Kasey Michaels - Maitland Maternity - Triplets, Quads and Quints

“Don’t be so formal, Bri. Make it Hunter.”

“I realize I said we’d talk at your convenience, Dr. Callaghan,” she began, ignoring his offer of informality, “but I really think tomorrow morning would be better.”

“Oh, we’ll talk tomorrow morning. But that will be a business meeting. Right now I think we need to have a personal meeting.”

He wasn’t going to play the game. Pretend they’d never met. Okay, she’d take the gloves off. “Why? It’s a little late to explain why you dumped me.”

“Why I what?”

She lifted her chin, not about to be intimidated by his behavior. “Why you left me asleep and disappeared, no note, no nothing.”

“Lady, I went to my room to shower and change. Then I came back down to take you to breakfast.”

She sneered at him. “Easy to say, now, isn’t it? Look, doctor, I prefer that we forget what happened in the past and simply work together as business colleagues, nothing more, nothing less.” She shoved back her chair. “If you’ll excuse me, now that we’ve got that straight, I’ll be on my way.”

“There’s one problem with your suggestion,” he said softly, glaring at her.

“What?”

“You’re having my children.” His blue eyes were piercing, leaving her no—what had he called it?—wiggle room.

But she’d prepared for this moment. “You’re wrong. I’m not having your children.”

“Abby said you’re twenty-eight weeks. That’s exactly how long it’s been since I made love to you in New York City.”

She cleared her throat. “I realized it might seem that way to you, but then you don’t know what happened when I got off the plane.” She held her gaze steady, determined to do the best acting job of her life.

“What happened?”

“My ex-boyfriend met my plane. He convinced me that he was ready for commitment, which was what we argued over. I gave him a second chance. We were together about six weeks when I took a pregnancy test. Abby told me I was four weeks pregnant, she thought. You know how inexact these things can be.”

“So where is he?”

“He panicked and ran. He wasn’t ready after all.” She sat silently, watching him, hoping and praying she’d convinced him.

“Have you told him about the girls?”

“No.”

“Are you going to?”

“Why would I? He doesn’t want any children. Why would we want him?”

“What’s his name?”

She was tempted to make up a name, but she refrained. “I don’t think that’s any of your business, Dr. Callaghan. I haven’t told anyone his name, and I don’t intend to start now.”

He stared at her and she fought to keep her gaze level to his.

“I’m prepared to marry you,” he said abruptly, leaving her without anything to say.

When she didn’t respond, he said, “I assumed that’s what you would want, now that you know how to locate me.”

She leaned back in her chair and lifted her chin another inch. “You’re wrong, Dr. Callaghan. I’m not carrying your children, and I don’t require such a sacrifice of you. You made your feelings toward me and any commitment quite clear that day in New York City when you disappeared.”

“I told you, I was coming back. Of course, then I thought you were a working stiff, like me. Not the incredibly wealthy Ms. McCallum, hiding behind a title.”

Bri tried to remember the need to keep her blood pressure down. Drawing several deep breaths, she counted to ten. Several times. Finally, she said, “You may not care for me personally, Dr. Callaghan, but I will not accept such disparaging remarks about my work.”

“So I’ve heard. All people have done is praise your work. They always mention how hard you work, how efficient you are. I figured you shoveled all of it to your assistant’s shoulders. They’ve assured me that’s not true.”

She gave silent thanks for the support she’d received. She’d worked hard to ensure that no one thought she was taking an easy ride because of her name. “I hope you’re satisfied, then.” She’d discovered the hard way that people assumed wealth meant no work on her part. That she would snap her fingers and get what she wanted.

“Not yet. I like to see things for myself.”

“I understand. And if I don’t meet your standards, I’ll expect you to let me know.”

“You can be sure of that. Are these my babies?”

She stared at the sudden switch of topic again. “No, these are my babies, no one else’s. Now, if you’ve finished with your questioning, I’d like to go home and rest.” She’d like to get away from him, so she could relax. The tension was getting to her.

He stood, but instead of leaving, he came around the desk and began taking her pulse.

“What are you doing? You’re not my doctor. I don’t want you—”

“It’s high. Are you on any medication for high blood pressure?”

“No! And my blood pressure will go down as soon as you leave!”

“How far away do you live?”

“That’s none of your business. Go away!”

He smiled, which, seven months ago, would’ve melted all her resistance. She was made of sterner stuff now.

“I can’t let you drive with such high blood pressure. I’ll drive you home.” He took hold of her arm as if he intended to pull her to her feet.

“Turn me loose. I can stand by myself.”

He lifted his hands, as if surrendering, and stood silently watching her.

Just what she wanted. Her ex-lover to see how awkward she was. “When you leave.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“I’ll stand when you leave.” She sat in her chair, glaring at him.

“I’m afraid that’s not acceptable. I can carry you, I can call an ambulance, or I can call your doctor. You may choose which option you prefer. Or you can stand now and we can walk out to my car.”

She felt herself begin to shake, knowing she was pushing her limits. It was time for her to eat, too. Abby had explained the importance of eating regularly. Without saying anything, she stood. Then she bent over to pick up her bag. As she walked to the office door, she was aware of him following her, his tall form leaning protectively toward her.

Even on the nights when she’d hated him, she hadn’t forgotten how protective he’d been—until he walked out on her. She made it to the elevator without him touching her, which was a major accomplishment. But it took a lot of energy to control her reaction.

It didn’t take long to go down one floor. When the door opened, Hunter took one of her arms.

“You’re trembling!” he exclaimed. “Are you all right?”

“It’s time for me to eat. I’ll fix something as soon as I drive home.”

“You’re not driving home. I’m driving you. But there’s a café right here. Let’s grab some dinner there before I take you home.”

Bri debated her choices. If she ate, she should be able to drive home by herself. That would be better than this man taking her home. She opted for the Austin Eats Café, a favorite place of hers. “I’ll go eat at the café. You don’t have to join me. After I eat I’ll be okay.”

“We’ll see,” he said mildly, keeping hold of her arm. “Besides, I don’t like to eat alone.”

“Dr. Callaghan, you’re being outrageous,” she protested.

He pulled open the door to the restaurant. She saw several people she knew, since many of the staff at Maitland Maternity hung out at the diner. She could protest and they’d come to her aid, but how would that look? If she acquiesced to his company, everyone would think she was welcoming the new obstetrics chief.

“A lot of hospital people eat here. Unless you want to start rumors, we’d better pretend to be friendly.”

“Why, Bri, we are friendly,” he assured her with that lopsided smile, one that she’d never forgotten.