“Then maybe we should do some of those things before the baby gets here.”
An expectant, hopeful look came over her face. He had her full attention. “Would you have time?”
Would he? He had no idea. “I could try.”
“I’m sorry. That wasn’t a fair question. I know you’re busy.”
He’d disappointed her. Just as he had other women he’d been interested in. Except it really bothered him that it was happening again with Zoe. There just wasn’t much time in his life for extracurricular activities. He wasn’t being fair to Zoe to suggest there was. He wanted to make her happy. Maybe he could work something out in a few weeks. He checked his watch. “I’d better get you home. I’m due at the hospital.”
“I’m ready.” She stood and pushed the chair in.
She didn’t say much on the trip home. He pulled up to the front door. “The deliverymen said they could be here today at three. Will you be around?”
“Yes.”
“Great. Do you mind seeing that they get the furniture in place?”
“I can take care of it.” Zoe climbed out of the car. “Thanks for lunch and going with me to see Mom.”
“No problem. See you later.”
* * *
The doorbell ringing brought Zoe out of sleep. It took her a few seconds to clear her head enough to get off the bed and head up the hall.
She hadn’t been surprised when Gabe hadn’t even gotten out of the car before he’d left for the hospital. For a moment at lunch she’d hoped that what he said might be different from what he felt. That he would take time for himself. Do something other than work. Then maybe they could do some touristy things together, but as quickly as the hope flickered it had been snuffed out.
Part of knowing Gabe was accepting those types of things weren’t high on his priority list. She, on the other hand, believed they were important for a balanced and happy life. With that in mind, she wanted to make the most of the beautiful day, so she took a walk around the neighborhood before settling in for an afternoon nap. She’d forgotten all about the furniture being delivered until the bell rang. She opened the front door to find two uniformed men waiting.
“We’re here to deliver your furniture. Would you show us where it goes?”
“Through here.” Zoe opened the door wider and led the way through the living room to the patio.
The men followed quietly, nodding as they surveyed the area, then left her. Soon they returned with the armchairs.
“Where would you like these?”
Zoe pointed to the area that received the most sun. They returned to the truck. While they were gone Zoe moved the chairs into position. In just a few minutes all the furniture was sitting on the patio. Even the umbrella was in place and up. She turned around and smiled. The floral and striped cushions with the matching colors added interest. The patio looked perfect. Gabe should enjoy using it. If he took the time to appreciate it. Until she moved she planned to make the most of the lounger as often as possible, starting that afternoon.
One of the deliverymen asked, “Where would you like the rest of it to go?”
“What? I didn’t know there was any more.” She followed him into the house.
He pulled a paper out of his back pocket and studied it. “We have a whole room of nursery furniture that’s supposed to come to this address.”
Zoe’s heart jumped. Gabe had bought nursery furniture? She’d not seen him even look at any. Maybe he’d done it online.
“Oh, okay.”
“So where do we put it?” The man sounded as if he was losing patience.
“In here.” Zoe showed him the empty front room.
He left again and returned with his partner. They had a chest of drawers in their arms. Zoe’s breath caught. It was the chest in the group she’d liked so much.
“Where do you want it?” one man grunted.
Zoe looked around the room for a second, totally disoriented by what was happening. “Uh, over on that wall.” She pointed to the space between the window and the door. Still in a daze at what Gabe had done, she watched as the men brought in the rocker and changing table.
Gabe had been paying attention when she’d admired the crib and had even noticed how much she liked the set. Had any man ever been that in tune with her? He may have little time to spare, but when he was with her he was totally present.
On the next trip, the men brought in the pieces of the baby bed. One returned to the truck and came back with a tool bag. In less than thirty minutes the bed was together and the mattress in place.
“Where would you like this?” one of the men asked.
“Catty-corner, between the windows.” She pointed to the area.
They did as she requested. Soon Zoe was showing them out. She returned to the nursery, taking a seat in the rocker. Feeling overwhelmed, she looked around the room. It would make a perfect nursery. She imagined the walls decorated and envisioned the drapery for the windows...
A tear ran down her cheek. The room would be so beautiful. But it would never be hers.
Zoe didn’t have a chance to talk to Gabe about what he’d done because he wasn’t home when she went to bed. She couldn’t question his commitment to his job. Gabe seemed more than willing to put in the hours required. He’d earned her respect for that alone, but then, there was much to admire about Gabe. Too much for her comfort.
Midmorning the next day she was sitting on the patio, reading a book, when the sound of footsteps on the bricks drew her notice.
A moment later Gabe joined her with a glass in his hand. After placing the drink on the low table, he dropped into one of the chairs facing her. “Mornin’. Mind if I join you?”
It was his home. Gabe didn’t have to ask her. “Sure.”
She stared at him. Every feminine cell in her body stood at attention and tingled. He acted rested and relaxed. His hair was still damp and tousled as if he’d dried it with a towel and done nothing more to it after his shower. A T-shirt fit close to his chest and his jeans were well-worn with holes in the knees. He was gorgeous.
As if unaware of her admiration, he placed his feet on the table, crossed his ankles and leaned back in the chair. “It looks great out here. I like the way you arranged everything.”
Zoe was pleased by his praise. Too much so. “I’m glad you do. I didn’t know how you would want it.”
“I had no doubt I could trust you.” He grinned.
“Why didn’t you tell me that you were buying nursery furniture?”
He pursed his lips and shrugged. “Maybe because I thought you might argue with me about it. I needed something for the baby anyway. You don’t like it?”
“I like it very much.”
A smug look covered his face. “I thought you might. I saw you looking at it.”
He had noticed her interest. She confessed, “I was thinking about getting it for the nursery at my place.”
“Why don’t you fix up the room the way you like it? You can take it all with you when you go. I’ll get more furniture.”
“I couldn’t do that.”
“Sure you can. The baby’ll be coming home to this house. He or she needs their own space. Wouldn’t it be nice for it to have some continuity from here to your house?”
That really wasn’t necessary but Zoe liked the idea of having a special place for the baby from the beginning. “I had planned to just use a cradle for the few weeks I’m still here. I’ll think about finishing the nursery.”
Gabe picked up his glass, took a long draw on the iced tea and set it down again. “Good. I promised I’d come up with a figure for your rent. But before I give you that I’d like you to consider a proposition.”
Her heart leaped. Proposition? What kind of proposition?
“I’ve been thinking, and don’t want to offend you, but you’ve bee
n cooking meals, even doing some shopping, and I appreciate you have your own job to deal with, but I’ve not had time to find a housekeeper. If you’d be willing, and thought you had time, to just keep things straightened around here for a little while, then I would forgo the rent altogether. I don’t want to imply that I think you should be my housekeeper or anything...”
Zoe hadn’t expected this. The extra money she would save would make a nice down payment on the house she wanted. She enjoyed cooking and was doing that for herself anyway. The housekeeping wouldn’t be that much. Gabe wasn’t home long enough to get anything dirty. Plus, he was neat. She was already taking care of her side of the house. “I think that would work.”
“Excellent.” He stood. “Then I’m going to catch up on some reading and watch the ball game.”
“Okay. I’ll make lunch in a little while.”
“Sounds great.” He strolled to the house.
They were acting like a married couple on Sunday afternoon now. It should have made her feel uneasy but instead there was a satisfaction there, contentment. She looked into the living area at Gabe. He was sitting in his chair with his legs stretched out and his attention on the TV. Wouldn’t it be nice if it was always this way between them? It was a wonderful dream. But just a dream. Gabe had never mentioned his feelings regarding her. He was a decent man but that didn’t mean he cared for her the way Zoe wanted him to.
CHAPTER SEVEN
GABE STUDIED ZOE. She’d been reading for the last couple of hours while he had supposedly watched TV. Even though he wasn’t outside with her, he was very aware of her movements. From his chair he could see her better than she could him. Was she aware of how many times her hand went to the rounded area of her stomach? Just from that small action he had no doubt she loved and wanted their baby.
Her gaze met his through the glass. She gave him a small smile before she returned to her reading. Only by a force of will did he stop himself from getting up and going out to kiss her. Or more. But he’d promised not to touch her again unless she initiated it. He would keep his promise even if it killed him.
Sometime later Zoe came in and quietly went to the kitchen. Now he was listening to her moving around as she prepared a late lunch. Something about having her in his home, being around her, sharing meals and even picking out furniture seemed right. She brought a softness to his life that he hadn’t known he had been missing. Did he want to let it go? Was he capable of hanging on to it?
Would Zoe consider staying if he asked? They got along well. But she wanted a husband. Could he offer her that? Be the husband she needed? What if he didn’t measure up to her expectations? Could he even be the father to his child that he should be? How would he ever know? He’d had no firsthand experience, not seen a father in action close-up. Could he find enough balance in his life to make it work? Which would be worse: not taking the chance or failing?
Zoe brought him a plate with a sandwich and salad on it.
“Thank you.”
She smiled. “You’re welcome.” She continued outside to the table.
He watched her. She hadn’t invited him to join her. Would she mind if he did? One of the things he liked most about having Zoe in the house was sharing meals and conversation.
Taking his plate, he went to join her. Zoe didn’t look up as he approached. He’d like to know her thoughts. “Do you mind?”
Her head jerked around. “Uh, sure. It’s your patio.”
Annoyance ran hot through him. “I wish you’d quit thinking like that. This is your home for as long as you stay. I want you to treat it that way.”
“I’ll try.”
“Don’t try. Accept it.” He took a chair beside her.
She pushed a leaf of lettuce around on her plate. “It just seems strange to live with someone you know so little about.”
“What do you want to know?” He bit into his sandwich. Was it so good because of the sliced ham and cheese or because Zoe had made it?
“I don’t know,” she said slowly, as if giving it thought. “What’s your favorite color?”
“Green.” Like your eyes, but he didn’t say that. “What’s yours?”
“Red. But I’m supposed to be asking you questions.”
He grinned. “Ever think I might like to learn a few things about you?”
“Okay, then. Do you like a dog or a cat?”
“Dog. Big dog. And you?” He looked up from the fork he was filling with salad and raised a brow in question.
“I always wanted a Labrador retriever but didn’t have a good place for one to live.” A dreamy look came over her face.
“Nice dogs. Good with children, I’ve heard.”
She focused on him again. “Favorite vacation spot?”
“I like the beach but the mountains are nice too. What I like is to be active and learn something wherever I go.”
“Learn something?” She pulled her sandwich apart and took the cheese off it.
“Yeah, I like taking trips centered around a subject where there are lectures and visits to places where events happened. History, social service, medical missions.”
Zoe nibbled at the cheese and then said, “I haven’t done that. Maybe I’ve been missing out on something.” She paused in a pensive manner before asking, “Where have you been on a medical mission?”
“I’ve made a couple of trips to South America, another to Arizona.”
“Oh!” Zoe jumped.
Gabe leaned forward, concern making him study her. “What’s wrong? You hurt somewhere?”
Her smile turned to a sweet, reflective one. “The baby kicked.”
He looked to where her hand rested. Despite being a doctor, the action filled him with awe.
She hissed and looked at him. “There it was again.”
“May I feel?” he asked softly. The need to know the small life growing in her would take him to his knees, begging, if that was what it took to get her to agree.
She nodded. He placed his hand where hers had been. There was nothing. Zoe flinched again but he didn’t feel anything. Placing her hand over the top of his, she moved it slightly and pressed. A second later there was a thump against his palm. His gaze snapped to meet hers. At that moment she took his heart.
He leaned forward with the intention of kissing her. But he’d promised. “Zoe...”
She wanted and deserved assurances he wasn’t prepared to give. He needed space. Gabe stood and picked up his plate. “Thanks for sharing that with me.”
Zoe looked at him with big wide eyes before he stalked away.
Fifteen minutes later he was on his way to the hospital.
* * *
Wednesday morning Zoe sat in the obstetrician’s office, waiting for the nurse to call her name. She’d not seen Gabe since Sunday afternoon. He’d been gone Monday by the time she’d gone to the kitchen. She’d heard him come in once but it had been late and she’d already been in bed.
His new job might be demanding but the thought had crossed her mind that maybe he was dodging her. She wasn’t sure why he would be but something about the way he’d abruptly left on Sunday made her question his actions.
She’d texted him the time of the appointment and the address. Maybe he’d changed his mind about being there. She wasn’t sure how she felt about that. His insistence had taken her by surprise. Although she knew she shouldn’t, she wanted to share the moment of discovery with him.
A nurse standing at the door leading back to the examination rooms called Zoe’s name. She searched the entrance to the outside of the building as disappointment filled her. Apparently Gabe wasn’t coming. After all he’d said about being involved and the one time she’d agreed, he wasn’t taking advantage of it. She’d let herself believe... What, she wasn’t sure. That there might be a chance for them? That Gabe could really care about the baby beyond being honor
able? Or that he could want to be there for her? All of it was just wishful thinking. Nothing based on reality.
She followed the nurse back to the examination room. Inside she sat on the table with shoulders slumped and waited. Her situation with Gabe reminded her of her relationship with Shawn and her father. She hadn’t been able to depend on them. They were unreliable, would hurt her. She saw it one way when in reality it was all another. With Gabe she needed to keep what was truth separated from wishful thinking.
Zoe had been waiting a few minutes when there was a quick rap on the door. Fully expecting the doctor, she was shocked to see Gabe step in. She couldn’t deny the joy surging into her chest. He had come.
“I’m sorry I’m late. I got tied up at the last minute,” he said, puffing as if he’d been running. He came to stand beside her. “Have I missed anything?”
His breathless enthusiasm made her smile. He was acting like a kid looking for a piece of candy. “No. The doctor hasn’t been in yet.”
“Good.” He sank into the only chair in the room.
Moments later the door opened and this time it was her doctor. He gave Gabe a questioning once-over.
Gabe stood and offered his hand. “Gabe Marks. I’m the baby’s father.”
Zoe didn’t miss the proud tone of his voice. Another gentle wave of happiness washed over her.
“Nice to meet you,” the doctor said, then turned to her. “This visit is the one where we do the anatomy ultrasound. The question is, do you want to know the sex?”
Before Zoe could speak Gabe said, “I’m more interested in knowing if Zoe and baby are all right.”
Tears sprang to Zoe’s eyes. She’d not expected that statement.
“That I can let you know as well, but I don’t anticipate a problem with either one of them.” The doctor smiled at her.
“That’s good to hear,” Gabe said, then looked at her. “We do want to know the sex, don’t we?”
Zoe nodded.
“Okay,” her doctor said. “The tech will be in in a few minutes to do the ultrasound. Then I’ll be back to do the examination.” That said, he left, closing the door behind him.
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