another cousin. “I’m going to dance with my wife.”

  Adam punched his friend’s shoulder wanting to force him to continue the conversation instead of letting the matter drop. “Take your goofy ass grin and go.”

  Jason laughed as he walked away.

  He had never found out why she had ignored him during the wedding and doubted she’d tell him the truth if he asked.

  When he’d first come to the labor ward, he’d anticipated the same behavior. Instead, he got flippant comments. To her credit, she limited the behavior to when they were alone together. While in the company of others on the ward, she acted like a professional midwife.

  If it got to the point where her behavior went too far, he’d have a chat with her about it. For now, he had a note to write and then a gorgeous, willing woman to call for a night of fun.

  Chapter Three

  Esi reached for Ora’s belly.

  “If you put your hands on my stomach one more time, I’ll give you a coal-tar enema.”

  She laughed at the ridiculous threat and touched her cousin’s ever-growing abdomen anyway. “You know I can’t help myself. You’re carrying living beings inside of you. My own flesh and blood. I have to touch.”

  Ora pushed her hand away. “Aren’t you tired of looking at pregnant women?”

  “Not at all. They’re my favorite people.”

  “I admire that you enjoy your work so much.”

  Esi loved her job. She’d do it for free if she had to. Delivering babies without incident into the world had turned out to be her forte, and she couldn’t imagine doing anything else. “But don’t you love working as a nurse in the Emergency Department?”

  Ora rested a hand on her stomach. She had to be the cutest pregnant woman Esi had ever seen. She fought the temptation to pull out her phone, take a picture, and then make a run for it because Ora would try to chase her down.

  “I think I’m getting burnt out,” Ora said.

  “From the Emergency Department or nursing?”

  She sighed. “A little bit of both.”

  So many nurses burnt out of the profession. Instead of changing fields or going back to school to get refreshed, they stayed where they were and became abusive to patients. These were the people who gave their profession a bad name.

  “What are you going to do about it?”

  “Jason said I could take a year or two off to be with the babies if I wanted. I’m sure that would renew my interest in nursing.”

  Her heart filled with joy as she thought about the wonderful husband Jason had turned out to be. “Now aren’t you glad I gave him your information when he called searching for you last year?”

  “Yes, Esi. You are my midwife to destiny and the best cousin in the world. And on and on with the praise.”

  Esi laughed. “Don’t sound so excited about it. You might break out into a smile or something.”

  Ora grinned. “You know I mean it in a good way.”

  She looked around Ora’s new apartment. She and Jason had moved into the bigger place located in East Legon a couple of months ago. They had some decorating to do. The light- tan walls in the living room were soothing. Perfect for Ora, who tended to be calm incarnate. At least when she wasn’t pregnant.

  Esi’s style ranged more towards vivid colors. She looked down at her favorite dress. A halter with a bright-purple base and large red and yellow flowers all over. Ora wore a plain button-down white shirt with a navy-blue skirt Esi would love to spruce up with the brightest scarf in her closet. They were opposites in so many ways. It always amazed her that they got along so well.

  When Ora moved out of their apartment after getting married, Esi had found another roommate, but it wasn’t the same. There were no late-night chats. No giggling at silly things. No sharing chocolate. Now she had to eat all of the chocolate by herself because her roommate had an allergy. She shouldn’t have accepted the woman into the apartment on that quality alone.

  The news of her cousin’s engagement had turned out to be bittersweet. She’d been happy for Ora, but sad for herself because things would never be the same between them.

  “Any guys in the picture?” Ora pointed the remote at the TV and changed the station.

  Adam’s flirtatious nature came to mind. “No.”

  Ora leaned forward. “What was the hesitation?”

  “There was none.”

  Ora held up both hands with the fingers flexed. “Tell me or I’ll tickle it out of you.”

  “Really, there is no one.” Not the life she thought she’d be living at thirty-six. “I haven’t been on a date in months.”

  “Still in the slump?”

  “Yes. It’s worse, now that you’re gone. While you were pining away for Jason all those years, at least I had a companion. But now….”


  “Poor little Esi. Don’t expect sympathy from me. You’re the most social woman I know. Now, tell me who the guy is.”

  Esi wished she’d been born with Ora’s innate intuition. “Honestly, there is no guy. But Adam Quarshie is getting under my skin more and more.”

  Ora got up from the chair, snatched her purse, and stormed towards the door.

  “Where are you going?”

  Ora paused with the door open. “To get some holy water from the church down the street. I think you’ve been possessed.”

  Esi’s guffaw sounded loud in the sparsely furnished room. “Get back here. I only said he was getting under my skin. I won’t do anything about it.”

  Ora threw her bag down on the couch. “Good. You know I like the guy. I’ve gotten to know him better because he hangs out here with Jason once in a while. But the man is still a whore.”

  “I don’t think he sells his body, Ora.”

  “Okay, then, a man slut.”

  “Now that’s a better word to describe him. But he’s so charming and handsome. Have you ever noticed how long his eyelashes are?” She refrained from sighing.

  “No.” Ora waved a finger in Esi’s face. “And you shouldn’t either. He always says he’ll never settle down. He likes playing the field. There’s not a marrying bone in his body.”

  She’d told herself that a million times, and yet she held out hope. “People change.”

  Ora harrumphed. “Do they really?”

  Esi tilted her head and contemplated her words. “You did.”

  “I wanted to change. If I hadn’t, I would’ve lost Jason forever. I couldn’t imagine living life without him. I changed because the consequences were too great not to.”

  “What if he desired to?” Her voice came out low. She shouldn’t wish for unattainable things. Disappointment would be the outcome.

  “Anything is possible. But from him…well, let’s say we might have a better chance of getting snow in Ghana than of Adam transitioning to husband material. That’s what you want, isn’t it? A husband?”

  She took a sip of her Coke. “Yes. A man who will adore me, like Jason does you.”