Fresh Temptation

overnight. Usually kids with severe infections stay a little longer but I can already tell he’s a tough one.”
    Cara nodded and stroked the side of Isaac’s cheek. He had just fallen asleep after his second popsicle. “Yeah, he’s tough. I didn’t expect him to have so much energy so soon.”
    “Little ones recover quickly. You’ll probably have to fight for the next few days to get him to rest. My daughter was ready to get on the jungle gym the next day.”
    Cara laughed. “I’ll do my best.”
    When the nurse left the room, Cara was sure she’d start crying again. But watching her little guy sleep so peacefully warmed her heart. It had been days since he slept without snoring.
    “Sorry this had to wait so long,” she whispered as she bent forward to kiss his cheek. Then she took a long, deep breath before deciding to leave the room to find a vending machine in response to her growling stomach. “I’ll be back in a minute.” She gave the slumbering boy another kiss before turning around.
    Her feet had just touched the hallway outside the room when a man sitting on the opposite wall stood up, startling her.
    “Cara?” he asked. “Cara Green?”
    “Um…” It took her a few seconds to remember how she knew the tall, dark stranger. But when she remembered, she couldn’t stop her groan. “You. How did you find me?” As soon as the words left her mouth, she rolled her eyes at her own stupidity. Of course he found me , she thought. Rich people can do anything .
    Victor maintained her eye contact as he reached behind him to pick up a large gift bag. “I’m not stalking you. I was just concerned. And I brought you a few things.” He stepped forward and handed her the bag. “It’s not much. A stuffed animal and a care package from the gift shop.”
    With hesitation, Cara took the heavy bag, immediately looking inside. Not much? It was filled to the top. “You didn’t have to do this.”
    “I wanted to. Please take it.” He covered her hand with his, tightening her grip on the handle.
    Tears filled her eyes. “It’s very generous. Thank you.”
    He looked into her eyes, waiting another moment before removing his hand from her soft skin. “Listen, what happened to you the other night was wrong. I—”
    “I’d like to forget about it if you don’t mind.”
    Victor nodded. “Sure. I understand. So, do you,” he paused, trying to read her blank expression, “need a job?”
    “No. Absolutely not.” She squared her shoulders and shook her head. “I have a job.”
    “Yeah. Two jobs, from what your mother tells me.”
    “You spoke to my mother?” Oh Lord, what does this man already know about me?
    “Yes. That’s how I tracked you down.” He smiled. “Nice lady. Invited me in for coffee. Said she was coming by the hospital after she filled a few orders. So, she runs a bakery out of her house?”
    Cara’s mouth dropped. “Wait a minute. I don’t even remember your name and you’ve already had coffee with my mother?”
    Victor chuckled and extended his hand. “Victor Barboza. Nice to meet you. Again.”
    She shifted the gift bag to her other arm, smirking as she took his hand. Careful not to gaze too deeply into those smoldering brown eyes…“Cara Green.”
    “I know.”
    She let his hand go as quickly as she had taken it. “Well, Mr. Barboza, it was nice to see you again but I’m sure you have to be somewhere.” Right then, her stomach produced a loud growl. Warmth instantly rushed to her cheeks. She rolled her eyes and continued. “Seriously…just…thank you.” She turned around to go back into her son’s room.
    “Wait, if you’re hungry there’s food in the bag.”
    “Thanks.”
    “Can I see your boy? Isaac?”
    Cara stopped with her hand on the door. What the heck did this stranger want with them? “Only for a minute. He’s resting.”
    Victor followed her into the room and stopped beside Isaac’s bed, smiling. His voice was quiet. “Spunky little thing, I’ll bet. It’s probably killing him to be sick. Patty said he loves to go to the park.”
    “Yeah.” He’s already on a first name basis with Mom? Cara’s eyes narrowed at the handsome man who now stood over her son’s bed, peering down at him as if they were old friends. She couldn’t wait to find out just how much “Patty” had told Victor. Or why. “Look, I appreciate the gift and I know my son will too. But we don’t need your pity. We can take care of ourselves.”
    “I’m sure you