Free Practice Makes Perfect by Kathryn Shay Page B

she went into labor, she could have him paged and he’d come in to deliver.
    After about half an hour, Ian stood. “I’ll have the nurse show you to the examining room.” He called Cindy Black—one of the part-time nurses—who came and ushered the girl away. Ian closed the door and leaned against it, his big shoulders stiff. “What’s going on, Nora?”
    Nora sighed. “Her mother drinks. I didn’t think she could be counted on to get Mary Ellen to the hospital when the time came, so I convinced her to let Mary Ellen stay at Serenity House until the babies are born.”
    “I see. Are you sure she’s got a place to go afterward?”
    I’m only here for a few months, Nora. As soon as my mom and dad get out of rehab, Jade and I can go home.
    “Her mother says she wants her back.”
    We want both you and Jade back, darling. This arrangement is just temporary
.
    Nora’s face showed exasperation. “No, I’m not sure. But I have no say in this, Ian.”
    Paige straightened. “What do you think’s going on?”
    “I think Lena Barone plans to use the government assistance Mary Ellen will get for her kids to buy booze.” Nora’s voice was scathing. “She’s got this live-in boyfriend, and there are indications that he put the idea into her head.”
    Ian swore. “Sorry, ladies. This just galls me.”
    Paige said, “Isn’t there
something
you can do about it, Nora?”
    “No. Mary Ellen wants her mother.”
    I want my mother. Please, I want my mother
.
    Paige’s stomach churned. “It’s not right.”
    Ian stood. “I have to go.” He squeezed Nora’s shoulder. “We’ll take good care of her here, Nora.”
    When Ian left, Paige stared down at Mary Ellen’s chart, but saw, instead, the face of another young, trusting girl.
    “This situation hits pretty close to home, doesn’t it.”
    She looked up at Nora. “I don’t want to talk about it.
    “All right. But let me say one thing. I’m worried about you working here. This kind of parallel is bound to happen a lot, Paige.”
    “I’m not seventeen anymore, Nora. I have control of my life and my emotions. I’ll be fine dealing with girls like Mary Ellen.”
    “I still can’t figure why you’re here.”
    She gave Nora a sideways glance. “Did you ever try to change Ian Chandler’s mind about anything?”
    Nora laughed. “I see what you mean. But it’s unlike you to let a man bulldoze you.”
    “I really didn’t stand a chance against Dr. I’ll Get My Way Or Else.”
    “Still, I don’t like it, Paige. I know you don’t want to be confronted with your past.”
    Paige fiddled with the folder and changed the subject. “Is everybody coming for your wedding?”
    She rarely asked about the other girls. She didn’t want to know what had happened to them after they left Serenity House.
    “Dan heard from Anabelle. She’s going to make it.”
    “Where is she?”
    “In Seattle.” Nora cocked her head. “You want to know?”
    “Sure.” Paige tried to smile.
    “She’s a cop.”
    “Like Dan?” Paige knew there had been a special bond between those two, though she never knew all the details. “How nice.”
    “Have you spoken with Jade?”
    “I caught her on her way out last week. She got your invitation. She said she’d get back to me, but she hasn’t yet.”
    “Feeling bad about losing touch with her?”
    “No,” Paige lied. “I hope she comes home, though, so we can straighten this whole thing out.”
    There was a knock on the door. “Come in,” Paige called, grateful for the interruption. Cindy entered. Always businesslike, the tall, slender nurse was also warm and friendly. “Paige, Ian wants you to join him in the examining room.”
    “Sure.” She stood. “Don’t worry about me, Nora. I’m okay.”
    “I’ll always worry about you, sweetie.”
    Not liking the ominous reply, Paige headed out to join Ian.
    o0o
    IAN WAS BONE-WEARY as he made his way to his office at the end of the Center’s first day. He’d delivered a