Free Practice Makes Perfect by Kathryn Shay Page A

government is earmarked for a part-time office manager to do that.”
    Paige opened the folder. “Mary Ellen Barone.”
    “Yes. She’s due in about two months. Nora Nolan’s bringing her in from Serenity House.”
    Careful to keep her face blank, Paige read the file. “She’s having twins.”
    “Uh-huh. A boy and a girl.”
    “Hmm. A ready-made family.”
    From the corner of her eye, she saw Ian lean back in his chair. “You want kids someday, Paige?”
    “Maybe someday.”
    “Any man in the picture? I thought about watching my back after I left your house the other night.”
    She looked at him. He was sprawled in the chair, arms folded over his chest, staring at her. Smiling. Flirting.
    “There’s no man in the picture right now, so you can sleep easy.” Her dry tone changed. “I told you not to misunderstand that evening, Ian. I don’t mix business with pleasure.”
    “Pleasure,” he whispered. One hand curled briefly as if he wanted to touch something. Her?
    There was a knock on the open door. Nora stepped in with a dark-haired, very pregnant girl of about seventeen. “Hi, we’re here. The nurse told us to come on back.” Nora smiled. The girl did, too, shyly. Nora said, “Mary Ellen, this is Dr. Kendrick. And of course, Dr. Chandler’s been treating you throughout your pregnancy.”
    Paige hadn’t known that. Did he work directly with Serenity House? she wondered. “Hi, Mary Ellen.”
    “Come in and sit down.” Ian stood and pulled out chairs for the two women.
    Nora and Mary Ellen came farther into the room. The girl was about Paige’s height, and the advanced pregnancy made her waddle. For a moment Paige remembered the strange sensation of being off balance, of feeling that basketball in front take over. Briefly her hand dropped to her stomach.
    Mary Ellen sat. Nora squeezed Paige’s shoulder—a gesture of support—and flanked the girl. Ian smiled at them and took a seat on the other side of the table. “How are you feeling today, Mary Ellen?”
    “Like a hippo. I can’t believe I still have two more months to go.”
    “Hmm. Only a hippo, huh? Wait till you hit the elephant stage.”
    The girl laughed. For the first time, Paige wondered what it would be like to have a gynecologist like Ian.
    “I’ll want to do another ultrasound today. But since twins often come early, I thought we’d go through a few things about the labor and the birth, and then you can ask Dr. Kendrick any questions you have about the babies.”
    Mary Ellen beamed, making her plain features glow. “I’m so excited.”
    “Good. Have you arranged to attend the childbirth classes I told you about?”
    Glancing gratefully at Nora, Mary Ellen nodded. “Uh-huh. Nora’s going with me to them.”
    Breathe, Paige. That’s it. In and out slowly...
    A frown marred Ian’s handsome brow. “I thought your mother was going to be your coach.”
    “Um, she can’t.”
    “Are you still planning to go home and live with her after the babies are born?”
    A proud expression lit the girl’s face. “Yes. Mom’s getting the room ready now.”
    Your father and I will clear out the back room, Paige. Daddy will paint it yellow and I’ll sew some curtains.
    “When will you be leaving Serenity House?” Ian shot a look at Nora—a concerned one this time.
    “As soon as the babies are born. My mom can’t take care of me now.”
    Ian’s jaw tightened. Paige wondered what was going on.
    “All right. Let’s talk about getting these babies here first, then Dr. Kendrick can fill you in on what to expect of a newborn.”
    Do you ever think about her?
    Mary Ellen had some questions about epidurals and C-sections, and the dangers associated with having twins. Ian assured her that all her ultrasounds looked good, but if there were problems, he’d be right there to handle them. And he’d delivered several sets of twins, so he was experienced. In fact, he told her, as Paige had told Kari Linstrom, even if he wasn’t on duty when