by Brinda Berry
Dane hops to his feet—either he thinks I’m leaving him behind or he’s escaping the little cutie across the waiting room.
The nurse steps aside so we can enter the hallway. “Sorry you had to wait so long.”
“No problem,” I respond and start down the familiar path toward the patient rooms. It’s my third trip to see Mr. Silver Fox. One trip a month seems excessive, but maybe not considering I already have things to ask.
When it comes to pregnancy, I like to hear my answers from the man who gets paid to be my human search engine.
We stop briefly in the hallway so I can step onto the scale. The nurse records my weight on her clipboard and motions ahead. “Examination room two,” she says.
I walk inside and sit in one of the chairs against the wall. It’s a very small room, seeming smaller with Dane inside. He takes the chair beside me and watches while the nurse slips the blood pressure cuff onto my arm.
“Are you enjoying your second trimester?” she asks.
“Yes. Barfing every day sure put a damper on life and I’m so glad to be over that.” The cuff monitor beeps and I glance down at my arm as it deflates.
She laughs. “The nausea is common in the first trimester. Now that you’re over that, are you feeling good? Anything going on health wise?”
Dane rests his hand on my knee. “She was dizzy last night. Is that normal?”
“Pfft,” I say and grin. “It wasn’t a big deal.” Okay…the kissing was a big deal, but the dizzy feeling passed quickly. Leave it to Dane to jump right in and make sure to ask about it.
“I’ll put it in my notes. Let’s get your urine sample and get you ready to see Dr. Shaffer.” She hands me the tiny cup and marker. “You know the drill. Leave it inside the little silver door with your name on it. The doctor will be in after you leave the urine. After he talks with you, he may decide he wants to do some blood work as well.”
“Do I take my clothes off and put a gown on?” I notice Dane’s fingers curl around my knee, then relax. He’d better get used to a lot more of this kind of thing if he’s going to hang around with me in the doctor’s office.
She shakes her head. “No. Not today. We won’t do that again until your next visit for the ultrasound.”
I nod and take the cup and marker. “Got it. Thanks.”
When I return from leaving my urine sample inside the little silver box in the wall, Dr. Shaffer is already in the patient room talking to Dane. They don’t stop speaking when I enter but continue deep in conversation.
“She’ll be fine. It’s normal to be concerned about a pregnancy,” Dr. Shaffer says, “Everyone worries. Josie is extremely healthy. First trimester nausea and vomiting happens to a lot of my patients.”
Dane meets my eyes and exhales. “Sorry. I hope you don’t mind that I filled the doc in on some things.”
“Things?” I ask with an edge. I leave for a minute and they’ve talked about me. I look from Dane to the doctor. “I’d rather you wait for me to discuss me or the baby.”
Dr. Shaffer sits on a rolling stool and waves at the patient table. “We’re always happy when the father’s involved in these appointments. It shows a level of commitment that should be there. The mother may physically nurture the baby, but the father’s job is to care for the mother. It’s how nature made us.”
Dane and Dr. Shaffer exchange a look. Dr. Shaffer glances at his tablet and then returns his gaze to me. “You came in at 125 pounds and you’re at 125 today. Let’s talk about why you haven’t gained weight.”
“Because I was tossing my cookies for the first three months.” I raise my brows. “But I sense you’re going to say that’s not an excuse.”
“Sure it is,” he says.
Dane clears his throat as if he knows he’s going to be in trouble with me for butting in. “She’s always had an appetite…until now.”
I’m not usually a vocal feminist, but this man-club bullshit has to go. “I’m very capable of taking care of myself. I’m not some silly female who ignores the importance of good nutrition. I switched to a vegan-based diet a while back because I read about all the benefits.”
Dr. Shaffer nods and makes a note on his tablet. He pats the table. “Have a seat. Josie…The vegan diet is something we didn’t have in your health profile. Vegan, huh? From now on, no detail is unimportant. I’m responsible for giving you the best medical care for your pregnancy and today I’m going to make sure we get you back on track. You’re behind schedule on a five-pound weight gain to this point in the pregnancy. No one’s judging you. Why don’t you tell me about your dizzy spell.”
“It really wasn't a big deal." But maybe it is because he’s looking at me with his eyes full of concern.
“How many times has this happened? Were you having them before your last visit?” Dr. Shaffer asks.
I sit on the patient table. “I don't think so. And it’s not as if it happens every day. I was so sick before and it seems like nothing to have a dizzy spell every once in a while.”
“Just to be on the safe side, I’d like to do some blood work.” He examines the electronic tablet in his hands and flips the page. “Everything seemed to be okay on your last visit. Let’s just check it out and make sure everything’s still okay.”
It’s difficult to breathe all of a sudden. I don’t want to admit to anything, and it would be easier to confess if Dane weren’t in the room. I shove my guilt aside. “I’ve been stressed about work and the pregnancy. And when I’m stressed, I tend not to eat as much. I’m getting my appetite back.”
My Silver Fox turns to Dane. “This will be a good job for you. Make sure she eats enough.”
“I’m on it,” Dane says with the seriousness of a CIA agent. “I’ll get some instructions on food that’s good for a pregnancy.”
I’m not certain which man irritates me the most at the moment—Dane or the good doctor. They’re making me feel like I’ve abused my body or something. “I’ll monitor what I’m eating. No worries.”
The doctor turns to me and says, “Great! Let’s listen for a heartbeat. I’m going to use the Doppler fetal monitor. Lie back.”
I twist and drop back with my head on the pillow. This is my favorite part of the appointment.
The doctor motions at my top. “We don’t need you undressed, but push the bottom of your shirt underneath your bra and the waistband of you pants low. Good. That will work. Here comes the fun part.”
He smooths gooey ultrasound gel across a section of my lower belly and chuckles when I tense at the cold sensation. “We should really have a warmer for this stuff.”
I sneak a look at Dane. His eyes lock onto a wand attached to the monitor. A couple of swipes back and forth and the sound waves begin to fill the room—chug chug-chug, chug chug-chug.
Dane’s lips part and his eyes widen in wonder. God, he’s cute. I forgot that things like this during a medical examination make it seem more real.
Not that I was any different when Dr. Shaffer did this at my first appointment.
I close my eyes, imagining the baby snuggled up like he’s in a rabbit hole. When I open my eyes, I glance over at Dane who looks at me with such adoration, I’d swear we were more than friends.
A giant lump fills my throat making it hard to swallow.
“Good strong heartbeat,” the doctor says. “It’s always amazing to hear, isn’t it?”
“Yes. Thank you. Wow. Thank you.” Dane’s gratitude shines from his eyes. “I didn’t realize how worried I was.”
I take a shaky breath. Hello, don’t make me cry in front of Mr. Silver Fox. Thanks a lot, Dane.
“We’ll do an ultrasound at the next visit,” Dr. Shaffer says.
“I can't wait,” I say, my voice a little wobbly.
Dr. Shaffer tugs my shirt down and steps back. "I'm going to send you to the lab where they can take blood. We do the lab work here, so it shouldn't take very long. I’ll check back in with you both after the labs are done.” The doctor returns the Doppler m
onitor to the counter and walks out the door.
“I’m worried about this weight gain issue,” Dane says. “If you’re too busy with the store, I’ll bring you food. And I can bring groceries to your house.”
I roll my eyes. The tender Dane is gone (thank heavens because my mascara is not waterproof), and the bossy one returns. “Do you really think that’s the issue? I have food. I just haven't been very hungry. But I’ll eat. I promise.”
“I’m worried about you. I see you bristling over there because I’m in your business. Maybe you just need a little help finding the things that make you hungry.”
“I’m not a toddler.”
In the lab, a male nurse draws a tube of my blood. It only takes minutes before I'm beside Dane in the waiting room. We’re silent as we both look at our smart phones.
I have an email from Webb Walters that says he received my signed papers for the partnership. Now that I’ve made my final decision, I really need to tell Dane. Webb plans to come over first thing in the morning to go over a transition plan.
This is my first step in relieving myself of some stress. If Webb can make some decisions that get me out of this financial black hole the bookstore seems to be in, then I can give up some control.
“Dad’s getting some things out of storage,” Dane whispers, looking up from his phone. “There’s a cradle and a crib if you’re interested. For some reason, they never got rid of that stuff.”
“Shoot, yes. Yes, I want it. Tell your mom and dad thanks.”
“You’d think my parents are having a baby. That is all my mom talks about. She is so excited to be a grandmother.”
My chest is full of a sweet, warm feeling. I may not have my own mother and father around for this baby, but I know Marty and Cece love me. “Can we bring the furniture to my house this weekend?”
“Sure, Butterfly. I’ll bring it whenever you want me to.” Dane leans to the right and bumps his shoulder against mine. “Hey. Thank you for sharing today with me. I don’t know if I’ve said this to you lately, but I think this baby will be the luckiest kid on earth.”
“Oh yeah?” I say and can’t help my smile.
“Yeah. This baby will have the love of Josie Jensen.” He grabs my hand and links his fingers through mine. Taking a deep breath, he exhales and gives me a shy smile. “There’s some things I need to say to you. I—”
“We have your labs back,” the nurse interrupts. “Follow me and we’ll get you back into a room with Dr. Shaffer.”
Dane’s forehead wrinkles as his eyebrows pull together. “We’ll talk later.”
We return to a patient room where Dr. Shaffer is waiting. He holds an electronic tablet with one hand and waves at the chairs in the corner. “Have a seat.”
Prickles of nervousness dance along my skin. “All good, right?”
“Actually, it’s a good thing that Dane mentioned his concerns. Your hemocrit—red blood cells—count is extremely low,” Dr. Shaffer says.
“Oh God.” It comes out a little more than a tiny croak drowned out by the sound of my banging heart.
“It’s going to be fine. Josie, calm down. Becoming anemic during pregnancy isn’t uncommon. That’s one reason you’re taking prenatal vitamins. But your results show you lack Vitamin B12. By looking at your previous labs, I suspect it’s a result of dietary habits. Vegan eaters must get certain vitamins and minerals in other ways. But honestly, I wish you’d reconsider that dietary restriction because it’s going to be a tough route. I’ve got some pamphlets on folic anemia and the best foods to eat—meat, eggs, and dairy.”
I gulp and put my hands in my lap to steady them. “All right. I can give up eating vegan. It’s not a problem.”
Dr. Shaffer gives me an easy smile. “Good. No need to worry right now. We’ll get your iron levels up. It simply means that your meal intake will be one of the most important things to focus on. Dane’s already planning your next meal. I can see it on his face.”
“Lovely.” I shut my mouth before I accidentally add a long list of expletives.
Chapter Fourteen
Commitments
Josie
“Is it all right to work shirtless today?” Webb mutters and wipes a finely muscled arm across his forehead. “It’s hot as balls in here,” he says as he gives me a sideways glance. “Oh. Sorry. Forgot I was in the presence of a lady.”
His sheepish grin makes me giggle. I’m not sure I’ve been called a lady before. My sense of humor could do a fist bump with his. I like it that he’s comfortable being himself with me.
We’re building a display in the front window of Dog Ears Bookstore at seven a.m. before opening time.
“My ears are not that delicate.” I smirk. Shirtless, eh? I may not have the hots for the guy, but I can imagine he’d stop traffic. “I’m sure customers will appreciate you in all your bare-chested glory, but I have turned the temp down and it’ll be cooler soon.”
Our store revamp is going well. It’s been little more than forty hours with him and I feel like I’ve known him for years. He makes me laugh…sort of like being with Dane minus all the sexual tension.
Webb steps in front of an oscillating fan and he closes his eyes as the air blows over his face. “Woman, you are aware it’s the end of hotter-than-hell July, right?”
“Yeah, yeah. Let’s keep our clothes on. I’d rather not pull customers in with a strip show.”
“Okay. I’m keeping my shirt on. Be warned though. I seriously will need a second shower today.”
“Yikes. Sorry. The air conditioning is ancient. It’s just on the fritz this week. But a new central air system would cost me a fortune. So I thought I’d get a few more years out of it…” I place another book—a pretend shingle—on the roof of the three-foot house in the magical forest of our display.
Our creative window displays were mentioned yesterday in Nashville News Today. We had a Christmas in July theme and now we’re switching to a Little Red Riding Reader theme, or at least that’s what I’m calling it. It’s dark and magical—a fairy tale fantasy.
Business is picking up already. I’m too excited to worry about a little heat.
“A new central air unit would be expensive for us to replace. Partnership, remember? But I think we need to discuss renovations that will be good for customer comfort.” Webb motions to the box of children’s books and I slide it toward him.
“My customers never complain.”
He raises one eyebrow. “They never ask for skewers and marshmallows?”
“Oh…so that’s why…” I say, perfectly serious. I lift my hair off the back of my neck. He’s right. “I’ll call a company for a quote on a new central air unit. Happy?”
He nods and begins to whistle as he shoves a potted tree to add to our dark forest behind our house of books.
“And you’re ordering the cappuccino machine this week?” I ask. “People are going to love that this winter.”
“Ordering it today. It should arrive by the middle of next month.”
Webb came up with a marketing plan that revolves around a special bookstore membership and the perks that come with being a member. Buying a ‘gold reader’ card means you get complimentary coffee and a cookie while you browse.
Last night, a five-man crew came up after closing time and painted the entire place. Webb spent the night supervising them while I went home. It’s been nice to lean on someone instead of feeling like I have to bear the weight of the bookstore all by myself.
Webb stops, steps back to admire his work, then focuses his attention on me. “Do you mind if I ask you something personal?”
“That depends. What do you want to know?”
“So what’s your story, pretty lady? The guy you introduced to me yesterday as your friend. Dane. I’m guessing you two are more than friends…”
I sigh. Butterflies spin drunkenly in my stomach. I hadn’t really planned to tell Webb this way, but now is as good a time as any. I couldn’t even button my jeans today and every shi
rt I wear resembles a tent. It’s a good thing loose clothing is in fashion. “I’m…well I’m going to have a baby.”
There’s a loaded pause as I hold my breath.
His mouth drops a little and then he shakes off his surprise. “Damn. A baby.”
“And Dane is the father. I’m going to be a mother in five months.”
“I’d never guess it. You’re tiny. Why do you look so uncomfortable telling me this? That’s wonderful. Congratulations.” He pats me on the back. It’s a gentle pat like I’m suddenly breakable.
“Thanks. I didn’t want you to think it will lessen my commitment to Dog Ears. I’m all in. I mean, you can see how I’ll be even more committed to making this place a financial success.”
“Sure. Just let me know if I need to take on a heavier load for a while.”
“Pfft. No need.” I turn left and right, taking in the beautiful display that was all Webb’s idea. “This is gorgeous.”
“We did a good job. Hey. I don’t want you to take this wrong. A new business partner and a baby. That’s a lot of change going on at one time.”
Understatement of the century. Still, I don’t want him to think I can’t handle it. “Don’t worry. I’ve got this under control. On a related note, I am the most organized woman you’ll meet this week. I brought…wait for it…homemade and highly nutritious muffins and juice. There’s enough for you, too.”
We leave the cramped space of the front display area and head toward the back. “I never turn down breakfast. About your pregnancy…I’m not worried. Just remember that it’s a standing offer if you need extra help. And your man Dane. He seems like a cool guy. No wonder he gave me that hands-off look when we met.”
“Oh, we’re not a couple. Not like that. We’re just friends.”
“Hmm…” he says.
“What?”
“Nothing.” He raises his eyebrows and looks away.
“You said ‘hmmm.’ That was a statement in one syllable.”
“Nope.”
“And you’ve resorted to one-word answers. I’ve only known you for a short time, but come on. I’m tough. You can’t hurt my feelings.”