Page 35 of Shelter (The Wanderers 4)

Mrs. Hanson put her hands on her hips. “You don’t need to worry yourself over your wife’s petty problems, Braylon.”

Braylon stood and towered over his mother. “That’s my child she’s carrying, mother. I have a vested interest in her welfare. Do not interfere.”

Mrs. Hanson flinched almost imperceptibly. “I have everything under control. It wasn’t necessary for you to leave work.”

“Under control?” Braylon’s voice rose. “You were obviously so concerned that you couldn’t even wait for Dr. Brownville to come examine her. That’s not what I would call under control.”

Mrs. Hanson hmphed. “Stop shouting. It’s not good for the baby. Get out of here so this man can look at her.” She waved a hand toward the door.

Braylon narrowed his gaze. “Not a chance. You leave. I’ll stay.”

Mrs. Hanson gasped. “That’s inappropriate, and besides, it would be dangerous. I’m not leaving this man in here with you.”

“Mother, nothing is going to happen. Storm will be here. And me. Now, go wait downstairs in your sitting room. I’ll come find you after the exam.”

For several seconds, the room was completely silent while they all waited to find out how Mrs. Hanson would respond. Finally, she hmphed again, spun around, and stomped toward the door. At the last second, she turned back around and faced Storm. “Do not let him out of your sight. The moment he’s done, return him to his quarters.”

“Of course, ma’am,” Storm replied.

Rush tried not to react to her second reference to his jail cell as quarters. As if he had a lovely suite in another section of the house.

Mrs. Hanson turned toward her son. “You’re too soft with her. She needs a firm hand or she’ll start manipulating you.”

“I have it under control. Shut the door on your way out,” Braylon demanded.

The moment the door shut, Braylon nodded toward it and looked at Storm, who reached behind Rush and locked it.

“Jesus,” Braylon muttered.

Rush’s heart was racing as he took a few steps farther into the room, uncertain if these men were going to let him actually see Haley or not.

Braylon stepped to the side. “Haley, this is Rush.”

Haley turned her head toward him and gave a wan smile. “Nice to meet you. Or… I don’t even know what to say.”

Rush smiled in return, hoping to make her feel comfortable around him. Damn, she was fucking pretty. No wonder all three of her men doted on her and worried about her. She nearly brought Rush to his knees.

Her sweet smile could slay dragons. Her dark hair was panned out across her pillow, framing her pale complexion. She was dainty, which instantly made him nervous. Carrying a baby to full term could be challenging.

“I don’t know what to say either,” he responded before tipping his head to one side. “Are you feeling okay?” He was concerned. He’d expected her to sit up as soon as they were alone. After all, the cramps were a diversion. They weren’t real, were they?

“She’s spotting,” Braylon stated.

Rush flinched. “For real? I thought—”

“Yeah,” Braylon continued, “the cramps were a great invention, but then she started spotting for real. I’m not telling my mother that.”

“Good idea.” Rush continued forward. When he reached her side, he lifted a hand toward her forehead. “May I?”

“Of course,” Braylon responded as he moved out of the way.

Rush set his palm on her forehead. “You don’t seem feverish.” But every inch of him was shaking inside from this unexpected gift. Several gifts in a matter of minutes. He hadn’t expected to be summoned to examine her, and even then, he hadn’t expected to actually be needed when he arrived.

Rush lifted her wrist and checked her pulse. He couldn’t take his gaze off hers, nor did she look away from him. He was surprised though when a tear slid down her temple.

“Are you in pain anywhere, Haley?” he asked, suddenly nervous. Why on earth should he be concerned? Neither of them wanted her to actually have his baby. It was ludicrous. They’d been forced into this situation without meeting.

Except something tugged deep inside Rush’s chest. He felt an instant connection with this woman, and he didn’t want her to miscarry, as crazy as that might be.

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