.

they?”

      “Yes, they were, and speaking of doctors, I spoke to Dr. Madrid today.”

      Joanna swallowed hard. “Really?”

      “Yes, on the phone, and I appreciate you letting him know about my decision.”

      “He seemed okay with it?”

      “Yeah, he was fine, as far as I could tell.”

      Joanna wondered how cooperative Rio would be if he knew of Allison’s current problems. “I’m glad.”

      “He did seem a little distracted, though.”

      He could join the club, Joanna thought. “I’m sure he’s probably very busy.”

      “He said I was in good hands with you.” Allison grinned. “Does he have personal knowledge of your hands?”

      Boy, did he. “Very funny, Allison.”

      “I’m sorry, but that day I saw him here at the center, I could tell something was going on between you two.”

      Joanna’s face felt like an inferno. “What makes you think that?”

      “By the way he looked at you. Are you going to deny there’s something going on between you two?”

      After hesitating just a little too long, Joanna realized she might as well come clean. After all, she could use someone to talk to. Several times she’d almost called Cassie O’Connor but she didn’t want to burden a busy mother of twins. And she had forged a friendship with Allison in the past few weeks. Right now Joanna could use a friend. A female friend.

      Turning away from Allison, Joanna walked to the counter and toyed with the chart. “Actually, I live with Rio.”

      Allison’s sharp intake of air caused Joanna to face her once more. “I had no idea it was that serious,” Allison said.

      “I’m only living with him temporarily until I can find a decent place of my own.”

      “But there’s a little more to it, isn’t there?”

      Joanna lowered her eyes and fiddled with the stethoscope hanging around her neck. “I suppose you could say that.”

      “Are you sharing his bed?”

      Maybe not his bed, but she had shared his bathroom floor. “I guess you could say things have progressed from an intimate standpoint. Right now I’m kind of confused over the whole situation.”

      “Sex can definitely cause confusion. It certainly changes things.”

      “Yes, it does,” Joanna said.

      Joanna glanced up to see Allison’s hands resting on her distended belly, regarding her with a questioning gaze. “Are you in love with him, Joanna?”

      Hearing the words sent shock waves spiraling through Joanna. “I’m, um, well, I’m very fond of him.”

      Allison’s eyes went wide. “God, you are in love with him, aren’t you? Didn’t they teach you in school to never fall for a doctor?”

      Joanna had sworn to never fall in love again, probably an unrealistic goal unless she decided to stop living completely. But she certainly hadn’t intended to take that leap now, and especially not with a man like Rio Madrid. A man who steered clear of commitment. “I’m not in love with him.” Yet.

      “Are you sure?”

      “Of course.” Liar. “Believe me, I’ve worked with more than a few doctors that are great at what they do, attractive in a lot of ways and anything but commitment material.” Rio in a nutshell.

      “So have I,” Allison said wistfully. “And it’s the hardest thing to accept, isn’t it?”

      Joanna was beginning to suspect Allison had more than a little personal experience with doctors. “Stop me if I’m being too intrusive, but does a doctor figure into your baby’s parentage?”

      After glancing at the picture of a perfect family hanging on the pale-blue wall, Allison turned sad eyes back to Joanna. “Yes, my baby’s father happens to be a doctor.”

      “Does he know about the pregnancy?” Joanna asked.

      Allison twisted the hem on the gown until Joanna thought it might rip. “No, not yet.”

      “Are you going to tell him?”

      “I’m not sure. He’s only recently returned from a six-month leave of absence. I don’t know how he would take the news or if he would even want to be involved. It happened one night, a huge mistake, except for the pregnancy. I wouldn’t take that back for a minute. This baby is a miracle.”

      Joanna’s heart went out to Allison knowing she might have to raise a child alone. How well she could relate to that. And although she was curious to know exactly who the unidentified doctor might be, she wouldn’t ask. “Right now, let’s concentrate on your health. Get plenty of rest, we’ll monitor you carefully and by this time next month, you’ll have your little one. Then you can decide what you want to do about the father.”

      Allison sent Joanna a knowing smile. “And maybe soon you’ll have what you want, too. Whatever that might be.”

      Right now Joanna only wanted to go home and consider what she needed to do about Rio. At least it was Friday and she wasn’t scheduled to take call but she did intend to phone her son. She needed to hear his voice, to speak to the little man, the center of her life, the only male who should matter at the moment. And Joseph did matter, more than anything in the universe. But one thing had become all too apparent. Despite how angry he’d made her that morning, Rio Madrid was starting to matter to Joanna. Too much.

      Eight

      At a little past 8:00 p.m., Joanna arrived home and held her breath as she pulled up behind Rio’s truck. In a way she’d hoped to find him gone. Another part of her warred with excitement just knowing he was there.