Page 19 of Wired Strong

“Speaking of unexpected.” Raveaux reached out and plucked the rhinestone crusted glasses from where they perched on Leede’s nose. He squinted through the glass. “Clear. I thought so.” He handed the spectacles back to her. “You’re much younger than you’re presenting, Ms. Leede.”

“People see what they expect to see.” Her smile was pure charm. “And the secret to good business is to under-promise and over-deliver. By the way, Ms. Leede is so formal; please call me Heri.”

“Then you may call me Pierre,” Raveaux said. “I, however, am not any younger than I look.”

“You look just fine to me,” Heri winked.The woman was flirting with him!“Let’s get this show on the road.”

Chapter Fifteen

Sophie

Day 3 afternoon

Sophie layon her back on the crinkly paper on the padded exam table in the doctor’s office. She stared at the ceiling overhead, where someone had taped a picture of a naked surfer and hand-written across it,“It’s all his fault!”

Dr. Beth Kepler had been her obstetrics and gynecology physician for years, and they had a cordial relationship. The obstetrician had kind brown eyes, and that was all Sophie could see above her mask as she gently palpated Sophie’s abdomen. “How are you feeling?”

“A little better. I’m less tired and woozy. Smells are still problematic, though.”

“Guessing by feel, you seem about twelve weeks along.”

“I know exactly when this baby was conceived.” Sophie named the date.

“Well, that helps us. I have to ask, was this planned?”

“No, it wasn’t.” Sophie lifted her left hand to gaze at Jake’s ring; it brought her such comfort. “This baby is all I have left of my fiancé. Jake passed away shortly after the baby was conceived. I’ll be going through this pregnancy and birth without a partner.”

“Jake’s gone?” The doctor’s eyes widened behind her mask. She squeezed Sophie’s arm. “I’m so sorry. He was a rock for you with Momi.”

“Yes, and at her delivery, too. We had opted for a homebirth, if you recall, and I don’t know how I could’ve gotten through it without him.” Sophie teared up. “He should be here.” She dashed the tears off her cheeks. “He would love this baby so much.”

Dr. Kepler cleared her throat. “The good news is that everything seems in order. I’d like to do a sonogram and check the baby’s size and heartbeat.” Dr. Kepler paused. “Is there anyone you’d like to call to share the experience with you, while I get set up?”

Sophie shut her eyes. She could call Marcella, but her friend’s lackluster response still rankled. Only one face came to mind who would truly share her joy and wonder at this first glimpse of her and Jake’s baby. “Yes, there is.”

“Good. You make your call and I’ll get the equipment going.” Kepler patted her on the shoulder.

Sophie took her phone off the stand where she’d set it, inserted her earbuds, and made a video call to a number she hadn’t reached out to in months.

“Sophie!” Jake’s sister Patty’s voice was filled with warmth and relief. Her pretty round face was wreathed in a smile clear to see on the phone’s video. “I’m so glad to hear from you. I’ve thought of you so often, but I didn’t want to bug you. Kelsie says hi.” Kelsie, a blonde toddler, waved from her mother’s hip.

“I’m happy to see you, too, Patty. I’m sorry I took so long to call. It’s been—hard.”

“Of course, it has.” Patty hollered over her shoulder. “Matt, can you take Kelsie? I need a minute.”

Patty’s husband appeared, a tall young man with shaggy brown hair falling over his forehead. “Oh, hey, Sophie. Let me take this rascal and give you ladies a chance to talk.” He plucked Kelsie off Patty’s hip and the two disappeared.

“Kelsie’s so good. Momi would have shrieked if she didn’t want to go.” Sophie smiled. “‘No’ is currently her favorite word.”

“Kelsie’s a pretty mellow kid, but she definitely knows that word, too,” Patty said.

Sophie held up her hand to show Patty the ring. “Your package meant the world to me. Thank you for sharing Jake’s ashes, too. And having his ring to see and wear—it’s been so incredibly comforting to have our status as an engaged couple acknowledged. Especially now.”

“Of course. Jake meant for you to have that ring. You’re the only woman he ever offered it to. But what do you mean—‘especially now’?” Patty’s brows arched in puzzlement.

“Now that I’m pregnant. With Jake’s baby.”

A short silence, then Patty gave a scream of delight. “Oh my gracious!”

---