Page 47 of The Doctor's Twins

Peyton was squirming in her seat. The last thing I wanted was for her to feel uncomfortable.

“I’m not ready. Honestly, I don’t know when I will be.”

“Take as much time as you need, Peyton. I’m not going anywhere.”

* * *

“I see you mean business today,” Owen said when I hauled out the ten-weight fishing rod.

It was Sunday morning, and I was pondering my situation with Peyton. I thought that dinner had gone as well as I could have expected. The beautiful young doctor had opened up a crack wide enough for me to slip one foot into. I planned on wriggling that foot until the crack widened.

“What’s up with you today?” Owen asked me.

“Why?”

“You’re grinning like a fox, and I’ve asked you the same question three times without success. Hello! Are you in there, Ben? What am I missing, Bro?”

“You mean, what have I been missing?”

“Aaah. I see. Looks like my brother has found himself a woman. I told you being a gynecologist is like shooting fish in a barrel, Dr. Forbes. Who is she?”

“Her name is Dr. Peyton Taylor.”

“Smart. Keep it in the same income bracket,” Owen chuckled. “Tell me about her. How did you meet? Or is that a stupid question?”

“She was a patient of mine.”

“Was? Did she report you for creepy behavior? Where exactly did you stick that light of yours, Doc?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” I laughed. “I performed a DNC on her after she lost her baby.”

“I don’t mean to come across as an alarmist, Ben, but it sounds like this could be a tricky situation. Are you sure you’re being wise? Where’s the father of the baby?”

“Wherever he is, he’d be wise to stay there. You should have seen her, Owen. She was quite a mess internally. I don’t know what happened, but I suspect she didn’t fall down a flight of stairs because she’s clumsy.”

“Obviously, I haven’t met her, so I don’t have all the facts, but is this a good idea, Ben? I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“That’s sweet of you, little brother, but I’ll be fine. Trust me. Peyton is worth the effort.”

“What do you know about Peyton?”

“She’s very intelligent, clearly resilient, and I’m crazy about her.”

“Have you inspected her post-operative work yet?”

“Cute.”

“I thought so. You’re not the only bowfin in the family.”

“As a matter of fact, none of your business, you nosy reprobate.”

“Hmmm. Well, blow me down. You must really like this girl.”

“I just wish I could get her to open up to me a little more. Peyton is very guarded.”

“If what you suspect about the father of her dead child is correct, she has cause to be. And so, may I add, should you be. You don’t know the extent of the mess she’s left behind.”

“I appreciate the sentiment, but I can take care of myself.”

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