Free Stealing Home by Sherryl Woods Page B

club for women.” She might not have made a firm decision before, but the incredulous expression on Bill’s face was enough to solidify her resolve. Not that she was ready to tell Helen and Dana Sue just yet. “You’ll have to tell Noreen all about the postpregnancy classes we’re going to be offering. Maybe it will help her get her shape back. I noticed just now that she’s put on a few pounds that pregnancy alone can’t account for. I’m sure she must be aware of your tendency toward a wandering eye.”
    Before he could say a word to that sarcastic observation, she walked out, pleased that her announcement had left her husband speechless.
     
    Bill stared after Maddie and wondered what had become of the pleasant, accommodating woman he’d married. He didn’t know this confident, feisty woman at all.
    Then, again, she bore an amazing resemblance to the girl he’d fallen in love with back in high school. It was only their early struggles and Maddie’s determination to play the role of supportive wife that had changed her—and the way he’d looked at her—over the years. Her weight had played no part in it, despite what she’d said on her way out the door. He’dalways thought she looked damn good, even with the few extra pounds she’d been unable to shed after her pregnancies.
    His office door opened and Noreen came in, her expression uncertain.
    “She was here because she wants you back, wasn’t she?” she asked.
    “No, she doesn’t want me back,” he told Noreen, knowing it was true and in some ways regretting it. “She needed to talk to me about Tyler. Will you look at my schedule this afternoon and make sure I can get out of here no later than four o’clock? If you have to reschedule a couple of patients, do it, or ask J.C. to cover for me.”
    Thank goodness Maddie had advised him last year to take on a new medical partner. His pediatrics practice had grown too much for him to handle and still have any sort of family life. J. C. Fullerton, who’d just completed his residency, had picked up the slack. J.C. was still single, young and energetic enough to relish the challenges of a demanding small-town practice. There were times when he wondered why Noreen hadn’t focused her attention on J.C. rather than him. And truthfully, the fact that she hadn’t had flattered him.
    “Where are you going?” Noreen asked.
    “I need to spend some time with Tyler.”
    “Want me to come along?”
    He knew how sensitive she was about his kids, but he shook his head. “Not this time. I’m just going to stop by baseball practice and see how it’s going. You’d be bored.”
    She rested a hand on her stomach. “I could learn to like it,” she said. “After all, one of these days our baby might want to play baseball.”
    “I think that’s a few years down the road, whether we havea boy or a girl,” he said. “Now let’s get started. Who’s waiting for me?”
    She looked as if she wanted to say more, but then her innate professionalism kicked in. “Mrs. Nelson is in room one with Jennifer. She says Jennifer’s rash still hasn’t cleared up. I’m putting Mrs. Davis and Martin in room two. He cut himself on a nail and she wants to be sure his tetanus shot is up to date.”
    Bill nodded. “See about fixing that schedule while I’m with them, okay?”
    “Sure,” she said, but she still didn’t look happy about it.
    He stopped on his way out the door and kissed her. “We’re going to be okay, Noreen. It’s just going to take some time.”
    Her blue eyes welled with tears as she looked at him. “I love you. You know that, don’t you?”
    “That’s why I know it will all work out,” he said and slipped past her, hopefully before she could tell just how many second thoughts and regrets were whirling around in his head.
     
    Maddie stopped at Wharton’s for a hot-fudge sundae on her way home. Learning that her son was in trouble not only on the ball field but in his classes, then giving her