Page 52 of Secret Baby for Mr. Grump

“The both of you have quite the stubborn young man on your hands,” he said, looking like he was enjoying himself.

My stomach sank. “Does that mean you can’t tell us what’s wrong with him?’

“That’s not what it means at all,” he said.

“So you can tell us what it does mean?” Marcus asked.

The doctor shook his head. “Not at the moment, unfortunately.”

Annoyance sparked through me at the riddles. “Okay, so whatcanyou tell us?”

His gaze went to Caleb’s again, and his smile widened. “I have a feeling we’re going to be very good friends.”

Caleb continued glaring at him, then tore his eyes away. He began tugging on my skirt, which was the standard sign that he wanted to go home.

“Your son has been through something,” Dr. Hammond said, and the confirmation sent a twist of pain through me.God, I just might have a breakdown when I find out what it is.“That bit is for sure. He’s also terrified about talking about whatever it is that he’s been through, but eventually, when he feels safe enough with us, he’ll let us know. In his own time. Isn’t that right, Caleb?”

And then Caleb did a weird thing. He shook his head at the doctor and tugged on my skirt even more.

I looked between the two of them, more confused than I’d ever been in my entire life.

“What is it?” Marcus said, his voice a low growl, glaring at Dr. Hammond.

The doctor glanced at Marcus. “All in due time.”

Caleb tugged on my skirt more urgently.

“Are you sure you’re not hurting him by triggering him so much?” I said, scared at seeing my son this distressed.

“A little,” he said, “but it’s necessary to get to the bottom of his problems.” Then he smiled at Caleb. “Your son is a very smart boy. We’ll see each other next week, won’t we, Caleb?”

Caleb shook his head again firmly.

I glanced between the two of them. The doctor gave me a friendly smile and waved.

“See you next week,” he said.

I wasn’t sure what to say next. Caleb had such an adverse reaction to this visit, but it seemed like Dr. Hammond knew what he was doing. I glanced at Marcus, and he was frowning at the doctor, looking just as conflicted as I was.

Were we doing the right thing?

But the alternative was leaving my son as he was, and that was simply unacceptable.

“Thanks for seeing us on such short notice,” I told the doctor, who smiled at me.

“Well, your husband didn’t exactly give me much of a choice,” he responded wryly.

I glanced at Marcus, who shrugged. I didn’t ask him exactly how he got Dr. Hammond to see us when his secretary initially told me that he was booked out for weeks.

Not that he would have volunteered the information anyway.

As we set off after making the next appointment, I finally broached it.

“Just what did you do so Dr. Hammond would see Caleb today?”

He shrugged. “Made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.”

“Money?” I asked.

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