Diagnosis: Expecting the Boss's Baby by Jacqueline Diamond

Author:Jacqueline Diamond
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

On Monday, when the housekeeper arrived, Natalie departed for the office to catch up on mail and phone messages. Although Patrick knew the work needed to be done, he found himself looking up whenever a floor-board creaked and feeling disappointed when she failed to appear.

Not that he wasn’t busy himself. The latest weather report called for a chance of rain on Saturday, so he ordered tents erected for the band and caterer. He devoted most of the morning to polishing his brief speech for the event.

The Oktoberfest loomed large in the future of the Endowment Fund. The yacht party had brought in a respectable two million dollars, but it fell far short of the thirty million needed, with only seven months to go.

Patrick knew the press would trumpet the fact if he and the center came nowhere near their goal. It might even hurt future fund-raising efforts. Had he been recklessly optimistic? Should he have scheduled more time than the symbolic nine months he’d allotted for the campaign?

He simply had to prevail. If that meant working while his ankle throbbed, it was a small price to pay to ensure the future of Doctors Circle. He only hoped one of the well-to-do guests, particularly a videogame company owner that Loretta had been cultivating, would decide to become a major supporter.

Outside, he heard a vehicle rattle up the driveway. Through the blinds, Patrick watched a rusty pickup truck with Texas license plates halt in the parking bay. He’d never seen the vehicle before, but he had a pretty good idea whose it was.

Natalie hadn’t returned from the office yet. In her absence, Patrick decided it was his duty to get rid of her ex-husband.

For her sake. For his sake. For the sake of a poor little kid who deserved a decent father, although where such a man was to be found, Patrick hadn’t figured out yet.

He grabbed his crutch and swung out of the room just as the doorbell chimed. Mrs. Frick, the housekeeper, started to answer but Patrick politely waved her away. When he opened the door, there—as expected—stood Ralph, a cowboy hat perched atop his sparse red hair.

“What can I do for you?” Patrick asked.

“Howdy, Dr. Barr.” The fellow gave him a toothy grin. Obviously he was doing his best to go native since moving to Texas, probably to the annoyance of the real Texans. “I hear my Natalie’s playing Florence Nightingale. How’s she getting along?”

“She’s fine. Was she expecting you?” He blocked the doorway and pretended not to notice as the visitor tried to edge inside.

“Not exactly, but what’s the difference?” Ralph said. “I’ve got a hankering to speak to my wife.”

“Your wife? Does this mean you’re still married?” It was a challenge, not question.

“You know how it goes.” The man’s smug tone of voice grated on Patrick’s nerves. “One piece of paper doesn’t make much difference.”

“Are you referring to your divorce papers or your marriage license?” Patrick asked.

“I don’t see how it’s your concern.” The creases on Ralph’s forehead deepened.

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