Free Birthright by Nora Roberts Page B

deemed healthy.
    Her next examination was a standard six-month checkup, by Dr. Marilyn Vermer, in Philadelphia, who had continued as the infant’s pediatrician until the patient reached the age of twelve.
    “When I refused to go to a baby doctor anymore,” Callie murmured and watched, with some surprise, as a tear plopped on the papers she held.
    “Jesus. Oh Jesus.”
    Her stomach cramped, forcing her to bend over, clutching her middle, hissing out breaths until the pain subsided.
    It couldn’t be real. It couldn’t be true. How could two people who’d never lied to her about the most inconsequential matter have lived a lie all these years?
    It simply wasn’t possible.
    But when she forced herself to straighten, forced herself to read through the papers again, she saw it wasn’t just possible. It was real.
    W hat the hell do you mean she’s taken the day off?” Jake shoved his hat back and fried Leo with one searing look. “We’re at a critical point in plotting out the site, and she takes a goddamn holiday?”
    “She said something came up.”
    “What the hell came up that was more important than doing her job?”
    “She wouldn’t say. You can be as pissed off as you want. At me, at Callie, but we both know this isn’t like her. We both know she’s worked sick, exhausted, injured.”
    “Yeah, yeah. And it would be just like her to flip off this project because she’s ticked I’m on it.”
    “No, it wouldn’t.” Because his own temper was starting to spike, Leo moved in. Height difference kept him from getting in Jake’s face, so he compensated by drilling a finger into Jake’s chest. “And you know damn well she doesn’t play that kind of game. Whatever problems she has with you, or with me for putting you here, she’ll handle. But they won’t interfere with the project. She’s too professional, and she’s too bullheaded to let it.”
    “Okay, you got me.” Jake jammed his hands in his pockets and stared out over the field they’d begun to segment. It was worry that had anger gnawing at him. “Something was wrong with her last night.”
    He’d known it, seen it. But instead of convincing her to tell him what was wrong, he’d let her shrug him off, scrape at his own pride and temper.
    Old habits die hard.
    “What the hell are you talking about?”
    “I dropped by her room. She was upset. It took me a few minutes to realize it didn’t have anything to do with me. I like to tell myself anything that gets under Callie’s skin has to do with me. She wouldn’t talk about it. Big surprise. But she had some pictures out. Looked like family shots to me.”
    What he knew about her family would fit in one shovel of spoil.
    “Would she tell you if something was wrong with her family?”
    Leo rubbed the back of his neck. “I’d think so. She only said she had some personal business, that it couldn’t wait. If she could, she’d be back before the end of the day, if not, she’d be here tomorrow.”
    “She got a guy?”
    “Graystone—”
    He kept his voice low. Digs were always fertile soil for growing gossip. “Give me a break, Leo. Is she seeing someone?”
    “How the hell do I know? She doesn’t tell me about her love life.”
    “Clara would grill her about it.” Jake turned back now. “Nobody can hold out against Clara once she gets her teeth in. And Clara would tell you.”
    “As far as Clara’s concerned, Callie should still be married to you.”
    “Yeah? Your wife’s a smart woman. She ever say anything about me?”
    Leo aimed a bland look. “Clara and I discuss you every evening at dinner.”
    “ Callie. Jesus, Leo, stop busting my balls.”
    “I can’t repeat what Callie’s said to me about you. I don’t use that kind of language.”
    “Cute.” He stared off toward the pond, his eyes shielded by his dark glasses. “Whatever she’s said, whatever she thinks, she’s going to have to start making some adjustments. If she’s in some sort of trouble, I’ll get it