Free The Surgeon's Surprise Twins by Jacqueline Diamond Page A

the decision to use a surrogate, that might not have been a deliberate deception.
    But this financial business was troubling. Boone’s father had been convicted of operating confidence games that stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from naive investors. Was Boone following in his father’s footsteps right here in Safe Harbor?
    As he finished drying off in the bedroom, Owen wrestled with that possibility. If Boone and Phyllis were abusing their investors’ trust, how would that affect Bailey? If they got arrested, how badly was that going to reflect on Owen and the fertility program? Most important, should he notify the police of his suspicions?
    He had no proof and no real evidence, he conceded as he pulled on a polo shirt. Boone and his wife’s failure to arrange for proper medical care was a serious matter, but hardly criminal. If someone reported Owen to the police onvague suspicions, endangering his reputation and his medical license, he’d be furious and consider filing a libel suit.
    Let sleeping dogs lie, his mother used to say. When she was out of the room, Owen’s father had added, But never turn your back on them. Both pieces of advice struck him as worthwhile in this situation.
    Deciding to leave the matter alone for the moment, Owen zipped up his jeans and slid his bare feet into a pair of loafers. Right now, he had to make sure Bailey and her baby were all right.
    His baby, too. Not that he’d ever tell anyone. But how miraculous to be the first person to actually see it.
    Owen kept up his skills by performing occasional ultrasounds, and he’d always enjoyed the parents’ reactions. Today, he was going to discover how that felt in an entirely new way.
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    T HERE WAS AN EERIE EMPTINESS to the Safe Harbor Medical Building on a Sunday, Bailey noticed as Owen let them into a first-floor corridor through a side door. Despite the July sunshine outside, dimness bathed the hallway, with only faint safety lights to guide the way. When they entered the lobby, no one sat behind the reception desk to check them in, and the pharmacy was shuttered.
    She shivered. “Cold?” Owen asked.
    â€œNo. It just seems strange, with no one around.”
    â€œWe’re around.” Giving her a crooked grin, he punched the elevator button.
    Bailey wasn’t even close to feeling cold, and not only because of her pregnancy hormones. Owen seemed to be generating waves of energy, or maybe it was his dark red hair that gave the illusion of heat. Around him, she felt herself glowing like a furnace.
    When he ushered her into the mirrored elevator, shefelt a glimmer of doubt. Much as she needed an exam, maybe she should beg off and wait until she could see another obstetrician. Then she wouldn’t have to undress for this guy.
    He’s a doctor. Yes, and she was a nurse. Wasn’t that a game couples played? Let’s go into a room where you can examine me.
    Bailey summoned her nerve as the doors opened at the third floor. “I’m not sure this is proper.”
    â€œProper?” Owen stood aside to let her out. “What a quaint term.”
    â€œI meant…” What did she mean? “You don’t have my medical records. And you’re my brother-in-law, kind of. And besides…” Shut up, Bailey.
    â€œAnd besides, we’re here, so let’s go.” Taking her elbow, Owen guided her around a corner to a door marked with his name and specialties. Obstetrics, gynecology, fertility. None of that came close to summing up the tall, hard and overwhelmingly confident man beside her. “This is strictly between you, me and the baby. I assure you, I don’t plan to become your regular physician.”
    The waiting room was much like Nora’s a floor below, except that the couches and the paint smelled new. The place had obviously been refurbished for its star occupant.
    â€œI don’t care how private this is,” Bailey protested.