it was filmed in the Catskills,” Ciara admitted.
“I’d thought so, too. It’s the same with Last of the Mohicans—it was also filmed in North Carolina.”
The topic segued from food to movies and music, Brandt confessing he had a fondness for movie sound-tracks. Ciara felt as if she’d escaped to another universe devoid of city noise and traffic. If it hadn’t been for the sound of passing air traffic overhead she would’ve forgotten she was sitting on a rooftop terrace in the middle of Manhattan.
The conversation came to an abrupt halt when Ciara’s cell phone rang. Reaching into the pocket of her tunic, she stared at the display. It was Leona Wainwright. Excusing herself, she stood up and walked a short distance away so Brandt couldn’t overhear her.
“Hello, Leona.”
“How is everything?”
Her gaze lingered on the choppy waters of the East River before shifting to the roofs of buildings with water towers and central and cooling units. “It’s going well. We’re eating dinner on the terrace.”
“He’s eating?”
Ciara noted the surprise in Leona’s voice. “I’m going to be honest with you. He doesn’t like the frozen dinners you brought over.”
“Did you order in?”
“No. I cooked dinner.”
“I hadn’t planned on you preparing meals for Brandt. Don’t worry. I’ll pay you separately for cooking for my son.”
“You don’t have to, Leona.”
“Yes, I do. If I didn’t pay you I’d have to pay someone else. And I don’t want to get into another argument with Brandt. What matters is that he’s eating. The next step is to convince him to start accepting visitors. The entire family traveled to North Carolina to see him, but he was so heavily sedated that he probably doesn’t remember who was there. I don’t expect you to become a miracle worker, Ciara. But please try and get him to change his mind.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” she said, not willing to promise anything.
She wanted to tell Leona that she had to take it one day at a time. Tonight was the first time in weeks Brandt had gotten out of bed to eat, and she didn’t want to force him into doing something he didn’t want to do.
“Do you want to call me tomorrow, or should I call you, Ciara?”
“Let’s make it every other day—unless something comes up. If Brandt is willing to accept visitors, then I’ll call you. Right now I would recommend immediate family members and only one or two at a time. I don’t want to be rude, but I’d like to get back to make certain Brandt finishes his dinner.”
“I’m sorry, darling. I didn’t know I’d interrupted you,” Leona apologized. “I’ll wait for your call.”
Ciara ended the call, slipping the tiny phone into the pocket of her smock. “Sorry about the interruption,” she said to Brandt as she sat back down.
Folding his arms over his chest, Brandt angled his head. “I’d like you to answer two questions for me.”
“Only two?” Ciara teased, smiling.
Brandt’s impassive expression did not change. “For now.”
“What are they?”
“Why do you wear your clothes so baggy?”
Her eyebrows lifted slightly. “And what is the other question?”
“How do you maintain a normal love life when you sign up for an extended nursing assignment?”
“The second question is a lot easier to answer than the first. Right now I’m not seeing anyone.”
“But you do date?”
“Yes, I date, Brandt. Why are you asking?”
He lifted a shoulder. “Maybe one of these days when I’m not in this chair I’d like to take you out for dinner to say thanks.”
“You want to date your nurse?”
“By that time you won’t be my nurse. And it really won’t be a date.”
Ciara stared at him in surprise, recalling his former hostility. “It wasn’t that long ago that you ordered me out of your home and now you’re talking about taking me out.”
“That’s before I got to know you.”
“Know me or came to the realization that I’m not going anywhere?”
“Both.”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t go out with you.”
“Can’t or won’t?”
“Okay, won’t. I’ve made it a practice not to date celebrities.”
“Have you ever dated one?”
She wanted to tell Brandt to let it go, that he shouldn’t take her response as a rejection. “Yes.”
“Who is he?”
“I can’t tell you.” Ciara was more than surprised that he’d asked her something so personal. She was certain if she’d answered his question Brandt would recognize the name.
A slight frown creased Brandt’s forehead. His curiosity about Ciara had just escalated. “Are you running away from him?”
“No. Why would you say that?”
“I…I don’t know. Forgive me for being intrusive?”
Ciara flashed a