AFTERSHOCK Read online

  At first he searched so diligently for her because there was every chance he had gotten her pregnant. That he hadn't used a condom was disturbing, he always used protection. But then again, neither of them had expected to live through the experience.

  By the time Dax tracked her down—not an easy feat when he hadn't even known her last name—she'd been gone. He'd located her office, only to be told she'd taken a leave of absence. She'd subleased her condo.

  No forwarding address.

  Inexplicably devastated, Dax had gone to help fight the wildfires in Montana. He'd been there a month, during which time his disgruntled secretary messed up his office good, and then took another job.

  When he'd gotten back, there were no messages, but by then he hadn't expected any from Amber.

  She was long gone.

  Clearly, she'd wanted no reminder of that one day they'd shared, which was fine. He had his own life, which consisted of work, women and fun. He hadn't looked back.

  Much.

  "Let's sign you in," he said to Suzette now, shaking the memories off. "This place is packed."

  * * *

  Amber was late. Her alarm hadn't gone off, she'd annoyed a client by running behind, and now she was stuck in traffic.

  Definitely, a terminally bad day.

  Normally she'd have felt weighed down by all the stress. She'd have fought it with breathing techniques and her famed cool control.

  But fighting wasn't necessary, because none of it was important. Her life had forever changed on that fateful day she'd gotten caught in the earthquake, and now all that mattered was Taylor.

  She pulled into the medical center knowing if she didn't rush, she'd be late for their three-month pediatric appointment, and she hated that. She was never late, yet here she was racing through the parking lot with baby Taylor in her arms and a huge diaper bag hanging off her shoulder, hitting her with each stride.

  If she'd gotten up on time, she chided herself, she wouldn't be rushing now. But she was always so tired lately. It was all the change, she decided. Becoming a mother. Coming back to town after a yearlong … what?

  What did one call it when a person ran away from her job, her home, her life?

  A vacation, she reminded herself firmly. She'd never in her life taken one, certainly she'd been entitled. Just because she'd taken it immediately following the earthquake didn't mean it had anything to do with the choices she'd made.

  Neither did one rugged, sexy, unforgettable Dax McCall.

  Nope.

  God, what a liar she was. The cooing sound stopped her cold. Staring down into her daughter's face, her heart simply tipped on its side.

  Baby-blue eyes stared back at her. So had a kissable button nose, two chubby cheeks and the sweetest little mouth.

  Love swamped her. Amber had never imagined herself a mother, but Taylor was the greatest thing that had ever happened to her, and looking into that precious face, she had absolutely no choice but to smile.

  In response, Taylor let out an ear-splitting squeal and grinned, while cheerfully, uncontrollably waving her arms.

  Amber's heart twisted again and she bent, touching her nose to Taylor's. "You are the sweetest baby that ever lived," she whispered fiercely. "I love you."

  Taylor drooled, making Amber smile again, though her smile was bittersweet this time. Taylor was her family, her life, her everything. They were alone together.

  And together the two of them would be just fine.

  That's what Amber repeated to herself as she strode breathlessly to the elevator and hit the button for the second floor. It didn't matter that they were unwanted—Amber by her father, Taylor by hers.

  They would survive.

  As she waited, she smiled at her daughter and wondered for the thousandth time if Taylor had her daddy's eyes. Were the light, crystal clear baby blues, the kind one could drown in, from Dax?

  It still hurt, the not knowing. She'd tried, she reassured herself. The day after the earthquake, after she'd made the rash decision to go to Mexico for an extended vacation that had turned into a yearlong leave of absence, she'd attempted to see Dax.

  In spite of her embarrassment at having to face the man she'd thrown herself at, she'd wanted to thank him for saving her life, for she held no illusions. She never would have survived without him, without his quick thinking and razor-sharp instincts, without his warm, safe arms and incredibly soothing voice.

  She had no idea where he lived, but knew that as a fire inspector, he had to work out of the main fire house downtown. Somehow she'd summoned her courage to thank him in person, but when she'd gotten there, most of her bravery had faded in the face of reality.

  She'd found him all right. He'd been in the break room with one of the firefighters. A woman. And they'd been laughing and teasing and flirting.

  She'd prepared herself for anything, anything but that. Standing in the doorway watching, yearning, she thought she'd never seen anyone so open, so absolutely full of life.

  He was definitely far more man than she was equipped to handle, and with her words of thanks stuck in her throat, she'd turned tail and run. Not exactly mature, but it was done. To make up for her silliness, she'd sent a thank-you card and flowers before she'd left town.

  It hadn't been until later, much later, that she'd discovered her condition.

  Her pregnant condition.

  The elevator doors of the medical building opened and Amber got on, straightening her shoulders and hugging Taylor close. To her credit, she had indeed again tried to reach Dax, and at that memory, she reddened with embarrassment.

  She'd called his office from Mexico, not wanting anything from him, just needing to tell him. She figured she owed him that. He had a right to know.

  He'd been in Montana, helping to fight the out-of-control range fires there. She'd left a message with an unsympathetic secretary, explaining where she was and only that she needed to talk to Dax.

  He hadn't returned the call.

  She understood. He'd moved on.

  Yet whatever his faults, he'd once been compassionate and caring to her, and because of that, he needed to hear the truth from her own lips. In person. Though it had been easier to hide all this time, she couldn't continue it.

  He had to know about Taylor.

  And he would, she promised herself, now that she was back in town—just as soon as she figured out how to do it right.

  The elevator doors opened and she entered a huge reception area, filled with women; young and old, sick and healthy, and very pregnant. Most had little children with them. Resigned to a long wait, Amber signed in and stood there, surveying the grumpy crowd, trying to find an empty seat. In her arms, a wide-awake Taylor shifted, stared at all the chaos around her, and let out a happy little gurgle.

  "Glad someone's so cheery," Amber said with a helpless laugh. She dropped the heavy diaper bag to the floor and sighed in relief at the loss of the weight. Another grateful sigh came when she sank into an empty chair. Sitting had never felt so good.

  But then, from across the room, a sea of waiting people between them, stood a man. Not just any man, but the one who could stop her heart cold.

  Dax McCall.

  And, oh God, he was staring right at her. What should she do?

  All semblance of control flew out the window. So did reasoning. Sure, she could run, but even if her legs were working, running seemed so undignified. She could lie, but that was no good, either. Not only was she horrible at lying, she could never live with herself.

  No, she alone had brought on this awkward situation, she would face it. Easier said than done, she thought wildly, still pierced by Dax's unwavering, highly personal stare.

  For a second she allowed herself to think—hope—he wouldn't recognize her. After all, the last time he'd seen her, she'd been covered in dirt and debris, battered and afraid, and very unlike herself. And then after that, he'd not returned her call, nor acknowledged her card and flowers.

  She should have kno