Page 55 of Finding Forever

The remainder of the appointment focused primarily on diet and lifestyle changes and they were sent on their way with a couple of ultrasound images—Cade shoved his own copy into his jacket pocket, while Fernoohedandaahedover hers—prescriptions for vitamins and pamphlets on childbirth classes and the benefits of breastfeeding.

By the time they were seated in the back of the town car, Fern was still smiling, her face glowing with happiness, and staring at that image. Cade, meanwhile, was glowering out at the jam-packed road, his hand in his pocket as his thumb worried at a corner of the picture burning a hole in the expensive fabric of his jacket.

And as he stared out at the evening traffic, he continued to hear the deafening echo of a heartbeat that was too fast, too rhythmic, and too chaotic.

All the while overwhelmed by the absolute certainty that the sound was the harbinger of an impending disaster.

Chapter

Fourteen

The following two weeks were uneventful. Cade and Fern barely acknowledged each other’s existence and only really spoke when they were out in public—at restaurants, or taking meandering strolls through popular marketplaces. Other than those rare outings, the happily married ruse wasn’t too demanding. When they were at his apartment, Fern was content to remain unseen, unheard…unobtrusive. It was not much different from her existence of the last fifteen years. Only, now she didn’t feel hunted, or afraid, or oppressed. In fact, Cade made no demands of her. He had no expectations of her. He was indifferent to her existence.

Friday morning, a full two weeks after their marriage, she received a phone call from Beth.

“Hi there,” the woman greeted, her voice shy and hesitant. “It’s Beth… uh Beth Hawthorne.”

Fern smiled at the unnecessary addition.

“Hello Beth, how have you been?”

“Crazy busy trying to stay on top of my contracts.” Beth was a freelance technical writer. “I wanted to get them all donebefore going on leave for Christmas. Gideon told me it was an impossible task, but I’m all caught up and thought the best way to rub his nose in the fact that I’m not only caught up, but ahead of schedule, is to take the afternoon off. I deserve it, right?”

Fern’s smile widened at the hint of defiance that crept into the woman’s voice.

“Of course, you do.”

“D-damned straight I do,” the other woman said with a soft chuckle. “So, I was wondering if you had some time to go on that shopping trip with me today?”

Fern, who had been lolling on her bed, absently twirling a strand of hair around her index finger sat bolt upright, as her heart thudded with excitement.

“Seriously?”

“I know…” The other woman cleared her throat awkwardly. “I know it’s last minute but?—”

“Yes!” Fern interrupted her, excitement fizzing through her veins. “Yes, I’d love that.”

“Oh. Well then?—”

“Where can we go for this? I mean I don’t… I’ve never…” How pathetic to admit, even to herself, that she’d never really been shopping.

“Why don’t we start at the Waterfront? And work it out from there?”

“Yes.”

“I can meet you at your apartment. Do you think Cade will be okay arranging a driver for us? If not, I’m happy to drive us.”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine. What time?”

“In about an hour?”

“I’ll see you then.”

They said their goodbyes and Fern hung up with a little squeak of excitement. She leaped from bed—still in her T-shirtand panties—and made her way to the massive closet, where her meager—unimaginative—collection of skirts and blouses hung and contemplated what to wear, excited by the knowledge that she’d soon have more interesting and fun choices.

She didn’t know what she liked yet, and it was daunting to even think about figuring it out but?—

Her thoughts ground to an abrupt halt as she remembered something. She groaned in dismay, as she chewed on her lower lip and contemplated her most immediate concern.

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