Page 67 of Tempted

He sat down by her bed and took her hand. “Oh, my God, I was so worried. When I went to the diner to pick you up, Earl said you’d been rushed to the hospital. I kept saying to myself she’s finally done it. She’s finally worked herself into an early grave.”

Jasmine rolled her eyes. “Gee, thanks.”

“Jasmine, I’m worried about. It’s not healthy to go on the way you have been.”

She sighed closing her eyes again. “The good doctor seems to agree with you. He thinks I should be on bed rest for the next few months, at least until there’s no more danger to the baby.”

“And I completely agree. You should…what?” He reared back. “Did I hear you correctly? Did you just say baby?”

Jasmine nodded. “Yes. Apparently I’m pregnant.”

His mouth tightened briefly to a thin line. “Meade’s baby?”

“Yes.”

“I see. What are you going to do about it?”

“I honestly don’t know. I can’t afford to take time off but I’m not going to abort it if that’s what you mean.”

“No, I mean, will you tell him?”

She shook her head. “I don’t know. It would be the right thing to do but I’m not sure how he’d react. I think it would kill me if he rejected his child.”

“Sounds like you want to keep it,” he said softly.

Jasmine hadn’t thought that far ahead but could she really give her child away when it came right down to it? Probably not, but she had to think of what was best for the baby. “I guess I’d like to, but I don’t know how I can. I don’t even have custody of Star and when or if I get her back I’m not sure how I’ll be able to support two children. I guess I’ll figure it out.”

His grip tightened on her hand. “That does it. We’re getting married.”

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