Diagnosis: Expecting Boss's Baby. Jacqueline Diamond

subject at hand. “I need to meet with Loretta Arista. Jason Carmichael’s going to be in town next week and it’s our only chance to schedule a press conference.”

      Natalie made a note on her pad. “Next week? That’s sudden.”

      “Dr. Carmichael likes to have things his own way,” Patrick said, then added, “Once he settles in, I’m sure he’ll be fine. By the way, the videoconferencing works quite well.”

      “I’ll have to try it sometime. Maybe with my sister Alana in Oregon.” Natalie walked over to stand behind him, regarding the videocamera fixed atop the computer. Patrick tapped a button and suddenly an image appeared on the screen, live and in motion: her standing, him seated, both looking out at themselves.

      “Does that make you feel like a shoplifter under surveillance?” he joked, and saw his image move as he spoke.

      “It makes me feel like a movie star.” She took a closer look. “Well, maybe an actress in a low-budget production.”

      As she brushed against him, Patrick caught the scent of almonds and honey. Bath soap, he thought, and visualized her running a bar of soap along her bare skin as she stood sleek and naked in the shower, hair tousled around her shoulders. He could almost taste the almonds.

      On the screen Patrick saw his eyes dilate and his lips part as if he was about to sample something wonderful. Startled, he clicked off the camera.

      Natalie took an abrupt step back, as if she, too, had snapped out of a daydream. “I’ll call Loretta,” she said, and headed for the door.

      “One more thing.” She halted. “Our new specialist wants a top-notch secretary. I’m relying on you to find her for him.”

      “Me?” Natalie asked. “Why not Human Resources?”

      “Because we need someone out of the ordinary,” Patrick said. “Human Resources can place the ads and do the initial screening, but I want you to interview the candidates. She’ll have to be a self-starter, reliable and experienced. Someone like you.”

      “The hard part is going to be saying no to applicants,” Natalie admitted. “I hate disappointing people.”

      “You’ll hate it even more if you disappoint Jason Carmichael,” Patrick said. “By the way, one more qualification—his secretary needs a thick skin.”

      “I’ll call the zoo and see if they have any alligators who can type,” she said.

      After Natalie left, Patrick stared after her for a bemused moment. He didn’t know how he would function in this crazy-making job if it wasn’t for her. His predecessor, Dr. Grier, had been so high-handed that he’d destroyed staff morale and sent donations plummeting, but at least he’d had the sense to hire Natalie.

      Thinking about her reminded Patrick of her mother’s dolls. With a smile, he picked up the phone and called Miriam James, the gift-shop manager, to give her Angie’s number.

      By the time he hung up, the public-relations director was waiting to see him.

      “WE’LL HAVE TO HUSTLE to get the press kits ready in time, but otherwise, there shouldn’t be a problem.” Sitting on the far side of Patrick’s desk, Loretta Arista gave a knowing nod to Natalie. “I could use all the help I can get, of course.”

      “Count on me,” Natalie said. Remembering Rita’s confidential disclosure about her sister trying to get pregnant, she wished she had a magic wand so she could help. Well, maybe the great Dr. Jason Carmichael was the answer to Loretta’s prayers.

      “If you hit any roadblocks, I’ll run interference,” Patrick said. “If you like, we can hold the press conference at the yacht-club ballroom.”

      “I’d prefer our own auditorium.” Slim and businesslike, Loretta wore her dark hair short, with a white streak in the front that gave her a sophisticated air. “That will make it easier for our key staff members to attend, even if it is a less-than-elegant location.” The auditorium was located in the basement of the Birthing Center. “We can host a reception afterward in the conference room next to it.”

      Not only top staff members but patrons would be invited. The hiring of a new infertility director affected them all.

      “I’m debating whether we should continue to keep his identity a secret,” Patrick said. “It won’t be easy, with us running off press releases and making copies of his photograph to hand out when he arrives.”

      “It’s more exciting if it’s a surprise, to the press, as well as to everyone else,” Loretta said. “Let’s try to keep it under wraps.”

      As Natalie took notes, Patrick and Loretta went over the details of the presentation and the reception. As always, she was impressed by the way her boss focused on details without losing sight of the big picture.

      She tried not to stare at him. Patrick always seemed too muscular and vibrant to fit behind a desk. She knew exactly where he did fit, and how it felt. In bed, out of bed…

      A few minutes ago, standing behind him, she’d had an outrageous urge to lean forward until her breasts pressed into his back. She’d imagined him turning around and pulling her onto his lap, after which their clothes would rapidly disappear. Thank goodness he couldn’t read minds.

      “This won’t interfere with planning for the Oktoberfest, I hope,” Patrick said.

      That lighthearted evening celebration was less than two weeks away. Political leaders, entertainment and sports figures and corporate heads from across Southern California had been invited.