Diagnosis: Expecting Boss's Baby. Jacqueline Diamond

cheerful and outgoing.

      “I’m a little tired,” Cynthia said. “My boyfriend and I were out late last night. It doesn’t interfere with my work, honestly.”

      “I never suggested it did,” Natalie reassured her. “It was a friendly question.” Even though she worked for the center’s administrator, that didn’t mean she pried into everyone’s business.

      She simply cared about all the people here, staff and patients, who these days were referred to as clients. She cared about Rita and Loretta, and about Cynthia, too.

      The nurse asked for a urine specimen, then prepared Natalie for the exam. A few minutes later Heather came bustling into the room, wearing a traditional white coat and stethoscope.

      “Nat! So tell me what’s going on. Are you feeling ill?” Concern shone in the obstetrician’s face. Despite her thirty-six years, Heather looked almost too young to be a doctor, and her intensity and halo of red hair made her seem larger than life.

      There was no point in being coy, Natalie told herself. “I think I’m pregnant.”

      “Let’s find out.” Within minutes, Heather had examined Natalie, determined the date of her last period and tested the specimen. “You’re right. I’d put your due date at around May first.”

      After Natalie got dressed, they sat down to talk. Patients often commented on how carefully Heather listened to them, and the reason was obvious.

      “I don’t know how to tell the father,” Natalie said. “It’s a delicate situation.”

      “He’s not married, is he?” Heather asked.

      “No, of course not.”

      “Good. Someone I know is seeing a married man and I wish I could discourage her,” she said.

      An image of the nurse flashed into Natalie’s mind. Was that why Cynthia had been out late on a Monday night, because her married boyfriend was sneaking around at odd hours? If so, she hoped the young woman came to her senses before she ended up with a dilemma like Natalie’s.

      “My situation is a little different,” she said. “The father might marry me out of a sense of obligation, but…well, there are problems.”

      Heather gazed at her sympathetically. “It’s hard to raise a child alone, although lots of women do it well. Personally, I think it’s best if there’s a strong father figure.”

      “Amy mentioned adoption,” Natalie said reluctantly. “I don’t see how I could give up my baby, though. What if he or she came back years later and reproached me?”

      “What if he or she came back years later and thanked you?” Heather toyed with the edge of her white coat in an uncharacteristically nervous way. “Never mind. Just because a decision is right for one person doesn’t mean it’s right for another.”

      Natalie got the impression that her friend was talking about an incident from her own life. But if she was, she chose to keep it to herself.

      “In any case, the father needs to be told, doesn’t he?” Natalie said. “I’m assuming I can rely on your nurse’s discretion not to feed the gossip mill.”

      “Cynthia is utterly trustworthy on that score.” Heather stopped fiddling with her coat. “The best decision is the one that makes you happy. Sooner or later, your condition is going to become obvious, but in the meantime, there’s no rush. Take your time figuring out what you want to do.”

      The idea was comforting, to focus on the moment and let the future take care of itself. Natalie knew instantly that this was the advice she’d been seeking.

      “You’re right. I’m going to wait,” she said. “He’ll discover the truth eventually. No need for me to throw it in his face.”

      “Don’t wait too long,” Heather warned.

      “Define ‘too long.’”

      “Nine months.” They both smiled.

      Natalie stood up. “I know you’ve got other patients to see. I’m sorry to take up so much of your time.”

      “Not at all! I’m glad to help,” Heather said. “Don’t forget to make an appointment for your next checkup. Cynthia will give you information and a prescription for vitamins. Ask her to see if we have any free samples for you.”

      “Thanks,” Natalie said. “You’ve helped more than you know.”

      PATRICK WAS BEGINNING to wonder if he’d made a mistake by installing videoconferencing technology on his computer. Even without it, he’d have had to deal with Jason Carmichael by telephone, but at least he wouldn’t have had to face the other doctor’s irritated glare.

      “No one mentioned that the new facility wouldn’t be ready until April,” Jason growled. “I’ve given notice and put my house on the market so I could arrive in February, as we discussed. Now suddenly there’s a delay!”

      “No, there isn’t.”

      “I think I know a delay when I see one!” the man snapped.

      Patrick reminded himself that Jason was one of the nation’s leading infertility specialists, and it was a coup to have lured him from Virginia to serve as chief of the new infertility office. So what if the man was known to be abrasive? He got results with patients, and that was what counted.

      “I thought you understood that I want you to get established before the opening,” Patrick said. “I’ve arranged to set aside a temporary office for you in our West Wing. I’m sure you’ll find it more than adequate.”

      “I’ll have to move my office? That’s inconvenient, but it’s too late to change things now, I suppose,” the man grumbled. With his dramatic black hair and green eyes, he might be considered handsome, but his high-handed attitude made it hard to see him as anything but a potential pain in the neck.

      “Sorry about the misunderstanding.” Patrick was determined to remain diplomatic. He’d provided Jason with full information when they met in person last June during a medical convention, but apparently the man hadn’t been paying attention.

      “The main reason I called is that I have to fly to Los Angeles next week to speak at a seminar,” Jason said. “If you want to hold a press conference to announce that you’re hiring me, it’s the only time I’ll be available until after the holidays.”

      “Next week?” Patrick had planned to schedule the press conference for early November, after the Oktoberfest fund-raiser at his estate. “That’s short notice.”

      “Flying to the West Coast again would take too much time from my schedule,” Jason said. “I can pop down to Serene Beach on Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning, take your pick.” He made his offer sound like a great concession.

      There was no point in arguing. Patrick was counting on the news of hiring Dr. Carmichael to generate excitement and bring in more donations for the Endowment Fund. “Tuesday afternoon,” he said.

      The physician nodded. “Fine. Let my secretary know if you need her to fax you more information about me. By the way, since my current secretary can’t relocate, it’s essential that you hire someone to be on staff no later than January.”

      “Before you arrive?”

      “I want my files set up and my appointments in order when I get there. Someone experienced and reliable.”

      “Anything else?” Patrick asked, trying to keep the edge from his voice.

      “That’s all I can think of. Call my secretary with the time when you get the press conference set up.”

      “I’ll do that.” Patrick gritted his teeth to keep from adding a sarcastic “sir,” along with a salute.

      Jason clicked off. Patrick stared blurrily at the computer screen. He’s