Dear Reader,
I never intended to marry again. My wife and child died, leaving me alone in my pain. But a man can cut himself off from living for only so long. And I have a duty to my father and grandfather. I need a son, someone to whom I can pass on my heritage, my ranch.
We may live a long way from the big city, but Iâve heard of surrogate mothers. You hire a woman, and the doctor takes care of everything. No emotions, no promisesâ¦no pain. Just a baby.
When doc sent Susannah to me, I thought Iâd hit pay dirt. Iâd have my son, my future, without risking my heart. But when a woman is involved, things tend to get unpredictable. So now Iâm in a heap of trouble.
These pesky women can drive a man straight to hellâ¦or heaven. Guess Iâm going to find out which way Iâm going.
Keep your fingers crossed for me.
Lucas
âWhatâs wrong with the old-fashioned way?â
Susannah Langston could feel the heat rise in her cheeks, but she kept her chin up. She was an intelligent woman, an educated woman. She wouldnât allow thisâ¦this scientific discussion to embarrass her.
âIn case you didnât know, Doctor,â she began crisply, âit takes two people to create a child the old-fashioned way.â
The elderly medical man gave a rusty chuckle. âWell, I reckon they explained that in my first class. Not that I didnât already learn that lesson in the back seat of myânever mind.â He cleared his throat. âNow, Miss Langston, I donât know where you came up with this crazy ideaââ
âDoctor, artificial insemination isnât crazy, nor is it new.â
âHell, I know that. Weâve been doing it to the animals for years. But it seems a shameââ
âIâm sorry, but Iâm not asking for your personal opinion,â she said gently but firmly. âAll I want to know is where do I have to go to have itâto get the procedure performed.â
He leaned back in his chair and rubbed his chin. âYouâre all-fired set on this, arenât you?â
âYes. My decision is not a whim. Iâve carefully thought out the complications, and I believe the reward will far outweigh the difficulties.â
âYou realize a pregnant woman without a man around will draw some talk even today? Weâre still a small community.â
Susannah squared her shoulders. âIf gossip becomes a problem, I can move to a new community after the birth of my child and pass myself off as a divorcée.â In this day and time, single motherhood shouldnât carry a stigma, but she realized what should be and what was were sometimes two different things.
With a gusty sigh, the doctor leaned across the desk. âI believe I could do the job right here, Miss Langston. We donât have the capabilities of a major hospital, but, assuming you have a donor in mind, I could impregnate you with his sperm.â
Damn! Susannah closed her eyes. Then her determination surged, and she stared at the doctor. âI donât have aâa donor. I assumed Iâd go to a sperm bank.â
Sheâd read articles in the magazines at work, in the library in Caliente, Colorado, where she spent her days. Sperm donors werenât in big supply in the library. Males werenât in big supply in the library. Only books. And dust.
The library was quite large for such a small town. It, and the money to hire her, had been a gift to the town from one of its late citizens who died with no heirs. Only books. Like her.
âWell, of course, thatâs how the normal person would go about it if we had a sperm bank. But we donât. And itâll be real expensive if you go into Denver.â
She tried to hold his gaze, but there was a speculative look in his eyes that bothered her. âIâve saved a lot of money.â
âHmm. If there was someone locallyâ¦â
He was staring beyond her shoulder now, his eyes almost glazed over in contemplation. Susannah wanted the interview to be over.
âDoctor, can you tell me the name of a group in Denver, or a hospital, where I can begin the process? Thatâs really all I wanted. I want to go to the best facility for thisâ¦procedure.â She should have done research and not bothered with this interview, but Abby, her best and dearest friend, had suggested Doc Grable.
âI think I know a donor,â the doctor abruptly said, bringing his gaze back to her.
Susannahâs eyes widened, and she blinked several times as she took in his bizarre statement. âWhat?â