Nine-Month Surprise

Still, they had almost always had husbands or at least boyfriends to help out. Helen Rios, the manicurist at Aunt Rosie’s salon, was moving to Knoxville soon with her fiancé, the artist who’d painted Pepe’s murals, to start a new life. It would shortly include their baby.

Leah, on the other hand, faced going through the entire experience alone.

Her aunt and Mark would help, she felt certain. So would Karen and Jenni, of course. But it wasn’t the same.

Lots of women managed, and so would she, Leah decided firmly.

When she pulled on her slacks, they strained over her midsection. Karen hadn’t noticed the problem this morning, so no doubt her heavy lunch had contributed, but already her body was changing.

It reminded her that she would need a new wardrobe. Other things, as well: clothes, baby furniture and a car seat.

So many changes. So much to consider.

After she finished dressing, she went to the reception desk, where Yvonne discreetly slipped her the vitamins. The nurse frowned at Patsy, who was sorting through a cardboard box.

“That girl is out of her mind,” the nurse confided. “The new ob-gyn sent some books and stuff ahead for his office, and she’s mooning over his picture.”

“I heard that!” The receptionist skewered her with a mock glare. “He’s cute, that’s all. And he’s divorced.”

“Terrific! An obstetrician she can flirt with,” Yvonne grumbled. “This is a medical office, not a dating service. I don’t know where they’re to find a nurse for him—they’ve been advertising for weeks—but I hope they do, because I’ve got my hands full as it is. Plus, I prefer a female doctor any day.”

“Me, too,” Leah agreed.

“You should see Dr. Rankin. With him around, work is going to be way more interesting.” Patsy retrieved a framed photo from the box and thrust it toward her. “Look!”

Leah took the picture. Stunned, she stared, barely managing to keep her disbelief from showing.

It was Will, kneeling on a lawn, a breeze ruffling his hair as he favored the camera with a heart-stopping smile. He had his arms looped around two little blond girls, one on each side.

Dr. William Rankin, she thought numbly. In a crazy way, it made sense. Karen must have asked him to recommend a country-music bar in Austin, and he’d cited the Wayward Drummer.

Now he was moving to Downhome. Her situation had just become a whole lot more awkward.

The obstetrician who might be expected to deliver her baby was its father. Yet he’d made it clear he wanted nothing to do with her. Presumably, with her child, as well.

Still, unless she fled, they couldn’t avoid meeting again. Besides, seeing the joy he showed for his two daughters gave Leah pause.

“Well?” Patsy said. “What do you think?”

“Cute girls,” Leah responded, and handed the picture back. She went out the door, too flummoxed to make any further attempt at chitchat.

Two shocks in one day. Knowing she couldn’t carry on a coherent conversation with anyone, she hurried to her car and drove home.

One fact stood out in her mind. She wasn’t going to let that man chase her from this town or her friends.

Beyond that, Leah had no idea how she was going to handle this.

IN THE BACK OF THE CAR, Diane squirmed. “Daddy, can I stay with you today?”

“You don’t want to go to school?” The girls had been atwitter all weekend, partly about settling into a new home but mostly about preparing for class. They’d even set up a pretend classroom for their dolls. Now, however, it sounded like Diane had a case of cold feet.

Will had to admit that he shared a touch of her nerves. Their first day of school didn’t seem nearly as casual as escorting his kids to kindergarten had been. He was much more aware of starting them on a path that would eventually lead to—heaven help them all—adolescence.

“I want to be a nurse,” Diane replied. “Let me work with you.”

“Me, too,” India said.

“They don’t let kids work at medical offices,” Will informed them as he drove.

He wished he had a clearer view of the girls than his small mirror provided. Safety required strapping them into the rear seat, something his ex-wife hadn’t always bothered to do, despite his warnings.

He refused to think about Allison or how she ought to be here. In many ways, the three of them were better off without her.

“Tell people we’re midgets,” Diane commanded.

“We could sit very still on your couch,” India countered.

“Won’t work,” Will said, “but thanks for the suggestions.”

Last Thursday, the twins had accompanied him to the clinic, where they’d been thrilled to spot themselves in the photo on his desk. The receptionist had fussed over them, providing sugar-free lollipops and paying them compliments.

The rest of the staff had acted a bit more reserved. Will figured they’d all relax once he settled in.

“Anyway, you have to study,” he told his daughters. “I studied for years and years to become a doctor.”

“I don’t want to be a doctor,” Diane said.

“Why not?”

“I told you! Because I don’t want to go to school!”

“You liked it when you saw the place,” he said over his shoulder. He’d taken the girls to the elementary school on Thursday to register them.

The principal had assured him that the first-grade teacher, Miss Morris, was warm and nurturing, as well as an excellent educator. Too bad she hadn’t been around. He’d have liked to talk to her about the difficult transition the girls were making.

“What if we get lost?” Diane demanded, which surprised him, because usually she was the braver of the pair. “What if Mrs. McNulty can’t find us?”

“Then I’ll come get you in person,” he responded promptly. “Listen, I’ll make sure Miss Morris has my phone number, okay? If Mrs. McNulty isn’t there, ask your teacher to call me.”

“She might not have a phone,” Diane protested.

In the mirror, he saw India reach across and take her sister’s hand. “It’ll be okay,” she said quietly. “I’ll stay with you.”

His heart swelled with love for his two little sweethearts. They made everything else worthwhile.

Will realized he should have left the car at the clinic a couple of blocks away, when he pulled into the lot and found it filled. He’d noticed the high school next door but hadn’t realized until now that the two shared parking facilities.

Trying not to let the girls see his irritation, he backed out and located a free space on the street. By now, the twins had pasted their noses to the windows as they stared at the passing children.