Warm Hearts by Barbara Delinsky Page A

show them that I’m serious about my career, I can kiss that partnership goodbye.”
    â€œWhat does Dan say?” Dan was Karen’s husband, and a nicer man Caroline couldn’t have chosen for her sister. “He wouldn’t care if the partnership was deferred, would he?”
    â€œHe wouldn’t, but I would. I’ve worked so hard for this, Caro. To come so far and either have it postponed or lose it completely would break my heart.”
    â€œBut you do want the baby.”
    â€œYes, I want the baby. I want the baby and Dan and the partnership. I can do it, Caro. I know I can.”
    â€œSo do I, but that doesn’t mean it will be easy.”
    â€œNothing’s easy for a woman—especially in law. You wouldn’t believe the discrimination that still exists.”
    â€œYou’ve managed to handle it up to now,” Caroline said by way of encouragement.
    â€œBut it’s a constant fight. I think that’s what discourages me most. In the best of circumstances I have to be twice as good as any man on my level, and now, with this pregnancy, I have to be three times as good. You’d think I had a terminal illness, the way the partners try to hide me from clients. I can understand in a way; a client doesn’t want to come to rely on a lawyer who will be disappearing for a couple of months. But that’s all it’s going to be. Ninety days. The firm knows that. Ninety days!”
    â€œShh, Karen. It’s okay.”
    â€œI’d really like to believe that. I have my moments of insecurity, too. Times when I think of what might happen if the baby is a screamer, or there’s some physical problem—”
    â€œThe baby won’t be a screamer,” Caroline interrupted, “and there won’t be a physical problem. Don’t be like Mom, Karen. It’s self-defeating.”
    â€œThat’s what I tell myself,” Karen said with a sigh. Her voice wobbled as she gave in to that insecurity she’d mentioned. “You don’t think I’m tackling too much, do you?”
    â€œIf anyone can do it, you can.”
    â€œBut can anyone do it? Can anyone be a wife, a mother and a lawyer and do all three jobs well?”
    â€œI don’t see why not, as long as you recognize the limitations and deal with them as they pop up. You’ve done well so far, haven’t you?”
    â€œThe baby’s not born.”
    â€œBut Dan will be there to help you. He’s been supportive from the word go. He wants the baby as much as you do and he knows how much your career means to you. That could make all the difference, Karen—having a husband who’s behind you.”
    â€œMmm, I am lucky, I suppose.”
    â€œI know. So. Do you feel any better?”
    â€œYeah. It’s good to be able to let off steam, but I feel guilty bitching all the time to Dan.”
    â€œYour bitching isn’t so bad.”
    â€œThat’s ’cause you’re used to it. And because I’m the only little sister you have.”
    Caroline glanced at the microwave clock. “Don’t you think it’s time you got some sleep, little sister?”
    Karen sighed, but it was a sheepish sound this time. “Yeah, I think I should get a little sleep. Thanks, Caro. You always do make me feel better.”
    Caroline thought about that for several minutes after she’d hung up the phone. She was glad her sister believed in her, because she was wallowing in her own quagmire of guilt—guilt that she wasn’t in Wisconsin helping her mother, guilt that she couldn’t spare Carl and Diane their pain, guilt that she could freely build her own career while her sister struggled so hard. She wished she didn’t take their troubles so personally, but she always had and feared she always would.
    She wondered what her colleagues would say to that. No doubt they’d say she had very strong maternal instincts. They might also