Page 55 of Island Whispers

She’d refused to take the test at the drugstore or in the club, because eww. Was a hospital any better? “Great. Thanks.”

“Nash and I can wait. If you want.”

Nina shook her head. “That feels wrong.” She moved to sit next to Jess. “The father should be the first to know.”

“Boone?” Jess’s eyebrows shot up.

“Our first meeting was actually weeks ago. He’d just finished an assignment.” She shrugged and sighed. “It was a good night.” That was all she wanted to say about it. “I never expected to see him again.”

“Whatever happens, you’ve got us,” Jess said. “You’re not alone.”

“Thanks.”

“I’ll get Nash out of here.” Jess stood and smiled. “Keep us posted. About Boone,” she clarified quickly. “No rush on anything else.”

No, maybe there wasn’t any need to rush, but she owed Boone a definitive answer when he woke up.

With Jess and Nash gone, Nina carried the drugstore bag into the bathroom. Choosing one at random, she followed the directions. Waiting for the results, she focused on her support system. She wasn’t alone in this. Her family and her friends would help her find her way as a single mom if Boone didn’t want to be involved in the day-to-day family stuff.

The timer on her phone went off and Nina shook the tension out of her hands before she looked at the result. According to the guidelines on the test, she was pregnant.

The plus sign was sharp and clear.

Pregnant.

She paused, waiting to feel something. Happiness or fear or excitement.

But none of those reactions occurred. There was just the persistent queasiness in her stomach and the ache pinching at her heart.

***

A few hours later, Boone woke again. This time he was more coherent and though he clearly was dealing with some pain, he was much closer to his normal self.

Nina explained his injuries and expected recovery time, more relieved than ever when he declared he’d be up and moving in half the time.

He fumbled with the buttons on the hospital bed. “I want to sit up.” His voice was rough from the surgeries and extended rest.

“Slowly,” she warned, helping him make the adjustments. She poured water into a cup with a straw and let him take several sips.

“And I’m hungry.”

She smiled at the grumpiness in his voice. “Good. But that will probably go slowly too.” She had to stifle a laugh at his mulish expression. “I’ll let the nurses know you want something to eat.”

“Wait,” he reached out and caught her hand. “Where is Spratt?”

“At the infirmary at the county lock-up,” Nina said. “Police were confident the docs could treat him there.”

“Good.”

“Why?”

“Because I wasn’t about to stay under the same roof as that bastard.”

The improving strength in his voice gave her hope. “They were probably more worried that I’d do something awful to him,” she admitted. “When you…” She squeezed his hand. “Well. That’s done now.” She brushed her knuckles lightly over the whiskers shading his jaw. “I’m so glad you’re awake.”

“Me too.” He turned his face into her touch, kissing her hand. “Come closer and give me a real kiss, Nina.”

She did as he asked, her lips brushing across his. Light and sweet, it sent a jagged awareness through her system. She’d nearly lost him. He might still walk out of her life, but at least he would be making the choice for himself, not because some criminal got in a lucky strike.

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