Maitland Maternity: Triplets, Quads and Quints. Kasey Michaels

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       Chapter Five

      “I—I guess I hurried too much when Lisa called me. You know how your brother is about wanting everything to run smoothly.”

      “Don’t give me that garbage about R.J. scaring you. I’ve seen you go toe-to-toe with him when you think he’s wrong.”

      Bri thought desperately. “I have several problems I need to deal with. I guess I went on overload. I don’t have as big a capacity for trouble right now.”

      Abby stared at her a little longer. Then she reached over and felt Bri’s cheeks, as if she were a mother checking her child for fever.

      “Is your back hurting?”

      “No, not at all.”

      “Are you having any pains anywhere?”

      “None, other than when one of the girls gets under my ribs and gives me a swift kick.” There wasn’t a lot of room for three babies, even with her stomach as big as it was.

      “Hmmm.” Abby continued to stare. Finally, she said, “Okay, but if you have any pain, no matter how minor, you have Lisa page me, you hear?”

      “I hear, Abby, and I will. I won’t take any chances with my girls. You know that.”

      “I know. And that’s the only reason I’m letting you stay out of a hospital bed. I want you to lead a normal life as long as you can. I believe that helps the health of the babies.”

      “Me, too,” Bri agreed, giving Abby her best smile. “Emily, Elizabeth and Eleanor are going to be the healthiest triplets ever born.”

      “Okay. So follow my orders until two o’clock. You can put in a brief appearance at the welcoming party, but don’t stay long.”

      “I won’t. I promise.” Relieved that she’d have a good excuse to exit early, her smile grew even brighter.

      “Then I’ll see you there. And eat all your lunch!”

      “Yes, ma’am.” Bri even added a mock salute as Abby left her office.

      Alone once again, Bri released a big sigh. She hadn’t even gotten around to worrying about the welcoming party. Before she could, Abby had given her an out. She’d go for the initial introduction, shake Hunter’s hand…dear heavens, she didn’t want to touch him.

      “You’re being ridiculous!” she exclaimed to herself. Their brief acquaintance had happened seven months ago. She’d simply exaggerated the effect he had on her. That was all, a silly exaggeration. She could shake his hand, as if they were two business acquaintances, without feeling anything. Nothing to it.

      She drew a deep breath.

      “Did you call me?” Lisa asked from the door.

      “Uh, no, I hate to admit it, but I was talking out loud to the girls. Sorry.”

      “No problem. I think that’s so sweet. They’re lucky girls to have you for a mom.”

      Bri smiled at her assistant. “Thanks, Lisa. You always make me feel better.”

      “I’m going down now to get your lunch. I’ve switched the phones to voice mail, so don’t bother answering them. Just stay in your rocker and rest.”

      “I promise to follow orders,” she agreed, and Lisa nodded, disappearing from view.

      And the best thing she could do for herself and her girls was not to think about the new obstetrics chief for the McCallum Wing. Ever. She didn’t want her girls feeling any connection to the man.

      They were her daughters. Three little miracles who belonged to no one else. That was her story and she was sticking to it!

      HUNTER FOLLOWED R. J. Maitland through the wing, impressed with the facilities and the friendliness of the staff. He wouldn’t find out about their skills until he saw them in action.

      “You’re cutting a wide swath through our nursing staff,” R.J. muttered as they left yet another area.

      Hunter frowned. “What do you mean?”

      “You haven’t noticed all the younger nurses fainting at your feet? Even some of the older ones are swooning.”

      Hunter continued to stare at him, wondering what he was talking about.

      “Man, the nurses are interested. Surely you noticed?”

      “Look, Maitland, all I’ve seen are a lot of friendly faces, which I appreciate. I think you’re exaggerating.”

      “I thought you were single.”

      “I am. Very.”

      “Not looking?”

      Hunter ground his teeth together, wondering what the man would say if he told him he’d learned his lesson about women at his administrator’s hands. Instead, he said simply, “No, I’m not looking.” Then, before the man could speak, he added, “And, before you ask, I’m not gay. I’m just intent on my work.”

      “Good enough. I hope if you do decide to, uh, change your status, you’ll look outside the hospital. I’m sure local Austin society will make you feel welcome. Some of our Texas ladies are real lookers.”

      Hunter smiled. He’d already heard stories about Maitland Maternity’s past history. “Like you looked outside the hospital?”

      R. J. Maitland’s cheeks turned bright red. He cleared his throat. “Well, uh, I guess you know I didn’t.” R.J. had married his secretary Dana Dillinger.

      “Yeah, I know. But I didn’t let it sway my decision to come here. I don’t think personal relationships affect a man’s work that much.”

      “Okay. Let me take you to your office now. You already have an assistant, Mrs. Helen Robb. If you don’t think you can work with her, let me know. I’ll find another place for her and you can hire your own assistant.”

      “Thanks. I’ll let you know.” Hunter hoped he could work with the woman, but if she was young and followed him around all day long, he’d take R.J. up on his offer. He wanted nothing to do with romance or women.

      But he did want to talk to Briana.

      Not because he was still attracted to her. He’d explained away his attraction a million times. When he’d let down his guard over the past seven months and found himself yearning for her, he’d immediately reminded himself that she was a wealthy woman, looking for kicks, taking a title to make herself feel important.

      Not the woman for him.

      But for those few hours when he’d held her, when he’d made love to her, she’d been his dream, his future, his love. He was fortunate, really, that she’d slapped him in the face with reality so quickly. If he’d spent a month or two believing in that fantasy, he might not be able to dismiss those thoughts so easily.

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