Page 48 of In Plain Sight

Lily leaned down and hugged me as she smoothed down Ruby’s wet hair. “They’re both going to be just fine. I know it.”

“I hope you’re right,” I said honestly. I knew I wouldn’t be around much longer for her, but I was happier than I expected to know she wouldn’t be alone for the rest of her life. She’d have a piece of me to care for and love. It wasn’t the same. It wasn’t enough, but it was more than I ever expected I could offer her.

“Call us if you need anything at all,” Thomas said. “I’m going to drag Lil out of here and force her to get some sleep now, too.”

“I’m not ready to leave her,” Lily insisted.

“Come on, slugger. They’re just going to be sleeping. You can come back and check on them later.”

Reluctantly she said goodbye and let Thomas take her home.

Ruby

Chapter 18

I felt like death. I’m pretty sure there were moments when I had prayed for God to just take me home. I had never been so sick or felt so miserable in my entire life. Kelsey and my sisters had shifted and seemed fine afterwards, but my wolf wouldn’t let me shift and I hadn’t understood why until they explained it.

Pregnant! I was pregnant. I had been obsessing about kids and a family with Bran, but I didn’t think that would be for several years, not now. Not this soon. I wasn’t ready. And mostly, I was terrified that whatever ailment I’d just faced would cause me to lose the baby.

I awoke, crying, with the memory of Bran’s hand on my stomach and a look of awe on his face. I wanted to hold on to that perfect memory even in my misery. I wanted it to be real and true.

I rolled over and buried my face in his chest. His scent soothed my aching body more than anything else could. I was so weak that the simple motion took nearly all my strength. Bran stirred and he toyed with the ends of my hair, twirling a curl with his fingers.

“You’re awake,” he said in a husky voice.

“Barely,” I replied, finding my throat parched and my voice just a whisper.

He opened his eyes to look at me. “Hey, you’re crying. What’s wrong? Are you hurting? Are you going to be sick again?”

I shook my head and pain shot through it. I squeezed my eyes shut, overwhelmed by how much it hurt.

“Ruby, I need to know you’re okay, sweetheart,” he said sternly.

“I-I’m fine,” I stuttered softly.

“Would you like to try to sit up and eat something? Maybe even a drink of water?”

I could feel his wolf close to the surface and knew he desperately needed to do something, take care of me or protect me in some way.

“I’ll try,” I offered, wanting him to calm down.

He eased out from under me and helped me to sit up before he disappeared into the kitchen. A short time later he returned with a bottle of water and a steaming cup. He handed me two aspirins and the water. I gratefully took it. It felt like I was swallowing a rock getting them down, but I managed. I waited with baited breath until those few sips hit my stomach, praying that I wouldn’t throw them right back up. After a few minutes I felt like I could relax a little, and was optimistic I wouldn’t puke.

“How about some broth? Lily made it last night before she left. She said it should be easy enough on your stomach to keep down. I have a few crackers as well, if you want.

“Okay, let’s start with the soup.”

The soup didn’t feel much better going down than the water and pain meds, but sip by sip I managed it. When I had drank as much as I possibly could, I set the mug down on the nightstand.

“Better?” Bran asked.

I looked at him and nodded, and then burst into tears.

Bran wrapped me in his arms and held me until my tears ran dry.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

I pulled back and looked at him. “I’m so scared, Bran. What if we lose the baby over this? I’ve never been that sick before.”

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