Page 70 of Landen

“She said youwere involved with someone.”

“I was,”he admitted quietly. “That was before I came to the States, andafter I returned home, I ended things with her. You should havecalled and asked for an explanation-” He shook his head. “Iam not going to lay this on you right now. The good thing is that youare awake and -”

“I look likehell.” She concluded. “I don’t need a mirror toknow I am a walking bag of bones.”

“Well,technically, you are lying down.” His attempt at humor failedand made her look even more miserable. “It’s my fault.”Taking her hand in his, he linked their fingers. “I did this. Iwas bloody selfish and should have known better.”

“What are youtalking about?” She asked with a frown.

“I impregnatedyou, and now your life is in peril.”

“Is that whatthe doctors are saying?”

“You cannotkeep anything down-”

“An acute stateof nausea, I know. It happens to some pregnant women.’ Shetightened her fingers on his. “I want this baby, and don’tthink for one minute that I regret what led to it. I am going to getbetter-”

“You cannotkeep anything down.”

“It will pass.”She insisted. “Yes, I feel like crap now, but very soon, I willbe eating down the place.”

“I amtaking you away.”

“What?Where?”

“We have thiscottage in Scotland, in the middle of nowhere. There are a couple wholive there and who oversee the place. You need a place to rest andregain your appetite and strength.”

“Landen, I justcan't just drop everything and leave-”

“That was not aquestion, Tessa,” he told her firmly. “I am going toconsult with the doctors, and as soon as they clear you, I am takingyou away.”

“For how long?”

“However longit takes.”

“My job-”

“Do youhonestly think you can go back to work now?” His eyes smolderedwith a fire that stunned her and made her realize he was trying hisbest to control his anger. Taking a deep breath, he let go of herhand and rose. “I should call the doctors and let them know youare up.”

“Landen-”

“We will talklater.” Walking over, he pressed the call button and wenttoward the door. When the doctors and nurses came in, he left,closing the doors behind him.

He had also calledher siblings, and they came to visit, but he had not returned to theroom.

“He is upset.”Tessa plucked at the sheets listlessly.

“I had to tellhim about his mother visiting you.” Her sister told her.

“And he heardabout your pregnancy when I called him to tell him you were in thehospital.” Her brother added. “He flew straight here. Theguy was a wreck.”

“I should havetold him. He wants to take me to Scotland.”

Karen stared at herwith a frown. “I am not certain you can leave just yet.”

“He is willingto wait until I can,” she stared at them. “I caught aglimpse of myself in the mirror. One of the nurses handed me amirror, and I was looking at a stranger. I look like a scarecrow.”

“A beautifulscarecrow.” Her sister teased.

---