The Doctor's Baby. Cindy Kirk

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СКАЧАТЬ the pillow, the phone resting against her ear. “Ready.”

      “Were you aware that I had brought in several other photographers to Yellowstone to take pictures of the Bighorns?”

      “No.” July’s fingers tightened around the phone. The elderly guide had said something about bringing other “shutter-bugs” to several of the sites where she’d gone. At the time she’d assumed he was talking about tourists, not other photographers.

      “It was a competition of sorts.” Nylah’s voice rose. “You won.”

      July loosened her death grip on the phone. “I did?”

      “Absolutely. A well-known writer recently contacted me. He has a contract to do a series of books on wildlife in America. After checking out the Bighorn shots from everyone, he selected you to take the photos from this part of the country. If he likes what he sees even half as much as the Bighorn sheep, he may ask for more,” Nylah said. “He’s willing to pay—”

      The amount Nylah mentioned made July gasp. As the woman continued to talk, July realized this meant she’d have to remain in Jackson for at least another month. While that probably wasn’t the wisest thing to do—with David and his family living here—the money was too good to turn down.

      “Can you start today?” Nylah asked.

      “Uh, today’s not good.” July had heard stories of women who had babies in the field and continued to work. Call her a wimp but she needed some time to recharge before tackling mountain trails. “How about next week?”

      That would give her time to bring the baby home and get settled. And Dr. Fisher had said she could resume light activity in a week.

      “That will be okay, I suppose.” Nylah didn’t sound exactly thrilled about the delay but then with her, everything was business. “Is it the pregnancy? I know you’re due soon—”

      “I had the baby yesterday.” Though she tried to be matter-of-fact, July heard the lilt in her voice. That wasn’t surprising considering that every time she thought about her beautiful son she couldn’t help but smile.

      “Wonderful news,” Nylah said. “I was concerned this whole giving-birth thing might interfere but it sounds like you’ve got it under control.”

      “Thank you,” July said before she realized Nylah hadn’t congratulated her, not really.

      “Knowing what a resourceful young woman you are, I’m sure you have child care all arranged,” Nylah said.

      “Child care?” July said in a voice that seemed to come from far away.

      “Surely you didn’t plan on taking the baby with you.”

      “Um. No. Of course not,” July murmured even as her mind raced. Until this moment she hadn’t even considered that she’d have to find someone to care for her tiny baby. Still, if she wanted a roof over her head and food to eat, she had to keep working.

      “Good.” Though Nylah had projected complete confidence up to this point, July heard the relief in her voice. “And congrats again. I don’t need to tell you this is a great coup. The other photographers had more impressive portfolios, but the photos you took were clearly the best.”

      “Ms. Greer. Is this a bad time?”

      July glanced at the dark-haired young woman standing in the doorway with a hospital name tag. Her stylish linen dress in pale yellow was the perfect foil for her dark hair. Not only did she have beautiful features but her makeup had obviously been applied with a deft touch, making her amber eyes look large and luminous.

      “Nylah, I need to run. Call you later.” July clicked off the phone and placed it on the tray table.

      “You didn’t need to do that,” the woman demurred. “I could have come back.”

      “That’s okay.” July slid the phone into her pocket. “We were through talking anyway.”

      “I’m Lexi Brennan.” The woman crossed the room and held out her hand. “I’m a social worker at Jackson Hole Memorial and part of our discharge planning team.”

      July forced a smile. While this woman seemed nice, social workers had been the enemy during most of her childhood. They lived their life by the book, forced to follow guidelines even when those regulations meant returning a little girl over and over again to an addict mother.

      Lexi gestured with one hand to the chair by the bed. “Mind if I sit for a moment?”

      “Please, do.” July swung her legs over the side of the bed, her curiosity aroused. Was the woman here because of the hospital bill or concern over Adam’s well-being?

      Stop, July told herself. You are a decent, law-abiding citizen. There is no reason to worry. Still, fear bubbled up inside her. “What is it you want?”

      The thought burst from her lips. The tone was impertinent, bordering on rude. July wasn’t sure who was more surprised, the social worker or herself.

      July froze. Her heart slammed against her ribs. She opened her mouth but shut it without speaking.

      To her surprise, Lexi chuckled. “I like someone who gets right to the heart of the matter.”

      The social worker’s graciousness made July feel even worse.

      “I stopped to see if you needed any help with your post-hospital plans.” Lexi glanced down at the chart in her hand. “I noticed you listed your home address as Chicago. Will you be returning there once your baby is discharged?”

      Before July could answer, a loud buzzing sounded from the pager clipped to the waistband of Lexi’s skirt. The social worker dropped her gaze to the readout then her brows furrowed. “I apologize. The family of a patient in our ICU has arrived. I really need to speak with them. Would it be okay if I came back in say … a half hour?”

      July wished she could tell her she didn’t need to bother returning, that she had it all under control. But that would be a lie. She needed to find a place to live and someone to watch Adam. The social worker appeared to be her best resource.

      “Will that work for you?” Lexi asked again, glancing toward the door.

      “Absolutely.” July injected some enthusiasm into her voice. Lexi had been so gracious. She deserved the same consideration in return. “Dr. Fisher still needs to stop by before I can be released. The nurses don’t expect him for another hour or so.”

      “Thanks for being so understanding.” Lexi had almost reached the door by the time she finished speaking. “I’ll be back as soon as possible.”

      After the social worker left, July snagged her purse from the bedside stand. She’d showered this morning but hadn’t done much else. Lexi was so pretty, so put together that July couldn’t help but feel dowdy beside her.

      Pulling a tube of mascara from her bag, July added some length to her lashes then shifted her attention to her mouth. With a quick flick she dipped her finger into a pot of gloss and pressed some color to her lips. Once that was applied to her satisfaction, she found a tiny tube of travel gel and took a couple minutes to tame a few wayward stands СКАЧАТЬ