The Doctor's Baby (13 page)

“
May
I go now?” David gently corrected.

“May I go now?”

“Yes, you may.”

The words had barely left his lips when the boy raced from the room.

Mary Karen lifted a brow. “What was all that about?”

“Just another day in paradise.” David shook his head and chuckled. “One thing I can say about your household, dear sister; it’s never dull.”

A
fter she finished feeding Adam, David suggested they put the baby in his new Snugli and take a walk downtown. July really wasn’t in the mood to go out. But it was almost the boys’ bedtime and with her and David out of the house, Mary Karen could help Granny with her speech without any interruptions.

Though the temperature was still mild by Jackson standards, July made sure Adam was bundled up and grabbed a coat for herself. They walked in silence for a block until July brought up the subject still weighing on her mind.

“I hated that you had to get in the middle of that thing with Caleb,” she said. “I’m an adult and a mother. I should have been able to handle a disgruntled preschooler.”

“You did fine.” David reached over and took her hand. “But I was glad I was there.”

“Why?”

“Caleb is smart but strong-willed,” he said. “Mary Karen does a great job with him. But sometimes a boy needs a father figure to reinforce what she’s already taught him.”

“He was right about one thing,” July said. “I had promised.”

“There is no excuse for a child to speak to an adult in such a disrespectful manner,” David said. “Not only that, you’d apologized and explained why you were late.”

Her heart gave a little leap. “Are you saying a person should always accept an apology?”

“David. July.” John Simpson hailed them from across the street.

David waved and turned to July. “Shall we go say hello?”

July nodded and tucked away her disappointment. She was eager to hear David’s response to her question. But she would bide her time and find a way to bring it up later. After all, they’d barely started their walk.

Although John and Kayla had left the baby with Kayla’s mother so they could have their first “date night” out, they asked David and July to join them for pizza. The growling of July’s stomach provided the answer and a moment of laughter.

They snagged a table in the middle of the popular eatery’s dining area. The conversation flowed fast and
furious despite the fact that every few minutes someone stopped by to visit.

July enjoyed being part of the foursome. She liked talking babies with Kayla. She liked the way David’s arm rested on the back of her chair. But she especially liked the way David made a point of introducing her when friends and acquaintances would stop by and how he included her in any conversation. By the time the pizza arrived, July felt as if she was on a first-name basis with most of the population of Jackson.

“I swear you guys know everyone in town.” She bit into a thick slice of pineapple and cream cheese pizza.

“Jackson isn’t that big,” John said.

“And when you’ve lived here as long as we have, there aren’t many people you don’t know,” Kayla added.

“That would be nice, I think,” July said, resisting the urge to sigh. “Though I like the city, too.”

“You’re from Chicago, right?” Kayla asked.

July nodded and took another bite of the yummy pizza.

“When will you and Adam be heading home?” John filled July’s glass with more soda from the pitcher on the table.

July felt David’s eyes on her. They hadn’t talked about her leaving since the day after Adam was born. Back when she promised him she’d have the DNA test done before she left town. “I’ll be here a couple more weeks.”

“I wish you’d stay.” Kayla reached across the table and gave July’s hand a squeeze. “The book club meet
ings won’t be the same without you. And you’re the only friend I have who has a newborn.”

Friend.
Tears stung the back of July’s lids. Kayla considered her a friend.

July returned the squeeze. “I’m going to miss you, too.”

“Isn’t there any way you could stay?” Kayla asked, casting a curious glance in David’s direction.

“Maybe.” July kept her response deliberately vague. “I’m exploring several possibilities.”

“Like what?” Kayla leaned forward resting her forearms on the table.

“Like seeing what kind of positions I could get that would allow me to stay. Stuff like that.” July gave a dismissive wave. “It’s all very preliminary.”

“I hope something works out,” Kayla said.

“Me, too.” She kept her eyes on Kayla and off David. “Me, too.”

David waited until he and July were on their way back to his sister’s house before he brought up her leaving.

From the beginning he’d known she wouldn’t be in Jackson for longer than a month or so. But somewhere along the way he’d lost track of the time. What had she said to Kayla—a couple more weeks? That meant that in as little as fourteen days, she—and Adam—could be gone. The knowledge was a boot-kick straight to the heart. “So you’re thinking about staying in Jackson?”

She hesitated for only a second. “Considering it.”

David could feel Adam’s heart against his chest.
Since July had carried the baby on their way downtown, he’d offered to take him on the way home. To David’s surprise, July had agreed.

He reached down and adjusted the stocking cap on the little boy’s head and felt a warm rush of emotion. The time he’d spent with July and Adam these past few weeks had brought a richness to his life he’d never known. They’d filled the empty places in his heart with joy. He couldn’t imagine his life without them in it.

“If you’re wondering about the DNA testing,” July said when the silence lengthened. “I’m going to do it next week.”

David didn’t know why the offer disturbed him. After all, this was what he wanted, what he’d once demanded. Maybe it was because he’d begun to equate the test with July leaving Jackson. Once it was done, she’d fulfilled her promise and there was nothing holding her here.

“David?”

“Just let me know when you’re ready,” he said almost brusquely. “I’ll bring the testing vials home with me.”

“How about Monday?”

“That will work.” David remembered how eager he’d been to find out whether Adam was his son. Now he realized that the love he felt for this little boy didn’t have a thing to do with the blood running through Adam’s veins.

“Got any big plans for the rest of the week?” July asked.

David twisted his lips. “I’m meeting with Celeste’s old boss after work tomorrow.”

“Really?” Her head cocked. “What about?”

“I’m not sure.” David shrugged. “He called and said he was going to be in town and wanted to get together.”

She glanced both ways down the side street then stepped off the curb. “Were you two ever friends?”

“I barely knew the guy.” In fact, he could count on one hand the number of times he’d even seen Gary. “He was at a couple of parties we attended when we lived in L.A. That’s about it.”

He took July’s arm as they crossed the street, but didn’t let go when they reached the other side. Strolling down the sidewalk with Adam sleeping against his chest and her hand in his was pure heaven on earth.

“Are you eating dinner together?”

For a second David wasn’t sure what she was talking about then he made the connection. “With Gary? Absolutely not.”

He could handle Gary for an hour or so but beyond that, forget it. David had a mental image of the man from their previous encounters. Sharp dresser. Big boozer. And stuck on himself. No, an hour would be more than enough.

“Well, since you don’t have plans…”

David lifted a brow. “Yes?”

“Mary Karen and Granny are taking the boys to some children’s thing at the Playhouse tomorrow night. I thought I could make dinner for you…if you’re interested, that is. I also have something I want to discuss with you, nothing big so don’t worry.”

“I’m definitely interested,” he said. “I didn’t even know you cooked.”

“I’m no Julia Child.” July favored him with an unexpected grin. “And I know just enough to be dangerous in the kitchen.”

“Are you going to tell me what’s on the menu?” he teased.

“Nope.” A little smile played at the corners of her lips. “I have a couple of specialty dishes I’m considering.”

“I have an idea.” Though David enjoyed spending time with his nephews, what July had in mind sounded more like a romantic evening for two—or three—if you counted Adam. Which meant his home was a much better alternative. “Why don’t I give you a key to my house? You could make dinner for us there.”

“What about Adam?”

“I have a crib for when Logan sleeps over.” David thought for a minute. “Just make sure you bring diapers.”

“Anything else?”

They hadn’t slept together since last week. He wondered if she’d missed the intimacy as much as he had. “I don’t have to go in until the afternoon on Friday so if it works for you, you could sleep over?”

Her cheeks turned a becoming shade of pink. “I’d like that.”

“Pajamas optional,” he added.

July laughed. “I’m not even going to bring them. They’ll only end up on the floor.”

On impulse David leaned over and brushed her lips
with his. “Knowing how you make me feel, I have no doubt you’re right.”

David couldn’t believe what a difference a few minutes could make. All week he’d been dreading Thursday because of the meeting with Gary. Now tomorrow couldn’t get here soon enough.

When July awoke Thursday morning, she realized that with her photography assignment completed, she finally had some time for herself. Determined to look her best for the all-important dinner with David, she made an appointment at a downtown salon to get her hair trimmed. While there she had a manicure and pedicure and got her eyebrows waxed.

She returned home to feed Adam then they both took a two-hour nap. Feeling renewed, refreshed and ready to face whatever the evening might hold, July packed up the baby and headed to the grocery store.

From the comfort of his car seat strategically placed in the shopping cart, Adam stared up at the fluorescent lights while July checked items off her list. She tossed a bag of mixed green lettuce into her grocery cart and was closing in on the garlic cloves and onions when her phone rang.

July recognized the ringtone immediately. She pulled the phone from her bag and slid the phone open. “Hi, A.J.”

“Top of the morn to you, my pretty.”

July pulled her brows together at the greeting. “Are you drunk?”

“Now what would make you think that?” he asked, neither confirming nor denying her suspicions.

“For starters it’s afternoon not morning. And the Irish Wicked Witch of the West greeting is a dead giveaway.”

A.J. laughed uproariously as if she’d said something truly hilarious. “I’m not drunk. I’m just happy.”

July added fresh mushrooms and onion to the cart and tried to figure out what might have precipitated his joyful mood. “Today’s Thursday,” she mused. “That means you’re back in Chicago.”

“Correctamundo,” he said. “Back in the city I love.”

“Now I know you’re drunk.”

“I’m feeling great. Life is good.”

July paused. After a second the puzzle pieces began to slip into place. “It’s Selena. You told her you loved her.”

Something that sounded suspiciously like a
giggle
burst from his lips. “I did indeed. And she said she loved me back. Can you believe it? She loves
me!
”

“Of course I can believe it.” Finding his joy contagious, July couldn’t help but let a giggle of her own escape. She hadn’t heard her friend this happy since, well, forever. “I’m proud of you, A.J.”

“I wish I’d done it a long time ago,” he said, suddenly serious.

“You did it now,” July said. “That’s what matters.”

“What about you? How are you and the doctor doing?”

“I’m making him dinner tonight.” July snagged a couple garlic cloves then wheeled the cart down the dairy aisle.

“Which one of the meals are you making him?”

July dropped a package of cream cheese into the cart then moved to the sour cream display. “I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean.”

“You only know how to make two things,” A.J. teased. “Which is it? Spaghetti bake? Or Stroganoff pie?”

“Perhaps I’ve expanded my culinary skills while—”

“Hey, it’s me you’re talking to.”

July heaved a resigned sigh. “The beef and mushroom Stroganoff pie.”

“A Merlot would be a good choice.”

“I’m nursing, remember? I don’t drink.”

“The doc isn’t nursing, so pick up a bottle. The wine will get him good and relaxed for what you’ve got to tell him.”

July kept her tone offhand. “Who says I’m telling him anything tonight?”

“You only cook for one reason,” A.J. reminded her. “And time is running out.”

“Okay, you’re right. I am planning to tell him tonight.” July waved to a woman she recognized from the gala at the country club. She lowered her voice even though the woman was too far away to overhear. “I
have
to tell him, A.J. I feel terrible keeping this from him.”

“Then do it, July. Don’t think about doing it, just do it.”

July had just slid the Stroganoff pie in the oven and set the timer when she heard the garage door go up. She
glanced at the clock on the wall. Though she hadn’t known for sure how long David would be, she certainly hadn’t expected him this early.

He raced home because he couldn’t wait to see me.

July chuckled. More than likely Celeste’s old boss had stood him up.

Thankfully, she was ready for him. She’d just fed and changed Adam. Other than sautéing the green beans, dinner was in good sha—

The door leading into the house from the garage flung open so hard it hit the wall. Adam jerked in the infant seat where he’d been sleeping but didn’t wake up.

David stormed in the room then skidded to a stop, a look of confusion blanketing his face. “What are you doing here?”

“You gave me a key.” July could feel anger rolling off him in waves. She forced a smile though her insides had started quaking. “I made dinner for us.”

“I’m not hungry,” he snapped.

July took a step back, a sick feeling taking over the pit of her stomach.

David must have realized how his response had sounded because he rubbed a hand across his face and forced a half smile. “I’m sorry. This doesn’t have anything to do with you.”

Something bad had happened. Something really, really bad. The look of pain on his face. The despair in his eyes…