When The Lights Went Out.... Judy Christenberry

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      Prologue

      Kane Haley leaned back in his chair, thinking about his luncheon appointment. He just had to take care of this one little chore and then he’d—

      A voice on the phone interrupted his thoughts. He’d been put on hold several minutes ago, and he’d been getting a little impatient.

      “Uh, I’m sorry, Mr. Haley.”

      “I don’t understand. You’re sorry about what?”

      “The—the sperm donation you made was accidently dispersed.” The man had rushed through that sentence.

      Kane’s chair snapped into an upright position as he took in the meaning. Slowly, he said, “By dispersed, you mean some woman took—some woman is having my baby?” His voice grew louder. “Some—who?”

      “We can’t tell you that, but it only happened because the woman was an employee of your company, and that’s why the clerk thought your sperm was what she wanted. And—and we’re sorry for any inconvenience.”

      “Any inconvenience? Any—damn it! Give me the woman’s name.”

      “We can’t do that, Mr. Haley. We’d be sued.”

      Kane didn’t care if they were sued. Hell, he might sue them himself. He’d given the sperm because his best friend, Bill Jeffers, had discovered he had cancer. He was to begin radiation treatment and wanted to save his own sperm for the future. Kane had gone with him in support, and the counselor they’d visited with had suggested Kane donate sperm also to be held in case his friend’s sperm shouldn’t work.

      He’d just learned his friend’s wife was pregnant—the natural way—and he’d decided to ask the sperm bank to destroy his own donation.

      Too late.

      “When did this happen? Surely you can tell me that?”

      “It—it was recent, but I can’t give you any more information than that. Thank you.”

      Then he was listening to a dial tone. He slammed down the receiver. What now? What was he going to do? Should he ask Maggie to—no, he didn’t want to explain this problem to her. Maggie was his incredibly efficient assistant who was as strict with him as she was with herself. He couldn’t see himself confessing to Maggie that he’d been careless with his sperm!

      Okay, so he’d have to handle this himself. He’d—he’d look at the women among his employees and find out who was pregnant.

      And ask them who the father was?

      He couldn’t ask a question like that. No, he had to have a reason.

      After a knock on his door, Maggie entered. “Are you going to lunch?”

      “Yes, uh, yes, but I—” Suddenly inspiration struck. “I have a question for you. Do we have any women employees who are pregnant?”

      She stared at him, then nodded and said, “Yes.”

      “I see. Do—do we offer any benefits to them?”

      She blinked, her cheeks turning pink.

      “We offer medical benefits.”

      “Ah. I was wondering if we should do more. Like—like create an on-site child-care center? I was reading an article about the benefits to a company that meets its employees’ needs.

      “Really?”

      “Yes. So—so tomorrow, I’m going to do some questioning of our pregnant employees. I’ll need a list of them.”

      “Very well.”

      “You can get me a list?” he asked, always amazed at Maggie’s efficiency.

      “I’ll do my best.”

      She laid some papers on his desk and turned to leave.

      Tomorrow. Tomorrow he’d find out who was having his baby.