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Peri. Actually that’s a good sign. You’re entering your seventh month. Cramps are normal. I do want you to stay in bed as much as possible.”
    Peri snorted. “With a seven-year-old?”
    “Yes, with a seven-year-old. How is Chelsea?” Kendall asked of Brendan’s daughter from a previous marriage.
    Brendan rubbed his wife’s tummy. “She’s at school until three. Peri’s mom is picking her up.”
    Kendall raised a brow. “Your mother is visiting?”
    ”Yes, my parents have been here about a week. Mom won’t let me do much. And I thought Brendan was bad. I don’t even get to cook anymore. Brendan’s been cooking Irish dishes for us. I’ve probably gained ten pounds.” Peri smiled at her husband.
    Kendall nodded, pretending not to notice the love evident in the room. It had settled over her like a thundercloud. “If you’ve gained any weight, it would be beneficial for the baby.”
    Peri sighed. It wasn’t the sigh of a tired, pregnant woman, but rather a happy one. “That’s what he keeps saying. But you know men don’t count calories.”
    “You’re still beautiful to me.” Brendan kissed his wife’s forehead. “You’re the most beautiful woman in the world.”
    Kendall sighed. She wanted that. A man to lie to her, but in a good way. There was no doubt in her mind that Brendan loved his wife and he made it his mission in life to make sure Peri knew that.
    * * *
    Three hours after the Donovans left her office, Kendall was still reeling from their visit. She needed to come back down to Earth. Only one thing would help her clear her mind of all that mushy romance, and that was a workout in the employee gym in the basement.
    Used to keeping strange and long hours, Kendall kept a change of clothes as well as exercise clothes at work. After checking with the night nurse, Kendall went downstairs.
    When she was dressed in her exercise clothes, she immediately felt better and more energized. Until, that is, she stepped out onto the exercise floor.
    Coltrane Highpoint was running on the treadmill, wearing nylon shorts and a tank top, showcasing his huge biceps and long, muscular legs. He had the attention of the four nurses that were also working out.
    “Hey, Kendall,” Max said. He was also on a treadmill, but jumped off and walked to her. He was covered with sweat, but wrapped her in a bear hug anyway.
    “Max!”
    He stepped from her, smiling. “What?”
    Kendall nodded toward the nurses.
    “Oh, they’re busy checking out Cole. We’ve been here an hour and they’ve just watched him work out. If someone doesn’t step up to the plate soon, she might lose out.”
    Kendall laughed. “You’re about as subtle as an elephant in the corner of the room.”
    He put his arm around her and guided her to the treadmill. “Now you’re going to walk on the treadmill and behave like a good little girl, right?”
    “All right.”
    In a loud voice, Max called to Cole, “Hey, look who’s come to join us? We can have a threesome.”
    The nurses laughed. Cole laughed. Max chuckled. Kendall was mortified.
    Cole slowed his pace on his treadmill to a speed walk. “Sure, Kendall, you can be in the middle.” He nodded to the vacant treadmill.
    Max nudged her. “Come on, don’t be a party pooper.”
    Kendall stumbled but was determined not to let her embarrassment show, especially in front of the nurses. She regained her balance and hopped on the treadmill ready to out-exercise both men. “How about a challenge?”
    Max groaned. “Oh, no. You’re too competitive for me.”
    “I accept your challenge,” Cole said. “What do I get if I beat you?”
    Kendall stammered, not knowing how to respond or if she should. But the woman in her would not be defeated. “Loser, which would be you, will visit the patients for an entire day.” That should fix him.
    He continued power walking and agreed to her challenge. “Done, but if I happen to win, I need eight hours of your time. One on one, if you get my