The Surgeon's Surprise Twins by Jacqueline Diamond Read Free Book Online

the little things and the big ones will follow.”
    â€œDyeing my hair won’t make me matter to people.”
    Searching for a way to rouse the woman from her gloom, Bailey asked, “What do you think it would take? What does make one person matter to another?”
    Renée’s shoulders sank. “I’d feel differently if I had a child. I gave up my baby son for adoption when I was seventeen, before I met my husband.”
    â€œMaybe he’d like to meet you.”
    â€œI entered my name into one of those registries so he could find me, but he never has.” Tears rimmed her eyes. “Does that shock you?”
    â€œI’d think he would be curious,” Bailey agreed.
    â€œI mean, that I gave up my child.” Renée gestured at Bailey’s midsection. “You and your husband must be thrilled to death.”
    â€œOh, I’m divorced—I’m carrying this for my sister,” Bailey told her. “I’m probably going to end up just like you. Wait a minute—that sounded bad, didn’t it?”
    Renée gave a reluctant, almost painful chuckle. “It sounded horrible, but refreshing. At least you’re honest. I hate having people patronize me. That’s why I hardly ever talk to anyone.”
    Didn’t the woman have any friends? Afraid of making her feel even worse, Bailey skipped that subject and returned to a neutral one. “There are websites where you can upload your picture and try out different hairstyles and hair colors.”
    â€œIt sounds like fun,” Renée conceded. “What color do you think would look good on me?”
    Bailey considered. “Red, if you want to attract attention. Or you could go blond.”
    â€œAnd make a complete fool of myself?”
    â€œHow about strawberry-blond? That’s subtle.”
    â€œI’ve been a mousy brown all my life. I don’t think any shade of blond would be subtle.” But Renée was smiling.
    â€œIf it doesn’t work, you can always color over it.”
    The woman cocked her head as she considered. “You know what? I think I really might dye my hair. Although I don’t see how that’s going to change anything.”
    â€œIf you have no purpose in life, that’s kind of freeing,” Bailey noted. “You could do anything you like. I mean, you could give your hair a purple stripe. Who’s going to complain?”
    â€œPeople sneer behind your back,” Renée said.
    â€œPeople sneer about me all the time, but as long as they do it behind my back, so what?” Bailey replied. “Half the hospital considers me nuts for being a surrogate, and they don’t even know…well, never mind about that.” Talking about her sister’s laxness in paying medical bills could lead to a discussion of Bailey’s current living circumstances, and she had more or less promised Owen to be discreet.
    â€œSounds like you could use a little counseling yourself,” Renée observed.
    â€œI’m a hopeless case.” Bailey spotted Nora emerging from the annex. Sunlight turned the doctor’s hair to spun gold, and a flowing rose-colored maternity top flattered her enlarged figure. “Wow, is it two o’clock already?”
    Renée checked her watch. “So it is. I should have arrived sooner. You could have told me what color to paint my toenails.”
    â€œWait till you pick a hair color,” Bailey advised. “Thenyou can coordinate that with your nails and maybe a new wardrobe.”
    Although it was a serious suggestion, Renée seemed amused. “I’ll do that. Are you here every Saturday?”
    â€œDepends.” Bailey dug into her purse and found a business card with her cell number. “Call and I’ll arrange to meet you.”
    Renée got to her feet. “You’re a sweet person. I’ve enjoyed our talk.”
    â€œMe, too.” Although she wasn’t sure