Page 74 of Flawless

“Okay.” I threaded my hand through his and he led me to his familiar Tahoe. “Why did you drive?” I asked, as he opened the passenger’s door for me.

“I needed time to think.” He waited until I was strapped in before he leaned in to kiss me. I didn’t realize I’d been frowning until he traced the lines on my forehead with his fingertip, smiling. “Don’t worry, sexy. It’s all good.”

I was lying on my back with cold gel on my belly, holding Cam’s hand and praying harder than I had in years as a sonographer explained a transvaginal ultrasound may be necessary, since I hadn’t reached twelve weeks yet. Did that mean she couldn’t see anything on the screen?

“There it is,” she said, pointing a flicker on the screen. “See that? That’s your baby’s heartbeat. Just let me switch on the Doppler so you can hear it.” The room was filled with a whooshing sound, then a galloping sound that made me gasp.

I stared at Cam, wide-eyed. He grinned before kissing my hand.

“Wow,” I whispered, staring at the screen, even though I didn’t know what the hell I was looking at. It was my first visible connection to my baby and I was completely gob-smacked.

The sonographer, a gray-haired lady in her late fifties, smiled at me and Cam before repositioning the equipment. She wiped my belly off and pulled my shirt down. “And next time you’ll be able to find out if you’re having a boy or girl, unless you want it to be a surprise.”

“I want to know,” I blurted, before I realized Cam may not share my opinion. “Do you?” I asked, looking at him hopefully.

He chuckled. “Yeah, I can’t wait.”

“Your doctor will be in soon,” the sonographer said, before leaving the room.

I was grateful we’d been able to do the ultrasound at my obstetrician’s office. It meant I wouldn’t have to wait to get confirmation from him that everything was fine. It’s not that I was a pessimist, but since learning I was pregnant, fearful thoughts snuck up on me, out of nowhere, making me fear for our baby’s well-being.

Friends who’d had kids assured me that was a normal part of pregnancy, but it was still a little unnerving.

“Can you believe it?” I whispered to Cam. “We got to hear our baby’s heartbeat.” I covered my stomach with my free hand. “I knew it was real before, but something about hearing⁠—”

“Hello, Rylee,” Dr. Martin said, after tapping on the closed door before walking in. “How are we today?”

“Fine, thanks.” When Cam stood up and offered the doctor his hand, I said, “This is my boyfriend, Cameron Reynolds.”

When the doctor smiled and shook Cam’s hand before glancing at the Glock strapped to his waist, I blurted, “It’s okay, Dr. Martin. He’s a sheriff. He’s allowed to carry that.”

Cam laughed, before shaking his head. “Sorry, strapping it on every day is a force of habit. But I’m out of my jurisdiction here. It’s nice to meet you, Dr. Martin.”

“You as well.” He glanced at me. “I’m assuming you’re the dad?”

“Yes, sir,” Cam said, reclaiming his seat beside me. “We heard the baby’s heartbeat. Does that mean everything is fine?”

Dr. Martin scanned my file, nodding. “Yes, everything appears to be fine. You’re about nine weeks, as we suspected, which means your estimated due date is May 6. Heartbeat is healthy, around 160 beats per minute, which is exactly where it should be.”

The doctor looked up, catching the expression on my face as my eyes darted to Cam. “I’m sorry,” I said, before he could ask. “You said my due date is early May. I have a tour scheduled for late spring – early summer.”

The doctor already knew I was a musician, and we’d estimated the approximate due date during my first in-office appointment. But now it was official and I hadn’t told my record label yet. They wouldn’t be happy.

The doctor chuckled. “Yes, well. I’m afraid this little one won’t wait, Rylee. So, your fans will have to.”

It was my first headlining tour. Not stadiums yet, but it was still a huge deal to me. Things changed fast in our business. Artists were forgotten quickly when they didn’t tour or produce new music. It was finally hitting me. It may come down to choosing my baby over my career. Maybe I couldn’t have both.

I was numb until the doctor handed me the image from my scan. My baby. It looked like a tiny blip, but it was there. It was real. This was happening, whether I was prepared for it or not.

Cam could obviously tell something was wrong because he stood quickly, offering the doctor his hand. “Thank you, Dr. Martin. We appreciate the reassurance. As first-time parents I think we’re both a little overwhelmed. But excited,” he added quickly. “We can’t wait. Right, Rylee?”

I nodded, fighting back tears again. “Of course.” Faking a smile for the doctor’s benefit, I said, “Thank you.”

“My pleasure. Make your next appointment on your way out, and if you need anything in the meantime, don’t hesitate to call. That goes for you too, Sheriff. Any questions, you know where to find me.”

“Thanks,” Cam muttered, waiting for him to leave before he asked, “What’s wrong, babe? Are you not feeling well? You’re so pale, all of a sudden.”

I closed my eyes, trying to find the words to describe the storm of emotions swirling around inside me.