Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 37093 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 185(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37093 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 185(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
“I had a positive test,” I mumbled. “Just wanted to make sure it was a false positive.” I tried to smile, but didn’t quite pull it off.
She smiled. “I need you to completely disrobe. Here’s a gown and a drape. Just sit on the exam table and the doctor will be in shortly.”
I did as she said, stripping quickly and putting on the gown. Unlike most hospital gowns, this one covered my back but left the front open. I pulled it together and wrapped the paper drape over my legs. Taking a deep, calming breath, I tried to empty my mind. If I were any more nervous, I’d probably cry. Might anyway.
The door opened without even a cursory knock and in walked…
“Cyrus?”
He shut the door and sat in the chair next to the doctor’s work shelf. He leaned back, lacing his fingers over his belly and crossing his legs at the ankles.
“That’s right. You got ten seconds to come clean.”
I lifted my chin. “My life isn’t your business.”
“Yeah?” He lifted an eyebrow. “You ran, Odette. Straight to me. I want to know why.”
I shrugged. “It’s cooler up north. I don’t like humidity.”
“The truth, girl.”
“I’m not a girl!” I raised my voice before realizing other people could likely hear us. “I’m an adult, Cyrus. Regardless of what you think, I didn’t come here for you.”
“That’s two,” he said casually. “I have a feeling you’re not going to be sitting for a week.” He gave me a slight grin, like this was amusing to him. Fucker. “Or longer.”
“My life is none of your business.”
“We’ll see.” The bastard smirked like he held all the cards. Well, I knew my rights. They wouldn’t let him stay if I didn’t want him here. He could take a hike because I wasn’t going through this with him here.
“Why are you even here?”
“Like I said. You came to me.”
There was a knock on the door. Before I could say anything, Cyrus answered. “She’s ready.”
An older man walked in the room, a smile on his face. He had platinum hair and a deep tan. “Good morning, Miss Muse. I’m Dr. Redding. The nurse tells me you had a positive pregnancy test?”
I winced, closing my eyes. I didn’t dare to look over at Cyrus. Did he know?
“Yes.” I wanted to elaborate, but what was the point? Besides, I didn’t want to say anything more in front of Cyrus.
“Well, I think it’s pretty conclusive. Your quantitative test would put you at four to five weeks. Does that fit the time frame?”
“What?” Quantitative test? “I mean, yeah. That’s about right, but what do you mean by quantitative test?”
“Your blood test. It measures the amount of pregnancy hormone in your blood. I got it faxed over from the hospital lab a few minutes ago. Dr. Ewing had it sent over.”
“Ewing?” Before I realized what I was doing, I glanced over at Cyrus. He just gave me a slight, superior smirk.
“She had a bit of a mishap last night. Doc gave her some fluids and took her blood to make sure nothing else was wrong.”
“You know Dr. Ewing?”
“I do. We’re Air Force buddies.”
“Well then. Thank you for your service. As to this little mishap?” He raised an eyebrow. At Cyrus, the fucker.
“Let’s just say she imbibed a little too much and got herself dehydrated. Dr. Ewing was just covering all the bases.”
“Hmm.” Dr Redding frowned at me. “It’s not healthy to be doing that. Not while you’re pregnant and certainly not in early pregnancy.”
“I’m aware of that,” I snapped.
“All evidence to the contrary.” Cyrus never took his gaze from me. The frown on his face said he severely disapproved. He also didn’t show any surprise at my little… surprise.
“Mr. Wolfe. Did you bring her to Dr. Ewing?”
“I did. Like I said. We’re old buddies. I found her in a bad way and kept her safe.”
“I have you listed as her husband. I take it you’re the father?”
I gasped, staring at Cyrus. What the fuck?
“I am.” He met and held my gaze, daring me to contradict him.
“Good! I’m not sure what happened, but I’m glad she has someone looking out for her.”
“She does now.”
The rest of the visit passed in a blur. The doctor did an ultrasound and confirmed the baby was where it was supposed to be inside me, gave me a prescription for some prenatal vitamins and nausea medicine, then set me up with another appointment in a month.
“Don’t hesitate to let me know if you’re excessively sick or have any problems whatsoever. If you can’t reach me at the office, have Dr. Ewing contact me.”
“Trust me,” Cyrus said. “We will.”
The doctor left and Cyrus moved to the door and stood in front of it. “Get dressed. I’ll take you home.”
For some reason, that hit me like a punch to the gut. Tears burned my eyes and my throat tightened up. “I don’t… I don’t have a home.”