Doctor Bear: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (Bear Bluff Book 2) by Harmony Raines Page B

break, she thought. Taking a deep breath and putting on her most stony-faced expression, she walked up to him. He had better pull himself together and make the right decisions, or she would be reporting him for inappropriate behaviour.
    “Dr. Hansom,” she said, and had to stop herself from wincing at the name. Although it was entirely appropriate. He was one of the most handsome men she had ever seen in her life: tall, around six two, fair hair, and bright blue eyes. Right now, those blue eyes were boring into her, in a way that made her uncomfortable. What he didn’t know was that she would never be interested in dating a doctor, ever again. She pushed the thoughts that simmered under her cool exterior right back down. “Do you want to go over my notes?”
    The doctor stood still, his mouth opening and closing like a fish. She cocked her head to one side and was about to ask him if he was capable of delivering this baby, when the dad-to-be, Will, caught hold of Dr. Hansom’s arm and dragged him out of the room, saying, “I’ll be back in a minute, Freyja. I just need some air.”
    “Mr Frasier, I think your wife needs your support,” she said disapprovingly.
    “I’ll be right back. Freyja understands all about mates , don’t you, Freyja?”
    “I do,” Freyja answered, her voice strained as another contraction swept over her.
    Nurse Beth went back to her patient, holding her hand and guiding her through her breathing. When the contraction had passed, she asked Freyja, “Are all the men in this town crazy?”
    “Only when they are in love,” Freyja answered, smiling at Beth in a way that made her feel as if she was on the outside of an inside joke.
    “Ahh, so Dr. Hansom is in love. I guess it does affect people in different ways. Still, it’s a little unprofessional to behave like that in here.”
    “Cut him some slack, Beth. I think Ben just had the biggest shock of his life.”
    “Really? Seeing a woman about to give birth? I thought he was very experienced in that department.”
    “He is, Beth,” Freyja said, but before she could say any more, a new wave of contractions hit her. Beth held her hand, panting in rhythm with her and trying not to think of all her shattered hopes. This was her dream, having a baby.
    Beth had sat down and talked babies with Francis, believing they would soon be married and safely ensconced in their new house, complete with a nursery. Only Francis gave that dream to someone else, shattering her life. She tried not to think it was because her love rival had the face and body of a model, a typical trophy wife, whereas, Beth was a little more, OK, a lot more, on the curvy side.
    “Beth?” Freyja asked. “I think I might need to push.”
    “Not yet, honey,” she said brushing Freyja’s hair back from her face and thinking this should be her husband’s loving duty. “Once these contractions have passed, I’ll check, but I think we have a while to go yet.”
    “OK,” Freyja panted.
    “Do you want something for the pain?”
    “Not yet. I have a high pain threshold.” Her eyes kept straying to the door, and Beth knew she was looking for her husband. Beth started to let her temper take hold. What was it with men? They could be so selfish. Mr. Frasier should be here with his wife. She was about to give birth to their first child, for goodness sake!
    “Thank you, Beth.” Freyja smiled at Beth, and Beth met it with one of her own.
    “My pleasure, Freyja. You’re very lucky to be having a baby.”
    “Yes. I know. Do you have kids? Or a boyfriend?”
    Beth shook her head. “No. I thought I did. But he … well, he led me on.”
    Freyja squeezed Beth’s hand, hard, as another contraction washed over her. Through gritted teeth, she said, “Ben is a good man.”
    Beth looked at her sharply. “He may be. But I know his type.”
    “I can guarantee you don’t. Look, I know what you’re thinking about them not being here. But it’s for good reason.”
    “Let’s not