Page 50 of Secret Baby for Mr. Grump

Besides, after having Sean look into the new doctor thoroughly last night, which he cursed me for, he managed to get us an appointment with him today. And I wasn’t going to miss it for the world.

Ever since Caleb sat down to eat, I saw his eyes continuously travel to me.

I didn’t acknowledge it.

I didn’t attempt to talk to him either. I just sat there eating my food and existing as non-threateningly as possible. I didn’t want to push him to talk and simply observed as he interacted with his mother, seemingly tuned to her even when she was at the stove cooking.

Once, I caught his gaze when he glanced at me.

I smiled.

And his eyes skittered away.

We had a long way to go.

NINETEEN

ALLIE

A tapping sound echoed throughout the pristine waiting room.

I glanced around, trying to take my mind off the nerves currently rattling through me.

The place was very upscale, more than anything I’d ever seen in little old Summit. They had ceiling-to-wall windows and a koi pond in the long hallway that was in the middle of two gardens. A cartoon played on the HD TV that hung on the wall.

The receptionist kept flashing us friendly smiles as if she could sense that we were a little anxious. She’d also offered to get us a glass of whatever wine we wanted, but I turned it down, feeling like my throat was tight.

But now I wished I had accepted the drink—if only to soothe my nerves a little.

It was the d-day, the day we’d come to see the specialist near Bozeman. The man seemed friendly enough, and he welcomed us at the entrance with a loud hello. He seemed like an average jolly old grandpa, perhaps a little eccentric with his suspenders and colorful polka-dotted socks, but nothing too bad.

The only problem was that he’d refused to take a history from me, insisting on seeing Caleb alone for the first time.

I nearly balked, but Marcus insisted that the man was a professional. His confidence was what made me reluctantly give in.

But even now, I couldn’t relax.

I needed to be prepared for anything he would tell me about my little boy. I had to steel myself against the fact that I might not like the news he brought.

What on earth was taking them so long?

I glanced at the clock again as the tapping sound intensified. Okay, so maybe they’d only been in there for thirty minutes, but it felt like at least three hours.

Was Caleb okay?

A large, heavy hand slid on top of my knee, instantly halting the tapping. I glanced at Marcus, who was beside me.

“Calm,” he said, and the one word alone was like a wave of serenity washing over me.

I sighed, leaning into his strength.

Unlike me, who was an emotional wreck, Marcus had been the pillar of serenity the entire time. He’d driven us in his truck, assuring me that he would take care of all the expenses and that if we didn’t like this doctor, he had a few more on his list that we could call.

I was confused about the fact that he didn’t even seem fussed about the money. The doctor charged easily about eight hundred a visit.

I wanted to ask where he got the list or the money from, but I didn’t. I didn’t want to insult him again by making assumptions. Besides, I was too damned grateful for the help, thankful that I didn’t have to do it alone.

Thankful that he was here to be my rock when my entire world felt like it was falling apart.

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