The Doctor's Baby by Cindy Kirk Page B

meeting in Miami when she was killed.”
    “I remember,” Travis said.
    “He was doing his job. I understand that,” David said. “But he’s the reason she was in that car.”
    “That’s the past,” Travis said in a low tone. “Over there, in the doorway, is your future.”
    David glanced in the direction Travis had indicated. July now stood talking with John and Kayla.
    “July?” David scoffed. “Sometimes I’m not sure she even likes me.”
    “She likes you all right,” Travis said. “Now it’s time for you to decide what you’re going to do about it.”
     
    July’s cell phone rang at 3:00 a.m. Instead of being fast asleep like everyone else in the house, she’d beenstanding at the bedroom window watching the rain fall. She recognized the ringtone and hurriedly slid the phone open.
    “A.J.” She kept her voice low and glanced at the crib, grateful to see Adam hadn’t stirred. “What’s up?”
    “Does something have to be up for me to call my baby-doll?”
    His mock outrage made her smile. The slightly slurred words told her all she needed to know. “Someone has been out partying.”
    “You know me too well.” He chuckled. “When I got home I remembered what day it was and I had to call.”
    “Of course.” July crossed the room, her mind racing. She slipped out of the bedroom and gently closed the door behind her, trying to figure out the significance of the date.
    “Don’t tell me you don’t remember?”
    The hurt in his voice sounded surprisingly genuine. Unfortunately the days had run together since she’d arrived in Jackson. All she knew was this was Friday…or rather it had been. She hurried down the hall and into the living room.
    “Are you kidding?” July grabbed the newspaper off the sofa and focused on the date. April 11. Since it was after midnight that made today the 12. “It’s our pact day.”
    April 12, thirteen years ago, had been a low point in both their lives. The foster home where they’d been staying had been okay—as far as foster homes went—but July had gotten word she was going back to live with hermother again. Adam was being sent to detention for fighting.
    “We vowed we’d show ’em,” July said. “We’d survive.”
    “Not just survive,” A.J.’s voice grew loud. “Overcome.”
    “Absolutely.” Despite the reason A.J. had given, July knew he wasn’t calling because of their childhood pact. Something was on his mind. “How’s Selina?”
    “Missing me,” he said, his voice filled with satisfaction. “She called me earlier. We had some great phone sex.”
    More information than she needed to know, but at least it seemed there was no trouble on that score. “How’s the musical? You’re in Kansas City this weekend?”
    “Omaha,” he said. “The crowds have been good but I’ve heard some rumblings that we won’t continue touring after this season. I’m not worried.”
    The heck you aren’t.
    July knew A.J., knew his insecurities. And now she knew why he’d called. “I wouldn’t worry, either. You’re a fabulous actor and dancer. Whenever you stop this tour, you’ll get yourself another, bigger role. You’ve done so well for yourself.”
    “We both have,” he said. “Especially for two kids who grew up without a home.”
    “We had a home.” July kept her tone light. “A lot of different homes.”
    “ Houses, July, not homes. We had a lot of houses, but never a home.” A.J.’s voice grew loud again and sheheard a guy in the background yell at him to keep it down. “How’s the baby boy doing?”
    “He’s fine.” July didn’t even blink at the abrupt change in topics. Growing up with A.J. had taught her to expect the unexpected.
    “Take good care of him.” The intensity behind his words puzzled her. “It’s not easy being a kid.”
    A.J.’s voice broke and July realized he must be drunker than she’d first thought. It took a lot of beer to get A.J. emotional.
    July’s heart rose to her throat, finding his