Maitland Maternity: Triplets, Quads and Quints. Kasey MichaelsЧитать онлайн книгу.
seven months ago. She’d simply exaggerated the effect he had on her. That was all, a silly exaggeration. She could shake his hand, as if they were two business acquaintances, without feeling anything. Nothing to it.
She drew a deep breath.
“Did you call me?” Lisa asked from the door.
“Uh, no, I hate to admit it, but I was talking out loud to the girls. Sorry.”
“No problem. I think that’s so sweet. They’re lucky girls to have you for a mom.”
Bri smiled at her assistant. “Thanks, Lisa. You always make me feel better.”
“I’m going down now to get your lunch. I’ve switched the phones to voice mail, so don’t bother answering them. Just stay in your rocker and rest.”
“I promise to follow orders,” she agreed, and Lisa nodded, disappearing from view.
And the best thing she could do for herself and her girls was not to think about the new obstetrics chief for the McCallum Wing. Ever. She didn’t want her girls feeling any connection to the man.
They were her daughters. Three little miracles who belonged to no one else. That was her story and she was sticking to it!
HUNTER FOLLOWED R. J. Maitland through the wing, impressed with the facilities and the friendliness of the staff. He wouldn’t find out about their skills until he saw them in action.
“You’re cutting a wide swath through our nursing staff,” R.J. muttered as they left yet another area.
Hunter frowned. “What do you mean?”
“You haven’t noticed all the younger nurses fainting at your feet? Even some of the older ones are swooning.”
Hunter continued to stare at him, wondering what he was talking about.
“Man, the nurses are interested. Surely you noticed?”
“Look, Maitland, all I’ve seen are a lot of friendly faces, which I appreciate. I think you’re exaggerating.”
“I thought you were single.”
“I am. Very.”
“Not looking?”
Hunter ground his teeth together, wondering what the man would say if he told him he’d learned his lesson about women at his administrator’s hands. Instead, he said simply, “No, I’m not looking.” Then, before the man could speak, he added, “And, before you ask, I’m not gay. I’m just intent on my work.”
“Good enough. I hope if you do decide to, uh, change your status, you’ll look outside the hospital. I’m sure local Austin society will make you feel welcome. Some of our Texas ladies are real lookers.”
Hunter smiled. He’d already heard stories about Maitland Maternity’s past history. “Like you looked outside the hospital?”
R. J. Maitland’s cheeks turned bright red. He cleared his throat. “Well, uh, I guess you know I didn’t.” R.J. had married his secretary Dana Dillinger.
“Yeah, I know. But I didn’t let it sway my decision to come here. I don’t think personal relationships affect a man’s work that much.”
“Okay. Let me take you to your office now. You already have an assistant, Mrs. Helen Robb. If you don’t think you can work with her, let me know. I’ll find another place for her and you can hire your own assistant.”
“Thanks. I’ll let you know.” Hunter hoped he could work with the woman, but if she was young and followed him around all day long, he’d take R.J. up on his offer. He wanted nothing to do with romance or women.
But he did want to talk to Briana.
Not because he was still attracted to her. He’d explained away his attraction a million times. When he’d let down his guard over the past seven months and found himself yearning for her, he’d immediately reminded himself that she was a wealthy woman, looking for kicks, taking a title to make herself feel important.
Not the woman for him.
But for those few hours when he’d held her, when he’d made love to her, she’d been his dream, his future, his love. He was fortunate, really, that she’d slapped him in the face with reality so quickly. If he’d spent a month or two believing in that fantasy, he might not be able to dismiss those thoughts so easily.
He ignored the sarcastic laughter those thoughts earned from his mind. He was beginning to think he’d misjudged Briana because he was afraid of being hurt. He’d sought ways to dismiss the magic of their time together to make it easier to forget her.
“Hunter? Allow me to introduce Mrs. Helen Robb,” R.J. said, jolting him from his thoughts. Apparently they’d reached his office while he was thinking. He had no idea how they’d gotten here.
“Welcome to Maitland Maternity, and McCallum Wing in particular, Dr. Callaghan.”
Hunter stared at the trim, gray-haired woman. Her voice was serene and soothing. Now, if she had brains, he was in luck.
“Thank you, Mrs. Robb.”
“Please, call me Helen. Everyone does.” She turned and led the way into his office. “I arranged the furniture to my liking. If there’s anything you want changed, don’t hesitate to tell me. I’ll call maintenance and get someone up here at once.”
His office was large. “I like the arrangement very much. It looks efficient and soothing.” The decor was done in blue and beige with an occasional touch of yellow.
“I left room on the wall by the windows for your degrees and certificates. If you’ll give them to me when you’ve unpacked, I’ll see that they are hung in place.”
“Perfect. Have you worked at the hospital long?”
“Yes, almost since the beginning. I was Mr. William Maitland’s secretary until he died. Then I’ve worked in different departments, so I feel I know the hospital well.”
Hunter looked at R.J. and nodded before he responded to her words. “Good. You’ll be a big help to me as I try to learn everyone’s name and position. Thank you, Helen.”
She smiled and disappeared into the outer office.
“She seems perfect, R.J. Thanks.”
“She’s one of the best. But if a problem arises, let me know. Now, do you want to go to lunch at a nearby restaurant, eat in the cafeteria, skip lunch while you settle in, have Helen bring you something, or—”
“I’d love for Helen to bring me something while I get settled in, if that wouldn’t be rude of me. I’m anxious to find my footing. Everything happened so quickly, I need some time. It’s only been ten days since I first interviewed.”
“Of course, and Helen will be glad to do so. She’ll start you a tab in the cafeteria. You don’t pay until after you’ve run up a hundred dollars a month, so you don’t have to give her any money,” he added as Hunter reached for his wallet. “It’s part of your contract.”
“Maybe the first thing I’d better do is read the details on that contract,” Hunter said with a laugh. “I’d forgotten that little benefit.”
R.J. smiled in return. “I’m just glad you signed it. You could’ve stayed in Chicago and received the same promotion within another year. We feel fortunate you felt like a change of venue. Any particular reason?”
Hunter avoided the other man’s gaze. With a shrug of his shoulders, he said, “You know, sometimes you just feel the need to move on. And Maitland Maternity Hospital, even without the new wing, has a great reputation.”
“True. Well, welcome one more time. I’ll stop by at two and pick you up for your welcoming party.”
“Thanks,” Hunter said again. Once R. J. Maitland,