Page 107 of Resisting Isaac
“You stayed,” I rasp.
“Of course I stayed.”
“The baby?”
“They said everything looks good,” he rushes out, like the words have been waiting at the back of his throat. Reliefcracks open in my chest, sharp and sudden. “Heartbeat’s strong. No internal bleeding. You’ve got some deep bruising on your tailbone, but…” He trails off, swallowing hard. “You’re okay. You’re both okay.”
My eyes fill instantly. I’m not even sure if it’s the pain, the panic, or the overwhelming rush of everything—but I let the tears fall.
He leans over and wipes them. “It’s okay, everything is going to be okay. They said they’ll wait until you’re feeling better but they’ll do another ultrasound for you to see for yourself that the baby is fine.”
A soft knock interrupts before I can speak, and a tall statuesque Black woman in a sleek coral power suit and a tight bun steps into the room.
I recognize her immediately.
Christine Ames. The production network’s liaison.
She handled my Facetime call to sign my contracts. She’s even more beautiful and intimidating in person.
“Miss Ortega,” she says with a polite but practiced smile. “I’m Christine Ames. I believe we’ve spoken before. Glad to see you’re awake. I won’t take up much time.”
Isaac stiffens beside me. “It’s not really a great time to?—”
“It’s fine,” I break in. Might as well find out how bad the damage is now.
She nods. “Legal is currently reviewing the footage of the incident,” she informs us. “And we were quite surprised to learn you two are expecting.”
My throat tightens. “You weren’t the only ones.”
“I’m not here to judge,” she replies, glancing at her phone. “I’m here because the network set very strict, very clear stipulations about maintaining professional conduct between cast, crew, and ranch employees.”
Isaac’s jaw ticks. “She wasn’t bucked from a horse because we had sex.”
“That’s not the issue,” she says. “The concern is that this relationship was undisclosed and now directly impacts production. There are safety concerns, liability issues, and the very real possibility that the show could be pulled from the Logan property entirely. That would terminate your contract as well, Miss Ortega.”
My stomach sinks.
Everything suddenly feels too loud. Too real.
“Then fire me. But don’t pull the contract from the ranch,” I respond, my voice gravelly.
“It’s not up to me, I’m afraid. I’m just here to inform you that both your contracts and the ranch’s contract with the company are on hold for the time being. Once our legal team has reached a decision, we’ll be in touch.”
“She needs to rest,” Isaac stands abruptly, moving himself between Christine and me. “And no one is fucking firing her. Your company isn’t the only one with access to attorneys. There are extenuating circumstances.”
Normally I’d tease him about using his big boy words but he’s right and the way he’s protecting me like a guard dog has me all in my feelings.
“Such as?”
“We were together before we signed the contracts,” Isaac informs her.
She raises a brow. “And you can prove that?”
Isaac glances at me. I don’t know if we can, but I try.
“I’m pretty sure we conceived this child the night before I arrived at the ranch. If that counts for anything.”
She nods. “I’ll update legal with this new information. But if the producers decide the personal relationship jeopardizesthe project’s integrity, your contract could still be terminated.”
