Page 43 of A Deceitful Pact

“Wait, slow down, what the hell is spotting?” Sawyer's grip on my arm gets tighter.

“It’s light bleeding that apparently can be perfectly normal, but can also lead to things more serious. I Googled it, freaked out, and called Dr. West. He’s sure it’s fine, but he’s sending me into the city for a sonogram as a precaution.” I feel sick with nerves, and the way he’s looking scared, too, isn’t helping.

“Come on, I’m gonna drive ya.” Sawyer slips his hand into mine, and although it feels like the kind of comfort I need, I pull away.

“Sawyer.” I glance around us, reminding him that we’re standing in the middle of town. “I can drive myself.”

“You probably could, but I’m not gonna let you. Now, you can walk to my truck, or I can give everyone something to really talk about and put you over my shoulder.” He gives me the option, and although I hate giving in to him, I have to admit that the thought of him coming with me makes me feel a little better.

“Fine,” I hiss through my teeth at him and start making my way toward his truck. Daphne Pritchard’s eyes come out on stalks when she sees him rush in front of me so he can open the passenger side door, and I manage to smile at her as if it’s perfectly normal while I climb inside.

“Mornin’, Daphne.” Sawyer lowers his head before rounding the hood, getting behind the wheel, and rushing to pull off.

“You eat breakfast this morning?” He breaks the silence when we’re about a mile out of town.

“I had one of Jean’s magic muffins,” I assure him. “I take it it was you who convinced her to make them a permanent menu option?” I won’t admit how sweet I think that is or how often I take advantage of it.

“I have my ways.” He looks pleased with himself, and I decide curiosity is a good distraction from all my nerves.

“Well, I’m intrigued.” I look at him expectantly, hoping that he’ll keep talking.

“Well, I couldn’t tell her the real reason I asked her to bake some, a few weeks ago, so I told her it was because I stopped by a bakery in the city on my way home from the wholesalers, and had the best thing I ever tasted.” He grins to himself while he focuses on the road. “Naturally, Jean's curious mind needed to know what that was, and when I told her, she set herself a challenge. After that, I just had to blow some smoke, tell her that hers were far better than what I tasted in the city, and boom…she’s been making ‘em daily, ever since.”

“I guess that means you have to buy one daily, too.” I fiddle with a loose thread on my pants to avoid looking at him.

“I buy two, gotta make sure she keeps ‘em on the menu, don’t I?” He hits me with that handsome smile which coaxes one out of me, despite how scared I am.

“That’s smart,” I admit, impressed at the lengths he will go to just to make sure I eat. One day, this man is gonna make an incredible father.

“Yep. And you got all these smart genes right in there.” He reaches over and rests his hand on my stomach. It reminds me of what I stand to lose if something does turn out to be wrong, and I swallow back more tears before he notices.

“Hey, everythin’s gonna be okay, ya know that, right?” he assures me, keeping his hand where it is and stroking me softly.

“I really hope so.” I place my hand over his so he keeps it there because, despite the fact I shouldn’t, I like the way it feels.

* * *

“You didn’t need to come in here,” I tell him once the nurse has got me settled on the bed and ready for the doctor.

“Ain’t no way I was staying in the truck,” Sawyer tells me from a plastic chair on the other side of the room. He’s got his elbows resting on his knees and is cracking his knuckles. I did tell him to wait outside, but he was adamant that he come in with me. I can sense his nerves, and the fact that he’s looking so scared is more evidence that he really cares about this baby. Shutting him out seems like such a cruel thing to do, but it’s what’s best for us all. I can’t allow him to take care of me, it goes against everything I set out to do.

The door opens, and when the doctor steps inside, Sawyer instantly stands up and wipes his palms on his jeans.

“Doctor.” He takes the woman's hand and almost shakes it off before she clears her throat and reminds him to release her.

“Pleased to meet you.” She smiles at him before turning her attention to me. “How are you feeling, Miss Hale?”

“I’m fine, just a little scared,” I admit, and when Sawyer moves to stand beside me, this time, I accept the hand he slides into mine and cling to it real tight.

“I hear you’ve had some spotting, have you had any cramping alongside it?” she asks, pulling the sonography machine closer to her, and squirting some gel onto my stomach. I flinch because it’s cold, and Sawyer looks as if he’s going to take her head off.

“No. No cramping, and the spotting seems to have stopped. I checked when we got here.” I hear the nerves in my voice as I look up at Sawyer. My vision’s getting all blurry from tears, but I still see the reassuring nod he gives me, as he clasps my hand tighter and holds it against his chest.

“That’s good, let's take a little look.” She picks up her instrument, and when I feel it press against my tummy, I look up at the ceiling, close my eyes, and say a little prayer. Sawyer's other hand strokes the top of my head, and when I feel his lips press against my forehead, I allow myself to take comfort in it.

“There we are,” The doctor tells us cheerily, and when I hear something that sounds like a galloping horse, I open my eyes. “We have a strong heartbeat, and what looks to me like a very healthy baby,” she assures.

And I laugh, and cry, all at the same time.

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