Maitland Maternity: Triplets, Quads and Quints. Kasey Michaels

him what they needed and what problems they were having.

      It was a management technique Bri had used, but she hadn’t expected such consideration from Hunter. He didn’t hurry the staff, and never denounced their ideas. Occasionally, he complimented some suggestions but explained that they had limited funds.

      She’d expected her team to ask for everything possible, thinking Bri could strong-arm the money out of her father’s pocket. Hunter pointed out the generosity of their benefactor, her father, and the need to stay within budget unless what was needed would save lives.

      And dammit! They listened to him.

      When he dismissed her team, Bri could read the satisfaction in their faces. She began the struggle to rise.

      “Stay seated, Bri. I have a couple of other things to go over,” he added softly before he escorted the others out. Everyone turned and stared at her, smiles on all their faces.

      As if they thought Hunter was flirting with her!

      That realization sent her blood pressure over the roof. How idiotic! They were both professionals. How could her people think that she was interested in romance at a time like this?

      It was Hunter’s fault! He was paying her too much attention because he thought her babies were his, too. Well, she’d set him straight about that. Right now!

      He closed the door and walked back toward her.

      “These are not your babies!” she snarled as he got closer.

      “Why are you bringing that issue up now?” he asked calmly.

      “Did you see their faces? They think we’re—we’re interested in each other! You’ve got to stop paying me special attention!”

      “But I am interested in you, Bri,” he said, his gaze fixed on her. Those damned blue eyes.

      “Only because you think these babies have something to do with you. And they don’t!”

      He sat in the chair next to her, the one earlier occupied by Joanna, and reached for her wrist. “I think you’re getting upset again. You’ve got to stop that, or I’ll have to put you in the hospital. It’s bad for the girls.”

      She closed her eyes and leaned her head against the back of the chair. “It’s your fault.”

      “I know. I warned you I gave good foot massages, but I didn’t expect you to beg for another one so soon,” he said, a grin on his handsome face.

      She groaned. Then she sat up. Before she could start to rise, however, he reached for her feet. “I don’t have any lotion here, but I can do a quick massage while we talk.”

      “No! No, you can’t. What if—” Then she groaned again as his magic fingers pressed into her flesh.

      And Helen entered the office.

      Bri tried to jerk her feet out of his hands, but he held on. “Yes, Helen?”

      “I have all the doctors’ files for you to review, Hunter. Oh, Bri, you lucky girl. When I was pregnant, I would’ve done anything for a foot rub. My husband refused to give me one.” She sighed. “Is there anything else, Hunter?”

      “No, Helen, thank you.” And he continued to massage Bri’s feet.

      Bri covered her face with her hands. “Hunter, please stop. The entire hospital is going to be talking about us if you don’t.” She realized her voice had descended to the level of pleading, but she didn’t know how else to get him to stop.

      “Honey, I’m just trying to make things easier for you, that’s all. I’ll explain it to anyone who says differently. Indirectly, you’re my patient. I know what’s good for pregnant ladies.”

      “I—I have to go. I have a job to do. It’s very important that I do my job.”

      “I know. Have you arranged for some help after the babies are born?”

      “Grace says she knows of someone,” she muttered.

      “Grace? Oh, I remember. The lady who took care of you and your brothers. She can’t come?”

      “She’s too old to take on three babies. And I’ll need help with the cooking and housecleaning. I’ve even been thinking about hiring someone now. I don’t have a big place, but it can get dirty fast. And sometimes I don’t feel up to doing laundry and the dishes.”

      She hadn’t meant to tell him that, but it seemed once she started talking about it, she couldn’t stop. She didn’t want to complain at the hospital. And she couldn’t talk to her father about such things. He’d move an army into her house and she’d lose her privacy.

      “Why don’t you call Grace today and talk to her about it? And be sure it’s someone who can cook. You shouldn’t have to cook dinner after working all day.”

      “Oh,” she said with a big sigh. “That would be heavenly, wouldn’t it?”

      “Yeah. Will you call Grace?”

      “I shouldn’t. I can manage until the girls get here. I’ll just get lazy if I don’t keep moving.”

      His blue eyes darkened, but his face remained calm. Suddenly he leaned forward and kissed her—on the lips. It happened again. Even though the kiss was almost brotherly, her response wasn’t. The magic she’d felt the first time was mild compared to what she felt today with just the touch of his lips. Had she lost her mind? She wanted more and almost reached out for him. Fortunately, his phone rang before she could actually make such a disastrous mistake.

      “Go back to your office, honey. I’ll check on you later.”

      “Yes, uh, but you shouldn’t call me honey. We’re professionals,” she reminded him as she closed the door behind her.

      At least she hoped she was.

      DR. ZACH BEAUMOUNT was on the phone Helen told him. Hunter had met the obstetrician and liked him. He reached for the stack of files, finding the ones belonging to Beaumont as Helen put the call through.

      “Zach? Hunter here. How can I help you?”

      “Did you get my files?”

      “Just got them. I haven’t had a chance to go over them yet. Is there a problem?”

      “Not with those cases. But I saw a new patient today.”

      Hunter waited for him to come to the point. Multiple births could show themselves very early.

      “She’s about five and a half months pregnant…and carrying four babies, two sets of identical twins.”

      “What’s her history?”

      “I’m the first doctor she’s seen.”

      “Damn! Any problems?”

      “The babies are undersized. I made sure she got a supply of vitamin tablets. I don’t think she has any money. I want to put her on our charity list.”

      “Of course. Do you have an address or phone number?”

      “She’s staying at a boardinghouse. Says she’s a widow, but she’s only seventeen. Her landlady convinced her to come see me.”

      “Okay, I’ll authorize putting her on the charity list and I’ll send our social worker to visit with her and take information. Do you think she’ll be able to carry them long?”

      “I doubt it. She’s small. I don’t think she’s eating well. I’d like to put her in the hospital as soon as I can talk her into it.”

      “That’s probably a good idea. We’ll get the ball moving from this end. Thanks for letting me know, and send a copy of her file to Helen.”

      “Right away. Thanks for supporting me on this case.”

      Hunter smiled. “That’s