Maitland Maternity: Triplets, Quads and Quints. Kasey Michaels

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СКАЧАТЬ are you doing here?” she demanded in a hoarse whisper.

      “I want to see the ultrasound, both to check the babies and to evaluate the quality of the machine. Abby agreed.”

      “Well, someone should’ve asked me. I don’t want you here.” She turned to Abby. “Please, Abby, make him leave!”

      Abby stepped forward and took her hand. “Bri, you’re all covered up except for your stomach, and I’m sure Dr. Callaghan has seen pregnant stomachs before. Just relax before your blood pressure gets too high. Your babies need more time in the womb. Take deep breaths.”

      Hunter spoke softly to the nurse and she left the room.

      “Do you need something?” Abby asked, frowning.

      “Yeah, something to bring down the blood pressure,” Hunter said.

      “I don’t think medication—” Abby began as the nurse came back into the room carrying a towel and a bottle of lotion.

      “Of course not. But a foot rub will do the trick,” he said, pouring cream into his hand.

      “What did he say? What’s he doing?” Bri asked, trying to raise her head high enough to see over her stomach. Then she sighed as he began rubbing cream on her feet. After a moment, she remembered to protest. “Hunter, you shouldn’t—”

      “Relax, Bri. Abby’s going to show us those three little girls. Let’s have a look-see.” Then he nodded to Abby as he continued to massage Bri’s feet.

      He only stopped once, when the picture first clearly showed his three little girls. “They’re beautiful,” he murmured, and received an enthusiastic agreement from Abby.

      Bri, lying more relaxed on the table, blinked away tears, but her gaze was focused on the screen that showed three squirmy babies jockeying for position in their limited space.

      After a quick look at Bri, Hunter began massaging her feet again, silently giving thanks that Bri had decided to keep their children and try to manage on her own. She was a courageous woman. Even if she wanted nothing to do with him after the babies were born, he felt sure she wouldn’t stop him from seeing the girls.

      “Everything’s all right?” Bri asked Abby, sniffing away the tears.

      “Oh, they’re doing beautifully, Bri. And if you give birth now, they’ll make it just fine. But the longer you carry them, the faster they’ll go home from the hospital.”

      “I’m being careful.” Then, she flashed her gaze to Hunter and back to Abby. “I’ve already hired a lady to help at home, so I can get plenty of rest.”

      “Oh, good. I’d been worrying about how much you were trying to do. Good decision.”

      Bri’s gaze returned to Hunter. “Yes. I appreciated the concern that—I got some good advice.”

      Slowly, he grinned, knowing that was her way of thanking him. Pretty magnanimous, since he’d been interfering where he had no right to interfere. Maybe she would accept his protection a little more readily in the future.

      Even as he was thinking such pleasant thoughts, her jaw firmed and her lips were pressed together. “But I’m an adult, and I can manage my affairs by myself.”

      He had no intention of letting her try—no matter what she said!

      THAT EVENING was again delightful. Alice joined Bri for dinner, and everything in her house was sparkling and fresh.

      “You’re going to have to mess up more things, young lady, so I’ll have enough to do.”

      “Oh, Alice, you shouldn’t be working so hard.”

      “Well, I wanted to ask you about cooking ahead. Most things are good for six months, I think. I thought I’d bake some lasagna and freeze it. Maybe a cake or two, because you’ll probably have several visitors after the babies are born. We’ll need something to feed them when they visit.”

      “That’s a wonderful idea, Alice, if you don’t mind the extra work.”

      “Well, I have the time now. If you don’t mind the added expense.”

      Bri quickly assured her she didn’t. After dinner she took a shower. Abby had suggested it might be best to have showers now. Then she settled among the cushions on the sofa, turned on the television and relaxed. Alice brought her a cup of tea and some cookies.

      “I’m not sure I should eat the cookies.”

      “Dr. Callaghan said you need to fatten up a little so your babies won’t be too skinny.”

      Bri froze. “When did Dr. Callaghan say that?”

      “He told me today when he called to tell me your checkup went well. He knew I’d be worried and he was afraid you wouldn’t want to talk about it.”

      Though she was fuming inside, Bri tried to make her voice calm. “I’m sorry, I didn’t think to tell you. But everyone’s fine.”

      “I know,” Alice said with a smile. “Now eat your cookies and drink your tea. I put in cream instead of milk. It makes it taste wonderful.”

      Alice was so pleased with her behavior, Bri couldn’t be mad at her. But she could be mad at Dr. Hunter Callaghan.

      As soon as Alice left, she grabbed the phone. She wasn’t calling Hunter. Not yet. She had some other calls to make.

      “Dad? Just wanted to let you know that my checkup went well.”

      “Yes, I’m so glad. Hunter said the girls looked great. He thinks you may make it almost to term. I really appreciated his letting me know. I’ve been worrying about you.”

      “So why didn’t you call me?”

      After a moment of heavy silence, Jackson said, “I was afraid you’d get scared because I was worried. After what happened to your mother, you know.”

      Tears filled her eyes. “I know, Dad. But it’s all right. We have better doctors and better equipment, thanks to you. Everything is going to be fine.”

      “Yeah, Hunter assured me he’d take care of you and the girls.” He actually sniffed into the phone, as if he were hiding tears, as she had in the doctor’s office. “Hey, how about lunch again tomorrow?”

      “Thanks, Dad, but with the appointment today, I lost a lot of work time, so I can’t go out for lunch. I’ll just have my assistant bring me something. I’ll take a rain check if you don’t mind.”

      “Okay, but you let me know if there’s anything you need.”

      “I will, Dad.”

      When she’d disconnected, she began dialing Caleb’s number, but a knock on her door stopped her. She moved to the door to peek through the peephole. Dr. Hunter Callaghan, bossy doctor, stood there.

      She was wearing her Hawaiian muumuu, so she swung open the door, a big glare on her face.

      “Hmm, СКАЧАТЬ