A Baby on His Doorstep by Leigh Riker

Author:Leigh Riker
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-12-29T20:47:05+00:00

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AFTER LEAVING ZOEY with Sophie, Rachel met Max that afternoon at Farrier General, where, to everyone’s relief, after a week in the hospital Clara was doing well today. Sawyer had said, “Her test results look better than I even hoped for.” Ensconced like a queen—which she richly deserved to be—in a private room loaded with floral arrangements, she was holding court with several townspeople when Rachel and Max walked into her room.

Rachel hung back, feeling awkward and out of place. Ever since their quasi-talk about Chad, she’d felt edgy, spooking at shadows, inspecting every car that passed by on the street, trying to see if Chad was at the wheel, headed for Max’s house. He could easily have gotten the address from his parents.

Max stepped forward to hand Clara the spray of red roses he and Rachel had bought in the downstairs gift shop. The flowers were wrapped in cellophane with a pretty design of hearts. Barren and the surrounding towns appeared ready for Valentine’s Day soon, and the displays of candy, cute stuffed animals and roses were everywhere. Max claimed Clara’s decorations at his clinic had made it resemble a float in a Rose Bowl parade.

“Goodness,” Clara said, clearly pleased with all the attention, “I’ve never gotten so many flowers in my life. I woke up this morning and wondered if I’d died overnight.”

“Heaven forbid.” Max kissed her cheek. “What would we—I—ever do without you?”

Clara blinked as if she didn’t recognize this version of Max. “I imagine each passing day must remind you of how I’m needed at the clinic. Is Candi covering the desk while I’m gone?”

“Shadow Wilson sent someone over.” Over the past few years, her home health care agency had expanded its reach. There weren’t that many requests for in-home caregivers in Barren, so Shadow also managed office workers and the like. “A temp,” Max hastened to add because Clara’s face had fallen. “Nobody can replace you, G.”

Rachel knew the older woman didn’t like Max using that nickname, his abbreviation for gorgeous. She edged closer to touch Clara’s hand. “I’m glad you’re feeling better.” Clara’s color had improved, and Rachel didn’t want to remember the time spent in the ER waiting room, praying for her survival. “Any idea when you’ll be released?”

“Sawyer refuses to tell me. So does the cardiologist he forced on me.” Clara grimaced. “I don’t know why there’s all this commotion.” She waved at the flowers that surrounded her bed, the sweet stuffed bear and kitten that sat on her window ledge. “I’m ready to go home and back to work.”

“You listen to Sawyer,” Max said with a frown. “None of us wants another scare for which I feel responsible. I could see you weren’t feeling well. I shouldn’t have let you help with the dog that crashed that night, which by the way went home a few days ago. Thanks again, Clara. Together we turned that around.”

“That’s lovely news, Max.” She sank deeper into her pillows. “Rachel, could you put these beautiful roses in some water? The nurses can give you another vase—if there are any left.

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