The M.D.'s Secret Daughter by Jacqueline Diamond

Author:Jacqueline Diamond
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2012-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

For the rest of Monday afternoon Jan passed the word along as casually as she could, aware the rumors might already have spread. “As you may have heard...” was how she phrased it to coworkers whose paths crossed hers.

“We all have our issues,” was Erica’s judicious response. The nurse had suffered through a painful divorce back in Boston. “Safe Harbor’s a good place for second chances.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” Jan said. “How’re you feeling these days?”

With the baby due in a month, Erica had given up assisting at surgeries. Too much standing, and her bump got in the way. Although she claimed to enjoy reviewing charts and handling other desk jobs, Jan knew her friend chafed at the restriction. “I ache all over. Thank goodness my husband gives great back rubs.”

They parted with mutual warm wishes. How wonderful to have a friend and ally here, Jan thought.

Dr. Tartikoff, who’d been grumpier than usual without his favorite scrub nurse, managed a rare smile at Jan’s confession. “Always wondered who the dad was. Glad he’s stepping up to the plate.”

“He’s great with Kimmie,” Jan said.

“Good.” With a nod, the surgeon headed off.

Jan departed earlier than usual to prepare for the move. Her mother had promised to pick up Kimmie after school and keep her for dinner, safely out from underfoot. And also away from any temptation to smuggle in the cat.

Everything seemed under control, Jan reflected, as she packed last-minute items from the bathroom and kitchen. Yesterday, she’d gathered key personal and financial property to take in her car, and had emptied drawers and cabinets with a sense of déjà vu. She’d performed these same tasks in Houston less than two months ago.

The smelly pile of cushions and ruined furniture had been removed yesterday. Aside from a few new cushions stained beyond salvaging, she didn’t miss the lot, except for the dent that replacing them was going to make in her bank account. The scary part was wondering how much she might owe the landlord. Staying at her mom’s would save on rent, though, Jan mused.

The movers arrived promptly at six, a trio of young men who operated a discount local service. She’d just finished showing them around and was about to start loading her car when her cell rang.

It was Zack. “Have you moved yet?”

Strange question. “They’re carrying the stuff out now.”

“Change of plans,” he said.

“What do you mean, ‘change of plans’?”

He cleared his throat. “Have you talked to Kimmie?”

“About what?” Jan asked. “My mom picked her up after school.”

Over the phone, she heard Berry’s voice in the background. “When are they coming?”

“Hold on,” he said, apparently to Berry. Then, into the phone: “It seems our daughters have arranged for you both to move in here until you can find another place. There was some mention of saving a cat’s life.”

Faintly, Jan heard Berry’s voice again. “Don’t forget the bed.”

“And a canopy bed that’s going to change hands temporarily,” Zack noted. “I’ve hired a sitter for Berry. Okay if I come over?”

“Better hurry,” Jan said.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.