The Holiday Triplets Read Free Page B

husband.
    She’d had a couple of serious relationships, both with men she’d met through her activities in championing children’s causes. Shared zeal made for hot sex—Samantha could attest to that. Ultimately, though, either the passion had cooled along with the cause, or she’d come to realize the guy was drawn to her energy and purpose because he lacked sufficient of his own. She needed a man strong enough to stand beside her as an equal.
    On the other hand, not one so bullheaded he was always blocking her path. An image of Mark on the stairway this morning kept appearing on her mental screen. Since the hospital’s new owner hired him as administrator, he’d become Public Enemy Number One as far as she was concerned.
    Then, a few weeks ago, she’d stopped into the nursery to admire Tony Franco’s baby, and spotted Mark cradling the newborn in his arms. His face illuminated with tenderness, he’d cooed to the little girl as if she were his own daughter. Sam had slipped away, oddly moved.
    Why didn’t Mark have a wife and children? How unfair that men could ignore the biological clock that ticked so loudly for women.
    Well, no point in woolgathering, Samantha thought as she washed up following her last patient of the morning. She had a busy afternoon ahead, dealing with departmental paperwork and formulating plans for the Christmas fundraiser. She felt certain she could count on the support of the PR director, since the clinic was named for the babyson that Jennifer Serra—Jennifer Martin, since her recent marriage—had lost during a troubled teen pregnancy.
    Sam decided to see if she could catch Jennifer for a quick brainstorming session. As she ducked into the hall, however, her nurse called from behind, “Don’t forget!”
    â€œDon’t forget what?” Sam swung back toward the ever-efficient Devina Gupta.
    â€œDr. Kendall wants to see you,” said the nurse, a bronze-skinned woman who looked too young to have a son in medical school. “I’ve told you three times.”
    Oh, bother. The gynecologist had run tests during Sam’s checkup and insisted on discussing the results in person. In Sam’s opinion, becoming a doctor ought to excuse you from undergoing medical tests. It should make you immune to all illnesses, too.
    But of course it didn’t.
    â€œI’ll stop by her office,” Sam promised, checking her watch. Nora Kendall’s office was located one floor below. If she dawdled a few more minutes, she should be safe because Nora would probably leave for lunch.
    â€œI’ll call to let her know you’re coming,” Devina said. “I’m sure she’ll wait.”
    Even the stubbornest person couldn’t win every time. “Thank you.”
    â€œNot a problem. Better hurry!”
    Reluctantly, Samantha obeyed her nurse.
    Â 
    P ASTRAMI HEAPED ON RYE . Did a pickle count as a vegetable? And mustard. That had a few nutrients, right?
    Mark relished his meal at a corner table in the hospital cafeteria while skimming the latest medical journal. He also kept an eye open for Samantha. Not that he would break the devastating news to her in public, but he hoped to track her movements and catch her on the way back to heroffice. With luck, he might find an isolated setting where her outraged screams wouldn’t attract too much notice.
    She often ate with Lori and Jennifer, who were talking earnestly over their chicken-à-la-something. Judging by Lori’s quivering mouth, the subject must be Dr. Sellers.
    The cause of their breakup was no secret. As the eldest of six girls, Lori had spent her teen years serving as second mother to five argumentative siblings. She’d sworn off having kids, and her fiancé, who’d recently completed an exhausting residency, had agreed he wanted to spend his free time relaxing with the woman he loved, just the two of them.
    Then he’d changed his mind.