Page 42 of Secret Baby for Dr. Grump

I force a smile out. “Sounds great, but I’ll have to pass. I’m staying for a bit.”

“Isn’t it past your work hours?”

“Yes, but I need to check in with Dr. Jennings about the surgery progress. It’s easier to record everything now than tomorrow.”

She shakes her head and mutters about me working too hard, then waves and leaves. I glance at the clock. I should be going home, but it’s one of those lucky days where Nancy asked to stay longer since she needs the extra cash.

But as it turns out, I don’t have to wait long as Luke walks in a few minutes later, already scrubbed down.

I already have my speech ready about not needing his help to fend off other men, but it takes a backseat when I take a good, long look at his face. He’s pale. That’s the first thing that sticks out, along with the heaviness around his eye area…like he’s almost haunted.

“Did the surgery go well?”

My tone is cautious, braced for bad news. But he nods.

“Yes. The surgery was successful.”

Yet he still has that heavy, almost haunted look about him. Puzzled, I watch as he leans against his desk. He sighs and looks at his hands, then doesn’t say another word.

Tentatively, I walk over and stand before him, waiting for him to meet my gaze. When he does, I raise a brow.

“But…?”

Luke shakes his head. “No buts. It was successful.”

Now I’m even more puzzled.

“Then why don’t you look happy about it?”

“I am happy about.”

“Could have fooled me.”

Silence. I can tell he’s thinking about something and probably trying to form it into words. I wait him out, feeling like it’s something important.

“I wasn’t prepared for it, I guess.”

Him, not prepared? It’s an odd thing to say, considering he’s always called into emergencies and handles them so well. It is why people look up to him so much.

“What do you mean?”

He sighs.

“His name’s Sean Philips. He’s six. Like Riley.” There’s a pause as he lets that sink in. “We detected something in his brain a year ago, and he’s been having constant appointments here. While that was going on, I watched him grow up. He went from not speaking at all to being a chatterbox. It’s such a nice change seeing him so bright…and I guess I got close to him over those appointments.”

I already know where this is going, but I don’t say anything and let him continue.

“I was planning to push back other operations to prepare for his. When he had his accident today, I was afraid I would fail him.”

I know it’s his perfectionist side talking. But I also know it’s taking its toll on him. My hand reaches out and touches his cheek.

“But you didn’t.”

He nods. “I didn’t. And the relief of it is just…”

“Overwhelming.”

“Yeah.”

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