Page 14 of Maybe My Baby

Donovan scooped her up and cradled her in his arms as he took her back to bed.

She rested her cheek against his chest. “You can’t carry me every time I get sick.”

“Of course I can.”

She was asleep almost instantly. But the peace lasted for only an hour before she was back in the bathroom. And again. And again.

By midmorning, Donovan was beside himself. “This can’t wait until Friday, damn it. Give me the doctor’s phone number.”

Ginny had to agree. How much of this could her body take?

As she drifted in and out, she could hear Donovan in the other room using a voice that was new to her. It was authoritative and demanding, though scrupulously polite.

The next time he walked into the bedroom, she struggled to sit up. “What did they say?”

“We’re going at two thirty today.”

Ginny burst into tears.

Donovan sat down and pulled her close, his expression frantic. “What’s wrong? Tell me.”

She swallowed back a wave of nausea. “I’m just so relieved.”

He petted her until she fell asleep.

When she roused after that, the clock said two hours had passed. “Donovan,” she called weakly.

He was in the room instantly. “What is it?”

“I think I should try the crackers and Sprite now.”

“Are you sure?”

“No. But I need to eat and drink. I know that much.”

Instead of asking her to sit at the kitchen table, Donovan brought everything to the bedroom. He watched like a hawk as she nibbled one saltine and barely sipped her drink.

They sat in silence to see what would happen. While they waited, Donovan picked up the opal necklace. She had put it on the dresser before her shower. “What’s this?” he asked. “It’s beautiful.”

“I made it,” she said. “For my senior project. I had a minor in jewelry making.”

Donovan frowned. “You never told me that.”

“I know. I thought you might wonder why I opened an ice cream parlor instead of a jewelry store.”

He smiled. “It does raise the question.” He examined the necklace even more closely. “This is exquisite, Gin. I’ve been to a lot of high-end craft exhibitions over the years. This is right up there with some of the best.”

“Do you really think so?”

“I do.” He frowned. “What made you doubt your talent?”

“Everybodyat SCAD was talented. I was just one more kid who wanted to create art. When I graduated and came home, the old man who ran the ice cream shop was retiring. Something told me that’s what I should do. I’m not sure why. Maybe because it seemed like a sure thing. Unlike jewelry making. My parents helped me buy out the business, and I’ve been doing it ever since.” She glanced at the clock. “I think I can try another cracker.”

Donovan handed her one. “Here’s hoping.”

It stayed down. For the moment.

She managed a smile, wanting to erase that look from his face. “This seems to be the pattern. I probably should get dressed, shouldn’t I?”

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