The Surrogate (Clearwater) Read Free Page A

have
bigger things to worry about.” She moved past him holding the leftover pizza
out before her as if it assaulted her sense of smell.
    “What about now?” Between the
hangover and no caffeine in his system, he was grumpy. He needed coffee before
she dove into what problem she had discovered.
    “I’m due in less than four
weeks.” She ran her hand along her swollen stomach, as if saying, remember
these babies.
    He laid his hand on the cool
granite countertop trying to suppress the drums that beat against his temples,
and poured himself a mug of the coffee she so graciously had ready. He breathed
in the deep aroma, filling his senses with the strong vanilla roast he
preferred and took a sip before he faced her. “I know when you’re due. What I
don’t understand is the problem you think we should be worried about.”
    “Have you seen the nursery?”
She placed a glass into the dishwasher and looked up at him.
    The nursery was another reason
he should have realized something was wrong before Peg dropped the divorce on
him. It was completely empty. They’d sold the furniture from the room after
Jessi’s positive pregnancy test in order to make room for what they thought
would be one child. He was glad now they chose one of the larger guest rooms as
the nursery since it was also the closest to the master suite, but with twins
they’d need the room. “Yeah, I know.” He took another sip of coffee, his brain
struggling from its slumber. “Tiny Treasures Baby Store is right in town. How
about you help me pick out what’s needed and I’ll get it set up this weekend?”
    “I don’t know why you need
me.” She opened the fridge and her eyes became wide. “It’s empty.”
    “Guess we should get groceries
while we’re out.” He felt embarrassed, the refrigerator should have been
stocked. “I’m sorry.”
    Her lips curved down into a
frown as she leaned against the counter looking at him. “Michael, we’ve been
friends for years. I’ve never seen you like this. How do you expect to care for
the twins if you can’t even remember to buy food?”
    “It wasn’t I forgot. Without
Betty here I’ve grabbed food at the hospital. I’m a disaster in the kitchen.
Even if I wasn’t, it’s pointless to cook for one.” He finished his mug of
coffee and poured another. It was at least a two-cup minimum morning, but he
suspected that if she wasn’t staring him down he’d have drunk the pot himself.
Something about her gaze made him uneasy. Or maybe it was the suddenly claustrophobic
kitchen.
    There he stood next to the one
woman that always appeared just out of his grasp. It wasn’t just her brother
would break his hand if he touched her, it was more the fact he always believed
he was never good enough for her. When they were the closest he was a medical
intern, which meant two things long hours and very little sleep. It wasn’t a
time to get involved even if she wasn’t the younger sister of his best friend.
    “I cook all the time for
myself.” She shook her head, a strand of her long blonde hair fell from the
barrette she had it tied back with. His fingers itched to reach out and tuck it
behind her ear. “I’ll go. If you went to the store alone who knows what I’d end
up with when I tried to make dinner.”
    “I told you, I’ll get a housekeeper.
In the meantime we can eat while we’re in town.” He wanted to deny the fact he
couldn’t shop but it had been years since he bought any groceries.
    “I’m pregnant, I have cravings
at weird hours, so there needs to be stuff here. You don’t need to rush to find
a housekeeper, I can do what needs to be done around here and I don’t mind
cooking. Actually I enjoy it.”
    “I’ll call and see about
someone anyways. Give me twenty minutes and we can be on our way.” He placed
the coffee mug in the dishwasher.
    “Will we make it out? It was
pretty nasty last night, and more snow is supposed to come in this afternoon.”
    “Don’t worry, my truck is