Page 35 of Madly Deeply

She hurried through the front door and went looking for Spreag. She needed to see him nearly as badly as she had that foggy night on the ranch.

"Spreag?"

When she couldn't find him, she freaked out so badly that she ran to the bathroom and threw up her dinner. And with her head over the toilet bowl, two questions repeated in her mind. Had he followed her next door? Was he still there?

“My poor wee lassie.”Spreag stood in the hallway looking at Alex’s reflection as she rinsed her mouth and pressed a towel to her face.

“Where were you?”

“Nowhere," he lied. "Waitin’ to be needed. How’s the patient?”

“He apologized for earlier and thanked me for playing nursemaid. Sounds like he might go back to Scotland soon and not wait until Christmas. I hope I wasn't too mean, sending him back home. But he crossed the line, you know?"

The rush of her words told him she was nervous, and he knew why. One firm embrace from another man and she was feelingguilty. Only the guilt was his. She'd needed physical attention for far too long, and it was his fault. He'd coddled her too long.

"Auch, sure he crossed the line. Though, he was out of his head."

"No. Not that out of it. Was he?" When he only shrugged, she panicked. "Holy crap. Do you think I should apologize? I mean, sometimes, lately...these hormones make me a little touchy, you know?"

He chuckled. "Aye, I may have witnessed it a time or two."

She closed her eyes and groaned. "If he cuts his vacation short because of me... And most of the time he's been laid up..." She covered her face with her hands and groaned again. "I'm a monster!" Then she headed for the front door.

At the sight of her running to another man, something inside him shifted. Something primal and territorial, and he suddenly wished Callum Fraser would hurry back home to Blairgowrie and keep his sheep-shearin' hands off another man's wife! And it was this drop of the devil in him that made him open his mouth. He knew just what would make Alexandra forget all about the neighbor.

"Dinnae fash, my love. Sleep on it, and if ye think ye should apologize, ye can do so in the mornin'. But for tonight, perhaps ye should turn in early.Wee Huntlyand her mama have had a long day...”

CHAPTER TWENTY

Alexandra sat cross-legged on her bed, surrounded by her laptop and phone, both open to baby websites. "Look at this!" She turned the screen toward where Spreag lounged against the headboard. "They have these little headbands with bows that match every outfit. And tiny Mary Janes!"

"Aye, very sweet." His voice held an odd note she couldn't quite place.

"And look at these dresses." She scrolled through pages of ruffles and lace. "Though I suppose we should stick to practical things at first. Onesies and pajamas."

"Practical is good."

She closed the laptop and faced him. "It's a girl. Is that why you're quiet? Because you wanted a boy?"

"Of course not." He wouldn't quite meet her eyes. "I'm surprised is all. I never saw a boy, just a child, and a puppy... Assumed it was a laddie."

"A puppy?"

"Aye."

Alexandra's heart melted. "You saw her with a puppy? What else did you see?"

He shook his head. "The rest was vague. Like I said, I only assumed it was a laddie."

But she couldn't stop smiling. A daughter. Would she have his eyes? Her curls?

"We could name her Huntly Lorena Spreag--after you and my grandmother."

"A fine name." That odd note was back in his voice.

She closed the laptop. "What's wrong? And don't say nothing. I know that look."

He finally met her eyes. "Just...thinkin' about the future."

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