Page 15 of Daddy's Intern

“Did you have a good visit, Ms. Anna-Beth?” Franny asks with a grin.

I nod. “I did, it was the best. I’ll be back in a few days,” I assure her.

She waves me goodbye. “See you then, honey.”

I exit the building and walk toward the car where Harvey’s still engrossed in his book. I smile, it must be a good one, I don’t think he’s noticed me yet. I open the door and slide in, watching as he quickly puts the book away. “Good book?”

He flushes red. “Very, I’ve just gotten to the part where we’re about to find out who the killer is.”

I bite my lip. “I’m sorry,” I say, horrified that I’ve interrupted him at a crucial point in the story.

He shakes his head. “Not to worry, Anna, there’s plenty of time to read later. Did you have a good visit with your mom?”

“I did, it was amazing.”

An hour later, I’m sitting in the doctor's office, waiting to be seen for the results of my blood work.

“Ms. Winter,” Dr. Jared greets me as I enter his office. “It’s good to see you. Please take a seat.”

“Tell me, Doc, is there something wrong?” I hate not knowing what’s going on, and having a cryptic message asking me to come in for blood work just pushed my anxiety through the roof.

He shakes his head. “Not at all, I wanted to go over your blood work results. I’m wondering if you’ve been taking folic acid?”

My brows knit together. “No, why, should I be? What’s going on?” I’m panicking now, what’s happening? Is there something wrong?

His smile is soft. “Don’t be scared, Anna-Beth. There’s nothing seriously wrong. Your blood work shows high levels of hCG.” At my blank stare, he continues. “You’re pregnant, Anna-Beth. From what you said previously, you’re around six weeks along.”

I stare at him in shock. Oh my God. Is this really happening?

My ears are ringing as he continues to speak, but none of the words get through to me, I stare at him blankly. Unable to comprehend what’s happening. I should have known it was a possibility. In the past two months, Tate hasn’t once worn a condom, and I’m not on any contraception.

I’m not sure how long the doctor continues to talk to me, but it feels like an eternity. “Janey will set up another appointment for you,” he tells me.

I take a steadying breath and nod. “Thank you,” I reply as I get to my feet. Glad to be leaving so that I can think for a bit.

The ride back to Tate’s house is filled with silence, Harvey keeps glancing back at me, his eyes curious, but I ignore it. I’m not in the right frame of mind to speak to anyone.

Entering the house, Tate greets me with a smile, making my stomach dip at that predatory look in his eyes. My cell starts to ring, I quickly press a kiss against Tate’s lips and answer my cell.

“Hello?” I answer, seeing a number I don’t recognize.

“Anna-Beth,” I hear the ragged voice of Franny, and my heart stutters. “Oh, Anna-Beth,” she cries. “It’s Ms. Belinda, I’m so sorry, honey.”

My gaze moves to Tate, my heart-shattering at her words. “No,” I whimper.

“I’m so sorry, honey, Ms. Belinda passed away in her sleep.”

I can’t hold the cry that escapes me, my legs give out, and I collapse onto the floor.

No. She was fine. She was happy. She remembered me.

This can’t be happening.

No. She’s not dead.

CHAPTER EIGHT

TATE