Maitland Maternity: Triplets, Quads and Quints. Kasey Michaels

with any patient. In particular, with Briana McCallum.

      Helen returned a few minutes later and assured him all the doctors would send the files as soon as they could get them copied.

      “Good. And after the files arrive, we’ll need to schedule a visit with each doctor to go over the cases. Now, call Ms. McCallum and tell her I’m ready to go over some things with her as soon as she’s free. And when she comes, I’d like you to bring in some milk and a muffin for her and coffee for me.”

      “Yes, sir.”

      He wanted to make sure she was eating properly. He’d decided last night, lying in his bed, staring at the ceiling, that he wasn’t going to risk his heart. But he was going to take care of his babies.

      Only minutes later, Helen buzzed him to say Briana had arrived. He rose from his chair as the door opened and the mother of his daughters entered. Today she was wearing black slacks and a rose-colored top that matched her cheeks.

      “Good morning,” he said and gestured toward a large, comfortable chair in front of his desk. As she sat down, he found a low table near another chair, cleared everything off it and put it in front of Bri’s chair. Then he lifted her feet to rest on the table.

      “What—what are you doing?”

      “It’s better for pregnant women to keep their feet up.”

      “But I’m at work. I can’t—”

      “You’re also one of our patients. Did you get a good night’s sleep?” He didn’t think so. She looked a little fragile this morning.

      “Yes,” she replied, her voice crisp. “I brought you a list of the problems we’ve dealt with in the past month. I’ve also set up a rotating checklist to stay on top of possible problems, and a contact sheet of people to call, depending on the specific problem. Other than me, of course. I’m supposed to be called when anything goes wrong.”

      “How very efficient of you. That will come in handy when you’re on maternity leave. Have you thought about working half days now until you deliver?”

      She glared at him. “No, I haven’t!”

      “Hmmm. Well, we’ll talk about that later, after I review your file.”

      “After you what?”

      He had been scanning the sheets of paper she’d given him. When he looked up in surprise, he discovered her leaning forward, stress on her features.

      “I said, after I look at your file. I’m reviewing all the cases we’re currently handling. I want to be familiar with all our patients before we have a surprise.”

      “I don’t want you to look at my file!” She drew a deep breath, an obvious effort to calm down, but her gaze remained firmly on him. “I’m going to ask Abby to keep my file private.”

      “If she does, she’ll have to operate at some other hospital,” he said calmly.

      She was sputtering, unable to get a coherent word out as Helen walked in carrying a tray.

      “Ah, thanks, Helen. I think my guest is ready for a break.”

      Helen smiled back and then looked at Briana. “My dear, are you all right? Do I need to call Abby?” She shot Hunter a suspicious look, as if he were responsible for Bri’s distress.

      “Maybe you should ask Abby to visit with us as soon as she can, Helen. Bri and I are having a difference of opinion.”

      After another close look at Briana, Helen moved quickly to the door.

      When it closed behind her, Bri found her voice. “You can’t threaten to throw Abby out of her own family’s hospital! You’ll be out the door if you try such a thing!”

      He smiled. “I won’t have to threaten such a thing, Bri. Abby won’t refuse to give me her files. It’s my job to be on top of each situation. She knows that.”

      “No! You have nothing to do with my pregnancy. I told you that. I don’t want strangers going through my file!”

      “Stranger? You’re calling me a stranger?”

      “We’re business acquaintances. It will be awkward to know that you’ve—you’ve read my files. And it’s unnecessary. I’m perfectly healthy. Abby will tell you.”

      Hunter noted that her hands and lips were trembling. “Drink some milk and eat your muffin. It’s good for the girls. Have you named them yet?” He’d thought about that last night.

      “Yes.”

      “Well? Are their names secret, too?”

      “No, of course not. I’m naming them Emily, Eleanor and Elizabeth. Emily was my mother’s name.”

      “Elizabeth was my mother’s name.” He was amazed at how much that meant to him. He liked all three names, but Elizabeth was special to him.

      “I didn’t know that!”

      He cocked one eyebrow. “I know.”

      Helen buzzed him again. “Abby is here.”

      Hunter stood again as Abby entered his office. “Good morning, doctor. Hope we didn’t interrupt your busy schedule?”

      “I don’t start appointments until ten,” Abby said with a smile, but her gaze was focused on Briana. “Hey, Bri, are you doing all right?”

      “Fine,” Bri said, but she didn’t sound like it.

      “Glad you’re drinking milk. Mmm, that muffin looks good, too.” Just as Abby finished, Helen came in with another coffee cup and saucer and poured her a cup of coffee from the pot already on the tray. “Oh, thank you, Helen.”

      Hunter slid the plate of muffins toward Abby. “Help yourself.”

      “Thanks. I missed breakfast this morning.” She selected a muffin and bit into it, a look of pleasure on her face.

      Hunter gave her a couple of minutes to enjoy the muffin. Then he cleared his throat. “Bri and I were having a difference of opinion and she was getting stressed. I thought it might smooth things out if you explained the necessity to her.”

      Abby looked first at Bri and then Hunter. “Of course, I’ll try, though Bri’s pretty savvy about things around here.”

      Bri wasn’t looking at anyone, just staring into the glass of milk.

      “I explained to her that I would be reviewing her file, as I will all our patients. She would prefer that you keep her file to yourself.”

      Abby stared at Bri. “I can’t do that, Bri. Dr. Callaghan is the head of obstetrics for the multiple birth wing. Of course he’ll review the files. He’s more experienced in multiple births than me.”

      BRI KNEW when she’d lost a battle. And she also knew Dr. Hunter Callaghan’s office was not the place to embark on her next battle. She’d talk privately to Abby about not having the man in the delivery room when it came time for her girls to arrive.

      She carefully set the glass of milk, scarcely touched, back on the tray. “I’m sorry. I should never have objected. It’s just that I hadn’t realized—he took me by surprise. Of course he’ll need to review my file. But, as I told him, I’m in perfect health. I won’t take up much of his time,” she added with a smile at Abby. “I’m sorry I interrupted your busy morning.” She pushed herself up from the chair. “Be sure to call if you need anything, Dr. Callaghan.”

      “I need you to drink your milk.”

      His calm words acted like a brick wall. An awkward silence filled the room. Drawing a deep breath, she said, “Of course.” Picking up the glass, she added, “I’ll take it with me and drink it while I’m working.”

      “I’d rather you drink it here while you finish the muffin. I want