The idea that he could have any ownership of her baby petrified her. Even the thought of any intrusion into her life scared her.
And yet...there was something sweet and comforting about her baby’s biological component caring about its welfare.
When all of her chores were done, she fell into bed. And slept until the following morning.
The following day, Friday, she had a full schedule and was focused and on target. In control. She thought about Craig Harmon on and off throughout the day, but couldn’t seem to do so without feeling threatened, somehow. She didn’t fear for her safety. Or her baby’s, either. She just didn’t want the man in their world and wasn’t sure how much he had a right to know. How “in” he had a right to be. On her lunch break she called the Parent Portal and was put right through to Christine Elliott.
By all accounts, Craig Harmon was still a great guy. She already knew his basic family medical history. Knew that he’d graduated at the top of his undergraduate class. Knew that he was six foot one and had weighed 175 pounds at the time of his donation. She’d pored over the very thorough donor specifics provided by the Parent Portal for more than a week before she’d made her choice for her baby’s biological component. That day, she learned that he’d also graduated medical school at the top of his class. And that though he’d only lived in Marie Cove for eight years, he’d been one of the Parent Portal’s very first donors, introduced to Christine by the son of a local obstetrician who now worked for the Parent Portal full-time. Dr. Cheryl Miller. And she learned that Cheryl’s son was a pediatrician partner in the Oceanfront Clinic—in partnership with Craig Harmon.
Clearly not a wacko out to hurt her or steal her baby.
But not anyone she wanted to meet, either. She kept reminding herself that he’d said he wanted no part in the baby’s life. That he knew he had no right to that. He just wanted to reassure himself regarding the child’s welfare.
Marie Cove was a small town. And she’d known that there was a possibility that her baby’s biological father lived there. But there was just as good a chance that he did not. Christine attracted donors from afar, just as she did prospective parents.
She’d kind of liked the idea that the donor could be close by. In case of medical emergency or any other need she might have. She’d just never considered that the guy would look her up.
Who did that? Gave away sperm and then followed up on the recipient. Why was he doing this? Impinging on what was turning out to be the most incredible thing she’d ever done. Butting into something intimate and special. How dare he?
It seemed creepy to her. And she told Christine so.
Christine’s only response had been to suggest that she speak further with Craig Harmon, just long enough to hear him out.
Clearly there were things the director couldn’t tell her.
But the man would.
Things that could ultimately have an effect on her child?
For that reason alone, she picked up her phone as she waited in a designated parking spot for her grocery order to be delivered to her car.
Shopping for food that only she’d eat was kind of a lonely thing. At least now she didn’t have to walk the aisles alone noticing not the tons of other single women like her who were there, but rather, the couples or mothers with kids that seemed to take up all the aisle real estate anytime she turned a corner with her cart.
Craig picked up immediately when she called. If he hadn’t known her number before—and she figured that was a far-off if—then he surely did now. Having graduated top of his class, and all.
“I’m not saying yes or no to an in-person meet at this time,” she started. “What I have decided is that I need to do this on the phone first.”
“Okay.”
If he was disappointed, he hid the response well. But then, he had to be the guy who walked into a room with diagnoses that were sometimes difficult to hear. He’d have expert control of his responses.
“We can talk now, or later. Your call.”
“I’ve got one more patient to see and then have to pick up Talley. Can you call me back tonight?”
“Talley?” Did he have a child, then? One of which he already had custody?
“My dog. She’s been at the hospital overnight for fluids after a severe bout of pancreatitis. I need to get her before the vet closes for the day.”
His dog. She wanted to know what kind. Big? A hunter he kept for her usefulness? Or a pet? Was he an animal lover? Did it run in the family?
Nice that he was willing to pay for what had to be expensive care. Duane had once insisted that the dog Angie and Amelia had had since they were toddlers should be put to sleep, rather than receive expensive medical treatment. It turned out what they’d thought was cancer was actually a clogged tear duct, and there’d been no choice to make. But Amelia remembered the night she’d spent crying, with the dog in her arms, while she’d waited to hear.
Her groceries would be arriving any second and he had a patient to see. But Craig was still apparently waiting and hadn’t said anything more.
“You’ve obviously got my number there, on your caller ID. Why don’t you give me a call tonight when you get home and settled?”
And if he had a date...wait...no one had said...