Page 45 of Pregnant by the Texan
“We’ll be on the ground now in about thirty minutes,” he said, and she looked out the window, glad to get back to Royal and home.
“It’ll be my last two nights in the Cozy Inn,” she said, thinking how soon Aaron would be leaving the hotel, too.
“Stella, would you like for me to go with you to a doctor’s appointment?”
“I’ve got to find a doctor in Royal. I went to Houston to my sister’s doctor, but I want a doctor here.”
“Definitely. I’d like to go with you and meet the doctor.”
“I think that would be nice. I’ll ask about a pediatrician here, too. I don’t want to drive to Dallas each time I need to see the doctor.”
“No, you shouldn’t. I’ll make arrangements for our plane to take you to Dallas when you need to go, but I think you should have a doctor here.”
“Thanks, Aaron. I’m glad you’re interested.”
“Stella, you’d be surprised if you knew how deep my interest runs. You and this baby are important to me,” he said in a serious tone and with a somber look in his brown eyes. Her heart skipped. How much did he really mean that? He had included her with the baby. She figured that he had an interest in his child, but she had no idea of the depth of his feelings for her.
How important was she to him?
* * *
Stella went by the hospital Thursday. A doctor was with Mayor Vance, so she couldn’t see him. She talked briefly with his wife and found out he was still improving, so Stella said she would come back in a few days. She called on others and talked to Lark briefly about the Christmas drive.
Lark smiled at her. “Stella, I really didn’t recognize you at first. Your hair is so different and it changes your whole appearance. I saw you on a Dallas TV show. You were great and you took our case to a big audience. It’s wonderful for people here to find out about these agencies and how to access them.”
“Some of those agencies were new to me. I didn’t know all that help was available.”
“The shows should do a lot for us. You got in a plug for the Christmas drive also, which was nice. Speaking of the drive, I think there will be some big presents for people this Christmas.”
“I hope so. Some of the stores are donating new TV sets for each family on our list. That’ll be a fun present. Other stores are sending enough iPads for each family to have one. It makes me feel good to be able to help. I hope Skye and the baby are getting along.”
“We just take everything one day at a time for both of them. There’s still no word on Jacob Holt. If you hear anything, please call.”
“I will, I promise. I’m home to stay now until Christmas Eve day when I’ll go to my sister’s.”
“You just look beautiful. I love your hair.”
“Thanks. You’re nice.”
“I have a feeling your quiet nights at home that you talk about are over,” Lark said, smiling at her.
Stella laughed. “I’ll keep in touch on the Christmas drive.”
As she left the hospital, outside on the sidewalk, she heard someone call her name. She turned to see Cole headed her way.
“Hey, you look great.”
“Thanks, Cole.” To her surprise, he smiled at her. Since the storm she had rarely seen Cole smile.
“You’re doing a bang-up job for the town. Aaron has let me know. Excellent job.”
“Thanks. I’m glad to and I’m thrilled by people’s generosity and finding specific agencies that can meet people’s needs.”
“I just wanted to thank you. See you around.”
“That’s nice, Cole.”
He headed toward the hospital entrance and she wondered whom he was going to see. There were still too many in the hospital because of the storm over two months later.
