The Doctor's Baby. Cindy Kirk

Though her son was only a day old, July understood. She returned Lexi’s smile.

      “Does her father live in Jackson?” From a previous comment July knew the social worker wasn’t married, but that didn’t mean the guy wasn’t in her life.

      “Drew lives in Columbus, Ohio,” Lexi said matter-of-factly. “He’s not involved at all.”

      “Is his name on her birth certificate?” The minute the question left her lips, July wanted to call it back. Though the social worker had been forthcoming about her personal life, the question was way too personal.

      “It is.” Lexi took a seat in the chair by the bed with a gracefulness July envied. “I considered leaving it off. After all, once he found out I was pregnant he didn’t want anything to do with me.”

      “Yet you put his name on her birth certificate.”

      “Drew is her father and him being a jerk doesn’t change that.” Lexi spoke matter-of-factly, without a hint of emotion on her face. “Putting ‘unknown’ would have been a lie. And I didn’t want Addie’s life to start off with a lie.”

      July leaned back against the pillow and considered the words. She’d never thought of it that way. But that’s what she’d be doing if she left David’s name off the birth certificate.

      “One of my concerns is that Adam’s dad is from Jackson,” July found herself admitting. “I don’t want anyone knowing that he’s my baby’s father.”

      Lexi’s expression turned serious. “I can assure you that the hospital places a high emphasis on maintaining confidentiality. This application will immediately go into an envelope and be mailed.”

       Yeah, but who puts it in the envelope?

      Lexi must have sensed July still wasn’t convinced because she leaned forward and placed a hand on her arm. “If you like I can take care of it myself. No one else will see it.”

      July cocked her head. “How about you? Will you look?”