by ADAMS, J.
To celebrate my freedom from being confined to the house, Hayden offered to take me shopping for baby clothes and things for the nursery. Since the baby's furniture had been ordered and delivered a couple of weeks before, I was excited about decorating it.
I put on a pair of slim fitting denim capris and a pink v-neck maternity shirt made with a stretchy material that accentuated my growing abdomen. Both pieces of clothing, as well as the rest of the maternity clothes, I had had to buy in the smallest size, so they fit pretty well. And I loved the way the pregnancy was already adding a little more curve to my figure. Hayden told me I looked beautiful, and I actually felt beautiful.
Later, I sat at the kitchen table with a cup of herbal tea and waited for Hayden. He was out on another part of the property checking the fence, but I expected him back soon. He was excited about taking me shopping and getting me out for a while. I really missed going out with him, too.
By the time I finished my tea, I had made up my mind to drive out to where Hayden was, but the telephone rang, stalling my plan.
“Raine, it's me.”
“Hi,” I said, immediately hearing the strain in Caroline's voice. “What's going on?”
“You're not going to believe this, but your ex is sitting downstairs in my living room.”
“What?” I said in disbelief. “Jerome?”
“I know. I couldn't believe it either when I opened the front door and found him standing there like he was posing for the cover of GQ or something. He came struttin' in here as vain as a peacock.”
“I don't believe this! What does he want?”
“Why, to see you, of course. He said he's on his way to Los Angeles for some business and just stopped by to say hello.” Caroline's voice was dripping with sarcasm.
“Humph, just stopped by, huh?” I snorted. “Just stopped by my eye! Jerome has a motive for everything he does. And I don't know what makes him think I would want to see him anyway.”
“Well,” Caroline replied, “if truth be told, I think he just wants to check out his replacement, maybe stir up some trouble.”
I closed my eyes and rubbed my temples. The last thing I needed or wanted was to see Jerome, and it really bothered me that he couldn't seem to stay out of my life.
This has got to stop. “I'm on my way down.”
Just when you think you have someone figured out, you realize that you actually do.
Twenty-four
Caroline met me at the back door. “I sent someone out for Hayden.”
“Good,” I said, then wondered if it really was good. As protective as Hayden was of me, meeting Jerome would definitely put him in a bone-breaking mood.
“You all right?” Caroline asked.
I nodded. Taking a deep breath, I headed to the living room. Caroline walked close behind me.
Jerome was standing by a window looking out over the land. When I entered, he turned and flashed that familiar sly smile. Instant nausea rolled through my insides as his eyes roamed over me, his gaze lingering for a moment on my stomach.
“I hope you don't mind me stopping by.” He grinned and looked at me quietly for a moment. Taking in his devilish expression, I knew he was up to no good. “I was going to ask how you were doing,” he finally said, “but . . . I can see you've been pretty busy.” When I rolled my eyes he added, “Still, you look good.”
“Thanks,” I replied, not bothering to disguise the sarcasm.
He walked over to me. “So, how has life been treating you?”
“Just fine.” I heaved an impatient sigh, bored with the small talk already.
“You plan on making it back to Atlanta any time soon?”
I looked over at Caroline's permanent frown and knew exactly how she felt. I massaged my temples, trying to relieve the ache in my head.
“Why are you here, Jerome? And don't tell me it's just to say hello. I know you better than that. Most men don't go out their way to see their ex-wives. In fact, most men don't even want to see their ex-wives.”
He smiled. “Truthfully, I just wanted to see for myself what kind of life you gave up such a successful career for.” He shook his head. “And I have to say, I do miss having you on my arm. We always looked good together.”
This is unreal! “You are a piece of work, you know that? You're as full of yourself as you always were.”
He chuckled, irritating me even more. “I just don't see how you could think you'd be happier here than in Atlanta, living the kind of life you're used to.” His eyes again roamed over me. “Where's the woman whose gorgeous body graced the fashion runways of Atlanta and made men weak in the knees? I mean, I still see that woman in front of me, though slightly altered in the body area, but what happened to her?”
Oh, you little jerk! I took a deep breath. “She found something better, Jerome. She moved on, which it what you need to do.”
“Oh, I have,” he said with arrogance.
“Have you? Have you really?” I stretched my arms out dramatically. “Well, if that's the case, then why are you here?”
He moved closer, a seductive smile playing on his lips, and I had to seriously wonder if he had lost his mind. “I told you. I had to see this for myself. And meet your old man, of course.”
He placed a hand on my arm and I suddenly felt dirty. “Jerome, if you value your life, you will take your hand off me.”
He laughed. “Being a little melodramatic, aren't we?”
It was at that moment that I heard the kitchen screen door open and slam shut followed by heavy booted footsteps. Not bothering to turn around, I watched Jerome's stumble backwards a little and his eyes widen as Hayden entered, his massive form filling the room. I wanted to laugh, but I just smiled and turned to my husband as he gently pulled me against him. Carefully masked anger creased his handsome brow slightly, and I felt the hard muscles of his chest flexing beneath the faded red t-shirt. His hat shaded his eyes, but I saw the hard glint in them.
“Hayden,” I said, tightening my arm around his waist, “this is Jerome.” I looked over at Jerome and couldn't help smiling at the startled expression he still wore. “Jerome, this is my husband, Hayden.”
“Hello,” Hayden said, unmoving, his arm tightening around my waist possessively.
“Good to meet you.” Jerome's voice held a hint of wariness.
When both men continued to stand there staring at one another, I nervously cleared my throat and glanced at Caroline who shrugged her shoulders and shook her head, a slight smile playing across her lips. I looked up at Hayden and took his free hand in mine, urging him to look at me. When he did, the look in his eyes softened.
“Hayden, Jerome is on his way to California. He just stopped by to say hello.” I glanced over at Jerome. “And now he is leaving.”
Jerome smiled slightly and pushed his hands into the pockets of his designer slacks. “Yeah, I was just leaving.” He looked at me and flashed another grin. “It's good to see you, Raine.” He cut his eyes to Hayden, then back at me. “You really have changed, in more ways than one. No one at Zuri would recognize you.”
I shook my head. “And I can see that when it comes to you, some things never change.”
He smirked, and without another word, turned to leave.
Hayden released me and moved forward. Fearing what he might do, I nervously tried to hold on to his hand, but he gave mine a gentle squeeze and pulled away.
“Uh, Jerome?” When Jerome turned to us, Hayden loomed over him and said in that deep drawl of his, “This has been fun, but don't ever come here again. Raine is my wife now, and I always protect what's mine. Don't contact her in any way. No phone calls, no cards or letters. Nothing. You got that?” The tone of his voice was almost chilling.
Jerome's voice sounded smaller than I had ever heard it when he replied, “I got it.” He quickly opened the door and left.
Hayden went to the window and watched Jerome get into his car, wanting to make sure he really was leaving. He stood there until Jerome drove away.
Shaking his head, he swore under his breath.
Caroline's chuckle startled me. “Well, I guess that boy encountered more than he bargained for.”
I smiled. “I think he did.”
Hayden walked back over to me and pulled me close. “Are you all right?” he asked, pressing his face into my hair.
I closed my eyes and nodded, feeling safe in his arms. “Maybe he will finally move on with his own life now and stay out of mine.” I released a low chuckle. “He was moving on with other women when we were still together. I don't know what his problem is now.” Jerome's actions never failed to puzzle, and annoy me.
Caroline sat on the sofa. “Well, I don't think you will have to worry about him anymore.” She smiled widely at Hayden.
“I don't think she will either,” Hayden agreed. He sighed, holding me tighter. “You know, it's hard for me to picture you married to him.”
I pulled back a little and smiled up at him. “It is for me, too, now. However, I am picturing you hanging him up in the barn by his Italian loafers right now.”
Hayden chuckled and kissed me. “If he ever comes back, that will be some entertainment you can look forward to, all right?”
I nodded, grateful to be married to such an amazing man.
“All right, baby,” he said, kissing my brow, “that's enough drama for this morning. Now let's go shopping.”
I thoroughly enjoyed perusing the baby section of Sears. The opportunity to pick out things for our baby helped to take my mind off Jerome's surprise visit. It still bothered me that he came and I really hoped he got Hayden's message loud and clear about not contacting me again.
There were a lot of things we needed to get, so we each pushed a shopping cart.
Hayden helped me pick out some cute sleepers and blankets in neutral colors. We wouldn't know the sex of the baby for another week. After that I would go shopping again for the appropriate things. We filled the cart with diapers, t-shirts, and bedding that Hayden picked out, deciding on a horse theme. He said our baby would be a cowboy or cowgirl from the start.
“What do you think of this, darlin'?” he asked, holding up a small lamp with a porcelain horse as the base.
“I think it's perfect,” I answered, smiling at the excitement in his eyes. He was like a kid at Christmas. And nothing was too good for our baby.
I looked at my list once more. “I think we pretty much got everything.”
“That's good. Well . . . except for one more thing,” he said, adding a wooden rocking horse to the cart. “All right, now we're done.”
“Are you sure?” I asked, laughing.
He kissed me quickly and grinned. “I'm sure.” We headed back toward the front of the store to pay. “Now, I think I should treat my wife and baby to lunch.”
“Sounds good,” I said, massaging my temples with my index finger and thumb. The headache that started earlier was now a little more painful.
“Are you all right, baby?” he asked, pressing a hand to my back.
“Just a little headache. I'll be fine.”
“Are you sure? We can go on home if you need to.”
I smiled slightly. “I'm sure it will go away in a little bit. Maybe after I eat something.”
We continued to make our way up to the register when I heard a familiar voice say, “Hey, Hayden.” We both turned as Debra moved toward us, pushing a half full cart.
I sighed. Great. Another one of my favorite people. This day just keeps getting better.
“Hey, Debra,” Hayden said with a slight smile that I could tell was forced.
“How have you been, handsome?” she asked, grinning widely at him.
“I've been fine.” He pulled me closer and wrapped his arm around my waist. I couldn't help noticing the way Debra's expression quickly changed, as if she'd just noticed I was there.
Could she really be so clueless? I wondered. Or does she just not care?
“You remember my wife, Raine, don't ya?”
Debra's eyes narrowed slightly as she looked me up and down, her gaze stopping on Hayden's left hand pressing against my stomach, his gold wedding band glittering in the bright store lights. I smiled slightly and mentally shouted, “Way to go with wedding band display, oh husband of mine!”
She quickly pasted on a smile. “Well, this is a surprise. I guess congratulations are in order.”
“Thanks,” Hayden said, smiling down at me, his loving gaze warming me through.
“So, Raine,” she said, like my name left a bad taste in her mouth or something. “When is the baby due?”
“In April.”
“Boy, haven't you two been as busy as bees.” She grinned slyly. “You got pregnant pretty quick. But then again, you guys got married pretty quick too.” She looked at Hayden and smiled, arching an eyebrow. “You sure it's yours?”
I softly gasped. Her words startled me so, I was speechless. In the past I would never have let something like that slide without a verbal comeback, but for the first time in my life, I was utterly and completely speechless.
Hayden's arm tightened around my waist. He was quiet for a moment. Then he took a deep breath and I knew he was tempering his anger. “Rather than subject my wife to your sour disposition any longer and risk saying something I shouldn't, I think we'd best leave.”
Hayden's remark was so unexpected, I almost snorted. I was even more surprised when he smiled sweetly and tipped his hat.
“It was good seeing you again, Debra.” There was no mistaking the sarcastic tone of dismissal in his voice. Without another word, he gently urged me forward.
Despite the pounding in my head, I smiled smugly at her open-mouthed expression and pushed the cart with one hand while massaged my temples again with the other. The headache was getting worse by the minute.
Neither of us looked back at her but continued walking. By the time we reached the register, I was dizzy and spots were appearing before my eyes. I held on to the cart and leaned forward, squeezing my eyes shut against the excruciating pain.
“Hayden,” I whispered, feeling my grip on the cart handle loosening.
“Raine,” I heard his worried voice say, and in the next instant everything went black.
Trials are unwelcome but shouldn't be wished away. They produce a thicker skin and a stronger will.
Twenty-five
I slipped in and out of consciousness. When I finally awakened fully, I was lying in an emergency room bed at Roswell Regional Hospital with an IV in my arm. Hayden was sitting in a chair next to the bed holding my hand, his brow creased with worry. When his eyes met mine, he heaved a relieved sigh and smiled
“Welcome back, baby,” he said, his voice cracking slightly. “You've been out for a little while.”
“What happened?”
“I don't know, honey. You were holding on to the cart and the next thing I knew, you just passed out. I barely caught you before you hit the floor.”
My free hand immediately went to my stomach. “The baby?” I questioned anxiously.
“The baby is fine, darlin'. Dr. Salem is having some test run on you. They called him as soon as the paramedics brought you in.”
“Are you sure the baby is okay?” I asked again, worried about anything happening to our child.
“I'm positive. The doctor listened to the baby's heartbeat and said it was strong.”
I sighed, relieved. We both turned as Dr. Salem entered the room. The graying Indian man smiled as he approached the bed. “How is my favorite patient feeling?” he asked, placing a gentle hand on my arm.
“My head still hurts a little.” I looked up at him. “What is it? Is there something wrong?”
“I'm afraid so,” he said in a kindly voice. He rolled a small stool over and sat next to the bed, turning so he was facing both me and Hayden. “I got your test results back, and there is good news and bad news.”
I squeezed Hayden's hand tightly as my stomach balled up in a tight knot. “What's the bad news?”
“Well
, the bad news is you're suffering from preeclampsia, or toxemia as it's commonly called.”
I didn't have to ask him what it was because a couple of my friends in Atlanta had had it with their pregnancies. “But until today, I have been feeling fine. How could it just suddenly happen like that?”
“Sometimes it just does. Every woman's body is different, and while some women gradually feel the effects of preeclampsia, it strikes others suddenly, sometimes in a matter of days, sometimes hours, which is what happened in your case.” He flipped open the chart. “Now, we found a lot of protein in your urine and your blood pressure is pretty high. The heightened blood pressure is probably what caused the headache and the dizziness. Sometimes stress can trigger the symptoms and make them worse.”
Feeling Hayden's grip tighten on my hand, I looked at him as he lowered his head and closed his eyes tightly. I heard him swear under his breath and I knew he was thinking about Jerome's visit upsetting me, not to mention the earlier words with Debra. I squeezed his hand back, urging him to look at me. When he opened his eyes, I gave him my 'everything will be okay look,' and he forced a smile.
The doctor looked up from his chart. “How is your vision?”
“It's fine now, but earlier it was a little blurry.”
“Any pain anywhere?”
“My right shoulder hurts a little.”
“Those are two more symptoms of preeclampsia.” The doctor pressed his fingers against my ankles. “You've got a little swelling too.”
Hayden, listening intently finally asked, “Well, what's the good news, Doctor?”
“The good news is since we've caught it this early, treatment will be a lot easier. Now, I'm going to prescribe a mild medication for the blood pressure that won't affect the baby. I'm also going to put you on strict bed rest. I don't want you to get up to do anything except to use the bathroom and take a shower in the mornings. That's it.” He looked at Hayden. “Keep her down and don't let her do anything.” He smiled and winked. “We both know how stubborn she can be.”
Hayden grinned. “Don't I know it.”