trees in each department.”
“Can’t someone else do that?” Hunter asked, frowning.
“There’s no need for someone else. I need to talk to the staff a little and apologize for not letting them know we were decorating,” Bri said, then she slipped away.
HUNTER WATCHED Bri hurry away. They’d got along better today, and it had been nice. But she was still working too hard. “Dr. Callaghan?”
“Yes, Annabelle, and make it Hunter. No need to be formal when it’s just staff.”
“Oh, thank you. I need to ask you something. You sat in on Bri’s last examination, didn’t you?”
“Yes.” He wondered what she wanted to know and whether Bri would get upset.
“I was going to ask Abby, but since you’re here—You see, we’re going to give Bri a shower. Well, April is, but several of us are helping her. We want to wait until January because Christmas is such a busy time, but we’re worried she won’t carry the babies that long. What do you think?”
Hunter smiled at the young woman. “That’s a tough call, but I don’t think she’ll go full term. I’m hoping we can get her through New Year’s.”
“Oh! Then we’d better have it right away. Thanks for the advice.” She picked up her tray and stood.
“I’ve got to check in with Dr. Beaumont. He’s going to look at Jenny Barrows again. He doesn’t think she’ll go much longer.” She started to leave, then added, “I forgot to tell Bri how sweet it was that she went shopping for Jenny. The poor child has nothing.”
“Bri’s a generous woman.”
“She’s the best,” Annabelle said with emphasis. Then she, too, abandoned him.
Bri had gone shopping this morning and now was touring the entire wing. She was going to be very tired tonight. He could call Alice and tell her to put Bri to bed at once, serving her dinner there. But Bri would get irritated again, and being in an almost civil relationship was quite pleasant. And gave him hope for later.
He remembered the longing in her voice for Christmas decorations. He didn’t believe she could decorate even if she wanted to. Especially not after today’s demands.
Maybe tomorrow would be easier. And she could sleep late on Saturday. If he carried everything to her apartment—then she might do a favor for him.
A smile settled on his face.
BRI WAS RELIEVED when she left the hospital Friday afternoon. Two days ahead of her of doing nothing but taking naps. Then she’d be able to face her job again on Monday. But it was getting more difficult to last through the week. She might have to admit that she needed to cut back.
Alice had certainly helped, but the days seemed longer recently.
Alice had fried chicken waiting when Bri arrived home. “Fried chicken? Doesn’t that have too much fat and cholesterol?” she asked.
“It’s not fried. It just looks and tastes that way. It’s a special coating I put on it. My husband had high cholesterol and he hated baked chicken. I came up with this recipe,” Alice said, beaming with pride.
“I can’t wait to taste it. And I’m so glad it’s Friday,” she added.
“Sit down at the table, and I’ll serve dinner at once.”
But Bri noticed that Alice checked her watch.
“Alice, do you need to leave early? It’s okay, I can serve myself.”
“Aren’t you a sweet thing. But, no, I don’t have to leave. I just—”
The doorbell interrupted Alice and Bri realized that was what Alice had been waiting for. She was expecting someone.
Somehow it wasn’t a surprise when she heard Hunter’s voice. But there were some extra sounds she couldn’t identify. Before she could decide to get up and do some investigating, Alice, followed by Hunter, entered the kitchen.
“Look who’s here!” Alice said, pretending to be surprised. “I asked him to join us since I had plenty of chicken made. You don’t mind do you?”
“Of course not. How convenient that you made extra chicken.”
Hunter sent her a rueful smile. “Alice, I don’t think we fooled her. The truth is, Bri, Alice and I talked, and I told her I was going to do something for you in hopes that you’d help me. She asked me to dinner then.”
Alice looked worried, and Bri couldn’t upset her. “It’s all right, Alice. We’d never turn down a hungry man.”
“Kind of like helping Jenny Barrows,” he said, raising one eyebrow.
Without looking at him, she said, “I’ll file an expense account to cover that.”
“Sure you will. You don’t lie any better than Alice, Bri. The two of you are quite a pair.”
Alice giggled, and even Bri couldn’t hold back a smile.
“I’ll practice,” she said.
“Don’t bother. You’re perfect the way you are.” After smiling at her, he turned to Alice. “Now, where’s that special chicken, Alice? I’m starving.”
Dinner was enjoyable. Hunter charmed both her and Alice, teasing them. Bri was glad Alice was there. It meant she wouldn’t give in to the attraction that was the reason she was big as a house.
“This chicken is the best, Alice. You are a great cook.”
“Wait until you try dessert. It’s my special recipe for peach cobbler, still warm, with ice cream on top.”
Hunter groaned. “I may have to deal with something else first. Then I’ll have room for dessert.”
“Something else?” Bri asked, frowning. “What something else?”
“Have you finished eating?”
“Yes.”
“Then come with me. I have a surprise for you.”
He took her hand and pulled her from her chair. Then he led her toward the living room.
By the time they reached the doorway, she already suspected what her surprise was. Standing in the corner was a full, fragrant Scotch pine tree, all ready for decorating.
Tears gathered in Bri’s eyes.
He made it so hard to resist his care, his sweetness. He seemed to know her better than she knew herself. But that couldn’t be true or he’d realize he only had to walk in the door to make her happy. Unless she remembered his abandonment.
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