Cinderella Story. Elizabeth August

and her hands were clasped in her lap, giving the impression she was praying.

      This was not the Nina he’d expected to find, nor the place he’d expected to find her. He’d thought she was either one of the idle rich or a successful businesswoman. Clearly she was neither.

      He’d pictured himself meeting her at one of the finer restaurants in town. She’d arrive wearing something chic, in red, perhaps, that showed off her figure. Her delicate features would be softly defined by just the right amount of makeup. Her thick black hair would hang loose and flowing around her shoulders. Every man’s head would turn as she crossed the room.

      Instead, they were in a hospital, and she looked tired and drained. His plan to ask her to help him fool his grandfather seemed suddenly frivolous. He told himself to leave, find an actress to play the part and forget about Nina Lindstrom. But she looked so close to desperation, he couldn’t make himself walk away. He’d bullied a friend in order to find her. He should at least speak to her.

      Hearing someone enter the room, Nina stiffened and prepared herself to hear the worst. Opening her eyes, she thought for a moment she was seeing things. She closed her eyes, then opened them again. She wasn’t seeing things. Alex Bennett was still standing in front of her. Today he was dressed in slacks and a pullover shirt. She guessed his Italian loafers cost more than her entire shoe wardrobe…probably more than her entire wardrobe. She also noticed that even in casual attire, he had an authoritative demeanor that left no doubt in her mind that he never allowed himself to lose command of whatever situation he found himself in.

      “It appears our paths have crossed again,” he said.

      “Yes.” Recovering from her initial surprise at seeing him, sympathy spread over her features. “I hope the test goes well for whomever you’re here with.”

      “I’m not here with anyone.” Unwilling to admit he’d been trying to track her down, he added, “I stopped by the hospital to visit Noah Howell. He’s on staff here, and I saw you. You looked as if you could use a friend.”

      Drawing a shaky breath, she glanced through the plate-glass windows in the direction of the testing rooms. “It’s my son Tommy. He’s been ill. Dr. Genkins ordered a brain scan.” The knot of fear in her stomach tightened.

      Lucky kid, Alex thought. His mother honestly cared whether he lived or died. In the next instant, he was reminding himself that he’d survived just fine without a mother’s love. “Your son’s in good hands,” he said, recalling Dr. Jim Genkins from one of the charity functions organized to raise money for the hospital. He’d been impressed by the tall, slender, white-haired physician’s dedication. He’d also heard several people, including Noah, praise the man’s ability.

      “I know, but that doesn’t make the waiting any easier.” He made her nervous, awakening stirrings that had been dormant since her husband’s death…stirrings she had no energy to deal with at the moment. Her gaze dropped to her hands, and she waited for him to make some final encouraging remark, then leave.

      The urge to sit down beside her and put his arm around her shoulders was strong. Instead, recalling the way she’d bolted the night of the storm, Alex seated himself across from her.

      Surprised that he appeared to intend to remain, she looked up to meet his gaze. “I’m sure you have more important things to do than baby-sit an anxious woman.”

      Alex didn’t think he’d ever seen a pair of softer, sadder eyes. “A knight would never desert a damsel in distress. And I’ve always wanted to play the part of a knight in shining armor,” he quipped, amazed by how much he wanted to remain and offer comfort.

      Nina had to admit he appeared to be a man a woman could lean on. But she wasn’t in the market for a temporary hero who, in a moment of pity, was offering aid he would shortly bore of giving and regret. “I really will be just fine,” she assured him.

      He saw the proud determination in her eyes. Tough lady. Still, he didn’t feel comfortable leaving her alone. “I’ll just stick around for a while. See how the test comes out.”

      “That’s really unnecessary.”

      Alex knew when he was being told to get lost. He ignored the unspoken request. “I’ve got nothing pressing to do, and no one should face something like this alone.”

      Nina tried to think only of Tommy. Her attempt didn’t work. She was acutely aware of Alex’s continued presence and knew that behind his polite facade he was studying her. She also knew he could tell by her clothing that she wasn’t one of the town’s aristocrats. He’s probably wondering how I ended up at a reception with the town’s elite, she concluded, her nerves growing brittle. “I didn’t crash the wedding,” she blurted. “I was supposed to wait tables, but when the lights went out we were all told the reception had been canceled but we were invited to share the food and drink. In fact, we were encouraged to stay.”

      “But you didn’t stay,” he reminded her.

      “I had pressing responsibilities.” Again she glanced toward the testing rooms.

      Definitely the nurturing type, he mused. He’d always figured that was one of the primary qualities he’d look for if he ever changed his plans and decided to actually marry in order to produce an heir. However, at the moment, he wasn’t in the market for a wife. He was in the market for an accomplice. “What does Dr. Genkins think might be wrong with your son?”

      “A brain tumor.” Every time she said those words a tremor of fear ran through her. She lowered her gaze to her hands clasped in her lap. “He’s only six. He’s too young. It’s not fair.”

      The pain he heard in her voice tore at him. “He’ll be all right.” Who did he think he was, giving her that assurance? Alex chided himself. But he hadn’t been able to remain silent. The urge to soothe her had been too strong.

      Her embarrassment about the wedding reception forgotten, Nina smiled gratefully. “I know you can’t know that for sure, but thanks for saying it. I needed to hear it from someone besides myself. I keep thinking that if I say it enough, it’ll prove to be true.” Unable to sit any longer, she rose and began to pace. “Of course that’s foolish. A person can’t will bad news to go away.”

      “No,” he agreed, surprised by how pleased he was by her small show of gratitude. “But it can’t do any harm to hope for the best.”

      Nina nodded and continued to pace. “My grandmother had a framed needlepoint on her wall. It was a proverb she’d heard or read somewhere, and it impressed her so much, she stitched it. She gave it to me when I married. It read Were it not for hope, the heart would break.” She told herself to shut up, but she’d been holding too much inside, and the strain had worn her down. Stopping in front of the plate-glass window of the room that faced the door through which they’d taken Tommy, she fought back tears of frustration and pain. “But hoping hasn’t done me much good. For two days I did nothing but pray and hope my husband would survive his injuries. But he didn’t.”

      The anguish he heard in her voice made it obvious she’d loved her husband. Just another example of how painful falling in love can be, Alex mused. “I’m sorry,” he said solicitously.

      Her mind returning to the days following Tom’s death, rage flared in Nina’s eyes and she swung around to face Alex. “Do you know that the drunk driver who caused the accident didn’t even get a scratch? He was tried for manslaughter and found guilty, but that was two years ago. I’ll bet he’s out on the roads again and will kill some other father or mother or child, or maybe a whole family this time.”

      “Most likely,” Alex agreed.

      Nina drew a terse breath. It would do no good to dwell on Tom or his killer. Right now she needed to focus her attention on Tommy. His pale, trusting face filled her mind. A tear trickled down her cheek. Nina quickly turned her back to Alex and brushed it away. She hated for anyone to see her cry, especially a stranger. Her jaw tensed with resolve. “I’ve got to believe that this time my prayers will be answered.”

      Alex