Page 59 of Stone Vows

“Of course,” Abby says on her way out.

“Come on.” I hold my hand out to her. “Let’s get you back to bed.”

As we pass the door, Elizabeth strains her head to look out the small window. God, if she only knew who was out there.Damn it.I can’t bring him in now, not with her feeling ill. And I can’t tell her about him being here either, it would only make her feel bad that he came all this way for nothing.

Abby comes back in with the ultrasound. We quickly do the sonogram and confirm the baby is okay and the placenta is intact. I take Elizabeth’s vitals, and although her heart rate is slightly elevated, everything seems normal.

I hook her back up to the fetal monitor and she lies on her side, pulling the sheet up to her chin.

“I just want to sleep,” she says. “Can you please turn off the lights and make sure nobody disturbs me for a while?”

“Yes. We can do that,” I say. “Lie on your left side. And have me paged if you feel any worse or if anything changes. Okay?”

She nods. Then she closes her eyes tightly like she’s wishing something away.

It kills me to think of her in pain. “Are you sure you don’t need me to stay?”

“I really just want to be alone and rest,” she says.

“I’ll check on you later then.”

As Abby and I walk back to the nurses’ station, I ask her to keep Caden’s visit a secret. I don’t want Elizabeth to get wind of it. Maybe I’ll be able to get him back another day.

“Caden, I’m sorry, the patient I invited you to see has gotten sick and can’t have visitors.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” he says. “Maybe I could send some stuff over instead. You know, a jersey, a couple of signed pictures. You said her name is Elizabeth, right?”

“Yes. That would be great, man. I’d really appreciate it.”

After he leaves, the nurses stand around and swoon over him. I roll my eyes. Maybe it’s a good thing he didn’t get to see her. I sure as hell don’t want Elizabeth swooning over anyone.

Not unless that someone is me.

Chapter Twenty-six

I spent the better part of the afternoon down in the ER, having been paged for a consult. Dr. Anders and I attended to a few pregnant women who were involved in a car accident.

By the time I make it back to check on Elizabeth, there is a package waiting for her at the nurses’ station.

I pick up her chart, relieved to see no new notes after I’d left her. I grab the package and head to her room.

The lights are back on and when I peek through the window, I see her sitting up and reading. I knock once and open the door.

“Feeling better?” I ask.

“Much,” she says, putting the book on her tray table. “What’s that?” She eyes the box I’m carrying.

“Guess you’ll have to open it to find out.”

She cocks her head to the side in disapproval. “Kyle, I wish you wouldn’t—”

“Just open it, Elizabeth,” I say, putting the package next to her on the bed.

She opens it slowly, thinking it’s from me, no doubt. I’ve never seen a woman so hesitant about getting gifts. I mean, she doesn’t seem to want handouts fromanyone, least of all me. It makes me wonder how she’ll react when she finds out about the baby shower.

There’s a card inside the box, sitting on top of some tissue paper. I peek over her shoulder and read it.

Elizabeth – sorry we didn’t get a chance to meet when I stopped by earlier. I hope you are feeling better. – Caden Kessler #8

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