Rebecca Winters - Undercover Baby

“I wouldn’t hurt him purposely, but he means nothing to me. It’s hard having him around because I know he’s in pain.”

“He said as much, and he’s attempting to deal with it. I also realize I don’t mean anything to you, either, but there are many people who love and care about you and Cal. You and I were colleagues as well as confidantes. In time you’re going to want to talk to someone. You’ll have a lot of questions to ask. I want you to know I’ll be here for you when that time comes.

“I’m going to leave my business card with you. I’ve written my cellular phone number on the other side so you can reach me day or night.”

Diana took the card from the other woman’s fingers and read:

Annabelle Dunbarton, Private Detective

LFK Associates International

1406 Foothill Parkway

Salt Lake City, Utah

Diana blinked and looked up at Annabelle. “You say we are colleagues?”

“Yes.”

“You mean, I’m a private detective, too?” Diana couldn’t imagine it, couldn’t comprehend it

“No. You are the glue that holds the whole place together. Roman Lufka is the boss. You’re his assistant and right hand. In fact you’re the one who screens all the calls that come in. Roman relies on your instincts to help decide which cases to take.”

My instincts?

“There are twelve PI’s, but you and I are the only two females on the premises. According to Roman, the agency would fall apart without us. You know the old cliché—ask a woman to get a man’s job done?” Her cat’s eyes smiled. “Anyway, Roman wants you back as soon as possible.

“By the way, he’s gorgeous. I mean drop-dead-handsome gorgeous and very married to Brittany, another best friend of both of ours. They have a little boy, Yuri, named after Roman’s brother, also another close and dear friend. You and I dote on little Yuri because we both want a baby so badly.”

Diana clutched the sheet in her fist. “Cal said I’ve had three miscarriages.”

“Yes, you have. At least you’ve been able to conceive, and your obstetrician told you that the next time you get pregnant, he’s going to sew you up to keep the baby snug inside the full nine months. Cal’s a pretty spectacular specimen of gorgeous himself, so you shouldn’t have any problems there.”

At the thought of intimacy with the man who claimed to be her husband, Diana shivered, partly from fear, partly from some emotion she couldn’t put a name to.

“So far I’ve been out of luck in the conception department, but of course we haven’t been married very long and I’ll never give up. When you meet my husband, Rand, you’ll see why. He’s another version of male gorgeous. Huge. Kind of looks like a lineman for the Green Bay Packers even though he’s a computer wizard. It was a case of opposites attracting. When he kisses me, my feet literally don’t touch the ground.”

Diana felt herself starting to relax. She turned on her side and rested the uninjured part of her head against the pillow, enjoying Annabelle’s loquacious personality.

“Your eyelids are fluttering. That means I’ve overstayed my welcome. Get some rest, Diana. Call me if you want or need anything.”

“Thank you, Annabelle. For some reason I’m tired all of a sudden.”

“I’m not surprised. It’s almost four in the afternoon. Time for you to sleep. What always amazes me is how beautiful you look no matter the hour or the situation. It isn’t fair. You’re like a golden-haired princess. Do you know, I always wanted hair like yours.

“Cal said he took one look at you and lost his heart. Apparently you felt the same way about him. The kind of love you two share is rare. Even if he’s a stranger to you now, don’t shut the door on him. It would be the biggest mistake of your life. Cal’s one in a million.”

First the nurse, now this woman was singing Cal Rawlins’s praises.

After kissing her on the forehead, Annabelle left the room. An odd silence remained following her departure. She emanated such life and vitality, Diana hadn’t wanted her to go.

But Annabelle’s warning about Cal Rawlins sent another shiver through her body. She didn’t want to think about him just now. She didn’t want to remember the agony in those dark brown eyes when she’d told him to go away and leave her alone.

“Mrs. Rawlins? Your husband was worried about you and asked the nurse to send for me.”

At the sound of the doctor’s voice, Diana opened her eyes. She would have sat up, but Dr. Harkness told her to lie still.

“I’m glad you’re here,” she began as he sat on the edge of the bed and felt for her pulse. Now she could talk to him about the baby.

He felt her forehead. “Your husband told me you now know the truth about the abandoned infant, how you came to bring it to the hospital for treatment. He’s afraid the knowledge has hindered your recovery. You’re probably not aware of this, but he’s having a difficult time forgiving himself.”

“Then he’s suffering needlessly because it’s not his fault, Doctor. I forced him to tell me. The reason I’m so glad you’ve come is because I wanted to get your permission to spend time with the baby. I know he’s not mine, but since his birth mother hasn’t been found, he needs mothering. Let me do it. Please.”

She felt his eyes studying her with grave concern. “That baby is under the legal jurisdiction of the court. A set of foster parents will be taking over the infant’s care as soon as the pediatrician deems him ready to leave the hospital.

“Even if my hands weren’t legally tied, you’re in no condition to take care of a baby, not even your own. A little less than twelve hours ago you received a serious head wound which has temporarily robbed you of your memory. You have pain, you’re running a temperature. As your doctor, I must insist you stay in bed and get the rest you need.

“I’ve arranged for Dr. Beal, a staff psychiatrist, to talk to you and your husband first thing in the morning.”

Diana’s stomach clinched. “I don’t want one.”

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