Dr.Johnson smiled like he was happy with her decision.“Well, then, congratulations.Do you have an obstetrician in mind?”
“No.As I said, I just moved here recently and don’t really know a lot of people.In fact, I found your name online and checked out the reviews.”
“Oh, well, then.I could give you the name of an excellent doctor if you need one.”
“That would be great.”
“Dr.Hartford was the doctor for all four of our pregnancies.He’s amazing.I think you’ll like him.”He made a note in her chart, then asked if she would like to determine how far along she was.When she agreed, he stepped out and had her undress from the waist down.His nurse accompanied him when he returned.Taking a seat on his rolling stool, he helped her place her feet in the stirrups.He did his exam, then assisted her back into a seated position.
“From what I can determine, you appear to be around three months along, but your OB will be able to pinpoint it better.”He removed his gloves and tossed them in the trash.
“That sounds about right.”She’d done the math in her head and was guessing she was around twelve weeks or so since she was with Darren.
“You can go ahead and dress now.When you’re finished, you can go to the front desk, and they’ll give you information on Dr.Hartford.”
“Oh, thank you.I appreciate it.”She had no idea how she was going to afford an OB, but she’d figure it out.
Dr.Johnson offered his hand.“It was nice meeting you, Sadie.”
“You, too, Dr.Johnson.”
She quickly dressed and went to the front desk for the information and settled her bill.She made it to the elevator before the tears started to fall.Her world had just been blown apart.What was she going to do?How was she going to finance this pregnancy and delivery?How was she going to tell Darren?She’d promised him she would tell him if she turned up pregnant.As the numbers above the elevator doors counted down, she remembered Cutter was going to be in the lobby waiting for her.She quickly swiped at her cheeks and heaved a deep breath.She needed to make it home before she fell apart.
Stepping off the elevator, she found Cutter sitting near the windows.He immediately stood when he spotted her exiting.He smiled at her, and she tried to smile back, but wasn’t sure if she pulled it off or not.They walked back to his car in silence, with him stealing looks at her until they were inside.He tried talking to her as they drove back to her apartment, but soon gave up when she gave only one-word replies.She felt bad for not carrying on a conversation with him because she really did like him, but she had way too many things flitting around her brain right now.She was afraid to open her mouth and have them all fall out.
She’d been so deep in thought that she didn’t realize they’d made it back to her apartment until Cutter parked his car next to hers.
“Come on.I’ll walk you up.”He reached for his door handle.
“That’s okay.You don’t need to do that.”Her stomach wasn’t feeling so good again, and she really just wanted to be alone.
“I was told I had to go in with you to make sure it was clear.After that, I can go if you want me to.”
She really didn’t want him to come up, but she didn’t want to be attacked in her own home either.She felt like she’d barely been holding it together on the ride home.“Okay.”She opened her car door, stepped out, and crossed the alley with Cutter hot on her heels.She opened the door and shut off the alarm, then told Cutter to do whatever he needed to do.He was shouting for her to wait while he did a walk-through, but she was already on her way to the kitchen.She tossed her purse on the table before hurrying to the bathroom.She shut the door behind her and made it to the toilet just in time to throw up.She dry-heaved a few times, then slid to the floor on her butt with her back against the bathtub.She drew up her knees and dropped her head in her hands, and finally let the tears she’d been holding back fall.Her brain felt like it was going to explode.This was all too much to deal with.
First and foremost on the list of things she needed to do in regards to this pregnancy was to tell Darren he was going to be a father.She had no idea how she was going to do that.How did one tell a man she’d been forced to have sex with, but wasn’t close to that she was carrying his child?What was he going to think?Would he be happy, or would he tell her he wanted nothing to do with the child and to get rid of it?What if hedidwant to be a part of the child’s life?How was that supposed to work?
Then there was Kylie.How was she going to handle this news?Would she boot Darren to the curb?Would she stand by him?Would she try to convince him to take the baby away from her?Yes, some of these thoughts were a little far-fetched, but they were concerns nonetheless.And she seriously doubted Kylie would appreciate running into her somewhere in town as she grew bigger each month with her man’s baby.
Maybe Sadie should move?The thought of running into Kylie as she grew bigger each month with Darren’s child didn’t sound appealing.Would she be openly hostile to her?Would she cause problems for her?
Then there was Oliver.How was she going to explain all this to him?If she couldn’t wrap her head around it, how could a young child?
Crap.How was she going to tell Jed?What was he going to think?She seriously doubted he would be cool with her carrying another man’s child.Especially, if it was his brother’s.Would this cause problems between Darren and Jed?
She pulled at the hair on top of her head.How was she going to pay for all this?She wasn’t financially ready for a baby.She’d always imagined she would be going through this with a partner.Shit.It was more important than ever to sell her house in Taos.With the baby, she was going to need more room.
And then there was her job.Would Dick let her continue to work, or would he fire her or cut her hours?
What was she going to do?
* * *
Jed
By the time he got to her place, everything imaginable had gone through his head as to why she would be upset.Cutter let him in as soon as he hit the landing.He told the prospect he could go, and he would take over.Walking past the kitchen table, he saw her purse.It looked like she’d dropped it in a hurry, and some of the contents had fallen out, including her phone.No wonder she didn’t answer.
He went down the hall and stopped outside the closed bathroom door.He took a moment, then knocked.“Sadie.It’s Jed.”No response.“Sadie.I’m coming in.”He tried the knob and discovered it was unlocked.He slowly opened the door in case she was taking a shit or something that might cause her embarrassment.His body jolted at what he found.She was sitting on the floor, leaning against the tub, tears streaming down her face.She looked like she was in a trance, and it scared the hell out of him.He dropped to his knees in front of her.“Sadie?”She didn’t even blink.He reached out to touch her knee, and she startled, blinking several times.
