The Surrogate (Clearwater) Read Free Page B

used
to the weather. This is nothing compared what we normally have at this time of
year.” Tiny Treasures Baby Store was right next to Fast Check Groceries, so
they’d be able to knock both things out quickly and head home before the storm
hit again.
    * * *
    Tiny Treasures was adorable
inside. So many cute outfits, toys, and beautiful furniture. Exploring the
store sent a twinge of regret through Jessi—regret that when the twins were
born she’d no longer be a part of their lives. Instead of keeping distance
between herself and the children, she stood inside Tiny Treasures picking out
the items for their nursery. Why did I get myself involved in this?
    “Michael,” a woman called as
she came toward them. Another woman with a baby in her arms followed.
    “Chloe.” He leaned close and
gave her a quick hug and kiss on the cheek. “How unexpected to see you and
Tessa. This is Jessi. Jessi, Chloe, Tessa, and one of my favorite patients,
Rosalie. How is she doing, her allergies better with the medication?”
    The women shared a nod, and
Jessi was acutely away he didn’t explain who she was. Did the residents of
Clearwater know she was his surrogate?
    “Rosie is good, growing like a
weed. No more problems with the allergies. We came to pick out her Christmas
dress and to give Chloe and idea of furniture for the nursery.” Tessa rocked
the little girl gently in her arms.
    “I wanted to wait until after
the holidays to let anyone know. You know how news spreads like wildfire here
in Clearwater. Let everyone talk of who’s getting what, not about my soon to
grow stomach,” Chloe teased her friend.
    Feeling slightly awkward,
Jessi stepped away from the group, her attention turned back to the cribs on
display. There was a slight twinge of jealousy with the way he interacted with
the women. It was the way things had been between them at one time, an easy,
friendly relationship that she missed. Things never seemed more strained than
today.
    He was trying, she’d give him
that, but with so much left up in the air concerning the twins she wasn’t sure
how they’d move past the tension that seemed to surround them. Maybe some of
that tension was from the fact she couldn’t wrap her head around the divorce.
He was the man that every woman wanted. He was a successful doctor with a heart
of gold. Why hadn’t she noticed Peg’s tension the last time they were together?
    Minutes later Michael returned
to her side. “I’m sorry.”
    She stared into his green
eyes. They reminded her of dew-covered grass first thing in the morning, dark
and deep like they went on forever. “For what?”
    “Letting myself get caught up
with Chloe and Tessa. When I took the position at Clearwater Hospital I stayed
at Winterbloom Bed and Breakfast. I was there for weeks before I could find a
suitable place, and we got to know each other. Over a year ago Chloe and Jordan
married, he built them a beautiful log home behind Winterbloom. They have
wanted to start a family since.” Michael moved to the next crib before
continuing. “Tessa is new to Clearwater but the women have become close so I’ve
gotten to know her at the town picnics, and Chloe’s dinner parties and
bar-be-ques. She loves to entertain.”
    “There’s no need to apologize.
This is your home, you can’t change things just because I’m here.” She ran her
hand along a beautiful walnut crib. “What do you think about this one?”
    “What exceptional taste you
have. Chloe’s husband, Jordan, does woodworking in his spare time. His specialty
is nurseries. The owner Zoe Noble sells them here. He made a beautiful set for
Tessa, I wanted to order a custom one from him, but things got away from me.”
He looked toward the counter, for the owner. “I’ll see if Zoe has two in stock.
Why don’t you take a look at bedding?”
    “Okay. We’ll need the changing
table and dresser to match. Might want to get two dressers. They are adorable
and the kids can use them as they grow