Read Online The Baby Jackpot by Jacqueline Diamond - Free Book Online Page B

wouldn’t mind answering their questions,” Cole told her as
she led him off the stage. “I’m in no hurry.”
    “We have security personnel whose shifts are ending,” she
explained. “And I promised Ian I’d relieve him of babysitting duties so he can
conduct an interview.”
    Cole recalled that her husband, a journalist and author, hosted
an online news focus show.
    “I see,” Cole said. “Thanks for your help.”
    “I didn’t expect this big a turnout,” she admitted. “You
handled the press well.”
    “They tend to ask silly questions.” He had received his share
of accolades and awards over the years, but he’d never before had an experience
like this with the media.
    “They aren’t all so superficial,” Jennifer said as they skirted
the remnants of the crowd. “Ian explores serious issues on his show. Still, he
couldn’t earn a living doing that. Serious journalism rarely goes viral.”
    Cole held a side door for her. “I don’t understand why anyone
would want to be famous,” he said, right before he stepped out into the glare of
camera flashes.

Chapter Seven
    With microphones in his face and questions flying, Cole
did his best to answer the barrage of increasingly ridiculous questions. Should
schools teach teenage boys to preserve the health of their sperm? Should the
federal government create an office to combat the decline in male fertility?
Should there be a law against tight-fitting men’s underpants, since these could
raise the temperature enough to damage sperm?
    His struggles to keep a straight face soon gave way to
frustration. A handful of men were waiting to one side, clearly eager to ask
about their personal situations, while the reporters ignored Jennifer’s attempts
to wrap up the impromptu press conference. A security guard hovered, held in
check by the PR director’s warning frown. You didn’t manhandle the press.
    All the same, Cole feared that if this went on much longer, he
might lose his temper and become sarcastic. His tongue had sliced and diced more
than a few bullies in his early years, but those individuals hadn’t had the
power to edit his comments and make him look like a bad-tempered idiot on the
air.
    “As a fertility doctor, aren’t you adding to the crisis of
unwanted babies?” demanded a man whose T-shirt bore the call letters of a Los
Angeles radio station.
    Cole hardly knew where to start. “Men who undergo treatment
aren’t likely to abandon their children. And if there’s a crisis of unwanted
babies, why are so many couples adopting overseas?”
    “Isn’t the whole infertility field just a racket to make
doctors rich?” the reporter persisted.
    Cole found himself at a rare loss for words. Mercifully, a
series of loud claps cut off the other reporters’ attempts to leap into the
breach.
    From among the men waiting at the side, a blond fellow built
like a wrestler stalked in front of the reporters. “You folks have had your
turn,” he boomed. “Now mind your manners and give the rest of us a chance.”
    “Who are you?” someone demanded.
    “I’m a high school biology teacher used to setting boundaries
for adolescents.” The statement drew muffled laughter.
    “The public has a right to know,” a female journalist
snapped.
    “Yeah, you’re not in charge here,” a radio reporter
interjected.
    “Ever heard of showing respect for others?” the teacher
responded. “If you were my students, I’d send you all to the principal’s
office.”
    Seizing his chance, the security guard moved in. “Folks, fire
regulations require me to clear the corridor. If you’ll just head toward the
exits...”
    “Thank you for coming,” Jennifer called, and grabbed Cole’s
elbow. “Quick! Hide!”
    Most of the waiting men scattered, along with the press.
Spurred by a sense of fair play, Cole waved to the teacher to come with
them.
    They ducked into the fertility program suite. It being a
Saturday, there was no one else around.
    “Thanks,