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

“I’m nervous.”
    Owen switched on the light, closed the door and folded his arms. “About my qualifications?”
    â€œOf course not!”
    â€œGlad to hear it.” With another of those cocky grins, he led the way to the inner suite.
    Bailey’s hand drifted to her midsection. “I’m not ready.”
    Owen flicked on the overheads in an examining room.“I’m only going to listen to the baby’s heartbeat and perform an ultrasound. There’s nothing invasive.”
    â€œIt’s not the medical procedure.”
    â€œThen what?”
    This was hard to admit. “I’m not ready for the baby to be real.”
    At the sink, he washed his hands. “How’s that?”
    Bailey struggled to summon the right words, for herself as well as for him. “When I volunteered to be a surrogate, I had this vague idea of my sister holding a baby and humming lullabies, like in some commercial. Sure, I knew I’d get big and suffer nausea and backaches, and that eventually the little guy would have to come out of me, but it was all kind of remote.”
    â€œSo you’d rather watch a greeting card commercial than see your own baby on an ultrasound?”
    Bailey glared. “I shouldn’t have expected you to understand. It’s not like it’s your kid.”
    From a cabinet, Owen took out a hospital gown, the latest model in powder-blue. Nora’s patients made do with much-laundered pink gowns. “Put this on. I’ll be back in a sec.”
    â€œYou aren’t listening!”
    â€œYou want to change in front of me?” One eyebrow arched. “I’m game.”
    She accepted the gown. “I’ll talk to Nora tomorrow. There’s no reason for you to do this.”
    â€œOther than the fact that we’re here?” He looked much larger than usual in this intimate room.
    â€œIf we go home, we won’t be here,” Bailey countered. “That will take care of that.”
    He started to laugh. “You’re a tough character.”
    She narrowed her eyes. “And you’re stubborn as an ox.”
    Gently, he reached out and rubbed his palms across hershoulders. “You’re scared. This whole situation feels out of control, right?”
    His kind tone caught her off guard. “I didn’t expect to get pregnant right away,” Bailey blurted. “Then, after I did, Phyllis more or less abandoned me. I mean, about the medical care. Now I’m sticking out to here already, which means there might be something wrong.”
    Owen leaned down, his forehead close to hers. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The fact that you’re large doesn’t mean there’s a problem. That’s what we’re here to learn.”
    To Bailey’s embarrassment, tears burned in her eyes. “What if I see the baby and it isn’t…I don’t know…”
    â€œOne step at a time,” he murmured.
    Bailey felt an irrational urge to cling to Owen. A woman needed the father with her during a pregnancy. She’d blindly accepted the assurance that her sister would fill that role, but now she was left counting on a man she hardly knew. And he was being so gentle. If she weren’t careful, she’d put her arms around him. This was Dr. Owen Tartikoff! Was she out of her mind?
    Pride, more than anything, enabled her to draw a deep breath and straighten her shoulders. “Okay. I’ll change.”
    He nodded, but stayed right where he was, close enough for her to smell his aftershave lotion and that indefinable essence de Owen.
    â€œYou can step out now, Doctor,” Bailey said with a touch of sharpness. “I’ll push the button when I’m ready.” That would activate a green light in the hallway.
    â€œThank you, Nurse.” Looking amused, he strode out.
    Bailey made a face at the blue gown in her arms. Was she actually going to let her know-it-all