Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 94513 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 378(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94513 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 378(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
He was done quickly. He put a bandage on my arm, then patted my hand. “Drink the juice. Don’t stand up for a bit, okay?”
I nodded and picked up the glass. The cold sweetness wet my dry mouth and throat, but there was no enjoyment in it. I wasn’t sure I would feel any form of enjoyment again. The blame of Crosby’s death would haunt me. I’d carry that with me for the rest of my life.
Linc spoke with Dr. Burl for a few moments, but I didn’t pay much attention. I stared at the empty hearth again, sipping the juice. Wishing that I could be numb to everything. Give up carrying or feeling. It would be so much easier.
“If you will, lie back for me,” the doctor said, holding a blanket in his hand. “I need you to pull your shorts down to below your stomach, and you can cover your bottom half with this.”
I took the blanket, then lay down and unbuttoned my shorts, which had only started to get snug this past week, before doing as he’d instructed.
Dr. Hurl held a tube in his hand. “This is going to be a little cold. I’m sorry about that.”
“That’s fine,” I replied, feeling the anxiety start to mount at the thought that something could be wrong.
I hadn’t been taking vitamins. I’d not seen a doctor like I was supposed to. I should have gotten Medicaid. I’d failed my baby.
I watched, holding my breath as Dr. Hurl put the cold gel on my stomach, then began moving what looked like a stethoscope over my stomach. There was relief on his face, and I almost burst into tears before he could say anything.
“It’s strong.” He paused. “One hundred fifty-two beats a minute. Excellent.” Then, he took the ends from his ears and held them to me. “Do you want to listen?”
I nodded, unable to say anything.
He placed the earpieces in my ears, then moved the part on my stomach a little. A fast thumping sound came in loud, and I gasped as tears stung my eyes. That was my baby.
“There,” I told him as I stared at him in awe. “I can hear it.”
His smile was kind, and that just made me want to cry harder. Crosby would never hear this. The moment of happiness faded quickly as I took them from my ears and handed it back to him.
“You will need to see an OB-GYN very soon,” he told me. “I can suggest some for you if needed.”
“Thank you,” I replied, my voice sounding raspy.
He handed me a damp cloth to clean my stomach, and both men walked over to the door, talking quietly, while I cleaned myself, then fastened my shorts and sat back up.
The door closed, and then Linc walked into my line of sight.
“How sure are you that this baby is Crosby’s?” he asked me.
One hundred percent. Although I understood they wouldn’t just believe my word. They needed proof.
“He was the first and only guy I ever slept with.”
His lips formed a tight line. “I see.” Those two words sounded as heavy as my chest felt. Then, he sighed. “Well then, you need to prepare for what is to come once we have the results back from the paternity test. This isn’t something that Crosby’s parents will be happy about. As for Bane, I don’t know yet. Right now, he’s convinced himself that it’s not his brother’s baby. But when he has the proof that it is, that will change his attitude. Not completely. Bane is normally an ass, but when it comes to your welfare, he will want his niece or nephew to be taken care of. He and Crosby were close.
“Just get some rest. Eat because you and the baby need it. The phone on the counter works. My number is on the pad beside it. Call me if you need anything. And, Halo? Don’t leave. There is security everywhere. If you walk out that door, I will know. There are cameras on this cabin. Which should also give you some reassurance that Bane won’t come here when you’re alone.”
I said nothing, although I had several questions about all he had just said. I’d wait until they all knew I was telling the truth about the baby being Crosby’s. Then, I’d ask them. Today, my head wasn’t clear enough to think about it all. I just wanted to be left in peace.
“Regardless of Bane’s response to this, I will make sure you are taken care of. I believe you were important to Crosby. And just so you know, he was leaving to come see you that night, like he’d promised.”
A wave of sorrow hit me again, and a sob came from deep in my chest as I covered my mouth.
Linc walked over and laid a hand on my shoulder. “I didn’t mean to upset you, but he’d have wanted you to know he wasn’t planning on leaving you alone with this.”