“Nurse Angela already sent in a prescription for anti-nausea medicine, but if it doesn’t help or completely take it away, please don’t hesitate to call and let us know.”
She ran down a list of questions—like other medications Clem was on. What the date of her last period was. Any additional health issues. Thankfully, Clem was perfectly healthy and had nothing to report on that front.
“We’re going to draw blood today to check your iron and folate levels, that kind of thing. Is there anything else we need to test for?”
Clem shook her head. “No, I’m good.”
My head tilted. “Are you sure?”
The doctor’s brow raised. Clem scowled.
I didn’t want to overstep but… I leaned down by Clem’s ear and whispered, “Don’t you want her to test for STDs?” Clem stiffened and from the look on her face, I think it was the first time the idea ever crossed her mind. “Sorry. I just want to make sure you and the baby are safe.” We’d never talked about it, but we knew nothing about Lyla's other partners, and it was entirely possible that she wasn’t Billy’s first indiscretion.
Her face softened, and she nodded. “It’s okay.”
Dr. Gregory must’ve heard everything. Not gonna lie, it’s hard to whisper with a voice as deep as mine. “Is there a reason you would need to be checked for sexually transmitted diseases? Have you had questionable partners?”
Clem blanched at the plural use of the word partner. The room went silent and then Clem quietly said, “My husband had an affair. So yes, it might be smart to check.”
Now the doctor was the one to blanch. “Well, he’s an idiot. Because you are lovely and darling and seem wonderful. Some people are just stupid.” It was the most honest thing I’d ever heard a doctor say. It was refreshing, and I decided I liked her.
“All true,” I said, causing Clem to blush. “Especially the idiot part.”
Dr. Gregory's mouth turned up at the corners in a half-smirk, but she quickly slipped her professional hat back on. “Are we ready to hear this baby’s heartbeat?”
Clem hesitated. I mouthed the words,a gift.She nodded. “Yes. Let’s do this.” She squeezed my hand so tight, my knuckles rubbed together.
The doctor had her lie back on the table and pulled her shirt up, tucking it under the bottom of her bra. I didn’t knowwhat the tummy of a woman who was eleven weeks along should look like, but I thought Clem’s was entirely too flat. Hopefully it was because she’d lost weight with the morning sickness and not because there was a complication with the pregnancy.
“This might be a little cold.” Dr. Gregory squirted gel on the handheld Doppler device.
When the gel hit her skin, Clem flinched. “Yeah. A little cold.” Her grip tightened even more.
I thought it might take a few seconds to find the heartbeat, but almost instantly, the most beautiful sound entered the room. A fast whooshing that reminded me of galloping horses.
Clem let go of my hands to cover her mouth, her eyes twice as big as normal. The whooshing continued on, strong and quick.
“Sounds like a perfect heartbeat,” Dr. Gregory said. “Congratulations, Momma.”
Clem was quiet but happy as we left the exam room. No doubt she had a lot on her mind. Back outside, the heat was sweltering and the air thick with humidity.
I opened the door for her to get in the passenger seat, then I walked around to get in my side. But when I opened my door, Clem wasn’t sitting on the passenger side. She was in the middle, slipping the seatbelt over her waist.
I scooted in next to her, not sure what was happening. Her elbow rubbed against my side and electricity jolted through my veins. She never rode there. It was Anna’s seat, even when Anna wasn’t with us. My hands fumbled, and I dropped the keys. I swore, but picked them up and quickly started the truck.
I glanced over at her, trying to smile, but I’m sure it came out as more of a grimace. Why couldn’t I breathe right now? We’d been holding hands in the exam room and I was okaythen. But I knew why. That was me comforting her. She needed that a few minutes ago.
But right now, there was no reason for her to sit in the middle. None. Why was she doing this? Home was an hour away, and I wasn’t going to make it that long with her this close.Chill the frick out!I forced myself to exhale slowly as I put the truck in reverse. But then I realized my problem. I had to turn to look over my shoulder. Turn in her direction. Usually, I put my arm across the middle seat to make that a little easier. I didn’t know how to back up like this. We sat there for a second, not moving.Get your crap together, man!
Finally, I stretched my arm behind her head so I could see what I was doing. And dang if she didn’t take that as an invitation to lean into my side. That rose shampoo went straight up my nose, hitting me with pheromones like a baseball bat smacking a grand slam. My heart thunked in my chest so hard, I was sure she could hear it. Or feel it. It felt like it was shaking the entire truck.
She seemed totally zen, like this was the most natural thing in the world. And I was the opposite—a freaking tornado of hormones and heart palpitations, my thoughts racing headlong toward cliffs that were downright precipitous. I couldn’t even inhale correctly.
Once I finally got turned around, I pulled my arm from behind her and gripped the steering wheel for dear life. But she still snuggled up against me, a slight smile on her lips. Then she actually leaned her head on my shoulder. Was she trying to break me? Give me a heart attack? Short-circuit all my nerve endings?
Well, it was working. All of it.
“Si?” She slid her hands around my bicep. I quit fighting and dropped my hand to my thigh. What was even the point? She slid her palm against mine, interlocking our fingers. Oh, good grief. “You’re my best…” I thought she was about to put me squarely in the friend zone and I didn’t know if I could handle it. Not with her all smashed up against me. But then she amended, “You’re my favorite person. I’m really glad Sophie did this. I missed you so much while you were gone. And I want this baby to grow up with you in their life. They’re going to need an example of what a good man looks like. And I can’t think of anyone better than you.” She released a blissful sigh. “I really wish you didn’t have to go back to Laramie.”
