Maitland Maternity: Triplets, Quads and Quints. Kasey Michaels

off to the kitchen where he could repeat Hunter’s appreciative remarks to his friends.

      Dr. Callaghan, as she was determined to think of him, had risen to his feet and stood waiting.

      Bri kept about three feet of distance between her and the table. “Sorry to interrupt, R.J., Dr. Callaghan. I wanted to welcome you again to our wing, Dr. Callaghan. And to excuse myself. Abby insisted I only stay a couple of minutes.”

      R.J. stood and crossed the three feet and kissed her on the cheek. “You did a bang-up job, Bri. Now go take care of those girls. I’m sure Hunter agrees that their well-being takes precedence over any party.”

      “Thanks, R.J.” She immediately turned to head for the door, but she couldn’t escape quite so quickly.

      “Ms. McCallum,” Hunter said, stopping her in her tracks. “Thanks for arranging such a nice party.”

      “You’re welcome,” she said, backing up.

      “And I believe you said you’d set aside some time in the morning for us to talk?”

      Her gaze flickered to his blue eyes and hurriedly looked away. There was an edge to his words, almost threatening. “Yes, at nine in the morning, but only if you want to talk then. If you have more important things to do, we can make it when it’s more convenient for you.”

      “More convenient for me? Hmm, I’ll let you know in the morning. Is that all right with you?”

      “Yes, of course. Just let Lisa know.”

      She hesitated, wanting to leave but not wanting to appear rude. That would start all kinds of rumors flying through the hospital. And endless questions.

      Though she kept her gaze down, she couldn’t help but see the hand he held out. Oh, my. She was going to have to shake his hand after all. Maybe she could claim to have poison ivy! Or the measles. Or—or—nothing else occurred to her. And none of her ideas would work. Abby would be all over her if she heard her say any of those silly things.

      Come on, Briana, where’s your courage? Just shake his hand and get out of here! She drew a deep breath and reached out to receive his offer of a handshake. It had to be her nerves that caused the trembling, not his flesh. But something happened. She felt like static electricity had shot through her.

      With a gasp, she jerked her hand away and fled from Dr. Hunter Callaghan’s presence. She’d think up a good excuse later…if anyone bothered to ask.

       Chapter Six

      When five o’clock rolled around, Lisa stuck her head through the door. “It’s time to go home, Bri. Are you ready?”

      “Not today, Lisa. It’s been such a strange day, I need a few more minutes to work before I can leave.”

      “But Dr. Abby said—”

      “I know. But she said my life should go on as normal for as long as I can manage it. And I definitely wouldn’t leave all this paperwork for tomorrow. Besides, I’m just going to sit here, no strain. I promise.” She gave Lisa her best smile. After all, she was the boss.

      “Okay, but maybe you should sleep in in the morning and come in late.”

      “And keep Dr. Callaghan waiting? Not a good career move.” Bri would prefer to do as Lisa said, but she knew she couldn’t.

      “Oh, I’d forgotten. Okay, but don’t stay late.”

      “I won’t.” She looked down at the papers on her desk, hoping Lisa would take the hint and leave without more warnings. She appreciated all the concern from her colleagues, but she didn’t need a hundred mother hens.

      “’Night,” Lisa called, and then there was silence.

      She was alone at last. No more questions about her reaction to Dr. Callaghan’s handshake. As she’d figured, there had been a few. She’d told them all it was carpet shock or something. Amazingly enough, they’d believed her. Or appeared to, even Abby, who’d dropped by around three to check on her.

      Now, she’d passed all the tests and would probably only see the man at rare intervals. They could handle most of their business over the phone. She’d just have to deal with his voice.

      She turned her attention back to her work. She only had a few minutes worth, but she wanted to make sure she didn’t run into the good doctor as he left the building. She figured he’d be gone soon. After all, it was his first day. He couldn’t be behind so quickly.

      After she finished the last of her chores, she cleared her desk and made a list of what she needed to deal with when she first arrived in the morning. It was best not to be caught unawares.

      A noise in Lisa’s office caught her attention. “Is someone out there?” Briana called through the open door.

      “Oh,” Dr. Hunter Callaghan said as he appeared in the doorway. “You’re still here. Good.” He entered her office and closed the door behind him. “I thought we should have a little talk.”

      Briana struggled to control the panic welling up in her. “I was about to go home, Dr. Callaghan.”

      “Don’t be so formal, Bri. Make it Hunter.”

      “I realize I said we’d talk at your convenience, Dr. Callaghan,” she began, ignoring his offer of informality, “but I really think tomorrow morning would be better.”

      “Oh, we’ll talk tomorrow morning. But that will be a business meeting. Right now I think we need to have a personal meeting.”

      He wasn’t going to play the game. Pretend they’d never met. Okay, she’d take the gloves off. “Why? It’s a little late to explain why you dumped me.”

      “Why I what?”

      She lifted her chin, not about to be intimidated by his behavior. “Why you left me asleep and disappeared, no note, no nothing.”

      “Lady, I went to my room to shower and change. Then I came back down to take you to breakfast.”

      She sneered at him. “Easy to say, now, isn’t it? Look, doctor, I prefer that we forget what happened in the past and simply work together as business colleagues, nothing more, nothing less.” She shoved back her chair. “If you’ll excuse me, now that we’ve got that straight, I’ll be on my way.”

      “There’s one problem with your suggestion,” he said softly, glaring at her.

      “What?”

      “You’re having my children.” His blue eyes were piercing, leaving her no—what had he called it?—wiggle room.

      But she’d prepared for this moment. “You’re wrong. I’m not having your children.”

      “Abby said you’re twenty-eight weeks. That’s exactly how long it’s been since I made love to you in New York City.”

      She cleared her throat. “I realized it might seem that way to you, but then you don’t know what happened when I got off the plane.” She held her gaze steady, determined to do the best acting job of her life.

      “What happened?”

      “My ex-boyfriend met my plane. He convinced me that he was ready for commitment, which was what we argued over. I gave him a second chance. We were together about six weeks when I took a pregnancy test. Abby told me I was four weeks pregnant, she thought. You know how inexact these things can be.”

      “So where is he?”

      “He panicked and ran. He wasn’t ready after all.” She sat silently, watching him, hoping and praying she’d convinced him.

      “Have you told him about the girls?”

      “No.”

      “Are you going to?”

      “Why would I?