Page 44 of Second Draft

“Here.” He hands me a glass of water, then moves my hair off my neck and places a cool washcloth on it.

How the hell am I supposed to stay mad at him when he does stuff like that? Why can’t he be an insufferable jerk like every other guy I’ve known?

I take a sip. More to appease him than anything, then place the glass on the side table. “You don’t have to worry about me.”

“Someone does. You’re pushing yourself too hard when you don’t have to.”

“Yes. I do.” I start to stand and regret it immediately. The room spins and I have to sit down again.

“That’s it. I’m taking you in,” the growl in his voice makes me not argue, because I’ve gotten to know his moods pretty well, and there’s no arguing with the one he’s in now.

Yeah, stubborn doesn’t even begin to describe Carter Bennett.

Thirty minutes later, we’re in the small exam room of my family doctor’s office. I’m pretty sure her schedule was completely booked, but Carter was more than a little insistent, and the meek looking woman behind the desk looked both terrified and enamored by him – a common reaction to the mammoth man.

Now he’s pacing the small room, arms crossed over his chest, a deep frown on his face.

“Would you stop that?” I’m sitting on the exam table wearing one of those ridiculous paper gowns. “Or I’m kicking you out.”

I didn’t want him coming in to begin with, but it was another of his absurd demands.

“I want to hear what the doctor has to say.”

“You don’t trust me?”

He grunts, leaning against the counter, muscular arms crossed over his chest.

The door opens then, and Dr. Evans comes in, her silvery gaze going straight to Carter. The woman has to be in her late sixties, but I can see her appreciative look as she takes him in. Another common reaction.

She holds out her hand to him. “You must be the father. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

Heat slams into my face and my mouth goes dry.

“Nice to meet you too.” His face remains stoic as he shakes her hand, but I don’t miss the flicker of emotion in his eyes.

Dr. Evans turns to me and smiles. “What brings you in today?”

“She fainted. Twice,” Carter says, all growly and possessive.

I glare over at him before looking back at the doctor. “I’ve had a few dizzy spells, that’s all.”

“She practically collapsed in my arms this morning.” He looks at me as if daring me to argue with him.

I shake my head. “I’m fine. Really.”

“We’ll check your blood pressure, and I’ll order a few tests.” She places the cuff around my arm and smiles up at Carter as if she’s falling for his grizzly bear act. “Have you heard the baby’s heartbeat yet?”

“No” we say in unison.

It had been too early the last time I’d been in.

She places her stethoscope on my arm, watching the numbers on the machine, then uncuffs me. “Your blood pressure is a bit low, but nothing concerning. Just try not to stand up too quickly.”

“See,” I say to Carter.

He keeps frowning, not looking convinced.

The doctor places a blanket over my legs, then lifts the gown, exposing my slight, almost imperceptible rounding of my belly.

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