Page 82 of Love Bomb

“Hey,” Bain complained. “What happened to things being confidential between a man and his GP?”

“Give it up,” the doc said. “This is going to be all over town by dinner time anyway. It’s not like you can hide that you’re suddenly looking after a baby.”

He had a point. “Just tell me Sandra’s last name,” Bain said through gritted teeth. “And information on the status of the test would be good too. It seems to be taking a while.”

“Your wish is my command,” Doc drawled with heavy sarcasm. “After all, what other reason could there have been for me spending years in medical school, other than to chase up Bain MacGregor’s paternity tests.”

“We need a new GP,” Bain said to his brothers.

“From your lips to God’s ears,” his doctor replied.

As he waited for the doctor to get the information he needed, Bain watched the baby. If he wasn’t so worried about his mother, he’d have been furious. What kind of person leaves a baby with a stranger? And in the middle of winter too.

A wee voice whispered in his ear—a very troubled one.

“Right,” Doc said at last. “I’m looking at your file and there’s a problem.”

“Just what every man wants to hear from his GP,” Bain said.

The doc ignored him. “It seems the paternity pack wasn’t completed. We’re still waiting on a swab from the baby.”

Bain rubbed the back of his neck and wondered if he was about to develop his first ever migraine. He wouldn’t have been surprised if he was. Between Rona, the folly, and an abandoned baby, his stress level was through the roof.

“If I bring him in after we talk to the police,” Bain asked the doctor, “could you do the swab today? The lab can do a twenty-four hour turn around, can’t it?”

“Yep, they can and I’m happy to do it for you. But in return, you’re tiling my shower.”

“Oh, come on, Doc, that’s not fair. That’s a day’s work for, at most, an hour of your time.”

“Yeah, well, I charge a helluva lot more than you do. Go to medical school then we’ll talk about an equal exchange of labor.” There was a grin in the guy’s voice. He was loving this. “Take it or leave it, that’s the deal. And I’ll want the whole thing in writing so I can prove to my wife that the job will definitely get done—sooner rather than later.”

“Fine. I’ll tile your damn shower.” He mentally went over his schedule. “Next weekend if I can get rid of the baby by then, otherwise, it’ll have to happen when he goes back to his mother.”

“Sounds good to me.” The doc sounded positively cheery at their deal.

“What about the last name?” Bain asked.

“There isn’t one,” Doc said. “Like I said, the paperwork is incomplete.”

“And she isn’t a patient of yours?” Bain was feeling more anxious by the minute.

“No, as far as I remember she had only recently moved here from Fort William,” the doctor said. “I think she was still registered with a GP over there. I can call around if you’d like?”

“Yeah,” Bain said. “That would be good. I’ll tell Matt you’re checking that angle. Thanks Doc. I’ll be in to see you soon.”

“I’m sure it will be the highlight of my day,” Doc said.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Once Rona had calmed down about Bain’s stupid proposal, she realized she had to return his truck. And, that she’d like an update on the plan to blow up the folly. So, she pulled on her big-girl panties and drove to his house.

When she rang the doorbell, Bain opened the door—with a baby strapped to his chest.

“Get in before the baby gets cold,” he said, then promptly turned and stalked down the hall.

Rona stood, stunned and speechless, staring after him.

“The door,” Bain barked from the kitchen.