Maitland Maternity: Triplets, Quads and Quints. Kasey Michaels
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hundred. He said to ask you about the expense.”
The budget was tight, but she decided to grant Hunter’s request. Everyone was so excited about the decorations. It made her feel guilty that she hadn’t let them know they would have Christmas decorations before now.
“All right, that will be fine. Just add it to our bill.”
“Great. It will look real nice.”
“I’m sure it will.”
On the way to her office, she was humming “Silent Night” beneath her breath. She stopped by Hunter’s office and told Helen to assure Dr. Callaghan they were adding Peace on Earth. “He’ll know what I mean, Helen.”
“Is that Bri?” Hunter called from his office.
“Maybe you’d better tell him yourself, Bri. He’ll be upset if you try to avoid him.”
Bri raised her eyebrows, unused to not being obeyed by the employees, but she guessed Helen didn’t want to be caught between the two of them. She crossed over to Hunter’s door. “Yes, it’s me. I just wanted to tell you that we’re adding Peace on Earth.”
“Good. I think that will be a nice touch.”
“Thank you for leaving the decision up to me.”
He grinned. “No problem. You heard about our two new patients?”
“Yes, I’m checking with their doctors to see if they have everything they need. I suspect the teenager might need a few things.”
“Can we provide them?”
“It will get done,” she said, not mentioning that the money might come out of her own pocket. She was fortunate to have the funds to live as she wanted. She liked to help those who couldn’t.
“If you need a donation, let me know.”
“Okay, thanks.”
“Oh, and Bri? Nice working with you.”
He was right. This was the first time they’d both wanted the same thing. And it was nice. She gave him a smile and slipped away.
After calls to the two doctors of the new patients, Bri went back downstairs to visit with the teenager, Jenny Barrows. As she’d expected, the girl had almost nothing in the way of personal supplies. Afterward, Bri talked to the nurses.
“She didn’t bring much with her. We put her in a hospital gown because she didn’t have anything but a T-shirt.”
“And she has no family,” the second nurse added.
“All right. We’ll see if we can help her out a little,” Bri said.
Both nurses relaxed. “Thanks, Bri. That’s great.”
She returned to her office. “Lisa, we’re going shopping. Switch the phones to voice mail because we’ll be gone a while.”
An hour later, they returned from one of the large economy stores, with several bags. “Why don’t you take off the price tags and go introduce yourself to Jenny, our new patient, and tell her these things are hers to keep.”
“But Bri, you should take them. You bought them.”
“The charity fund bought them. I’ll fill in an expense-account form for the money. Besides, I need to check all the departments to be sure the trees are taken care of.”
“But I could do that and save you some—”
“Just do as I ask, Lisa,” she said quietly. “I’m going to eat lunch before I check the departments, so it will be a while before I get back.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll switch the phones back on as soon as I return.”
“Good.”
After Lisa left, Bri drew a deep breath, then headed to the cafeteria. She was tired from the shopping expedition, which probably explained why she didn’t shop anymore.
After she’d chosen her meal, she turned around to look for an empty table. She found one near the windows and sat down with a sigh. No question about her appetite today.
“Mind if I join you?” a male voice asked.
“Uh, I don’t mind, but it would be better if you don’t. There’s a lot of gossip already,” she told Hunter, giving him a quick glance and then staring at her plate.
“I told you not to pay any attention to gossip,” he said lightly, sliding his tray onto the table beside her.
Bri was concerned about the thrill that seemed to flow through her. She mustn’t let her hormones dictate her behavior. She had to think of the girls. And her weak resistance when it came to Hunter. She was as hard as whipped cream when it came to Hunter. Then she caught sight of Annabelle just leaving the cash register. She waved to get her friend’s attention.
“You don’t mind if my friend joins us, do you?” Bri asked, staring at Hunter.
“Of course not. I’m hoping to get familiar with all the staff.”
Annabelle reached the table.
“Join us, Annabelle,” Bri said at once, pleading with her eyes.
“Of course, if Dr. Callaghan doesn’t mind.” Annabelle kept looking from one to the other as she sat down after Hunter’s assurance that she was welcome.
“Dr. Callaghan, this is Annabelle Reardon. She’s one of our delivery nurses.”
“Of course, that’s where I’ve seen you. You were there when the twins were delivered.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Good job. You work with Dr. Beaumont a lot?”
“When I can. He’s a good doctor.”
The two of them continued to chat, and Bri found it easier to eat her food. She could see Hunter watching her to see if she ate, but she could ignore that.
“Oh, Bri, the Christmas decorations are so wonderful. We weren’t sure—”
“I should have explained to everyone. As soon as I can, I’m going to put out a weekly newsletter that will keep everyone posted on what’s going on.”
“Good idea,” Hunter said, and Bri was pleased.
“It won’t happen any time soon, what with the babies coming.”
“Why not ask the public relations department?” Hunter asked. “You can provide any information you want in the newsletters to them, but they could add birthdays, events in the lives of the staff, things everyone would be interested in.”
“Do you think they’d have time?” Bri asked, pondering his idea.”
“More than you. Besides, that falls under their expertise.”
“That’s a good idea,” Annabelle said, beaming at Hunter.
Bri suddenly wondered if her friend was one of those members of the staff who was interested in Hunter. Not that she minded. Of course not.
“Annabelle’s right about the decorations. You did a fine job, Bri. Have you already decorated at home?”
Bri ducked her head. “No. I probably won’t this Christmas. It’s a lot of work.” She couldn’t keep the longing out of her voice, but she figured the other two wouldn’t notice.
Since she’d been eating while the other two talked, she finished her meal before them. “I hope you don’t mind, but I need to check the Christmas trees in each department.”
“Can’t someone else do that?” Hunter asked, frowning.
“There’s no need for someone else. I need to talk to the staff a little and apologize for not letting them know we were decorating,” Bri said,