Having The Rancher's Baby. Cathy McDavid

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СКАЧАТЬ She hadn’t expected him to smoothly glide her across the crowded dance floor. Neither had she expected her insides to melt when he held her tight during the slow numbers.

      She’d been prepared for nothing more intimate than a good-night hug in the parking lot at the end of the evening, but Cole had had other ideas and pulled her into his arms for a kiss.

      An amazing kiss. Surprised at first, she’d quickly surrendered. Apparently, she’d invited him home, because the next thing she knew, they were both in the backseat of her friends’ SUV, the lights of town passing by in a blur.

      It was while she’d driven him to his truck the next morning that they’d talked and mutually agreed to forget what had happened.

      Wait a minute. That wasn’t quite accurate. She’d done all the talking. Cole had gone along with her without adding much to the conversation.

      “Everything okay?” he suddenly asked.

      “Just waiting my turn.”

      “How much was the co-pay? I’ll reimburse you.”

      At least he had the decency to speak in a low voice. “Can we talk about this later?”

      “I’m paying,” he answered, his tone implying there’d be no further discussion.

      She stood up, strode over to the periodical rack and grabbed a magazine on pregnancy. Years ago, she’d subscribed to this same one and had saved the back issues, storing them in a credenza drawer. After the third miscarriage, she’d burned every copy in her backyard fire pit.

      Returning to her chair, she began flipping the magazine pages, barely noticing the ads and articles.

      What had she been thinking, agreeing to let Cole accompany her? She was tired; that must be it. And sick. She’d been in no physical condition to put up a fight. Though today she actually felt pretty good and had managed not to lose her breakfast or her lunch.

      She sneaked a glance at him, certain he had nothing whatsoever to do with her improved health.

      “Would you like me to come with you?” he asked.

      “Into the exam room?” She drew back in alarm. “Absolutely not.”

      He tensed.

      All right, she’d overreacted. But if the doctor delivered bad news, and that was a distinct possibility, Violet didn’t want Cole there to witness her emotional breakdown.

      What if the doctor delivered good news? She was two months along, after all. Well, then she’d relay the information to Cole and they’d continue as they’d previously decided, not telling anyone until she reached her second trimester.

      Even then, she’d insist on informing only close family and friends. Violet refused to take chances. Most people, though kind and well-intentioned, didn’t have a clue about what she was going through. Their sympathy when she’d miscarried had worsened her grief rather than relieved it.

      “Perhaps another time,” she offered by way of apology.

      “Next time,” he countered.

      His response thoroughly rattled her.

      A quick check confirmed the one remaining patient was occupied with her phone and not paying them any attention.

      “I thought you said you haven’t figured out what to do yet. But you’re planning to come with me to every appointment?”

      He bent his head close to hers and spoke softly, yet deliberately. “I’m concerned about you and your health.”

      “Pardon me, but I’m confused.”

      “Not to steal your words, but can we talk about this later?”

      “Fine.” She went back to reading the magazine.

      They waited another fifteen minutes when a nurse finally appeared in the doorway leading to the exam rooms. “Ms. Hathaway? This way, please.”

      Violet stood and would have gone if not for a gentle tug on her hand. It was Cole.

      “Good luck.”

      Her insides melted, just as they had on the dance floor. For a moment, she wished he was concerned about more than her health. Enough to reconsider his plans of returning to the rodeo circuit.

      He continued to occupy her thoughts as she walked down the corridor, throughout her weigh-in and blood pressure reading and when the nurse left her alone to change into the paper gown.

      What kind of father would Cole make? He wasn’t always caustic and abrupt. When he wanted, he had the ability to be sweet and tender and so very charming. She’d been the recipient of those qualities before and had basked in them.

      If only their circumstances were different. What then? Dating? Moving in together? Getting married? Violet wasn’t sure she wanted any of that. They really didn’t know each other well.

      Once under way, the exam progressed quickly. Violet found herself watching and listening intently to Dr. Medina for even the tiniest indication that something might be wrong. There was none. The other woman remained chipper throughout the exam, telling Violet that all was well and exactly as it should be.

      “Ready for a peek at your baby?”

      Her words startled Violet, and she almost refused “Yes. I am.”

      “Because your pregnancy is high risk, we’ll be doing a transvaginal ultrasound today.” When the probe was in place, Dr. Medina pointed to the monitor screen at Violet’s right. “There’s your baby.”

      She adjusted the volume, and Violet heard a rapid beat matching the small pulsating heart visible in the middle of the fetus. All at once, she started to cry, unable to stop herself. She hadn’t been far enough along during her other pregnancies to hear or see the heartbeat.

      Dr. Medina smiled sweetly and handed Violet a tissue, her curly silver hair framing her face like a wreath. “Try not to worry too much. It won’t do you or the baby any good.”

      Violet wiped at her tears. “It’s hard not to worry.”

      “I’d like to see you in two weeks.”

      Immediately, Violet feared the worst. “Is something wrong?”

      “Not at all. Just a precaution.” Dr. Medina returned the probe to its holder. Next, she pressed a series of buttons on the ultrasound machine and printed a picture, which she gave to Violet. “Next month, when the baby’s bigger, I’ll send you to the imaging center for a more comprehensive ultrasound. They’ll make you a CD.”

      Violet clutched the picture to her chest. She liked the sound of “next month.”

      Dr. Medina helped her to a sitting position, her hand remaining on Violet’s shoulder to comfort her. “Call me if you have even the slightest cramping.”

      “All right.” Violet had already programed the doctor’s number into her phone’s speed dial.

      “Remind СКАЧАТЬ