shot him an unexpected arrow, and he'd just have to deal with it. "Her name is Amanda Thompson."
The doctor stared silently through her ugly glasses.
"I need to know that she’s alright," he finally said.
"We practice strict patient confidentiality in this office," the doctor said severely.
"I'm sure you want what's best for your patients," he said calmly, although his insides were roiling with anger. "But surely the father has some rights."
"In a court of law." The doctor met his eyes. "I'm sorry."
"Amanda is on bed rest." Logan raised a hand to forestall the woman telling him she couldn't talk about that. "I already know this. I need to discuss something very important with her. Could you tell me the best way to approach her without disturbing her unnecessarily?"
"She can't be disturbed at all."
"That's not a helpful response."
"If you care about her and the baby, you'll leave her alone. That's the best thing you can do."
The words hit him hard. For the sake of her health, he'd have to stay away from her? He managed a short nod. "Let's talk about money, then. I need to make arrangements with the billing office to pay anything that might not be covered by insurance."
"You are persistent, I'll give you that." The doctor tapped a finger against her blotter. "The billing office handles all financial matters."
"Excellent. Then I have permission to speak with them since I'm paying this patient's insurance." He stood.
"Don't use my name."
He brushed past a tall nurse as he left, but she turned her head to stare at him, and he had no trouble hearing her voice.
"Are you sure he doesn't need an exam?" the nurse said.
The doctor laughed. "This is an ob/gyn office."
"I wouldn’t be picky about details if I had a chance to see that hunk in the buff."
Logan shook his head. A stupid comment like that made the doctor laugh, and yet she treated him like an insect not worthy of being crushed. He followed a clerk down the hall, his heart heavy. At least he assumed that was the organ hurting deep inside. He knew he should be proud of Amanda for handling her life and all the complications that had been thrown at her.
But he wished she had needed him even a little bit.
Chapter 28
Bright and early Friday morning, a FedEx truck pulled into the driveway. Amanda happened to be sitting in the main room of the lighthouse, which ran across the front of the house. She was looking out the window, wondering if it was warm enough to sit comfortably on the porch. An unseen wind blew the leaves of the magnolia tree in the side yard.
She called to Mrs. M. when the delivery guy started over to the big house.
Mrs. MacDonald intercepted him and carried a box back into the house. "Can't imagine what this is," she said cheerfully. "But packages are always nice."
Amanda hoped she'd open it right here and now. Anything was a break in the tedium.
The housekeeper placed the box on the coffee table and bustled into the kitchen for scissors.
When she returned, she slit the seal carefully, brushed aside the bubble wrap, and pulled out a plump, toy panda bear. The body and head were a pure, fluffy white. Midnight black eyes, ears, arms and legs provided a sharp contrast to the immaculate white. A perky red bow adorned the panda's neck.
"Isn't that sweet," Mrs. M. cooed. She plucked a business card out of the box and held it up. Amanda recognized Logan's black scrawl.
Found this in Hong Kong. It's baby safe.
Their eyes met over the card. "A bit unexpected," Amanda said wryly.
"Yes," Mrs. MacDonald said, "and no. People see his toughness, but never the soft side because he keeps hidden."
"Hmmm." Amanda didn't want to argue, especially because she couldn't resist reaching for the little bear. She could so easily picture a baby grabbing onto the plush, big-eyed panda and curling up to sleep.
Emotion washed over her. This was the first present she'd received for her child. She'd never admit it to anyone, but it felt special. Mentally, she winged a message of thanks out to Logan, sad to think he was so far away, but accepting that it was best for both of them to move on with their lives. It couldn't matter to her where he was.
She set the panda on the rocking chair in her room.
The following Friday, rain was drenching the Cape, and the two women were drinking tea in the kitchen when the doorbell rang.