The Daddy Plan Read online

  “You don’t have to—” She stopped herself. “Thank you. I’d appreciate that and I’m sure Jasper would, too. Come on in. Have you been at the clinic until now?”

  As he followed her into the living room, she was aware of everything about him, from his hair dipping over his brow to his terrifically broad shoulders to his slim hips in jeans to his black-booted feet, which were very big. This was Sam and she didn’t know why she felt so awkward around him, but she did. Maybe because he’d seen her in a hospital gown!

  She sank down onto the sofa trying not to jar her ribs.

  Sam frowned as he watched her. “Are you sure you’re going to be okay by yourself here tonight?”

  “I’m not by myself. I have Jasper.”

  He gave her a get-real look.

  “I can sack out on your couch,” he offered.

  That offer was tempting. On one hand, she’d like to have him around. Yet, on the other, she’d probably rest a lot better if he wasn’t here.

  “Not necessary.”

  Opening his jacket, sitting down beside her on the sofa, he rested his palms on his jeans-clad thighs.

  “You might want to get used to having me around,” he quipped. Then, more seriously, he added, “Because I’ve decided to be your sperm donor. I want to be a dad to your baby.”

  Chapter Four

  “Have you told anyone yet?” Corrie broke the silence between her and Sam as they sat in her obstetrician’s office early Thursday morning.

  On Monday night Sam had agreed to help her have a baby. Yesterday she’d gone back to work. But ever since he’d given her his answer, there’d been an awkwardness between them. Because they were entering uncharted territory? Because Sam might be having second thoughts? Because she couldn’t sleep at night, considering the fact that if she used a stranger’s sperm, the process could be a whole lot easier?

  After a glance at a pregnant woman who seemed to be engrossed reading a magazine, and a look toward the receptionist behind the glass window who was busy typing on a keyboard, Sam leaned closer to Corrie. “I told Nathan I was considering donating my sperm.”

  “Let me guess,” Corrie returned in the same low voice. “He didn’t approve.”

  Sam’s brows arched. “It wasn’t that he didn’t approve. He just wanted me to understand how complicated this could be. Even he and Sara don’t always agree on what’s best for Kyle.”

  “Nathan and Colleen tried in vitro, didn’t they?”

  Scuttlebutt in a town the size of Rapid Creek echoed from one end to the other. Even before Nathan had moved back to Rapid Creek with Kyle, the rumor that he and his first wife had wanted children badly but had had problems conceiving had made the rounds. Whether Galen, Nathan’s dad, had told a friend and that friend had told someone else, it was common knowledge that Nathan and Colleen had used an egg donor.

  In November, when Sara had suddenly appeared at Pine Grove Lodge and over Thanksgiving had become a long-term guest in Nathan’s log home, the town had buzzed with the possibility that she was Kyle’s mother. It hadn’t taken long for the gossips to learn that she’d been in an accident, had a hysterectomy and had come to Rapid Creek to meet her son.

  “Nathan and Colleen did use in vitro,” Sam replied. “Do you want to go that route if you can’t conceive from artificial insemination?”

  “I have enough money put aside for three tries at artificial insemination, but after that—”

  “I’m paying half.”

  Corrie’s gaze met his. “Sam, you don’t have to do that. This is my idea. I don’t expect you to pay anything.”

  “I’m paying half, Corrie. End of discussion.”

  Corrie had always thought Sam was different from his brother Nathan. He was definitely more sociable, more outgoing. Yet she was beginning to see he had the same deep-seated values, the same moral code and a definite propensity to want his own way when he thought he was right. If he paid for half, would he be proprietary toward her? Would he think he could tell her what to do?

  Before she could protest again, the door opened and a nurse announced, “Corrie Edwards?”

  “That’s me,” she said cheerfully. Glancing at Sam, she saw he looked as uncomfortable in her obstetrician’s office as she would look in the tavern at Happy Hour. But he’d insisted on coming with her and talking to the doctor himself. Trepidation fingertipped her spine because she was beginning to understand that Sam was going to do more than just show up for the procedure.

  Their elbows brushed as they walked down the hall and she felt electrified. She told herself the sensation was just nerves. It was from the anxiety of learning what was going to come next. She didn’t like uncertainty, never had and never would. But this uncertainty would pass. The reward of a baby was well worth a few anxious moments.

  Corrie had already had a complete examination and a few tests after she’d initially spoken to her doctor about having a baby. So the nurse led them to the very end of the hall where the doctor’s office was located. With a smile she motioned them inside and then closed the door.

  “It’s good to see you again,” Dr. Witherspoon greeted Corrie, standing. She was in her late forties with pixie-cut black hair salted with gray. Small wire-rimmed glasses sat on the bridge of her nose.

  Corrie turned to Sam. “This is Sam Barclay, Dr. Witherspoon. He’s going to be the donor.”

  After Dr. Witherspoon smiled at Sam and shook his hand, he seemed to relax a bit. With steady hazel eyes, Dr. Witherspoon studied them both. “Corrie, I know it’s none of my business, but would you like to tell me what relationship you have with Mr. Barclay? It will help me when I’m explaining the details of this process.”

  Corrie glanced at Sam. “He’s a…friend.”

  When Sam’s expression didn’t change and Corrie didn’t elaborate, Dr. Witherspoon nodded. “I see. All right then, let me tell you the usual procedure. Mr. Barclay, you will need to have a general physical, blood work, that type of thing. We can do that here or you can go to your own doctor if you’re more comfortable.”

  “I’ll see my doc,” Sam agreed.

  “Corrie said she’d like to begin this process as soon as possible. Do you agree with that?” the doctor inquired.

  “That’s fine.”

  Checking her notes, Dr. Witherspoon laid her pen on her blotter. “Do each of you have a lawyer?”

  “A lawyer?” Corrie asked.

  “Yes. I would recommend that each of you see lawyers to draw up an agreement…to lay everything out in detail so there are no misunderstandings or problems later.”

  “That might be standard procedure for strangers,” Sam interrupted. “But Corrie and I have known each other and worked together for a few years. I want to pay for half of the procedure, but other than that…We’ll see if she gets pregnant before we take the next step. A lawyer makes the process oppositional. We’re on the same side.”

  Dr. Witherspoon’s brows drew together. “I still believe you need an agreement to spell out everything.”

  “Corrie and I are going to take this one day at a time with room for flexibility. I can’t sign an agreement now that will dictate I should have visitation rights twice a week! I understand Corrie wants sole custody. But if we’re friends, if I’m going to be a role model in the child’s life, I’ll be around whether something I sign dictates it or not.”

  “Are you saying you wouldn’t abide by an agreement?” The doctor cast a worried look at Corrie.

  Sam shook his head. “I’m saying we can’t predict the future and the only agreement I’ll sign is to put a child’s interests first.”

  “Corrie?” Dr. Witherspoon asked. “You have to decide—”

  “I’ve already decided. I asked Sam to be the donor because he’s a good man. We’ll figure this out as we go. As Sam said, if I conceive, our child will come first.”

  The doctor sat back in her chair. “All right. But you will have to sign agreements that protect me and my practice. Understood?”

&
nbsp; “Understood,” they agreed in unison.

  The doctor glanced down at Corrie’s chart. “You’ll be starting your menstrual cycle in a few days, correct?”

  Corrie felt her cheeks redden. She just wasn’t used to discussing this kind of thing in front of people—especially men. “Yes.”

  “Mr. Barclay, do you think you’ll have a problem getting in to see your doctor quickly?”

  “No. If I call when we finish here, I should be able to go in tomorrow.”

  “Wonderful. Corrie will monitor herself carefully using an ovulation detection kit. As soon as the hormone surge has begun, she must call me. We’ll have a twenty-four-to-thirty-six-hour window. Do you understand that you’ll have to drop whatever you’re doing and come in for the insemination?”

  Sam shot Corrie a glance. “The timing is that critical?”

  “Yes, it is.”

  Corrie had the feeling Sam was going to be on the Internet tonight researching the artificial insemination procedure.

  “When will we know if she’s pregnant?”

  “In about two weeks. If she is, terrific. But if she’s not, we’ll begin the next cycle right away, unless there’s some reason you want to wait.”

  “I don’t want to wait,” Corrie assured the doctor.

  “What’s the success rate?” Sam wanted to know.

  “Ten to fifteen percent. Everything depends on the two individuals involved, the quality of the sperm and the eggs as well as a little luck thrown in. Let’s see what Mr. Barclay’s tests show before we decide whether or not to use fertility medication to give Corrie the optimal chance of conceiving.”

  Of conceiving.

  Corrie couldn’t wait until she was pregnant, until she was round with baby, until she delivered that baby. As she turned to Sam, their gazes met, their eyes locked and her heart fluttered.

  Where was Sam going to fit into all of it? A year from now, would he still just be her boss, or would he be involved in her life?

  Twenty minutes later they left the doctor’s office, both of them quiet until Sam asked, “Do you need to stop at your place to let out Jasper?”

  “No, my neighbor’s going to do it.”

  He nodded. “Then we’ll head back to the clinic.” He took out his cell phone. “I’m going to call my doctor to make sure I can get in tomorrow.”

  Corrie hoped that was enthusiasm she heard in Sam’s voice. Yet she didn’t want too much enthusiasm, did she? Just how much did she want him to be involved?

  As he’d said, they’d take one step at a time.

  A few minutes later, Sam had scheduled an appointment with his doctor for the next morning at eleven o’clock. After he tucked his phone into his jacket pocket, he veered down the side street to the clinic and turned into the parking lot. Eric’s car was the only one there.

  Sam switched off the ignition, climbed out of the van and came around to Corrie’s door. His old-fashioned qualities made her smile.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  “Nothing. I thought men opening women’s doors was a thing of the past.”

  “Manners we all learned from my dad. They stuck.” After she climbed out and he closed the door, he didn’t move away from the car, just looked at her thoughtfully.

  “Is something wrong?” she asked. They were standing very near to each other. The lines around Sam’s eyes, as well as the set of his jaw told her he had something on his mind. Maybe the doctor’s appointment had made everything too real. Maybe he wanted to back out.

  “Sam, if you’re not one hundred percent sure about doing this—”

  “What makes you think I’m not sure?”

  “You’ve been quieter than usual for one thing.”

  Again, he just studied her. “We have some practical issues to deal with. I don’t know how quiet you wanted to keep this, but we’re going to have to tell Eric, especially if we’re going to have to suddenly run together to Witherspoon’s office.”

  “I hadn’t thought about that. I guess we will. Will you tell your family?”

  “Nathan might let it slip to Dad. But I’m not going to bring it up again unless you get pregnant.”

  Today that seemed to be a very real possibility and she broke into a wide smile. “Oh, Sam, I’m so happy you agreed to do this. Thank you.” Standing on tiptoe, she kissed him on the cheek.

  Before she was flat on her heels again, his arms went around her. His eyes were intent on hers and she felt the heat that had seemed to generate between them since that day in his cabin. The coldness of the day didn’t seem to touch her at all while she was enfolded in Sam’s arms. And when he bent his head, when his lips settled on hers almost possessively, she’d never been warmer in her entire life. To say the kiss was sensual and encompassing wouldn’t begin to describe it. As she parted her lips, he thrust his tongue inside her mouth and the world around them disappeared.

  As quickly as they’d come together, Sam now broke away, breathing hard, releasing her. “I shouldn’t have done that again,” he muttered.

  She vividly remembered his reaction the first time he’d kissed her. Not wanting a replay, she knew what she had to say. “We got caught up in the moment. No harm done.”

  He looked so relieved she wanted to cry. “Yeah, I guess we did get caught up in the moment. It’s not as if—” He stopped. “We want to keep this simple…clean.”

  “Right. You’re still on the rebound from Alicia. And the last thing I need right now is an involvement with a man when all I want to do is have a baby and raise it on my own terms.”

  His eyes narrowed. “Not altogether on your own terms.”

  Her worry meter started ticking again. “Sam, I’m going to have sole custody. The child will have my last name.”

  He raked his hand through his hair. “Right,” he remembered. “If I have anything to do with this child, you simply want me to be a role model or a friend.”

  “Exactly.”

  “But you will be open to a friend’s advice?”

  “I’ll always listen to good advice.”

  Just then the back door of the clinic opened and Patches came bounding out. He barked when he saw Sam and ran to him, batting his long tail against Sam’s leg.

  Eric called from the doorway, “I thought you might want to take him for a walk. Ten minutes until our first appointment.”

  “I’d better go in and make sure everything’s ready,” Corrie murmured, eager to escape the aftereffects of their kiss.

  Sam directed his attention toward the pine trees at the back of the property, then swung his gaze back to her. “Sara and Nathan are getting married Saturday night. Would you like to go with me?”

  The invitation surprised her. “Are you sure they wouldn’t mind? I heard the invitation list was small, just for friends and family.”

  “You’re a friend. You’re my friend.”

  Even though they’d kissed, she wasn’t sure she and Sam were friends. But they’d better become friends because the process they were going to embark on could be embarrassing if they weren’t.

  “If I go with you, the gossips will start buzzing.”

  “They’re going to have a lot more to buzz about if you get pregnant. Have you thought about that?”

  She had and she told Sam the conclusion she’d come to. “The gossip simply doesn’t matter. Having a baby does.” Suddenly she decided, “I’d like to go with you to Sara and Nathan’s wedding.”

  Sam nodded, she smiled and neither of them knew what to say next. She solved the problem by walking to the clinic while Sam took Patches for a short run. She wished…

  She wished nothing where Sam Barclay was concerned. She just hoped his sperm could fertilize her egg. That’s all she cared about.

  A little voice in her head whispered, You care about him, too.

  But she didn’t listen to the whisper.

  Tears welled up in Corrie’s eyes and she was so embarrassed. She turned her shoulders away from Sam and faced the church aisle mo
re squarely. The swelling organ music, the candlelight flickering, Sara—Nathan’s bride-to-be—looking so beautiful in her Cinderella-type gown with its pearls and embroidery had caught Corrie off-guard.

  Sam nudged her elbow and handed her a tissue. “Are you a closet romantic?” he asked, his voice very close to her ear.

  Taking the tissue, she caught a tear, but answered him truthfully. “I might want to believe in marriage, but I know it doesn’t work.” What she meant was, I know men don’t know how to be faithful.

  “If the expressions on their faces is any indication, maybe Sara and Nathan’s marriage will be successful.”

  Yes, Nathan’s face said he adored Sara, and Sara’s gaze was so full of love Corrie could feel it where she was standing. But what would happen in three years or five years or seven years?

  Galen, Nathan’s best man, and Joanne, Sara’s maid of honor and a close friend, looked on as Sara reached the altar. After Nathan lifted her veil, she took his hand. They faced the minister and Corrie could almost touch the tangible bond between them.

  As she sat beside Sam, she listened to the minister’s words, which held so much meaning, listened to Sara and Nathan’s voices, which were so strong and sure.

  Suddenly, Sam nudged her. “Your purse is vibrating,” he whispered.

  She’d laid her small clutch bag between them on the pew and she thought it would be a barrier, though albeit a flimsy one. She’d switched her phone onto vibrate even though she hadn’t expected it to ring.

  Unzipping the leather purse that matched the navy dress she’d worn, she slipped out the phone and opened it, recognizing the number immediately.

  “Do you need to take it?” Sam whispered so near her cheek, she could feel his warm minty breath.

  She swallowed hard. “No, it’s my father. I’ll handle it after the ceremony.”

  Sam gave her a questioning look. “Are you sure?”

  She nodded. Sam had such a strong relationship with his dad and his whole family that he’d never understand how she and her father did and didn’t communicate. Their conversation always seemed forced. Since her mother had died, there was even more strain between them.