Page 72 of Stolen Salvation

Bishop took the sympathy and nodded. “We just kind of forgot how to communicate and it tore us apart.”

“And she shot you.”

Bishop nodded, his chuckle low so as not to disturb Charlie. “She did but the rot had already set in by then. That was a by-product of a woman not coping and going off the rails.”

“Still, it was pretty drastic.”

“It was but we don’t lead normal lives with normal jobs.”

“No, that’s very true. So this pregnancy must be pretty scary for her and you, especially as it’s unplanned.”

“It is but I’m excited by it and from the fear I saw in Charlie’s eyes, I’m not sure she felt that.”

“She needs time to process. Talk to her, give her time, but my advice, and this is from a woman not a doctor, don’t pretend you know how it feels. Men and women go through different emotions during pregnancy. She needs you to listen and hear her, not fix it or tell her how she feels. Her hormones will be raging right now which only adds to the stress and emotion.”

Bishop nodded again, wondering if he’d done that in the past. “I will, doc.”

Savannah stood and glanced at them. “I have a feeling you two will be okay.”

“Thanks, Savannah, and thanks for saving her. I don’t know what I’d do without her.”

“My pleasure.”

He could tell by her face that she really meant that. She was humble despite the accolades she had on her office wall.

“Hey, doc, one more question.”

“Hmm?”

“Why do you go by doctor when most consultants use Mr or Mrs or Ms?”

A small grin quirked her lips. “I paid thousands and thousands of pounds and even more in blood, sweat, and tears to earn the right to be called doctor. I’m not giving that up for a change in job title. I’m a doctor and proud of it.”

“You should be.”

“Stop flirting with my wife.” A perfectly suited Mark Decker stuck his head in the room and gave him a friendly glare before turning his adoring gaze on his wife.

“You’re a lucky man, Mark.”

Mark snaked his arm around Savannah’s waist and kissed her cheek. “I sure am.” He couldn’t take his eyes off her and the love was almost uncomfortable but mirrored how he felt about Charlie.

“Get out of here you two. You’re making me want to vomit.”

“I can prescribe something for that,” Savannah quipped but then looked at the woman in his arms. “But I think you have the best medicine right there.”

After they left he thought about everything Savannah had said and knew he had to give Charlie space to heal on her own while showing her he was there when she was ready. He just had to pray that she would be ready because the alternative was unthinkable.

Charlie slept fitfully that night and just before dawn he eased his body out from under her and stood looking at her for a few minutes, trying to decide what to do for the best. He didn’t want her to feel abandoned, that wasn’t what this was. He wanted her to have the space to heal and come to terms with everything.

“I can feel you staring.” Blue eyes, with more brightness in them, looked at him before she tried to sit up.

Bishop leaned in and helped her get comfortable. “I was just deciding whether to go get breakfast or not.”

Charlie eyed him carefully. “No, you weren’t.”

Bishop shook his head and shoved his hands in his pockets, so he didn’t try and reach for her. “No, I wasn’t.”

“Talk to me, Noah. Tell me how you feel.”