muttered “Okay” without looking up. She was trying to find a solution to the head nurse’s rotation problem. It looked like it was going to cost more money and the budget was already tight.
Several minutes later, someone knocked on her open door. “Just a minute, Dad,” she said, again not looking up.
“I didn’t know we were that friendly, Bri. Besides, I’m older than you, but not all that much.”
She looked up to find Hunter standing at her door.
“What are you doing here?” Not exactly a gracious response, but he made her nervous.
“Wondering what you were doing for lunch. Surely you weren’t planning on skipping it?”
“No, my father—oh, hi, Dad,” she said as her father appeared behind Hunter.
Hunter turned around and extended his hand. “Mr. McCallum, I was hoping to meet you soon. I’m Dr. Hunter Callaghan, the new head of obstetrics for the McCallum Wing. It’s a fine facility.”
“Dr. Callaghan! I’m glad to run into you. I apologize for missing the party yesterday, but I had an emergency come up at my company and couldn’t get away.”
Bri watched the two men uneasily. She didn’t want her father getting too chummy with Hunter. “Are you ready, Dad? I can go now.” The sooner the better.
“You’re taking your daughter to lunch?” Hunter asked, an easy smile on his face. “I was just checking to see if she’d share lunch with me. I don’t know too many people yet.”
Bri froze. He managed to inject a lost-puppy tone in his voice, and she knew what was coming next.
“Well, feel free to join us. I’d love to have a chance to visit with you. You don’t mind, do you, Bri?”
Oh, she minded. But it would make her father suspicious if she insulted her new boss.
“Um, why don’t the two of you go ahead, and I’ll take a rain check, Dad? I have a lot to do.”
“No way,” Hunter said. “I’m not going to ruin your lunch. I’ll—I’ll go down to the cafeteria.”
She wanted to tell him to quit acting. But her father immediately insisted they all three go, leaving her no choice.
“I’ve noticed Bri works too hard. I’m trying to talk her into working half days until the babies are born,” Hunter said with a smile, as if he was only concerned with her health.
Of course, she couldn’t think of another reason why he’d want her to work half days, but there had to be one.
“Not a bad idea. Come on, Briana. I’m hungry for a juicy steak,” Jackson McCallum said, motioning for her to join them at the door.
“Hmm, I like your taste, Jackson. A steak sounds perfect. For Bri, too. She needs protein.”
“We think alike, Hunter. I’m going to feel a lot better about Bri continuing to work knowing you’re keeping an eye on her.” Jackson beamed at the other man, and Bri ground her teeth.
“Dad! You know I can take care of myself!”
“I know, sweetheart. Come along now.”
Jackson had a driver and a limo waiting downstairs to drive them the block and half to Lone Star. The hostess seated them in a circular booth, roomy for three, but Bri, seated between the two men, thought it was too small.
Once they’d ordered, Hunter began a flattering conversation about the wing Jackson had paid for, and the good it would do.
Jackson liked hearing all the praise. And it left Bri completely out of the conversation. She was glad about that. She was afraid her father might notice her antagonism if she was forced to converse with Hunter.
“And how do you feel about having triplet granddaughters?” Hunter asked, suddenly claiming Bri’s attention.
“Wonderful!” Jackson said, beaming at Hunter. “I didn’t spend much time with my children when they were babies.” He frowned. “I was too busy mourning their mother’s death.”
Hunter murmured a sympathetic phrase.
“But I’m going to take more time for these babies. Bri is going to name the firstborn after her mother. I’m pleased about that. And it’s perfect timing. Adam is doing well with the company. We made all our money in oil well supplies. But times are changing. Adam is prepared. I’m not. So I’m retiring and playing with the girls.”
“And she’s naming one of the others after my mother,” Hunter added.
Jackson stiffened. “Why?”
“It’s purely accidental, Dad. When I chose the names, I didn’t even know Hunter’s mother’s name.”
Jackson stared at his daughter. “You didn’t even know Hunter, I assume. Or is there something you’re not telling me?”
Bri wanted to bury her face in her hands and curse Hunter Callaghan. But that would make her father even more suspicious. “Don’t be silly, Dad. He just got here yesterday.”
“He seems to have covered a lot of territory in two days,” Jackson pointed out.
Hunter still seemed relaxed, unconcerned. “Of course I have. I asked for all the files on our multiple-birth patients at once so I could get up to speed. But I’ll admit, I’ve given a little more attention to Bri than the others. That’s because she’s the favorite of the entire staff.”
Jackson relaxed a little. “Yes, I’ve noticed that. They all check on her all the time.”
“That’s because she works too hard. They all know she pushes herself.”
“I am still sitting here,” she said sharply. “I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t talk about me as if I weren’t.”
“Sorry, sweetheart. Do you have children, Hunter?” Jackson asked.
Bri froze again. She wasn’t sure Hunter had believed her lie. What would he answer?
With a laugh, as if he were telling a joke, Hunter said, “Not that I know of.”
She slowly let out her breath. Hunter went on to explain that he hadn’t found the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.
Bri picked up her glass of water and sipped. After he’d made love to her, she’d thought for sure she had finally found the man of her dreams. Too bad he hadn’t felt the same way.
“I guess Bri hasn’t, either,” Jackson said with a sigh. “We’ve tried to get her to tell us who the father is, but you’ve probably discovered she’s pretty stubborn.”
“Dad!” she protested.
Jackson ignored her. “I have three children, and only one has married.” He frowned. “And I hope that marriage holds together.”
Bri
