The Holiday Triplets by Jacqueline Diamond Read Free Book Online Page A

in debt between them. “I didn’t care if we ever owned a house or sent our kids to private school. But he did.”
    â€œHe broke up with you over that?” Lori said. “He sounds like a snob.”
    â€œLucky you discovered that you had such different values,” Jennifer added.
    In retrospect, their breakup had been lucky, Sam reflected as she checked her watch. “I’m afraid I have to go. Candy’s being released this morning. I want to make sure she and the triplets are okay.”
    Lori regarded her dubiously. “It’s after ten. She might have left already.”
    With a guilty pang, Sam realized she’d been dragging her feet. These past few days, seeing those three darling babies had reminded her painfully of her own condition, and she’d found it increasingly hard to sympathize with the serious challenges Candy faced.
    First you resent your friends, and now you envy a young mother you’ve mentored? What’s wrong with you?
    Sam hauled herself to her feet. “Please forgive my bad mood this morning.”
    â€œI will, if you’ll forgive me for boring you to death about my broken heart,” said Lori.
    â€œAnd if you’ll excuse me showing you my honeymoon pictures twice by mistake,” Jennifer put in.
    â€œThey’re great pictures. I didn’t mind a bit.” Scooping up her oversize purse, Samantha said goodbye and emerged from the cozy café into the chilly seaside air.
    She set out at a brisk pace on the uphill march to the hospital. A couple of cyclists swooped by, muscular legs pumping as they bent low over their racing bikes. From a nearby veterinary kennel, a chorus of barks welcomed a visitor or perhaps a meal.
    Sam kept an eye out for an empty storefront or sign advertising a small office that might house the counseling clinic. A place right along busy Safe Harbor Boulevard would at least draw walk-in traffic. But how was she going to pay the rent? The hospital facilities had been free.
    Somehow, today, she couldn’t spare any more energy for other people, even those who were suffering. She just wanted to move past her own deep pain. Thank goodness for exercise.
    A few minutes later, her leg muscles burning, she strode into the medical center elevator. On the third floor, thedoors opened on three volunteers wheeling a trio of bassinets toward her, trailed by Candy in the obligatory wheelchair. Sam’s heart lurched when she spotted sweet little Connie with her strawberry blotch.
    I’m going to miss her.
    â€œHey, Doc!” Toward her ambled the father, Jon, a thin fellow with scraggly facial hair. “Where’ve you been?”
    â€œI came to the hospital earlier to examine them.” She’d cleared each of the babies for release before leaving to meet her friends. “Congratulations. Your children are in great condition. That’s not always the case in multiple births.”
    â€œI thought you were going to fix her.” He indicated Connie.
    Like a broken toy? “We’ll deal with the birthmark when she’s older and stronger.” Although the triplets had arrived in remarkably good shape, Samantha preferred to let the infant gain weight before subjecting her to laser treatment.
    The wheelchair rolled alongside them, its occupant frowning. “This is kind of scary. I’m not sure how I’m going to care for all these babies when it takes three volunteers just to push the bassinets.”
    Candy did face a daunting task. Sam had spent a lot of time reviewing the issues with her in advance, and despite the occasional hesitation, the girl had seemed determined. But was she responding to my enthusiasm? Did I influence her too much?
    This was hardly the moment for a change of heart. Once Candy settled in, with help from her mother and from volunteers, she’d gradually gain confidence. “As I’ve explained, a nurse will come by your apartment this afternoon to get