David Lawrence emerged from the swinging double doors that led to the exam rooms, escorting an elderly patient to the registration desk. When he’d finished with his patient, he turned and saw her sitting there.

“Hey, Maddie. How are you?”

“I’m good, and you?” She would be eternally and forever grateful to him for saving the life of her darling Hailey, not to mention what he’d done for Janey and P.J.

“Busy as hell, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. What’s the latest on Janey and the baby?”

“P.J. is off the vent and breathing on his own. Janey is feeling stronger every day. They’re hoping to come home in another couple of weeks.”

“That’s great to hear.”

“How’s my friend Daisy?” Maddie asked with a sly grin.

“She’s fantastic. I’ve finally convinced her to move in with me.”

“Oh, that’s so great, David. I’m happy for both of you.”

“I’m pretty happy for us, too.”

“You both deserve every good thing.”

“That’s nice of you to say in light of what you know about me.”

“You and Janey weren’t meant to be,” Maddie said with a shrug. “She was meant for Joe, and I’m starting to believe you were meant for Daisy.”

“I think you might be right.”

Victoria came rushing through the double doors. “Hi, Maddie. I’m so sorry I’m running late. Come on in.”

“I’ll see you later, David.”

“Bye, Maddie.”

As she followed Victoria to an exam room, Maddie could feel the beat of her heart in her throat. It was hilarious to realize that a few short weeks ago, the idea of being pregnant again had been horrifying to her and Mac. But now that the possibility had been dangled before them, all they wanted to hear was that she was pregnant.

“What’s going on? Your appointment was tagged as urgent.”

“I feel silly, but I think I might be pregnant, and there’s not a test to be found on this godforsaken island, so you were my only option.”

“What’re your symptoms?”

“A very brief, less than one-day period that might not have actually been a period, sore boobs, emotions all over the place, cranky as hell, horny as all get-out. Same as the last two times.”

“When was your last real period?”

Maddie rattled off the date.

“And you’ve had unprotected sex since then?”

“Yes. Quite by accident and due to far too many glasses of wine.”

“Ahh,” Victoria said, her eyes lighting up. “I was going to say… I thought you’d decided to wait awhile before you talked about another baby.”

“We had decided to wait, but…” Maddie shrugged and grinned at the pretty midwife. “Shit happens.”

“Yes, it does, and it keeps me very busy.”