The Baby Bonanza

“Not if I have anything to say about it.” Her mother would expect to be catered to, regardless of the circumstances. She’d be no help with a baby. At home, Mom waited on Zora’s surly, demanding stepfather, but her attitude toward her daughters—toward Zora, at least—was just the opposite.

Dr. Brennan regarded her with concern. “Have you chosen a labor partner?” At every visit, she’d recommended Zora sign up for a birthing class.

“I won’t need one for a C-section.” Although twins didn’t always have to be delivered surgically, Zora preferred to play it safe.

“If that’s what you want, okay.” The physician nodded. “But remember that what we call bed rest doesn’t necessarily require staying in bed. You can relax at home and perform routine tasks as you feel capable.”

“I feel capable of working.” To forestall further objections, Zora added, “And providing ultrasounds doesn’t harm the babies. It’s not like X-rays or mammograms.”

“But it does require standing on your feet all day. And for safety’s sake, you should stop driving.” Paige raised her eyebrows commandingly.

Zora was having trouble reaching the pedals in her car. “I could ride to work with my housemates.” Rod, whose car frequently broke down, cadged rides from others, so why shouldn’t she?

Keely chose that moment to step in from the hall. “I can drive her.”

“Excuse me?” Paige blinked at the unexpected comment.

“If I rent a room in their house, Zora can ride with me.” The nurse mustered a faint smile.

“I thought you had a roommate,” Zora said.

“So did I. Can we talk at lunch?”

“Sure.”

The obstetrician cleared her throat. “Keely, would you provide Zora with an after-visit summary and schedule an appointment for her in two weeks?”

“Yes, Doctor.”

The doctor typed a note into the computer. “Zora, call me if you have any problems, such as spotting or contractions, even if they don’t hurt. Okay?”

“Will do.” Zora accepted the nurse’s assistance in rising from the table.

Once she was dressed, she tucked the printed summary into her purse and walked to the elevator with Keely. With her neck thrust forward, the woman’s aggressive stance reinforced the impression of her as a difficult personality. Zora hoped she hadn’t erred by suggesting Keely move in with them.

“What’s the situation with your roommate?” she asked as they descended. The office was only one flight up, but in Zora’s condition, that might as well be ten stories.

“She’s in Iowa taking care of her mother,” Keely said. “She only planned to stay a week but that’s changed. Last night she emailed and asked me to ship all her stuff to her.”

“That was short notice. Your rent must be due next week.” It was the first of the month.

“That’s right. I’m glad you mentioned the vacancy.”

“Everything’s subject to Karen’s approval,” Zora warned.

“I’ll stop by her office later.”

It sounded like a done deal. At least Keely would be an improvement on Laird.

In the cafeteria, the blend of voices and aromas filled Zora with eagerness to share this new development with Lucky. Where was he? Her gaze swept past the food serving bays and across the crowded room.

She spotted him sharing a table with a thin and most unwelcome companion: Laird. The psychologist was talking a mile a minute, oblivious to Lucky’s irritated expression.

Zora would rather not discuss Keely in front of the competition. “Hold on,” she said, turning.

Too late. Keely was stomping right over to the table. Judging by the set of her shoulders, she didn’t plan to be subtle, either.

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