Finding The Way Back To Love (Lakeside Porches 3) by Katie O'Boyle Read Free Book Online Page A

sure it’s okay if he comes?”
    “I’m very sure it’s okay. That leaves us all day today and most of tomorrow to shop for maternity clothes and get our nails done. I’ll make an appointment at the Spa at the Manse.”
    “Like I can afford a mani-pedi and new clothes,” Haley said with a flippant laugh.
    “It’s an aunt’s prerogative to pamper her pregnant niece.” Gwen pretended to scowl. “If you don’t let me do it, I might hate you.”
    “Don’t.” Haley rushed in for a quick hug. “But first I need to make a doctor’s appointment. Like highest priority. I promised Rick. And myself.” She closed her eyes. “Except I have no idea where to start.”
    “We could start with a pregnant woman I know.”
    “That’s brilliant.” Haley’s eyes popped open.
    Gwen chuckled as she reached for a pad and paper and her cell phone. She speed-dialed and held up one finger for Haley each time she heard a ring.
    On three, she exclaimed, “Gianessa, good, I got you.”
    Gwen motioned Haley closer and scribbled, ‘Gianessa Cushman.’
    “All is well, thanks. Gianessa, my niece Haley arrived last night. Surprise, she’s seven months pregnant. How—? Yes, we’re very excited, thanks. Haley will be staying with me through the birth of her baby, right, Haley?” Haley nodded and leaned closer. “We’re calling, because she has not yet seen a doctor, and we need to find one to follow her through the birth. How should we proceed?” Gwen listened and doodled something on the pad.
    Haley frowned at Gwen’s drawing of a duck on a stream, with steam rising from the water.
    “Terrific, thanks. Haley’s right here. Can I switch to ‘speaker,’ Gianessa?”
    Haley clapped her hands and slid onto a stool at the island while Gwen placed the phone on the marble surface and punched the speaker key.
    Haley didn’t wait for an introduction. “Hi, Gianessa. I’m Haley, the unmarried niece. Thanks for helping.”
    A sweet laugh drifted out of the phone. “Hi, Haley. Someday Gwen and I will tell you my story. But right now, let me ask a lot of questions and then we’ll come up with a plan.”
    “Sounds good.”
    Gianessa pounded Haley with questions about nutrition, sleep, vitamins, weight, activity level, Rick’s health, their alcohol and drug use, and any medications she took. Haley answered each question simply.
    “Sounds like you’re taking very good care of yourself and your baby,” Gianessa said. “Dr. Bowes will be really pleased with that.”
    “Who’s Dr. Bowes?”
    “She’s my obstetrician in Clifton Springs. She also runs a clinic at the hospital for moms-to-be who don’t have an established relationship with a doctor.”
    “She sounds cool.”
    “She is. And she’s no-nonsense, so you have to promise me you’ll do everything she says. She hates whiners. I don’t want to bring her a whiner.”
    “That’s perfect, because I’m trying to be really grown up about this, even though I’m scared to death.”
    “You know, Haley, I’m a little scared, too. I’m having twins.”
    Haley’s strangled response made Gwen laugh.
    “Maybe you and I can ride over to our appointments together,” Gianessa said.
    “That’s even more perfect because I don’t have a car.”
    “Haley, you and I will get along very well. I’d like you to call the following number at the clinic,” she directed.
    Haley wrote it down.
    “Tell them I have an appointment with Dr. Bowes Monday, the day after tomorrow, at one o’clock. See if you can come around the same time. Tell them you’re riding with me. Okay so far?”
    “Yes, I’m ready,”
    “They might want you to have blood work done ahead. Will you and Gwen take care of that?”
    Haley checked with Gwen, who nodded. “Gwen says yes.”
    “Call me back with details of your appointment as soon as you know. I’ll work on my husband Justin to drive the three of us. Gwen can come, too.”
    “Oh.”
    “What?”
    “Rick, my boyfriend, will be here by then.