Page 105 of Stone

Robert took my hand and led me to a chair, sitting me down and lowering to his haunches in front of me. He took both of my hands in his, staring into my eyes. “Elise. You’re going to be a mom. You know that, right?”

“Of course I do,” I snapped. “I’m not stupid. I’ve just been preoccupied with Dad and Connie and… everything.”

“Elise,” he said, softer that time. “You have to see a doctor.”

Wrenching a hand from Robbie’s, I rested it on my stomach, almost awestruck. “I don’t know what to do. I miss him so much I can’t think straight. I can’t eat or sleep, and I know I’m a mess. Everything’s so muddled in my head, and I ache, Robert. I ache so much I can’t breathe.”

Robert’s shoulders slumped. “It’s okay. I’ll sort it out. The first thing we need to do is to get you to an OB-GYN and get you both checked out.”

“It’ll show on my medical insurance,” I reminded him. “Your dad will find out.”

“We’ll worry about that when the time comes,” he said decisively. “You should’ve had checkups and ultrasound imaging by now. There’s so much to prepare for, and you’ve only gotthree months left.” He stood to his full height and reached across my desk, yanking the phone toward him. After dialing a number, he said in hushed tones, “Scalp. I need a favor. I’ve got a girl who needs a prenatal checkup. She’s about six months along and hasn’t seen a doctor yet.” His eyes slid to me. “Also need to pay cash, no questions asked.” He paused then, “I’ll cover it.” Robert listened for a few seconds before checking his watch. “Yeah, we can make it. Your clinic? Thanks.”

He put the phone down, took my elbow, and pulled me to my feet. “Come on, we’ve got to be in Mapletree in forty minutes. You’ve got a doctor’s appointment.”

My mouth fell open. “I—I don’t know–”

“Times’a wasting,” Robert insisted. “Come on.” He grabbed my coat and slid it over my shoulders before taking my hands in his again and cupping my face. “It’s going to be okay, Elise. You’re not alone. I told John I’d look after you, and I meant it.” He pulled me gently against him and hugged me.

My throat heated at the mention of my ol’ man, and I nodded dazedly. “Okay.”

Robert took my hand and let us out of the office, locking the door behind us. His BMW was parked just a few yards away. He beeped the locks and ushered me into the passenger side before jogging around the hood and jumping in.

“Seat belt,” he barked.

I smiled because, at that moment, he reminded me of John. My head swiveled, and I touched his shoulder lightly. “Thank you, Robert. You’re a good friend.”

He leaned forward, pecked my cheek, and murmured, “I’ve got you, Elise.”

Smiling, I reached for my seat belt. Something caught the corner of my eye, and without a thought, I turned to see what it was.

My heart jolted when I saw Bandit glaring at me from the sidewalk.

Automatically, I raised my hand in greeting, but I froze when I noticed the icy look of disdain slashed across his face. Golden brown eyes narrowed on mine, and his lip curled in disgust.

An apprehensive shiver slithered down my spine.

Bandit’s weathered face turned to the side, jerking as he spat on the sidewalk. An eyebrow cocked, and after shooting me another icy glare, he turned around and sauntered down the street without even a backward glance.

“What the hell was that about?” Robert asked, concerned eyes meeting mine. “Are you okay?”

I squeezed my eyes shut, fighting back the waves of emotion threatening to engulf me. “Please, just drive,” I whispered. “Get me out of here.”

His hand hit my knee, and he patted it reassuringly. “Of course.” The car engine purred to life, and with a turn of the steering wheel, we were on our way.

I settled back into the warmth of the comfortable car seat, eyes glued to the window, staring but not seeing anything. My thoughts flashed back to Bandit, and I wondered what he was doing in town. He didn’t often venture in, preferring to stay ‘in his own lane’ as my dad always said.

My throat thickened, and an overwhelming sense of loss gripped my chest—not just for John but also for Connie, Dad, Bandit, Abe, and Iris.

It could’ve been so different with us. We could’ve held onto each other for support. They could’ve helped me with my pregnancy. And maybe Bandit could’ve taken a little comfort in knowing that a part of John wasn’t lost forever.

A lot of what Bandit did cut me deep. It was tough when he wasn’t there for me when Dad died, but I would’ve eventually gotten over it. What killed me was Connie’s funeral. He made itclear that only close friends and family were welcome but didn’t ask me.

Bandit had left me out in the cold without even a damned blanket to garner warmth from. He made his mind up about me the very first time John brought me around. I’d always thought the judgmental ones were the townsfolk, but Bandit was equally as judgmental as them, just in a different way.

My hand stroked across my belly, and for the very first time since I did the pregnancy test, a fierce sense of protectiveness jolted through me like electricity.

I’d shield my baby from it. Bandit could be her grandaddy, but it would be on my terms. My baby may be born with ties to the club, but she’d never know its dark side.

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