“Are you okay?”
It’s the fifth time I’ve asked Sam since we got out of the car, and each time she says she’s fine.
Something happened in the truck on the way here, but I’m not sure what it was.
We’re almost to the entrance, and I stop in front of her. “Do you really not want me to go in there? If you don’t, then tell me.”
She blinks up at me, and now is not the time to get lost in her big blue eyes. She tilts her head. “You don’t want to go? I said you didn’t have to.”
I reach for her hand even though I shouldn’t be touching her. I hold both of her hands in mine. “I want to be here. I want to go in there with you and hear what the doctor has to say. I want to make sure she’s a good doctor and that you’re being taken care of.”
She lets out a breath, and there’s no missing the sigh of relief. “Good. I mean, I’m a little nervous, and I don’t want to do this by myself.”
I wrap my arms around her and pull her flush against my body. She’s soft everywhere I’m hard, and even though I don’t want to let her go, I know I have to. “Well, you’re stuck with me now.” I put a finger under her chin and lift so she’s looking at me. “As long as you’ll let me, I want to be here for you.”
She bites her lip, and instantly, I rub the pad of my thumb across it. “You ready?” I ask her.
She nods, and I hold my hand out. She puts hers in mine, and we walk into the women’s center of the hospital.
She has to fill out a packet of information, and in no time, we’re back in the office. A nurse asks her all kinds of questions about her prior prenatal care, expected due date, medications, allergies, and if she has any concerns.
The nurse takes Sam down the hall to use the ladies’ room, and then they’re back, and the nurse says the doctor will be right in.
Sam is nervous, and I reach over to put my hand on hers, trying to calm her. This is how the doctor finds us.
He introduces himself to both of us. “Hi, I’m Dr. Landers. You must be Samantha.”
Sam nods.
I hold my hand out to him. “I’m Elijah Wolfe.”
He recognizes my name immediately. “Aren’t you the owner of Wolfe Construction?”
I nod. “I am.”
He smiles. “Congratulations on the Whiskey Run Hospital. It’s my hometown, and I’m hoping to transfer there when it’s ready.”
As soon as he says it, he claps his hands together. “Okay, let’s get down to business.”He asks Sam to get up on the bed, and I help her up. Maybe I should go back to my seat, but instead I stay, standing next to her, holding her hand.
The doctor checks for swelling in her hands and feet, measures her belly, and listens to the baby’s heartbeat. I’m enthralled with it all and couldn’t drag my eyes off Sam if I had to. The doctor sits back in his chair. “You’re measuring well. The baby’s heartbeat is strong and steady. I would love to get you in for an ultrasound just to double-check everything.” He flips through some papers. “What kind of insurance do you have?”
“We want the ultrasound. No matter the cost,” I blurt out, and as soon as I say it, I look at Sam. She’s smiling at me and agrees. “Yeah, I would like that.”
The doctor stands up. “Okay, well, everything looks good here. Your husband is obviously taking care of you, and you have a good support system.”
Sam opens her mouth, no doubt about to disclose that I’m not her husband, but I stop her. “Thank you, Doctor.”
He looks at Sam. “Okay, my nurse will be back in a minute, and she will take you two down for the ultrasound. We’ll see you next month, but if you have anything that comes up between now and then, please call the office.”
He walks out, and Sam is silent next to me.
I brush the hair off her shoulder and away from her face. “You okay?”
She looks at me with wide eyes. “He knows who you are.”
I chuckle. I’m not arrogant by any means, but if Whiskey Run is the doctor’s hometown, he’s probably seen my name. “Whiskey Run is a small town, Sassy.”
She shakes her head. “I know, but everyone is going to talk.”
