Maitland Maternity: Triplets, Quads and Quints. Kasey Michaels
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the best chance of survival.
He rang for Helen, and she hurried in, a steno pad in her hand. He immediately gave her orders. Her concern for the young woman, even though she didn’t know her, came through loud and clear. Hunter was pleased.
“Let me know when the file gets here and when everything has been taken care of.”
“Yes, doctor, at once.”
As she got up to go to her desk, he stopped her. “Do you happen to have Caleb McCallum’s work number? Or could you get it for me?”
“Of course. Is there a problem with security?”
“I just have a question for him,” Hunter assured her. He wasn’t about to tell her that he was going to interfere with Briana’s personal life. But he was.
Within minutes, he got Caleb on the line.
“Hey, doc, what’s up?”
“Caleb, I need Grace’s phone number.”
“Grace?” he repeated, as if he’d never heard the name before.
“Yeah, you know, the lady who took care of you when you were little.”
“Yeah, I know, but how do you know? And what do you want her number for? She’s retired.”
Caleb, it appeared, didn’t take anyone on trust right away. With a sigh, Hunter said, “Grace is going to recommend someone to take care of Bri and the babies. Bri is determined to make it on her own until the babies are born, but I think she needs help now. Someone to cook and clean, to make sure she eats properly.”
“Oh. Did you discuss it with Bri?”
“Yes, I did, but she’s stubborn. She admitted it sounded wonderful to have some help, but she’s afraid everyone will think she’s lazy, which is ridiculous.”
“Yeah, it is. Okay, here’s Grace’s number, but you do realize Bri is going to be furious that you’re interfering, don’t you?”
“Yeah, but I’m going to try to get Grace on my side. So keep our conversation to yourself.”
“You got it, doc.”
Hunter wrote down the number.
When he dialed the number, a sweet feminine voice answered.
“Is this Grace?”
“Yes. Who’s speaking?”
“You don’t know me. I’m the new obstetrics head at the McCallum Wing.”
“Dr. Callaghan? Of course I know who you are. Is there a problem with my volunteering? I do love it so. I hope I’m—”
“I didn’t know you volunteered.”
“I usually volunteer in the preemie nursery in Maitland, but when you get babies in your nursery, I’m transferring over there. I’m coming in today for a tour.”
“You are? What time?”
“My tour is at one.”
“Come at eleven and I’ll explain why I need your help. Then we’ll both go take Bri to lunch. Is it a deal?”
“It’s a deal. I’m very interested. Everything’s okay, isn’t it? I mean the babies and all?”
“I’m trying to make sure of that. But you know how stubborn Briana is.”
“Oh, yes. I’ll be there at eleven.”
Then he buzzed Helen. “I want you to call Bri and tell her that I expect her to join me for lunch today. I have a special guest I want her to entertain. And don’t take no for an answer. Tell her we’ll drop by her office at noon to pick her up. We’ll eat in the cafeteria.”
“What if she refuses?” Helen asked, frowning.
“It’s your job to make sure she doesn’t, Helen.”
She stared at him. “I don’t want to upset her.”
“Helen, Briana’s former nanny is coming to lunch today. She’s going to volunteer in the nursery as soon as we have some customers. Her presence is a surprise for Bri, so keep it a secret, but it’s a surprise Bri will enjoy.”
After Helen withdrew, Hunter sighed. His secretary thought he was a bully. That was a fine state of affairs. And he was trying to be so tactful.
Right on time, Grace arrived at his office. She was elderly, he’d guess in her seventies, but she looked healthy and had the most serene expression on her face he’d ever seen.
“Dr. Callaghan, I’m anxious to hear what you want to discuss with me.”
“Bri mentioned that you were going to recommend someone to help her with the babies.”
“Why, yes, a very nice, experienced woman.”
“Is the woman prepared to do housecleaning and cooking, also?”
“Of course,” Grace replied, a puzzled look on her face.
“Well, I’d like Briana to go ahead and hire the woman now. She goes home exhausted. I’m worried she’s not eating properly because she’s too tired to cook. She admitted she’s too tired to do housecleaning, and she worries that if she hires someone now, everyone will think she’s lazy.”
“That’s ridiculous! The poor child is carrying three babies. After what happened to her mother, I worry about her all the time.”
“Could you convince her she should go ahead and hire the woman so they can get to know each other before the babies come? Tell her she’ll be happier if she knows who’s taking care of her babies from the word go?”
“That’s a very good idea, Dr. Callaghan,” Grace assured him with a smile. “Of course I can do that.”
“Good,” he said, smiling.
“And with you recommending it, I don’t see how she can resist.”
“No! Don’t mention me!”
Chapter Ten
Bri sat hunched over her desk, irritation coursing through her. A special guest! Hunter needed her to entertain the person! Right! All he was doing was supervising her eating habits. Dr. Hunter Callaghan was an interfering, bossy man. How were they going to stop the gossip if he didn’t stop this silliness?
It was almost twelve. Helen had made it clear in her phone call that the invitation wasn’t one Briana could refuse. So, where was the big man? He seemed to think he could order her life around. The least he could do was be on time!
Just as the hands on her watch reached straight-up twelve, a soft knock sounded on her door. She called, “Come in,” ready to be difficult.
The door opened and Grace, her darling Grace, appeared. Bri struggled to her feet and went to the door to wrap her arms around her true mother. “Grace! What are you doing here? Is everything all right? Oh, I have to go to lunch with someone, or I’d take you—”
“Calm down, child. You’re going to lunch with me. Hunter arranged it all. Isn’t he a darling man?”
Bri tried to stifle her groan. Another person singing his praises? She didn’t think she could stand it. “Yes, fabulous,” she said, trying to dredge up enthusiasm. “Why are you here?”
“I’m taking a tour of the nursery. Once you start having babies there, I’m going to volunteer. I’ve had experience with multiple-birth babies, you know,” she added with a beaming smile.
Bri hugged her again. “I know you have. And you’re a terrific mother substitute.”
“Bless you, child,” Grace responded, tears in her eyes. Then she stepped back from Bri. “Now, how are you managing?