Free SH Medical 08 - The Baby Dilemma by Jacqueline Diamond Page B

from her for the summer. She has a place at the beach.”
    Patty’s eyebrows shot up. “You’re living with her?”
    “That would be correct.” Mike nearly added that it was a platonic arrangement, but why bother? It was none of her business and, besides, he didn’t plan for it to stay platonic.
    “What’s this?” On tiptoe, Sue Carrera peered over Patty’s shoulder. “You’re moving in with someone?” A child-free divorcée in her midfifties, the secretary adored any whiff of romance among her fellow staffers.
    “I’m renting a room,” Mike corrected.
    “You did mention you were looking for a house.” Sue sounded disappointed.
    “Found one. I’ll email you the new address.” Enough of this subject. “I’ve got a new client coming at ten. Name she gave was Mrs. Jones.”
    “I’ll set up a file.” Sue departed, as did Patty. Neither looked entirely satisfied.
    A short while later, Mike was reviewing his and Patty’s schedules for the week when he heard Sue call out, “Hi. Can I help you?”
    “Mrs. Jones, to see Detective Aaron.” The impatient female voice sounded vaguely familiar.
    It was 9:55. Very punctual, he thought, and closed the file.
    “If you’ll just sign in—”
    “I prefer not to sign anything. Just let him know I’m here.”
    Where had he heard that patrician tone with its strident edge? Mike did his best to remember everyone he met, particularly those in business and local government.
    Even though the woman had given an alias, her manner implied she expected red-carpet treatment. And if she was who he suspected, no wonder.
    Springing to his feet, Mike went to greet the mayor’s wife.
    * * *
    E VEN THOUGH SHE ’ D SHEPHERDED hundreds of women over the course of nine months and helped bring their babies into the world, by Monday morning Paige still hadn’t fully grasped the reality of being pregnant. So many things to consider, so many plans to make. And, at the moment, so many hormones to contend with.
    Launching her body into action had never been difficult before. Today, she longed to pull the covers over her head; then, to linger in the shower. At breakfast, she missed having Mike pamper her, although cereal and milk with a side of orange juice was healthier than waffles.
    She also missed her usual coffee, since the brew tasted impossibly bitter. But she did enjoy the soothing rumble of the surf and the delightful childish laughter from next door, where a young couple with two children had replaced the party girls.
    Her peaceful, settled mood didn’t last long. Arriving at the medical building, Paige was hit by the obnoxious odor of disinfectant suffusing the elevator. She supposed the cleaning crew used it regularly, but she’d barely noticed it before. Well, she should get in the habit of climbing the stairs to the second floor, anyway.
    After greeting the receptionist and nurse, she hurried into her office to check her email before the first patient arrived. In the queue, a staff message from Dr. T leaped out. He reported that the pregnancy rate for the first three months of the contest failed to meet his expectations. In fact, he noted sternly, he himself had achieved the highest rate, and the rest of them had better step it up. Translation: Push your patients into more aggressive treatment.
    Although Dr. T was bound to be crankier than usual with his favorite scrub nurse gone for the week, Paige didn’t appreciate the pressure. Still, as a new staff member, she was hardly in a position to complain.
    She deleted the message, along with the usual newsletters and other routine items, and responded to inquiries from patients. Concerned about the woman who’d delivered the baby with Down syndrome, Paige was glad to see a message from the patient’s regular physician. He thanked her for the extra care and promised to follow up with whatever referrals the couple needed.
    With the emails out of the way, Paige noted that this morning’s schedule was jam-packed with