Temptation Ridge (Virgin River #6)(103)

“Have any idea how you’ll take care of them and work?”

“As soon as they’re big enough, I’m going home to my folks. My mom will help. She’s very excited.”

“That’s a good plan. With a supportive family, you should be able to work things out. There are options for you—you can have John Stone in Grace Valley deliver you at Valley Hospital or I can attend you in birth with John’s assistance. I don’t administer anesthesia, but honey, these are twins—they’re going to be smaller than the average birth. Probably quicker and earlier. We’ll keep up with ultrasounds to make sure they’re in the right position. And we have John Stone, in case we need anything special, like a cesarean. He’s wonderful. As luck would have it, we have a fabulous pediatrician. Did you know that Paul assisted in Vanni’s delivery of Mattie?”

“I heard something about that,” she said.

“It was a wonderful birth. We had a birthing party. Everyone was there, at the general’s house, waiting. Paul thought he couldn’t handle it, yet he was perfect.”

“This might be my only childbirth experience….”

“Oh, don’t try to plan ahead like that,” Mel advised. “You’re young. Fertile. You have a few years to change your mind.”

“This took me by surprise,” she admitted.

Mel laughed. “Yeah?” she said. “Both of mine took me by surprise, and I’m the expert. Get dressed and I’ll see you out front.”

Abby was feeling real good about her appointment as she dressed. She even felt better about coming out to the town. This was going to be okay, she decided. People were nice, accepting. Mel was everything a woman could want in a midwife—warm, humorous, delightful.

When she walked out front, Mel was waiting at the reception counter with Abby’s chart. “Everything looks great, Abby. Do you have enough vitamins or can I hook you up with a refill?”

“I’m good,” Abby said. “I brought a big supply from my last OB.”

“Good, then.”

At the exact moment Abby’s eyes grew round and startled, so did Cameron’s. They locked eyes. Cameron was sitting behind the reception counter at the desk, looking at the computer. He’d been with a patient in an exam room when she came in and hadn’t seen her.

Mel noticed they were looking at each other and said, “Abby, meet Dr. Michaels. Cameron, Abby MacCall.”

He stood. “Hello,” he said.

“Nice to meet you,” she said.

He came around the desk and put out his hand, which she took after some hesitation. “Abby…MacCall, was it?”

“Yes. Hi.”

“You’re staying here in Virgin River?” he asked.

“I’m visiting friends,” she said.

“I’m new here myself,” he said. “You’re going to like it.”

“Hmm. Well, I’m not staying long. I’d better get going.”

“See you around,” he said.

“Sure.” And she nearly ran out the door.

Cameron’s eyes were locked on her departure. When the door had been closed a few seconds, he pulled his eyes back to Mel’s.

“I thought she was here for the duration. Something weird just happened there.”

“Yeah,” he said. “How far along is Abby?”

“Four months. Why?”

He dropped his gaze, looking briefly at his feet. Then he lifted his eyes to Mel’s. “I know her. I know her pretty well, but I haven’t seen her in about…four months.”

“I’m a little confused.”

“Four months,” he repeated.

“You’d better clarify yourself.”

Cameron had had an indoctrination with Mel, training in this clinic so to speak, and knowing that she kept everything about patients strictly confidential, he said, “I think I might be the father.”

Mel’s eyes grew round and her mouth hung open. It took her a moment to recover.

“Where’s she staying?” Cameron asked.

“Vanni and Paul’s.”

“Oh f**k,” he said. “That baby’s mine,” he said, shaking his head.

“Babies,” she corrected. “It’s twins.”

He straightened abruptly, shocked. “Double f**k.” He took his coat off the rack inside the front door, picked up his medical bag, which would be like an extension of his arm from now on, and said, “I have to step out for a while. I don’t know how long I’ll be. I’m not expecting patients.”

“Um, wait,” Mel said. “Just one second.” She dashed behind the desk and got into the supply cupboard. She pulled out a couple of large plastic bottles of prenatal vitamins. “Here,” she said, tossing them to him one at a time. “If you find yourself in a delicate spot, you can always pretend you’re delivering these.”

“Thanks, Mel. Hey, I’m sorry…”

She smiled. “Can I assume you two don’t have a…relationship?”

He returned the smile, but his was hurt. Melancholic. “Don’t assume anything right now. Except—we’ve got a…situation.” And then he was gone.

The knock on the Haggertys’ front door came not ten minutes after Abby returned from her visit with the midwife. She ignored it and kept folding her things to put into a suitcase. She had come home to find the house deserted. The doorbell rang, then there was more knocking, but Abby didn’t respond.