Free Mother's Day Babies (Holiday Babies Series) by Mona Risk

each
other?”
    “Of course, I agree
with you. I’m just telling you what I remember from the article on surrogacy. The
other type is when the egg resulting from a couple’s sperm and ovule is
implanted in the surrogate mother—”
    “So my daughter is just a paid container ? Is that what you’re saying?” Raw
pain contorted his insides. “In that case, she can’t be my daughter. No
daughter could ever do that to her father.”
    Barbara stood and wrapped her
arms around him. “You’re hurting, Lou. I hate to see you suffering so much, but
let’s not judge her. She looked so pretty and vulnerable in that bed.”
    “Her mother was pretty too and
knew how to use her beauty to manipulate everyone. If only she’d had a tenth of
your integrity and compassion,” he growled, cursing the events that had
interrupted the beginning of his new relationship with Barbara.
    How on Earth had sperm and insemination replaced kiss and feelings in their
conversation? To think Barbara had melted in his arms the night before, and now
they were discussing the subject most apt to smother any passion they felt.
    Barbara gently caressed his
cheek. “Lou, I was just explaining what I read. I don’t know much about the topic.”
    Afraid to hold her and lose his
rational mind when he needed it most, he eased away and wiped his forehead. “I
feel ridiculous.” His taut voice grazed his own nerves. “As the director of an
info network, I should have known the abc of these surrogacy procedures.”
    He fumbled with his phone and
punched a number. “Roxanne,” he bellowed. “I want a full report on surrogate
mothers.”
    ****
    Barbara jerked toward him. What did
her daughter have to do with this mess? Didn’t she have her hands full at the
moment with all her interviews, her official get-together at night, plus
entertaining her husband and organizing her children? Like a mother hen,
Barbara was about to protest.
    “I know you can’t spare a minute
now.” Lou’s voice lowered to a more conciliatory tone and Barbara suppressed a
smile. Roxy wasn’t one to let anyone step on her toes, not even her boss.
    Lou continued to bark orders. “Put
one of your junior reporters on this project and ask for top priority. I want
to know the procedures, legal matters, prices, with actual examples of success
and failure...as soon as possible... Yes tonight or tomorrow. Thank you.”
    He turned toward Barbara, calmer
now that he’d done something active. “I can’t wait like a lamb for things to
happen. I have to be prepared, although I don’t know for what.”
    “Come let’s have a lunch at the
cafeteria.” She glanced at her watch. “We have plenty of time. Twin babies
don’t just pop out so easily.”
    “What do you mean? Is she in any
danger? Can the babies be in trouble?” The big director was really out of his
league here.
    No need to scare him with mention
of toxemia, blue babies, jaundice, and other similar problems she’d experienced
firsthand. “This clinic specialized in deliveries. I’m sure they have top-notch
doctors. They’ll be fine.”
    “But you said...” He almost hurt
her fingers in his strong grip.
    “Lou, I was just saying it takes
time for babies to be born.” She’d have to watch her words. As jumpy as a live
wire, her companion fidgeted with his phone.
    “Maybe I should call my lawyer.”
    “For what?”
    “We’ll need a lawyer soon. In
case, the kids are not hers and she needs to put them for adoption. Anyway, I
don’t see how she can raise two of them when she couldn’t even take care of
herself.”
    “Wait till the babies are born.
Don’t speculate now, please.”
    “Sure. Let’s eat. I could use a
drink too.”
    She arched her eyebrows. “We’re
in a hospital. We’ll have coffee.” At the cafeteria, he filled a plate with
lasagna and steaks. She had a salad, and steered him to a table in front of a
wide TV screen, hoping that the international news may distract him while