Page 66 of The Unforgiven
“Aha, there we are!” Dr. Glahn exclaimed when the fetus appeared on the screen.
Quinn could clearly see the baby. Its legs were bent at the knees and one foot was slightly raised. The baby appeared to besucking its thumb. “What is it doing?” she asked as she stared at the screen, unable to look away.
“Just chilling,” the doctor replied with a smile. “Would you like to know the sex?”
“Yes,” Quinn said, then quickly backtracked. “No. Not without Gabe.”
“Okay, I’ll keep mum then. The baby looks healthy and is developing normally, so relax, Mommy.”
Quinn wiped off the gel and pulled down her dress before swinging her legs off the table.
“Just one thing before you go,” Dr. Glahn said as she turned off the sonogram machine. “Headaches, swollen ankles, and elevated blood pressure can be just that, but they can also be a sign of preeclampsia. The onset is usually later on in the pregnancy, but I think you should mention these symptoms to your doctor at your next checkup. If the headaches persist and the swelling gets worse, don’t wait; see someone immediately.”
“How high is my blood pressure?” Quinn asked.
“It’s slightly elevated, but not enough to be of concern. Yet. Stay off the caffeine, lower your sodium intake, and drink more water. It will help with the swelling as well. And it’s all right to take over-the-counter medicine for the headache. You don’t need to suffer.”
“I’m not familiar with American medicine,” Quinn confessed.
“Tylenol should be fine. Here, I have some one-dose packets. Keep them in your purse.”
“Thank you, Dr. Glahn.”
“Oh, it was my pleasure. I know how anxious first-time moms can be. And it’s especially worrying when you’re in aforeign country and don’t have a doctor you feel comfortable with. When are you returning home?”
“By the end of next week,” Quinn replied as she slipped on her shoes and reached for her bag. “I’m a bit homesick.”
“That’s understandable. I hope you’ll visit us again.”
Quinn nodded. She hadn’t thought of returning to Louisiana, but now that she had family here, it was a definite possibility.
Dr. Glahn walked Quinn and Kathy to the elevator and bid them good night. “I’d love to stay and chat, but I have a patient in labor,” she said. “She’s getting close.”
“Feel better?” Kathy asked as the elevator doors closed on Dr. Glahn.
“Yes. Thank you so much, Kathy. Where do I pay?”
“You don’t need to pay. Annette saw you as a favor to me. I’m just glad all is well with the little one. Where to?” Kathy asked as they got into the car.
“To the hotel, please. I’m tired.”
“Get some rest. You look like you need it. And track down that man of yours and tell him his baby is fine.”
THIRTY-FOUR
DECEMBER 1858
Arabella Plantation, Louisiana
The Christmas ball was wonderful, filled with music, dancing, and the type of male admiration Madeline had never experienced in her young life. George had warned her ahead of time that he would only partner her once, leaving her free to dance with all the other young men at the party. She waltzed with Gilbert at least three times, and two other young men begged for dance after dance but had to be rejected after two turns about the floor in favor of other partners. Madeline didn’t enjoy dancing with the older gentlemen, like Mr. Montlake, who claimed her for a polka, but it would have been churlish to refuse, so she put on a smiling face and did her duty to the host. He reeked of brandy and tobacco. Normally, Mr. Montlake chewed his tobacco, but having been forbidden by his wife to indulge in the disgusting habit at the ball, he smoked cigar after cigar as the night wore on.
George danced with all the ladies, young and old, and paid Madeline exactly the amount of attention appropriate to bestow on a young female cousin. She didn’t mind. He had given her a beautiful cameo locket for Christmas, saying it was also for her birthday, which he’d unwittingly missed.
He’d chastised her for not telling him and pretended to be angry with her until Madeline kissed away his scowl and got him to smile at her once again. George fastened the locket around her neck, and she spent several joyful moments admiring herself in the mirror. The cameo was suspended on a thin gold chain and depicted the profile of a young woman on a shell-pink background.
“When I saw it, it reminded me of you,” George said, kissing Madeline’s neck and pulling her away from the mirror. “But she doesn’t do you justice. You are much more beautiful.”
“Why?” she asked. The woman in the cameo had perfect features and flowing hair. How could Madeline be more beautiful than her?
