"Uh oh, Bennett, what did you do?"
"I told him about the baby. I am sorry. I assumed he knew. I mean, come on, fifteen weeks is a long time to be pregnant and not know it." Giving her a sheepish look, he said, "I hope that was okay. If it is his baby, he has the right to know. I would have given anything if Poppy had told me." Bennett had such a sad look as he said that even Taylor couldn't even get mad at him.
Sighing, she said, "Well, it will have to be okay, won't it? I would have told him myself if I had known. We need to be prepared for when he gets here. He will be fit to be tied. Just stay back and let me deal with him. His bark is much worse than his bite."
"Good to know because he sounded like he was spoiling for a fight on the phone. Just who is this guy, and how did you meet him anyway?"
Before Taylor could answer, a doctor in green scrubs and a white coat and her nurse, Denice, knocked and walked in. Shaking Bennett's hand and then Taylor's, she said, "I am Dr. LaGay. I believe I spoke with you earlier on the phone. I am glad you were able to get here so quickly."
Walking over to Taylor, she adjusted the cover and prepared to examine her.
Realizing where the situation was headed, Bennett began to feel very uncomfortable. If the situation were different, he would have no problem remaining in the room. But, as it was, he felt awkwardand out of place. He also knew that Poppy would not like it one bit. So, he cleared his throat and said, "If you ladies will excuse me."
"Oh, there is no need for you to leave. The daddy is welcome to stay," the doctor replied as she took Taylor's blood pressure.
Bennett looked from the doctor to Taylor and back to the doctor but said nothing. Taylor looked at the doctor and said, "Mr. Carrington is not the father."
All the air left the room, and it went deadly silent for a moment as Taylor's words hung in the air. Then, looking back at Bennett, Taylor said, "I am fine. Why don't you go down and get a cup of coffee? I am sure we will be done in a minute."
Chapter 21
St. Mary’s Hospital
Miami, Florida
July 2012
Bennett left the room and took Taylor's advice. He walked down to the coffee station and was fixing himself a cup of coffee when a tall, dark, muscular man walked up carrying pink roses and a suitcase. He looked rushed and angry. The minute Bennett saw him, he remembered him. The guy had been the doctor who came to the gala back in March as Poppy's date, her friend from Gulf Shores. Bennett hadn't liked the guy then. He didn't like the looks of him any better now. For the life of him, Bennett could not understand how Poppy's friend was also the father of Taylor's child.
Suddenly, Bennett remembered that the guy and Taylor had recognized each other that night. Bennett remembered being shocked that they were acquainted but honestly had not thought about it again afterward. Everything happened so quickly after Taylor collapsed that he had not thought of this man since. Now, he was standing at the nurses' station demanding to know where Room 214 was and to see the patient's chart. When the nurse explained that the doctor had the chart and was with the patient, Greer took off toward the room.
Afraid that the guy would barge in and embarrass Taylor, Bennett all but yelled, "Greer, stop!" across the corridor.
The nurses loudly yelled, "Shh! Be quiet! This is a hospital," but it got Greer's attention.
He stopped just short of the room, and Bennett was able to catch up with him before he stormed in on Taylor. Bennett wasn't positive Taylor wouldn't want Greer there, but he wasn't sure she would, so it was better to err on the side of caution.
Greer was not happy about being curtailed, especially by Bennett. Giving him a hateful look, Greer snapped, "What do you want? I want to see Taylor. The nurse said the doctor was with her. I wanted to hear what he has to say."
"Hey man, I get that, but slow down and think for a minute. Taylor is pretty modest, as I am sure you know. I don't think she would feel comfortable with you barging in right in the middle of an exam."
"I'm a doctor. What does it matter?"
"Yes, but you are not her doctor. You're her…whatever you are. Think about how vulnerable she is feeling right now. I think she has enough to deal with without you adding to that."
Greer hated to admit it, but Bennett had a point. Nodding, he said, "Okay, fine. I will wait until the doctor comes out and talk to him."
"Her. You will talk to her. The doctor is a lady."
"Okay, fine, I will talk to her. In the meantime, I have a question for you. What are you doing here? Why aren't you playing the golden boy politician or Ken doll or something?"
Bennett was taken aback by the anger and hostility he could feel rolling off Greer. What the hell had he ever done to tick this guy off? Giving him a look, Bennett said, "Obviously, you don't like me very much, and I have no idea why. But I am here because I careabout Taylor, and the hospital called me. Last time I checked, I am still her husband.”
"Yes, you are. And why is that?" When Bennett didn't immediately answer, Greer charged ahead, saying, "I will tell you why I don't like you. You have hurt Taylor, and you continue to hurt her no matter how much you claim to care about her. You had an affair behind her back in front of the whole club. Not to mention, you also have a son you never told her about. Then you ask her for a divorce while you go off and play house with your mistress and son, but you never get around to actually getting a divorce. As far as I am concerned, Taylor could do with a little less of your caring."
"First of all, leave Poppy and my son out of this. They have nothing to do with Taylor. Furthermore, Poppy is not my mistress. You have no idea what you are talking about. Lastly, keep your voice down. Do you want someone to hear you?"
"I could care less if someone hears me. I have nothing against Poppy. She is a talented artist and a wonderful mom. The only thing I can't figure out is how she got mixed up with you. I want you and your sorry lying self out of my business. And make no mistake, Taylor and that baby are my business. So why don't you go back to DC and run your little campaign and take care of your family, and I will take care of mine." At that point, Greer poked Bennett hard in the chest.
