Page 51 of Found By You

“It’s nice to meet you, too,” I say as her attention turns to Duke with surprise.

“Duke Montgomery,” she announces. “Your brother was just in here with his fiancée not even a week ago. Julie didn’t tell me I’d be seeing you as well.”

His tone is tight as he says, “Hi, Mrs. Sanderson.”

Duke and his family know my new OBGYN on a personal basis?

How small is this town?

Dr. Sanderson waves him off, taking a seat on the rolling chair and turning to me. She grabs the clipboard I filled out, flipping through to the father’s information page, and it’s written on her face as she glances between Duke and me.

She clears her throat and grabs a pen, going through my information and making notes where she sees fit. Until she gets to that dreaded portion again. “I see here you’ve marked not applicable for the father of the child.” Her kind eyes lift to me. “Do you have any medical history or information on the father that you’d like us to make note of?”

I peer at Duke out of the corner of my eye. “There’s a…history of high blood pressure on the biological father’s side. But that’s all I’m aware of.”

Dr. Sanderson jots down the note. “I take it you’ll be raising this child on your own?”

“Yes, ma’am,” I say with as much confidence as I can muster, but it’s not much.

She smiles, standing and setting the clipboard on the counter. “Good for you,” she says with a fire in her eyes that tells me she means every word of it. “Now, lay back for me, dear, and let’s get a quick measurement.”

I lay back and pull my shirt up under my breast, the pop of my belly even more prominent in this position. Dr. Sanderson does some feeling around my belly and lower pelvis. “I understand you’re new to town. I’d recommend you set up a tour of the hospital here in Whitetail, and the birthing center in Deerhide. I deliver at both, wherever you decide to go is completely up to you. But I will say, if you’re interested in a water birth, the birthing center is the only spot set up for it.”

“Water birth?” Duke repeats, horrified.

Dr. Sanderson laughs. “Yes, Duke. Your mother delivered three of you Montgomery boys during a water birth. This was back when the hospital was set up for it, however. I think you and Butch were water births, if I remember correctly.”

“You delivered Duke?” I ask in awe.

Dr. Sanderson smiles wide. “Oh, yes, dear. Julie Montgomery and I go way back. I’ve been delivering babies in this town for over forty years. That includes all six of the Montgomery siblings, and apparently, the grandbabies, too.”

We go over a few more things, like my ideal birth plan—which is an epidural. A very, very strong epidural. Dr. Sanderson takes my measurements, then pulls out a fetal heart monitor from her white coat pocket.

I glance at Duke watching every move Dr. Sanderson is making with a stern expression.

“Let’s get a listen to this little one,” she quips, placing the small, cool wand on my belly with a firm press.

Muffled movement is all we hear at first, and then—the signature fast beat of a tiny heart. I cover my mouth, feeling the floodgates ready to pour.

“And that…is your baby’s heartbeat. A strong 160. Absolutely perfect,” she tells me, letting us listen for another moment before she pulls away, offering a hand to help me sit up.

Dr. Sanderson smiles softly as she hands me a tissue. “You’re all set today, Maci. Please make sure to stop at reception to schedule your next appointment. Keep doing what you’re doing, and we’ll see you in another four weeks.”

I dab under my eyes and sniffle. “Thank you, Dr. Sanderson.”

The second she closes the door, I sob, hiding my face in my hands as strong arms wrap around me. I bury my face into Duke’s broad chest, holding onto him as hard as I can. He doesn’t say a word, simply holds me tight while I continue to cry.

It’s been a hard, stressful few months and…something about hearing the reason for it all makes everything worth it.

I finally reel it in enough to release my death grip on Duke. He grabs the box of tissues off the counter and silently offers them to me.

I take a few, then slide off the exam table. “Thanks,” I sniffle, my gaze rising to Duke’s whose eyes are a little bloodshot themselves. My lower lip wobbles at the very thought of him crying too, but he just grins.

We don’t say anything walking to reception. I schedule my next appointment before we head out to Duke’s truck. He helps me in, and says, “You know what, I think I left my phone in there. I’ll be right back.” He closes the door before I have a chance to say anything.

I watch him jog across the parking lot back into the office. He’s gone for roughly five minutes, and I wonder if he got held up talking to Dr. Sanderson—or that perky receptionist.

I mean, not that I care. Well, I do. Sort of…

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