Read Online One Night with the Doctor by Cindy Kirk - Free Book Online Page B

big.”
    Poppy started to extend her hand, then realized the gesture might be more insulting than polite. She let her hand drop to her side.
    Ben’s gaze met hers. “I thought we might spend the day together.”
    The fact that her heart leaped at the offer told her she was right to step back. “Not part of the rules.”
    Puzzlement filled his eyes. “Rules?”
    “One night.” She forced a bright smile. “You go your way. I go mine.”
    “I remember,” he said easily. “But rules can always be altered with the consent of both parties.”
    Poppy gathered up her purse. “That’s the sticking point, then.”
    “I don’t see why.” His voice dropped to that sexy rumble that sent a thrill up her spine. “As I said, I want to spend the day with you.”
    Holding on to her resolve with both hands, Poppy met his gaze. “And I want to stick to the rules.”
    * * *
    The women’s bathroom at the courthouse afforded little privacy, but now that the worry was in her head, Poppy couldn’t wait a second longer. She decided the stall was private enough to take the pregnancy test she’d picked up that morning “just to ease her mind.”
    Her period, which for the past twenty years had arrived with military precision, had yet to make an appearance. Initially she blamed the delay on the stress of a new job. Until Ben had left another message asking her to call him. Apparently he wanted to confirm there had been no consequences to the condom slipping when they were together.
    She’d just missed her second period. Poppy pulled the box from her purse and glanced at the directions. The step wasn’t really necessary. She’d taken this same test more times than she could count during the years she’d been seriously trying to get pregnant. If anyone knew these specific directions, it was her.
    She made quick work of the process. When she gazed down at the stick, her heart gave a little leap. She’d never seen a positive. Plenty of negatives. But never a...
    Poppy blinked. Positive. Blinked again.
    The thickness filling her chest made breathing difficult. She glanced down as if she could see through her navy skirt. Was there really a baby growing inside her? How was that even possible?
    Tears leaked. She brushed them back, took several deep breaths. Though this particular test was touted as being ninety-nine point nine percent reliable, she needed an expert opinion before she gave in to emotion. Thankfully, she had an appointment later today with Travis Fisher, her ob-gyn, to discuss “menstrual irregularities.”
    After all, no test was foolproof. But the stomach upset she’d been experiencing in the morning for the past few weeks and the breast tenderness told her that when she went in for her appointment, she needed to be prepared.
    Prepared to be told she was finally pregnant.
    * * *
    “The blood test and the exam confirm what you suspected.”
    Poppy sat in a chair in Travis’s office, her nails digging into the arms of the leather chair. “The doctor in New York said I was infertile.”
    Despite her outward calm, her insides trembled.
    “We all make mistakes.” Travis smiled then his expression quickly sobered. “There’s nothing in the records you had transferred that shows you’re anything other than a healthy young woman. No medical reason is documented that would indicate you’re physically unable to conceive.”
    “Nothing except four years of trying to have a baby without any results.” Poppy tried to keep the frustration from her voice as she recalled the years of monitoring her temperature and having regimented sex.
    Travis stroked his chin. “Have you considered the problem may not have been yours?”
    “My ex had two children from a previous marriage and a high-normal sperm count.” Poppy took in some air and blew it out. “But that doesn’t matter now. According to you, I’m pregnant.”
    “You are indeed.” Travis’s gaze searched hers. “How does that make you feel?”
    “Stupid,” she