Sam folded her arms. Not persuaded.
“The third danger is that fertile women who fantasize about having multiple babies—and I’m sure many of us have encountered those—will sign up, make it through to the hormonal stage, and then intentionally get pregnant with all those eggs inside.”
“What would stop them from doing that anyway?” Sam shot back.
“Psychological screening,” Jan reminded her.
“They can manipulate that,” the pediatrician insisted.
“There’s also the high cost of medical care for multiple babies,” Zack said. “If we pay them without requiring that we harvest the eggs, that’s a major added incentive. True, it might not be a lot of money in the long-term, but some women could see it as getting their wish and having us help fund it.”
Jan smoothly picked up the ball. “You’ve raised an important concern we have with egg donors. There can be as many as fifteen eggs per cycle, or more. They must agree to abstain from sex two weeks before and after ovulating, because we can’t be certain we’ve harvested all the eggs. One woman in Houston ignored that restriction and even after being harvested got pregnant with quads. Just imagine if a woman deliberately became pregnant with a dozen babies. It would be a medical and moral disaster.”
Dr. Sam considered this aspect. “That’s a good point.”
“We’re only at the start of our discussions,” Jan said, “and I appreciate all the input. Now, let’s touch on some other matters because I know you all have obligations elsewhere today.”
In the front row, Zack saw Dr. T’s head bob with approval. Jan had taken Samantha’s concerns into account, finessed the challenge to her leadership and kept the meeting on track.
Zack was proud of her.
* * *
DESPITE HER CONCERN that Samantha might drop another bomb during the session, Jan managed to run through her list of topics, field questions and wrap things up by three-thirty, as planned. There’d be many more sessions ahead, but most would involve only a few participants with specific areas of expertise.
After she thanked everyone and stepped down, Dr. T reached her in a flash. “Good job. When do you anticipate we can begin recruitment?”
“Next spring. Possibly earlier,” Jan said.
“Excellent.” And he was off, striding out as if he had an office full of women waiting for him, which might be true.
Others congratulated her on a job well done. Jan promised to contact each of them to schedule further talks.
Dr. Forrest hung back. Waiting her chance for a more lengthy discussion, or would it be an argument?
Zack’s presence bolstered Jan’s sense of security. She wanted to thank him for taking some of the heat, but she couldn’t do that in front of Samantha. And, unable to outwait the pediatrician, he bowed out politely. “I’ve got patients at four. Great job, Jan.”
“Thank you.” She kept her tone crisp and courteous. And tried not to show how her stomach tensed as his strong figure disappeared through the doorway.
Feeling as if she faced a firing squad, Jan shifted her attention to Samantha. “I appreciate your volunteering to help with the information sheet. Being supportive to our donors is vital.”
The pediatrician shook back her wavy blond hair. Tall and forceful, she had a larger-than-life presence. “I’m not opposed to the program, in case you got that impression.”
“Not at all. I’ve heard good things about your counseling program. It’s wonderful you’re willing to advocate for others.” Jan considered suggesting they sit down, but decided to stay mobile in case the discussion took a heated turn.
“I sympathize with the recipients as well as the donors,” the pediatrician noted. “It came as a shock when I learned I was undergoing premature ovarian failure and couldn’t have a baby of my own. Because of my medical history, I was advised against taking hormones, so I couldn’t use donor eggs.”
“I understand you adopted triplets.”
Sam’s expression mellowed. “Sometimes life gives us what we need, whether we deserve it or not. I just wanted to let you know that, while I sympathize with egg recipients, someone has to speak for the donors.”
“It’s good to have those checks and balances.” Jan meant that sincerely. “A good critic is precious.”
“I can see why Owen wanted you on board.” Sam reached out to shake hands. “You’re an asset to the hospital.”
“Thanks.” Jan watched her go with a profound sense of relief.
She’d weathered a challenge. Undoubtedly, there’d be others, but she could deal with them. And she was genuinely grateful for input like Samantha’s.
Still, it felt good that Zack was willing to speak up for her. Jan only hoped they could work together as smoothly with the girls.
* * *
ON SUNDAY MORNING, she awoke feeling anxious. Today’s the day Kimmie has lunch with her father. What if something goes wrong? Maybe she should call Zack and tell him she was coming along, or at least sitting in another part of the restaurant.
He’d insist that she trust him. And he’d be right.
She glanced at the clock. Nine-thirty! She hadn’t expected to doze this late.
Rising, she went to check on Kimmie. Her daughter usually fixed her own cereal, and Jan assumed she’d find Kimmie playing in her bedroom or watching cartoons. No sign of her in either place.
Heart thudding, she hurried to check the door. Unlocked.
Where would Kimmie go? She wasn’t allowed out of the apartment without permission, and then only to play in the tot lot visible from the front window.
Jan peered out. In the morning mist, no little shapes moved on the playground.
She must have gone to get the paper. The newspaper was delivered to a box near the steps leading to the second floor. Kimmie might have been eager to read the comics.
Jan retrieved her robe, grabbed her keys and cell phone, and went out into the foggy morning. At the foot of the stairs she found the newspaper still in its box. No little girl around.
Should she call the landlord? She doubted he’d do anything except get angry at being disturbed on a Sunday morning. And she hadn’t met her neighbors beyond a passing hello. Was it too soon to call the police?
As she stood there debating, a small figure came around the corner of the building. With a burst of relief, Jan recognized her nightgown-clad daughter, arms overflowing with a large gray-and-white cat.
“Kimmie!” Jan kept her voice low to avoid disturbing the neighbors. “You scared me half to death.”
The little girl regarded her apologetically. “I’m sorry, Mommy. I came out to get the paper. I heard her meowing.”
Jan took a closer look. “That’s a him. He’s a tomcat and that’s what they do. They yowl.” Some irresponsible owner had neglected to get the cat neutered, which meant he was on the prowl, prone to fighting with other toms and almost impossible to keep indoors.
“He’s hungry,” her daughter protested. “We have to feed him.”
“If we do that, he’ll come around all the time.” Much as Jan wished she could help the animal, getting involved could only cause trouble. “He looks well fed to me. Kimmie, please put him down.”
Her daughter might have argued further had the cat not begun squirming. Reluctantly she squatted and set him on the ground. He rubbed against her and gazed upward. “See? He loves me.”
“I’ll bet he has an owner. That’s why he’s so comfortable around
people.” While Jan didn’t see a collar, it might have fallen off. Besides, in a complex like this, she had no doubt plenty of people would feed a stray. “Have you had breakfast?”
“No.”
“Bet you’re hungry.”
“Yeah.” Giving the cat one last pat, Kimmie rose with a sigh.
Jan said a silent prayer of thanks while collecting the newspaper. “Don’t ever come out here by yourself again,” she added. “There’s a reason we have rules.”
“I didn’t see any strangers,” the little girl protested as they went inside the apartment.
“Thank goodness for that.”
“Are you going to tell my daddy?” Kimmie’s voice trembled.
Halfway to the kitchen, Jan halted. “I don’t see any reason to. Why do you ask?”
“Allie’s daddy spanks her when she’s bad.” Standing in the middle of the living room, she hugged herself protectively.
“Zack isn’t going to spank you.” Although they hadn’t discussed discipline, Jan couldn’t imagine him doing such a thing. When Kimmie was too small to reason with, Jan had occasionally used a well-placed swat on the rear end to short-circuit a tantrum, but never hard enough to do more than startle the girl. Now she used explanations combined with loss of privileges.
“Are you mad at me?”
“No. I’m glad you care about animals. But we can’t save the whole world.” Jan washed her hands and made sure her daughter did the same. “Now, let’s have our cereal and see what’s in the comics.”
A few hours later, after a leisurely session reading the comics and a beautifying bout in the bathroom, the little cat-rescuer was transformed into a pretty girl clad in a sunny-yellow dress with puffed sleeves, patent-leather shoes and white socks with yellow ruffles. Kimmie didn’t even protest when Jan curled her dark hair at the ends so it formed a sleek curtain around her shoulders, with yellow bows securing it at the temples.
“You look beautiful,” Jan told her daughter.
“You, too, Mommy.”
“Thanks.” She’d put on a pink wrap skirt with a rose knit top and a rosette clip in her hair. Jan planned on shopping while her daughter was gone, and she liked to look her best. You never knew who you might run into while out in public.
The doorbell made her jump. Zack must wear rubber-soled shoes, she reflected with a flash of annoyance, as if he’d violated some unspoken agreement by not giving her more warning.
She and Kimmie exchanged here-we-go glances, and Jan went to open the door.
Chapter Seven
The uncertainty in Zack’s eyes as he stood in the doorway reminded Jan of their first date. After months of kidding around and sharing coffee breaks at the hospital where they both worked, she hadn’t expected him to act so nervous when he picked her up to attend a street festival. But then, her skin had prickled and her breath caught, too.
The same way she felt now.
He hadn’t come to see her, of course. And her nerves were for her daughter’s sake, not her own. Or they ought to be.
“Come in. Kimmie’s ready,” she said unnecessarily, since he could see the little girl standing with hands clasped in front of her yellow dress.
“Kimmie. Hi.” With a nod to Jan, Zack stepped into the room. Jan could see him registering the small space and shabby furnishings, or was she picking up on her own insecurities? Almost at once, his attention was riveted on her daughter. On their daughter. “I’m sorry I didn’t introduce myself properly when we first met. I’m...”
Guessing he was uncertain what name to use, Jan said, “Kimmie suggested calling you Zack. Is that all right?”
Disappointment flickered across his face, vanishing quickly. “Sure. Maybe when we’re better acquainted... Well, she looks adorable in that outfit, Jan.”
“She was very cooperative.”
Kimmie stared down at her shoes.
Zack spoke gently. “I guess this is scary, going to lunch with a man you’ve barely met.”
She still avoided his gaze.
Jan took pity on them both. “How’s Smidge?” That was sure to be a conversation starter.
Zack seized on the topic. “We bought her a toy mouse. You should see her jump around playing with it.”
“I bet she’s cute.” Kimmie raised her eyes at last. “I know a tomcat. He’s big and gray and I named him Gorilla.”
“Kimmie!” Jan reproved. “He probably already has a name and an owner.”
“He’s lonely. He likes me.”
“I’m sure he does.” Zack moved ahead smoothly. “We’re going to a restaurant called Waffle Heaven. I hear they have great pancakes.”
“Did you make a reservation?” Jan asked. “Sunday brunches tend to get crowded.”
“Forgot.” He took out his phone. “I’ll see how long the wait is.” He found the number and placed the call. “Half hour. Not too bad.”
“Is your phone new?” Kimmie was fascinated with electronic devices, especially since Jan limited her access.
“Yes. Hey, look at this cool app for kids.” He tapped the screen a few times and then handed it to her.
“Wow!” She was instantly absorbed.
Jan fetched a couple of children’s magazines. “You might want to take these along also. It’s hard for two people to read a story on a cell phone.”
“Thanks.” He reached out, his hand brushing hers, and warmth flooded Jan as their eyes met in shared understanding.
Breaking the contact, Zack flipped through the pages. “Animal stories. I should subscribe to this. Berry would love it.”
“It’s an excellent magazine,” Kimmie said in her most grown-up fashion. “I’ll get my purse.”
“Sure.” As she darted from the room, Zack said, “She sounds almost like an adult.”
“Sometimes,” Jan admitted. “Her moods can change in a snap. Good thing you have experience with girls. Speaking of which, how does Berry feel about you taking Kimmie to lunch?”
“Hard to tell.” He rolled up the magazines. “After the choir performance, she’s riding home with Kate and Brady Franco. Hopefully she’ll be too busy to think about what’s going on with me.”
“I hope so, too.” Jan broke off as her daughter returned. “Have a great time, you guys.” She hugged the little girl.
Kimmie wiggled away. “You’ll mess up my hair, Mommy.”
“We can’t have that.” Jan smiled. Usually her daughter didn’t care about such things. But now she had a man in her life.
A father. Jan felt a wave of regret. I wish I hadn’t had to keep them apart.
“I expect to have her home by three,” Zack said.
“Can I see Smidge?” When he hesitated, Kimmie added, “Please?”
“We can stop by my house after lunch,” Zack conceded. “If that’s all right with your mother.”
“Okay.” Jan tried not to think about how Kimmie might react to seeing that big, beautiful house.
Zack escorted their daughter out the door. They’d have a great time, Jan told herself. And, she recalled, she had only a few hours to shop for something to spruce up her decor and then buy groceries.
A few minutes later, emerging from the bedroom with her purse, she saw her cell phone sitting on the coffee table. Puzzled, she went to pick it up, and realized it wasn’t hers.
It was Zack’s. Kimmie must have set it there and he hadn’t noticed.
Now what? If she took it to the restaurant, that meant cr
ashing his date with their daughter. Being alone together was important for them. On the other hand, suppose the hospital or Berry needed to reach him?
After a moment’s reflection, Jan decided to take the phone with her. If it rang, she could suggest the caller contact him at the restaurant, or she would run over there herself.
It was only a few hours. People used to get along just fine without being constantly available.
After leaving a note on the door about the phone in case Zack stopped back, Jan hurried out on her errands.
* * *
SO MUCH FOR BEING alone with Kimmie, Zack thought with amused frustration as they sat in the restaurant’s crowded waiting area. Reading aloud and making funny voices had been a great idea to pass the time. A little too great. Before long, a restless toddler had wandered over from a family group, soon to be joined by his older sister. Shortly afterward, a boy who’d been racing around driving everyone crazy joined them.
When the hostess finally called out, “Dr. Sargent, party of two,” he closed the magazine with a trace of guilt. “Sorry, kids. I’m sure it has a happy ending.”
“The kittens find their way home,” Kimmie reassured them.
“She called you doctor. Are you a pediatrician?” one of the mothers asked. “You have a way with kids.”
“Thanks. I’m an obstetrician. I do have a way with babies.” Pleased by the woman’s comment, Zack guided Kimmie through the restaurant. The smells of pancakes, waffles, syrup and chocolate were rapidly canceling his intention of sticking to healthier fare.
Because of the importance of a proper diet for Berry, he kept himself on the same restrictions. Good for his waistline, but he missed indulging once in a while.
After a waitress handed them menus and departed, Kimmie asked, “What’s a waffle?”
It hadn’t occurred to him that she didn’t know. “They’re like pancakes only they’re thicker and have little dents in them to hold the syrup.”
SH Medical 09 - The M.D.'s Secret Daughter Page 7