Page 5 of A Place Like You

Wren: Is this a hefty bonus so I do something that might jeopardize my medical license?

Finnegan: Can you come over to my place?

Wren: I have a kiddo who needs to take a bath. You should be the one coming here.

Finnegan: I have a six-month-old little girl who’s asleep, and I’m alone.

Wren: Where are your spouses?

Finnegan: They went to Denver to pick up some family members and groceries.

Wren: Well, you’ll have to wait until tomorrow, Finn. I can’t shift the balance, or Milo won’t sleep until next Saturday.

Finnegan: Fine, I’ll bundle my jelly-bug. We’ll be there soon. I might even bring the surprise with me.

Wren: Joy, I can’t wait.

It’s such a shame that people can’t read sarcasm through texts.

* * *

A knock on the front door disrupts the peacefulness in the house. “This better be important,” I grumble, setting down the magazine and dragging myself to answer the door.

On the other side is Finnegan Gil. He’s not alone, though. His adorable baby daughter is in a sling, pressed to his chest, and covered with a pink blanket.

The sight of a rugged man, seemingly indifferent to the world and those around him, cradling a baby with a tenderness akin to the gentle breeze caressing delicate petals makes my ovaries explode. It creates a longing not only for another child, but a man who’ll give up his entire life for a baby.

“Rhea is here.” Milo runs, squealing excitedly.

Finn gently places his index finger upon his lips, urging my son to embrace the soothing silence with a tender “Shh,” but he promptly crouches down to let Milo get a better look at a sleeping Rhea.

“Hi, baby Rhea,” Milo coos softly.

“You haven’t bathed yet?” Finn says with a low voice and shakes his head. “I’ll be brief, so your mom can be with you soon.”

“Why don’t you finish choosing your books, and we’ll get your bath ready as soon as I’m done with Finn?”

“Okay, Mom,” he says, marching back to the dining table, leaving me alone with Finnegan, the baby, and . . .

“Sorry I’m late,” a familiar voice calls out. When I look to my right, I spot Drake, one of the men who’s currently part of the Endor program—the guy Regina and I bumped into at the coffee shop.

I fix my gaze on Finn, my eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. “Why is he here?”

Carefully rising from his crouched position, Finnegan adjusts the baby sling with a tenderness that softens his usually hard edges. When he meets my gaze, there’s a determined spark in his gray eyes. “I brought you a doctor.”

The statement ignites a spark of indignation within me, my brows knitting tighter. “Excuse me?”

“You said you needed another physician for the clinic,” Finnegan prompts, his attention partially on the stirring baby.

Beside him, Drake grins, revealing not one but two charming dimples. Why does he have to be so incredibly attractive? Back in the coffee shop, I nearly swayed by his velvety voice and striking features, but I swiftly reminded myself that men of his caliber often harbor hidden agendas. It’s safer to steer clear of him.

Except now he’s standing at my front door, searching for something. I sneak a hesitant glance his way, not exactly thrilled about unraveling the mystery behind Finnegan’s choice to bring him here.

“I happen to be a physician,” he announces, his voice almost sounding like one of those cheesy, good-looking superheroes who arrive when someone is in distress. He even possesses dreamy blue eyes that sparkle with a hint of mischief and a head of dark, thick, wavy hair that adds to his captivating charm.

But instead of succumbing to his magnetism, I find myself unable to hold back my laughter, and I playfully point at him while glancing at Finn. “Are you seriously telling me you brought Mr. Pretty Boy here to . . . what? Play doctor?” Then my focus shifts to Drake. “Let me guess. You’re one of those doctors who spends more time on the golf course than with their patients . . . if you’re indeed a doctor.”

“I’m a surgeon,” he counters, unfazed by my skepticism. “I’m sure I can run a family practice without missing tee time.”

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