Kasey Michaels - Maitland Maternity - Triplets, Quads and Quints

In the meantime, her mind was searching for some kind of explanation for Hunter’s behavior. He’d been such a gentleman. But leaving with no word, no pretense even of a future, almost destroyed her. Did he care nothing about her? Had she been so misled by his behavior that she’d completely misread his character?

She couldn’t call his room and ask him because the only name she had was Hunter. She’d assumed that was his first name, but she didn’t know.

She stared at the phone, tempted to try anyway, but she knew she didn’t have time. She was going to have to chalk the bizarre night and even stranger morning to experience and go catch her plane.

As she stood in the doorway for a long moment, tears came to her eyes. She’d thought this morning she’d found something special. But like so many women, she’d been misled by a handsome face and broad shoulders. And a gentle touch and blue eyes to die for.

What a jerk!

HALF AN HOUR later, Hunter hurried down the stairs again. He was feeling much better, even though he still hadn’t had much sleep. But he’d showered and shaved and changed into jeans and shirt, sports shoes, comfortable again. And he was looking forward to breakfast with Briana.

He hoped she’d gotten enough rest. It was just past eight-thirty, and he didn’t want to wait too long to wake her up. His flight left at two, but he didn’t know her schedule. He wanted to spend time with her before they had to be parted for however long it took for him to arrange his schedule. To work out their lives.

He shoved his hands in his pockets and started whistling as he reached her floor. It was a glorious day. When he’d arrived at the conference, he’d had a lousy attitude. He hadn’t been happy lately. Now, he was on top of the world. One of the maids had her cart in the hallway near Briana’s room, and Hunter greeted her cheerfully.

He passed her and reached Bri’s room, and began to knock on the door. He hoped he could wake her. She slept so soundly.

“No one’s there.”

He whirled around, realizing it was the maid speaking.

Smiling, he explained, “No, she’s there. She’s a sound sleeper.”

The maid shook her head. “No, they just called me from downstairs to clean the room. She checked out a few minutes ago.”

The smile on his face disappeared. “No, you’re wrong. She’s still sleeping.”

The maid shrugged her shoulders and turned away. Hunter formed a fist and beat on the door now, determined to awaken Briana.

“Here, I’ll open the door.”

He found the maid beside him, a look of sympathy on her face.

“Thanks. I’ll wake her up.”

He pushed into the room, only to find it empty. The bed with the sheets in disarray, the closet empty, nothing in the bathroom. No note.

“Where is she?” he demanded harshly, turning to the maid.

His expression must’ve frightened her because she backed up a step. “I told you. She checked out a few minutes ago.”

“No, she wouldn’t have just left! There’s some mistake.” He searched the room again for some minute piece of evidence that would tell him something—anything about Briana. But there was nothing.

“Sorry, sir.” The maid stayed pressed against the wall, trying to keep out of his way.

“Thanks,” he managed as he left the room and ran for the elevators. As soon as he reached the main floor, he hurried over to the front desk. “A woman named Briana, from room 812, just checked out?”

“Yes, sir. Miss McCallum left for the airport about twenty minutes ago.” The young man behind the desk smiled, pleased to serve a customer properly.

“McCallum? Briana McCallum?”

“Yes, sir. I helped her myself.”

Now why did that name sound familiar? McCallum. Then he remembered. Maitland Maternity Hospital, the famous maternity hospital in Austin, Texas, was opening a new wing, a state-of-the-art facility specializing in multiple births. The McCallum Wing, dedicated to the donor’s wife, who’d died in childbirth. Administered by the donor’s daughter. It had been the main gossip of the conference, heightened by questions about her competency. Most everyone figured she was a rich woman playing at being a do-gooder. He usually gave people the benefit of the doubt, but he was in too much pain.

Briana McCallum. Rich woman. Looking for a new thrill. How about a doctor? Try one for the night and then skip town if it didn’t work out?

But it did work out! He raged within himself. It did! How could she deny what had happened between them? How could she just leave?

“Sir?” The clerk said with a frown. “Is anything wrong?”

“No!” Hunter snapped. “No, nothing’s wrong.”

What could be wrong? He asked himself savagely. He knew his lover’s name now. Briana McCallum. A rich woman—who had walked away.

But she hadn’t left her name for him. She hadn’t wanted him to know. She hadn’t wanted any more than what she’d got.

He hoped she was satisfied.

He wasn’t.

Seven months later

Briana McCallum was on the first floor of the new wing of Maitland Maternity Hospital, the McCallum Wing, dedicated to her mother, talking to the head of nursing, when the phone rang. Mrs. Rodgers interrupted their conversation to take the call, then handed the phone to Briana. “It’s for you.”

Bri took the phone, expecting the caller to be her assistant. She wasn’t disappointed. “What is it, Lisa?”

“The new doctor’s here! R. J. Maitland wants you to come meet him at once.”

“I thought he wasn’t supposed to arrive until two o’clock,” Bri complained. She hated all the politics involved in her job.

“He got here early. Come on. I told Mr. Maitland you’d be in his office in five minutes.”

“All right. I’m on my way.”

She struggled up from her chair as she handed the phone back to Mrs. Rodgers. “Okay, I think I’ve got a grasp of the problem, Mrs. Rodgers. I’ll get back to you as soon as I’ve worked out a solution. But the new obstetrics chief for the wing has arrived early and I’ve got to go be a part of the welcoming committee.”

“Oh!” Mary Rodgers said with excitement. “Dr. Callaghan? That’s wonderful. I’m so looking forward to meeting him!”

Bri smiled tolerantly. She’d had nothing to do with choosing the new doctor, but she’d heard plenty of praise about him. Their head doctor, Dr. Wellborn, had collapsed with a heart attack ten days before the new wing opened. He was recovering, but he’d be unable to take up his appointment. Bri had had her hands full trying to make the adjustments necessary for everything to be up and running smoothly. She’d scarcely had time to note that a committee had hurriedly formed, much less looked at the candidates. She had her own fish to fry.

Now, having survived the opening, she could turn her attention to the newcomer. She sent up a prayer that the new man would be easy to work with. He should be. He’d have the best equipment and staff that money could buy.

It suddenly occurred to her that the reception she’d planned for that afternoon might need to be moved. Instead of heading for R. J. Maitland’s office, she stopped by hers.

“Lisa? Did Mr. Maitland say—” She broke off as she realized her assistant’s office was filled with people.

“Oh, here she is!” Lisa exclaimed, drawing her attention.

R. J. Maitland, director of the Maitland Maternity complex, stepped forward. “Bri, we gave up waiting for you. Here’s Dr. Hunter Callaghan, waiting to meet you.”

Bri actually felt the blood drain out of her face as she turned to look at the only man she’d ever known named Hunter.

That’s the last thing she remembered.