Page 68 of His Virgin Vessel

"Corinne Dugas."

"That's correct. Good news for both us."

"My dad..."

Dr. Yates held up a hand. "Just stepped out to get some coffee. What the man really needs is sleep, but when I suggested that, he just glared at me. At this point I'm more worried about his health than yours."

"He's okay? He's alive?"

"Oh, yes," the doctor nodded fervently. "Alive and intimidating. And, before he gets back..."

"What about Asa?"

I saw an expression of uncertainty spasm across the doctor's face. "I'm going to let your dad talk to you about Mr. Covert. But, now, before he gets back, I have to ask you something."

"What?" So many dreadful possibilities ran through my mind.

"Are you aware that you're pregnant?"

That had not been one of the dreadful possibilities.

"What?"

"You are pregnant, Miss Dugas. I didn't want to mention it in front of your father, in case you hadn't told him, and because he scares me. Besides, at this early stage, it seemed quite possible that you were unaware of it yourself. And that would seem to be the case."

"I'm pregnant?"

"Yes."

"That's impossible," I said, adding to my tally of stupid things said to Dr. Yates. "I've only been with one man."

The doctor pulled a face. "I know there are some weird beliefs knocking about concerning birth control, but let me assure you that it only takes one man. Did you and this one man have unprotected sex?"

"Oh, lots," I said, perhaps a little smugly. "It was awesome."

Dr. Yates shrugged. "Not medically pertinent, but good for you. Anyway, the point being that, lots of unprotected, awesome sex can result in pregnancy, even if it's just with one man."

"Yeah. Yes, of course," I acknowledged. "I do know that."

"Sure."

"I'm not a complete idiot."

"I know."

"It's just..."

The doctor smiled sympathetically. "It seems like it's been a bit of a week for you."

I nodded. That more-or-less covered it.

I had to tell Asa. And then I realized that I still didn't know what had happened to him. I still didn't know if he was alive.

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