I only fixed enough for one. You need to eat it all.”
Bri stepped into the kitchen and watched as Alice filled the table with food. She gulped, then said, “Al-ice, when I said I was starving, I didn’t mean I’d have this big an appetite. There will be plenty for both of us. In fact, I think you should eat dinner with me every evening before you go home. Unless you wouldn’t like it. But some conversation would be nice, and there’s no reason for you to cook twice.”
“I’d love it, if you don’t mind. I’ll pay for half the food,” Alice assured her, her eyes big.
Bri laughed. “As long as I don’t have to fix it, I’ll gladly pay for it.” She pulled out a chair and sat down.
Alice joined her. After a few questions about how Briana liked her laundry done, Alice began asking her questions about her job and life at the hospital.
Before Bri knew it, they’d finished the meal, and she was completely relaxed. “Alice, that was wonderful. I’m feeling more relaxed than I have in weeks. Thank you.”
“I’m glad you liked it. I enjoyed myself, too. Hearing about your job is like listening to a real live soap opera. Now, you go take your bath and get dressed for bed while I do the dishes. Then I can go home knowing that you’re all settled in for the night.”
Obviously, Alice had been taking lessons from Grace, but Bri didn’t complain. She only resisted when the orders came from Hunter. She had to resist the strong pull she felt from him. Being in his arms overpowered all her common sense.
“I could help with the dishes.”
“You’ve already worked all day. I’ll take care of these.”
Bri left the kitchen and went to soak in the tub. Afterward, she dressed in a long flannel gown. It was December, not cold, in Austin, but not warm, either. She pulled socks onto her feet and wandered back into the living room. One of her favorite shows was coming on. She settled among the cushions just as Alice brought her a cup of hot tea.
“Thank you, Alice. I love hot tea.”
“That’s what Grace said. This tea doesn’t have any caffeine, so you can sleep well tonight. I’m going on home now unless there’s anything else you want me to do.”
“Oh, no, you’ve been wonderful. If you only want to come every other day, I’ll be fine.”
“I’d like to come back tomorrow, if you don’t mind. I thought I’d bake some chicken for tomorrow’s dinner. It’s so nice to have someone to cook for.”
“Fine with me,” she agreed with a smile and bid the woman good-night. When Bri slid between clean sheets at ten o’clock, she sighed with pleasure. And Alice was coming every day. She sighed again.
She guessed she owed Hunter a thank-you for Alice, too, but she was getting tired of having to thank him all the time. Though she hadn’t really gotten around to thanking him today.
Oh, well, she’d thank him tomorrow. If he didn’t irritate her first.
THE HOSPITAL was abuzz the next morning. The first multiple births had occurred at 3:00 a.m. that morning. Twin boys were sleeping in the nursery, and most of the staff had taken time for a visit to look at the two small babies. They’d weighed in at 5 lbs. 9 oz. and 5 lbs. 4 oz.
As soon as Lisa told Bri about their arrival, Bri hurried to the first floor, where the nursery was located, to see them.
“Aren’t they darling?” she asked without even looking to see who had come up beside her.
“Yes, they are,” Maggie McCallum agreed, sadness in her voice.
“Maggie! I didn’t even realize that was you. How are you doing?” Bri knew her sister-in-law wanted a baby badly.
“The same as ever,” she said, offering a smile that wasn’t very sincere.
Bri hugged her. “Dr. Sheppard is very good at her job. I’m sure if you give it time, you’ll be all right.”
“She says we will…if Adam cooperates.”
Bri gave Maggie all her attention. “Is that brother of mine being difficult?” She knew Adam could be stubborn.
“He has to be tested and…you know how men are about that macho stuff.” Maggie’s cheeks turned pink. “I’ve tried to tell him it’s probably all my fault but—”
“Maggie McCallum, don’t you let him push you around. It’s not either of your faults. Neither of you would keep from having a baby on purpose. Let Dr. Sheppard help you and soon you’ll have one—or more—of your own.”
Maggie’s eyes filled with tears. “I hope so,” she whispered.
“Admiring our new residents?” Hunter asked as he stepped to Bri’s side.
“Yes, of course,” she said, hoping he wouldn’t notice Maggie’s distress.
He stuck his hand out and introduced himself.
Maggie took his hand and explained that she was Adam McCallum’s wife.
“I haven’t met Adam, yet, though I’ve had a couple of conversations with Caleb,” Hunter explained.
Bri turned to stare at him. “Oh, really? A couple? When were they?”
She knew she’d just discovered his source for Grace’s telephone number, but she didn’t know what his other conversation with Caleb had been about. And she wanted to know.
“Um, just, er, casual conversations. He’s a security consultant for the hospital, you know.” Hunter tried a smile, then he turned to Maggie. “Do you work here, too?”
“No. I have an appointment with Dr. Sheppard.”
“Great. She’s a good doctor.”
“You’re not changing the subject, Dr. Callaghan,” Bri said. “What else did you talk to Caleb about besides Grace’s telephone number?”
Hunter replied, “Just this and that. How long have you been married, Maggie?”
A man stepped forward, one with hazel eyes and brown hair. “Long enough to know better than to flirt with strangers.” His tone of voice told everyone he wasn’t happy.
“Adam,” Maggie said hurriedly. “This is Dr. Callaghan, the new head of obstetrics. Dr. Callaghan, this is my husband, Adam McCallum. He and Bri were just talking about his conversations with Caleb.”
Though he still frowned, Adam seemed a little friendlier. “You had lunch with Dad and Bri the day before yesterday, too.”
“Yes, I did. A nice lunch.”
“So what have you been talking to my brother about?”
“Just what I want to know, too,” Bri said, her arms crossed.
