Surgeon Boss, Surprise Dad

“Now?”

“I’m not sure.” She rubbed her right temple. “When I think over our relationship I can see I was so blinded by love for Adam and by caring for Gramps that I didn’t see the truth. That I was just another woman in his life.”

“You don’t believe that. The fact you’re pregnant makes you more than just another woman in his life.”

She gave an ironic laugh. “I don’t think he’ll be thrilled that I’m pregnant.”

“Talk to him and let him decide for himself how he feels about the baby. About you.”

“Don’t you think the fact he’s not been to see me says exactly how he feels?”

His face pinched with thought. “Yes, it does. He cares enough that when Larry told him to stay away to protect your health and well-being, he’s done his best to do just that.”

“It’s been almost a week. Any danger I was in passed long ago. He could have stopped by.”

Dr Bell ran his finger down the edge of her air cast. “He’s been by.”

Liz scooted up, swatting his hand away from her leg. “What? Adam’s been by? When?”

“He’s come by to see you on several occasions. You just weren’t awake.”

“How do you know that?”

He shrugged. “Word gets around.”

“Someone told you Adam came to see me?”

“Actually, Nannie mentioned you’d been having company.”

“Nannie?” Liz glanced over at the sleeping woman she’d grown fond of over the past few days. “She saw Adam here? She never said anything to me.” Liz scowled. “Why would she tell you?”

He shrugged. “She wanted to know if Adam was your baby’s father and whether or not she should toss him out next time he came by.”

Although it was silly since she’d only known the woman for a few days, Liz felt twinges of guilt that she’d not told Nannie she was pregnant. Apparently Nannie had worked it out for herself.

“With the way news travels around this place, I guess there are a lot of people who know,” Liz mused. Did Adam? Was that why he’d come to her room?

Dr Bell crossed his arms. “You’d be surprised at how few people know.”

“That I’m pregnant?”

“There’s a few who’ve found out, but mostly it’s hush-hush, Liz. For obvious reasons, I’ve been discreet with who can access your records. So has Larry. Adam doesn’t know, if that’s what you’re wondering.” He touched her arm. “Don’t you think it’s time he did?”

“Dr Cline,” Adam’s office nurse said when he came out of the exam room where he’d been removing a lipoma from a forty-two-year-old’s back. “You have company in your office. Your next appointment isn’t for another thirty minutes so there’s no rush.”

She smiled overly brightly and gave him a wink. Immediately Adam guessed who waited in his office. Liz.

Ignoring his nurse’s knowing look, he paused only long enough to rake his fingers through his hair before going into his office.

She sat in a wheelchair with her back to him. Her right leg was elevated on an attached foot rest and she wore a feminine housecoat he’d never seen before. Probably a gift from one of her friends.

She looked beautiful. A sight for sore eyes. His heart rate quickened. She hadn’t moved to indicate she realized he was there, but instinctively he knew she was aware of him.

The awareness pulsed between them like a living beat drawing him under its spell.

Liz. Liz. Liz. His heart thrummed.

But he couldn’t speak.