Page 25 of Secret Baby for Dr. Grump

Why the hell didn’t she tell me any of this?

Then I notice Olivia turning her head slightly so that only I can see the look on her face. It’s a pleading one, desperately begging me to keep the questions at bay. I’m so tempted to interrogate her right now, but I’m still reeling, and she’s right—whatever discussion needs to happen shouldn’t take place in front of this child.

So I follow her lead.

“Is she sick?”

Olivia hesitates, then nods. “Fever earlier. It’s down now.”

Now her running away just like that makes more sense. “I see.”

An awkward silence ensues. Riley interrupts it.

“Are you a medical assistant, Luke?”

I shake my head. “I’m a doctor. Your mom and I work in the same hospital. Same office, too.”

Riley nods solemnly, then yawns and leans her head against her mother’s shoulder.

“Mom, I’m tired. Can I sleep again?”

“Sure, sweetie.”

“Can you take me to bed?”

“Of course.”

Riley glances at me again. “See you later, Mr. Luke.”

“See you later.” Then I glance at Olivia. “Go ahead and put her to bed. I’ll wait here.”

“You can go?—”

“No. I’ll wait here.”

Her eyes flash like she wants to argue. I know she wants to kick me out. But I stay where I am, rising to her challenge without a word—because I am sure as hell not leaving this place until we clear this up.

Eventually, she has to put her daughter first. She stands back up and picks the girl up, the two murmuring to each other as they head toward what I assume is Riley’s bedroom. Silence follows, but I stay on the doorstep, giving myself time to think things through.

Eventually, I conclude that Olivia would not have had anyone like she had me, not with the way she responded to my touch. I would know. I return to that moment, my body reacting to the memory of it alone.

Then Riley’s face repeatedly flashes in my mind, her solemn and sweet voice nagging at me for some reason. It mixes with Olivia’s words until a couple of lines push through.

How long has it been since you’ve had sex?

Seven years.

Disbelief slams in and twists in my gut, then pretty much coats my entire body. My blood runs cold as that particular memory solidifies, ringing over and over until it feels like I’m going insane. She couldn’t have been lying, and there is still a chance that the kid was from a relationship she had before that night at the bar, but…

A figure steps out of the bedroom quietly and I look up in time to meet Olivia’s gaze. Just like that, I know.

“Is that her bedroom?”

She puzzles over my question, but she shakes her head. “No. This is the guestroom. Her bedroom’s upstairs, but it’s easier to keep track of her while she’s sick here. Easier to meet her needs, too, with the kitchen nearby.”

“Is she asleep?”

She nods and approaches me. She opens her mouth, but I’m relentless.

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