The Doctor's Pregnant Bride? (11 page)

S
ara Beth gripped the lab telephone a little tighter. “Dr. Bonner is in a meeting, Ms. Goodheart.”

“I told his mother that, Ms. McConnell. As I said, she asked if you were available until he’s free.” The efficient, professional, fifty-something administrative assistant who acted as the receptionist for the Armstrong Fertility Institute, Wilma Goodheart, had worked there longer than anyone, now that Sara Beth’s mother had retired. She never gossiped, never called people by their first name, nor did she wear anything other than white button-down shirts and a gray or navy blue skirt. And she was one of the warmest people Sara Beth knew.

“I have no idea how long Dr. Bonner will be tied up,”
Sara Beth said.
And I don’t want to entertain his mother for an hour
.

“She says they’re meeting for lunch.”

Sara Beth glanced at her watch. Almost noon. She shouldn’t have to be alone with Penny Bonner for long….

Provided Ted remembered his mother was coming.

“Okay. I’ll be right out,” Sara Beth said into the phone. She left the lab, smoothed her hair and headed to the reception area.

It was Friday. Six days ago she and Ted had become lovers, exclusively as of Sunday, when he’d spent the night. On Monday they decided to sleep at their own houses, because he had to get up very early to meet someone before work. But by nine o’clock he’d showed up on her doorstep, hauled her to bed, then stayed until dawn, leaving her still cozy under the covers, her body aching pleasantly. They hadn’t spent a night apart since, although they arrived at work separately so that no one would know.

Sara Beth didn’t have any illusions.
Exclusive
didn’t mean forever. It just meant for the moment. Until they were done. Or, according to Ted, until he forgot about her often enough that she gave up on him. He didn’t understand that she admired him, that his single-minded dedication to his work was an appealing trait to her, especially since when he got single-minded about making love with her, she reaped the benefits of being the sole focus of his attention.

She entered the lobby as someone pushed open the heavy front door—Dr. Armstrong’s wife, Emily Stanton
Armstrong. Sara Beth had been close to Mrs. Armstrong for many years, but then something had changed when Sara Beth was a teenager. Now Emily seemed to merely tolerate Sara Beth because she was Lisa’s best friend, but Sara Beth hadn’t been to the Armstrong home since Lisa first went off to college ten years ago.

“Hello, Mrs. Armstrong,” Sara Beth said. “It’s nice to see you again.”

“Sara Beth.”

“Emily!” Penny Bonner got up from the sofa and headed toward Emily Armstrong, her arms extended.

Panic whipped through Sara Beth. What if Ted’s mother said something about him dating Sara Beth? Even Lisa didn’t know they were sleeping together.

“Why, Penny, how wonderful you look.” They exchanged polite hugs.

“I could say the same of you. Very rested.”

“Isn’t it amazing what a vacation will do? We went to Greece. To Mykonos, actually. We got home last night.”

“How wonderful! I do adore that island. And that must mean that Gerald is doing well.”

“I traveled with my sister. Gerald couldn’t manage a trip like that anymore. Too much walking. He’s nearing his eightieth birthday, you know.”

Sara Beth felt like a third wheel as the two women, obviously old acquaintances, chatted. She also didn’t want to excuse herself, in case she needed to interrupt.

“Please excuse my rudeness, Sara Beth,” Penny said finally. “I haven’t seen Emily in ages.”

“It’s fine.” As long as she could monitor it.

“I’m meeting my daughter for lunch, anyway,” Emily said to Penny. “She hates it when I’m late. Give my regards to Brant, my dear.”

“And mine to Gerald.”

“Of course. Sara Beth,” Emily said in farewell, not making eye contact before she swept out of the room.

“We’ve served together on several committees and boards through the years,” Penny said.

“Her daughter Lisa is my best friend.” Sara Beth wondered if that would give her credibility with Ted’s mother, let her think Sara Beth wasn’t untested in their stratosphere. She’d been to formal parties at the Armstrong house and knew what to expect—and what was expected of her.

Penny leaned close. “I guess Greece is the place to go for face-lifts now.”

Sara Beth tried not to smile too much at the catty remark. She’d noticed the difference in Emily, too. However, she didn’t dare make a comment that could come back to haunt her. “Did you want company while you wait for Ted?”

“I’d like that, yes, and the chance to get to know you a little better. Do you mind if we wait here? I know places like employee lounges are usually busy this time of day.”

“The lobby’s fine.” Sara Beth let her lead the way to her choice of seating, a small sofa by the front window. “I’m sorry I can’t tell you when Ted’s meeting might be over.” She wondered if she should have Ms. Goodheart get a message to Ted, to remind him of his lunch date.
Since he hadn’t told Sara Beth about it, she wondered if he remembered it himself.

“My son has been elusive since Valentine’s Day.” Penny’s gaze was direct and only slightly accusatory, but Sara Beth didn’t feel responsible for Ted’s lack of contact with his parents.

“He’s doing such important work.” She was uncomfortable calling the woman Penny, so she didn’t call her anything. “He works long days. And in his little bit of free time, he’s been furnishing his loft.”
Which should make you happy
.

“How long does it take to call his mother? I had to catch him by e-mail to arrange this lunch today.” She settled back. “So, he’s well?”

“Yes, very well.”

“And his loft looks presentable, finally?”

“It looks like him.” Sara Beth smiled at the thought. “Masculine, stylish, contemporary.”

“Stylish?” She looked doubtful.

“He has his own style. It’s represented in what he chose as furnishings. And he has some truly amazing art pieces. He said he learned about art from you.”

“Did he? Sometimes one wonders what one’s children take away from childhood.” She looked pleased. “I suppose I’ll have to drop by sometime and see for myself, since he hasn’t extended an invitation.”

“I think you’ll like it.” Sara Beth didn’t know if he was going to throw a housewarming party as she’d suggested, so she didn’t bring it up. His relationship with his mother was his business.

“I suppose you stay in touch with your mother. Daughters tend to be better at that than sons.”

“I’m close to my mom.” In this case, it was the mother who was doing the avoiding instead of the child. Sara Beth hadn’t heard from her since her text message a week ago saying she was staying for another week. She should be back tomorrow, unless she decided to stay even longer.

“What does she think of Ted?”

“Actually, they haven’t met. Mom’s been out of town. You know,” Sara Beth said, lowering her voice, “Ted and I haven’t gone public. Since we work for the same company, we want to keep it quiet. I’m sure you understand.”

“That makes good sense. Why make things potentially uncomfortable for others? Ted has always been aware of propriety.”

And how would you feel if your model-of-propriety son found himself about to be a father?
Sara Beth tried to ignore the possibility, but it simmered in her mind at times.

The lobby door opened and a woman entered. Wilma Goodheart smiled and raced around her desk to hug the new arrival.

“It’s Mother’s Day at the institute,” Sara Beth murmured, amazed. “That would be my mom,” she said to Penny.

“Well, how nice. We get to meet.” She stood, then waited for Sara Beth to do the same.

The way this was going, Ted would probably show up—

Yep. Right on schedule. He walked into the lobby, a pink message slip in his hand. Ms. Goodheart must have sent a note to say his mother was here.

Since Sara Beth was the common denominator of the group, she made the introductions, although she moved everyone away from the reception desk. She was grateful that no one suggested they all have lunch together. Small blessings.

Ted sent her a woe-is-me look as he left the building with his mother. Sara Beth tried not to laugh.

She finally hugged her mother, welcoming her home. “You look rested, Mom. And more tan than I can remember you letting yourself get. I guess I don’t need to ask if you enjoyed yourself.”

“I had a wonderful time. I’d go right back tomorrow.”

“Let’s have lunch. You can tell me all about it,” Sara Beth offered.

“It’ll have to wait. Wilma and I are going out. What’s your schedule for the weekend?”

“Busy. Full.” She and Ted planned a drive to the shore, were going to stay overnight, be out where they wouldn’t run into people they knew. “Tuesday, as usual, then?”

“That’s fine.” She bent close to Sara Beth. “Are you and Ted an item now? You and his mother were huddled awfully close.”

“I’ve seen him a few times. We’re not being open about it, so don’t talk to Ms. Goodheart about it, okay?”

Grace raised a hand as if swearing to it. “But remember this, Sara Beth. If you can’t be public about a relationship, something’s not right about it. It’s an additional
stress, and it can lead to arguments and hurt feelings. Be careful, okay? Please, sweetheart. Guard your heart.”

Sara Beth hugged her mother, whose cautionary words rang true, unfortunately. Secrets weren’t good, and eventually were exposed. “Thanks, Mom. I’ll be careful.”

Although it was hard to guard her heart when it was already being held captive, even if its captor didn’t realize it…

Sara Beth went for a walk during her lunch hour, needing to be alone and away from the institute. It was nearly spring. Green was beginning to be a dominant color after the drab browns and grays of winter, and was always a welcome sight. Rebirth. New beginnings. Yes, spring had always appealed to her.

And now that’d she’d resigned herself to never seeing her mother’s file, she could have an especially good new beginning this season, a truly fresh start. She would never know her father, but she knew herself. Liked herself. That counted for a lot.

Ted was already in the lab working when Sara Beth returned. So was Chance. They acknowledged her but didn’t stop their discussion, which was riddled with scientific lingo she couldn’t hear well enough to make sense of. She finished the box of materials Ted had brought up the day before and needed more.

She waited for a good time to interrupt, then suddenly Ted left the room.

“Wait,” she called out. “I need—” But the door shut, cutting off her words.

Chance met her gaze. “He’ll be back. He’s in one of
his zones and, frankly, I don’t want to break into his thoughts. He’s onto something. What is it you need?”

“Files. I’m not authorized to access the vault.”

“I forgot. Why not, anyway?”

“I don’t know. It wasn’t something I’d ever had to do before, so it’d never concerned me.”

Chance picked up the phone and dialed. “Lisa, it’s Chance. Can I get authorization for Sara Beth to get files from the vault?…Right now…. Okay. How about temporary access?…Thanks.” He hung up, then looked at his pager, which had gone off. “She’ll meet you there. One time only, at least for now, so grab a couple of boxes while you’re at it. I’ve got to get to the clinic.”

It would be a special kind of torture, Sara Beth decided, being allowed in the vault while accompanied by a witness. Torture, and a test of her newfound sense of peace at having come to terms with never seeing her mother’s file. Still, her legs were unsteady as she took the stairs down to the basement, carrying the box of files she’d just finished. She stumbled twice, her heart pounding so hard she couldn’t hear anything but the thundering beat.

Lisa was right behind her.

“This place has always creeped me out,” Lisa said.

“More lights would be a plus.”

“Maybe. It’s just old and scary.” She slid her ID in the slot and pulled the steel door open. “Need some help?” Lisa asked.

Sara Beth’s stomach churned as she went inside. She looked at the dates on the side of the box. “I need to
refile these and fill up a couple more boxes from the next sequential dates.”

Because the vault had previously been a panic room before the institute was rebuilt, it still contained a sofa and chair, as well as a bathroom. File storage was a room beyond the furnishings, out of direct sight. She and Lisa located where the folders belonged and returned them.

“Let’s hurry. I hate being down here,” Lisa said, shoving the empty box close to Sara Beth and grabbing another one.

A piece of her mourned the lost opportunity. She couldn’t even manage a smile to soothe Lisa’s fear of the dark. They filled the boxes without conversation between them, a rarity.

“Need some help?” Ted came into the room, making it seem half its size.

“Yes.” Lisa headed out the door, calling back to Ted, “You can lock up. I’m outta here.”

Her footsteps echoed as she ran up the stairs.

“Alone at last,” he said, slipping his arms around Sara Beth, bending to kiss her. “I’ve been wanting to do this all day.”

She couldn’t kiss him. She couldn’t even move. With Lisa gone, could she ask Ted for his help? Ask him to do something unethical? He’d found a six-dollar error on a furniture bill totaling thousands and had insisted on paying it. He’d reached the highest level of achievement the Boy Scouts had.

Everything he said and did advertised him as a highly
principled, ethical man. No, she couldn’t ask him, couldn’t back him into a corner like that. He would have to turn her down.

So she hugged him instead, then she did the only thing she could.

“Would you mind taking that box to the lab,” she asked him, “while I finish packing this one?”

“I can carry two boxes, Sara Beth.” He flexed his muscles and grinned.

She almost sighed. Apparently it just wasn’t meant to be.

She gave it one last shot. “I think I’ll pack four boxes. Then neither of us will have to come back down for a while.”

“If ever,” he said, sliding the last files into a box as she passed them to him. “I figure we’ll have all the statistics we need by then.” He hefted both boxes. “I’ll be back.”