Expecting the Doctor's Baby by Teresa Southwick Read Free Book Online

them and he stood, holding out his hand to her. She slid her fingers into his palm and when she rose, the muted light caught the sequins in her dress and the glitter on her skin.
    Speaking of surprises…He’d get to hold the silver lining in his arms.
    The wooden floor in the center of the room filled with other couples and Mitch placed Sam’s hand in the crook of his arm as he led her there. He held his breath, anticipating the pleasure of her closeness. Then he pulled her into his arms and found the softness of her pressed against him more intoxicating than his Jack Daniel’s.
    He looked down at her. “I was sure you’d tell me to take a hike.”
    â€œI love to dance.”
    â€œSo I could be any jerk off the street and you’d have agreed?”
    Her alluring mouth curved up when she smiled. “I believe we established that my jerk quota has been filled recently. So, I’d have to say no.”
    â€œThen I’m not on your jerk list?”
    â€œI don’t think that about you. Quite the opposite.”
    He found her completely charming and was grateful to be on her good side. “What’s the opposite of a jerk?”
    â€œYou’re a guy who saves lives. In my book that makes you a—”
    â€œHere you are, Samantha,” said a voice behind them.
    Sam leaned to the side. Even with heels she wasn’t tall enough to see over his shoulder. “Hi, Dad.”
    Mitch turned and deliberately left his arm around Sam’s waist. “Ryan.”
    â€œDr. Tenney. How nice of you to join us this evening.” His tone said he wasn’t actually feeling the love.
    â€œYou throw a great party,” Mitch answered politely, if only to prove to Sam that he could be polite.
    â€œThank you. The turnout is very gratifying.” He looked at Sam. “My remarks were well received.”
    â€œAbsolutely,” she answered, tensing.
    They’d been too busy talking to listen to the speech. In his opinion Arnold Ryan was a pompous ass who gave his daughter a hard time for no good reason. Mitch tightened his hand on her waist, hoping she felt his support.
    â€œSo, Doctor, how are things in the E.R.?” Ryan asked.
    Mitch shrugged. “Funny you should ask. Sam was just singing my praises.”
    â€œSamantha is easily impressed,” he said, with a sardonic look at his daughter.
    â€œNo,” she said. “When I was there for his precounseling observation he saved a drowning victim the paramedics brought in. A little boy. Two years old.”
    Arnold slid his hands into the pockets of his tux trousers. “It’s a good thing he was there.”
    The sarcasm in his tone told Mitch he was indeed one slipup away from the door hitting him in the backside on the way out. He wasn’t sure why this guy disliked him, but the feeling was becoming more mutual by the minute.
    â€œDad, it was the most amazing thing to watch the E.R. staff work together to save that child.”
    â€œThe E.R. staff is very good at what they do,” Mitch informed her father. “They have to be because we see everything from car accidents to the common cold. But I don’t have to tell you that.”
    â€œNo, you don’t.”
    â€œMercy Medical is lucky to have a doctor with his skills,” Sam said.
    â€œAnd he definitely has them. Along with a finely tuned abrasive streak. If only rudeness saved lives,” Ryan snapped. “We’re still dealing with the fallout from your confrontation after that particular incident.”
    â€œI hate waste,” Mitch said, anger knotting in his gut. “Makes it hard to be diplomatic.”
    â€œThat’s where my profession comes in,” Sam said quickly, looking very uncomfortable. “Smoothing out the rough edges will make him even better at what he does.”
    â€œWhat he does is take the rules and bend them into oblivion.”
    â€œJust give the counseling time,