Page 87 of Wyoming Heart

She laughed. “Okay.”

VICWASFUNto be with. When he wasn’t drinking, he was charming. He went with her in the Mercedes to a friend of his who practiced obstetrics, and got her in. He even sat and waited while she filled out all the forms and was examined by Dr. Truett.

“You’re doing very well,” Dr. Truett told her, “despite your adventure,” he added with a chuckle, after she’d told him about her research trip. “Keep up with the quinine. I’m adding a prescription for prenatal vitamins as well. How about nausea?”

“I only have a little,” she said. “It passes pretty quickly.”

“If you have any problems, come and see me.”

“I will.”

“And try to stay out of jungles, at least until the baby is born,” he added, tongue in cheek.

She laughed. “I’ll do that. Thanks very much.”

“WELL?” VICASKEDwhen they were outside.

“He says I’m doing great,” she said. “I have a prescription for vitamins.”

“We’ll get that filled on the way home,” he said.

“It’s very nice of you to come with me,” she replied.

“I’m sorry Cort can’t be here to do it,” he replied sadly. “I’ve been a drag on him lately. I’m going to get back into ranch business.”

“It would help you,” she said. “You need to keep your mind busy, so you don’t have much time to brood.”

“I wouldn’t be brooding if I could get Sandra to listen to me,” he sighed. “I really want her back.”

“Give it time,” she said. “You might consider writing her a letter,” she added.

He pursed his lips. “I’m not much good at letters. But I could text her a poem and some emojis,” he chuckled.

“It’s worth a try.”

“I suppose it is.”

She laughed, remembering the hunter at Pam Simpson’s party back in Catelow.

“What’s funny?”

“I was remembering a party Mrs. Simpson gave for me, back home. One of my readers is a deer hunter. He takes my books into the woods to read while he’s waiting for game to show up.”

“You know, Sandra is one of your biggest fans,” he mused. “Would you mind if I used you as a sort of bribe?”

She burst out laughing. “No. I wouldn’t mind at all. Feel free.”

“Then I’ll do that, as soon as we get home!”

SHEPHONEDBARTto see how things were going back home, while Vic went upstairs to his room to text his wife in Vermont.

“Hi,” she said. “How are things going?”

“Great! I checked with Fender. Your ranch is secure, no problems there. How’s it going at Latigo?”

“It’s nice. I’ve just been to an obstetrician with Cort’s dad. He’s very nice.”

“Nice? Vic?” Bart exclaimed.