"Will it pose a problem?"
"Not much of one." Dr. Ruth Manning gave her a reassuring smile and wondered privately why her gorgeous fiancé wasn't with her. "If it comes to it, we might have to do a C-section. But we'll cross that bridge when and if we come to it."
"What about stress?" Abby persisted. "I have a very demanding career and am in the middle of a wedding that seems to grow in proportion every damn day."
That made the woman laugh. "You should have eloped."
"I told Cade that, and he reminded me we have an obligation to our respective families."
"I'm assuming you have adequate help where that is concerned?"
"More than." She admitted with a sigh. "I just don't want anything to jeopardize this little one." She patted her flat stomach.
"I'll prescribe some vitamins and supplements. Make sure you start eating right and stay off the caffeine."
"That's going to be hard."
Driving back to the bookstore, she planned several scenarios inside her head. She could plan a romantic dinner with candles and flowers and tell him. Or she could come right out with it. Slap him with the news and assure him that she would be careful, that the doctor assured her it would be fine.
Parking in her slot, she shut the engine off. She was getting married in a month. The honeymoon was going to be in the UK. She had been there before, when she was in college, but wanted to explore the highlands of Scotland and take in several of the stunning sights in England.
Zoe was still trying to get them to take her. And had pouted when her mother had tried to explain that a honeymoon was supposed to be for a husband and wife.
She had continued to pout until her dad had sat her down and given his own explanation. Something simple. Like telling her in his deep firm voice that she would not be allowed to come this time.
"It's where your mother and I will be spending time together as husband and wife."
And just like that, she had hugged him and said it was okay. He was very good with her, and she adored him. She showed him off each time he picked her up from school.
She would have to tell him tonight. He noticed everything about her and would wonder why she wasn't drinking wine with her meals. She had stopped doing so right after she suspected she might be with child.
She was pushing the door open when her phone rang.
Grabbing the device, she punched the button, her eyes gleaming. "Hey. Perfect timing, I just drove into the parking lot."
"I'm right near the palm tree to your left."
When she turned her head, he waved. He was leaning against the hood of his black BMW, hands tucked casually in the pockets of his ash gray dress pants. His long cashmere jacket was open all the way down and flapping in the breeze. It always gave her a jolt to see how gorgeous he was and to realize that he was all hers.
He walked to meet her, laser blue eyes studying her face.
"Hi."
"Hi yourself. What are you doing here?"
"Let's go for a ride."
"I just got here. I have to--"
"Then you can tell me why you're keeping secrets."
Her heart hammered against her ribs as she stared at him wordlessly for a beat.
"Mama told you."
"That you have a doctor's appointment? Yes." He opened the passenger door and nudged her inside, after taking the key fob from her.
When he got in, she had secured her belt with nervous fingers.
