Countdown to Baby

At Cecilia’s suggestion, they had left the reception separately, driving their own cars to the restaurant. He had assumed the suggestion was based at least partly on discretion, since the gossip lines in the clinic were as active as in any tight-knit work environment. He had to admit it had been clever of her.

Geoff had had the foresight to call ahead as he’d left the hospital so that a table had been waiting for them, avoiding the usual lengthy wait for seating. He didn’t often wield his influence as a member of one of the wealthiest and most prominent local families, but this had been one of the rare occasions when it had been irresistible to do so. If Cecilia had been impressed, she hadn’t let it show, which was something else he liked about her.

“I think I’ll have the trout,” she said, laying her menu aside.

“Change your mind about the chicken?”

Her smile brought out tiny dimples at the corners of her mouth. Geoff couldn’t keep from staring at them as she replied, “Actually, everything looks so good it’s hard to decide. It’s been quite a while since I’ve had the chance to dine here.”

He dragged his gaze back up to her eyes. “Then I’m glad you were free to join me tonight.”

Located in an old firehouse, Melinda’s was a steak and seafood restaurant with a menu and a wine list that compared favorably to anything in the state, as far as Geoff was concerned. He liked the history of the place, the redbrick walls decorated with framed black-and-white vintage photographs from Merlyn County’s colorful past, the polished brass pole left over from the old fire station, the huge carved oak bar that made up the entire back wall of the popular lounge downstairs.

Geoff’s family had always come here for special occasions, such as birthdays and anniversaries, and the management had always given them preferential treatment. During the past few years, he had dined in some of the most renowned restaurants in the world, but Melinda’s would always feel like home to him.

Having placed their orders with the server who had been hovering discreetly nearby, Geoff focused on his companion again. “I’m told the clinic has been very busy lately.”

Her smile turned wry. “You’re told correctly. We’ve decided there’s a major baby boom going on in Merlyn County. And there’s more and more demand for midwifery services, partially due to the shortage of obstetricians in the county.”

“How are the new students performing? Is the school doing its job properly?”

“Absolutely. I would put our school up against any in the country.”

Pleased by her unmistakable loyalty to the company, Geoff nodded. “Enough about business—let’s talk about you.”

She gave him a look that warned him she wouldn’t fall easily for the usual trite lines, but he hadn’t really been feeding her one. He was interested in finding out about her. Something about the contrast between her politely restrained manner and her sexy flame-red dress intrigued him as much as her lovely face and curvy figure attracted him.

It had been much too long since he’d had time to spend an evening with an intriguing woman, he concluded. He had been so busy being the dutiful son and employee during the past ten years that he had almost forgotten how to be spontaneous and impulsive. He had tried so hard to be like his hardworking and upstanding father and not like his wild and irresponsible uncle that he had almost forgotten how to be himself. He had begun to suspect that there was a little of both his father and his uncle inside him.

It was the latter side that he called upon when he leaned slightly forward and gave Cecilia his most winning smile. “What do you like to do when you’re not delivering babies?”

“I’m an avid reader and gardener. I enjoy hiking and bird-watching in the mountains.”

“How do you feel about football?”

She lifted her wineglass to her lips and studied him over the rim. “I am positively passionate about football. Especially when it comes to University of Kentucky football.”

His interest went up a couple more notches. “A woman after my own heart.”

“I’m not after anyone’s heart, Mr. Bingham,” she said, setting her glass on the table. “Hearts are very high-maintenance organs, and I barely have time to take care of myself.”

He laughed. Now that was a sentiment he could agree with. With each passing moment he was becoming more pleased that he had followed his impulses and asked Cecilia Mendoza to join him for dinner.

Cecilia had always believed that the nicest pleasures were unexpected ones. Dining with Geoff Bingham definitely fell into that category. He was very good company—articulate, funny, attentive when she spoke. All skills picked up during the course of his job, she was sure, making him an ideal companion for a leisurely meal.

She couldn’t help chuckling as she compared this outing to the last time she had gone out on a dinner date. At Vanessa’s urging, she had reluctantly agreed to a blind date set up over the Internet. After all, there were so few available men Cecilia’s age in this area, and with her long hours at the clinic, she didn’t have many opportunities to meet other singles.

The date had been a dismal failure, a total waste of time on both sides. He hadn’t been at all interested in hearing about her work—just the opposite, actually, since he freely admitted that the idea of childbirth “grossed him out.” And his description of midnight frog gigging—his favorite sport, apparently—had done the same for her.

“What’s so funny?” Geoff asked, looking up from his nearly finished steak.

She hadn’t realized she had laughed out loud. “Nothing. I’m just enjoying the meal.”

He glanced at her plate and then at his own. “Maybe I should have ordered the trout. My steak’s good, but it doesn’t make me laugh.”

“Let’s just say it’s been too long since I’ve been out for a nice meal with a charming companion,” she said, reaching for her wineglass. “I’ve been eating alone entirely too much lately.”

Geoff’s expression turned wry. “I almost wish I could say the same. I have very few opportunities to spend any time alone. Seems like I rush constantly from one meeting or reception or dinner party to the next. I can’t even tell you the last time I had a chance to crash in front of the TV with a pizza for an entire evening.”

“You don’t enjoy your work?”

“Actually, I do, for the most part. But I think I’m going to start scheduling a bit more free time in the future.”

She nodded. “Good plan. Spend too many hours working and too few relaxing and you’ll end up burned out and suffering from stress-related health problems. I’ve seen it entirely too many times.”

“Maybe you should take your own advice. From what I hear, you’re one of the hardest workers in the clinic.”

She wondered who had been talking about her to Geoff. His sister, perhaps? While it sounded as though the conversation had been complimentary, it still made her uncomfortable to think about being discussed in her absence. “Yes, well, like you, I’ve been giving some thought to my personal life lately.”

As much as she loved her work, it was no substitute for a family or for the child she wanted so badly.

“You’re not planning on leaving the clinic, are you? Mari would have a cow if you even suggested it.”

She laughed at his wording, then shook her head. “I’m not leaving the clinic. I love my job. I just need more.”

She changed the subject before he could ask what that “more” entailed. “Tell me about your latest trip. I heard you were in Italy.” She wondered how he felt knowing he had been the subject of a few discussions, too.

If it bothered him, he didn’t let it show. He merely nodded to confirm the rumor. “Milan. I met with some scientists and international venture capitalists about investing funds and expertise into our biomedical research center.”

“Did the meetings go well—or can you say?”

“I can’t really give any details at the moment, but I can say the family was satisfied with my progress.”

Cecilia toyed with a fork-size piece of tender salmon. “Your family seems to be more than satisfied with your work. They always sound so proud when they speak of you.”

She noted that his smile was just a bit crooked. “That’s what I’ve been trained for all my life—to make my family proud.”

Was that a trace of restlessness she heard in his voice? She doubted that Geoff had been given much choice about joining his family’s business. Were there times when he wished he could have pursued his own path?

Cecilia knew all about family obligations. After all, she had pretty much put her own life on hold for several years to care for her mother. She had set aside dating and traveling and experimenting because she felt she owed it to her mother, and because she had wanted to give her much younger brother a chance to finish his education and get started in his own career.

But now their mother was gone. At twenty-six, Eric was successfully established with Bingham Enterprises, blissfully engaged to the woman he adored, and expecting a child he would love with all his heart. Cecilia was thirty-seven and still recovering financially from the daunting medical bills she had hidden from her brother. Her social life was pretty much nonexistent, and having her own child was a dream that seemed farther out of reach with each passing month.

“What’s wrong?”

She glanced up from the food she had suddenly lost interest in to find Geoff watching her from across the table, his clear hazel eyes entirely too perceptive. She felt as if he could read her thoughts in her own brown eyes, and even though she knew that was foolish, she glanced quickly away, pretending to concentrate on her meal again. “Nothing’s wrong. Why?”

“You stopped smiling.”