Wade couldn’t control his elation. Jenna was carrying his child. No wonder she hadn’t gone back to work with Uncle Stanley. He was sure she wouldn’t have wanted him to know about the baby, not after the way he had treated her. The thought of how he’d hurt her made him groan in shame. He had to go to her, but not here, not in the street. He’d wait until she got home before making his presence known. He hid in the shadows until he saw her leave, then carefully followed her home.
***
Jenna walked into her cozy apartment and started to go into her bedroom when the doorbell rang. She figured Carol had come after her for some reason and opened the door without asking who it was.
She covered her mouth as she gasped. It was Wade! What was he doing there?
“Hello Jenna,” he said, as if being at her door was the most natural thing in the world.
“What are you doing here?!” The last thing Jenna needed at this point was Wade belittling her again.
“I’ve been looking for you. You left without a trace.” He slowly walked in and closed the door behind him.
Jenna couldn’t believe the gall but allowed him in.
“Can you blame me? You made your opinion of me crystal clear that night.” The pain he had caused her was still fresh in her mind and the anger rose in her. “Now please leave.”
“How could you ask me to leave? You’re pregnant with my child, I’m not going anywhere.”
She thought about what he had just said. Now that he knew he might try to take the baby away, he certainly had the means to succeed. She wouldn’t allow that! Her mind scrambled for a response.
“This isn’t your child,” she blurted out, hoping he couldn’t hear the tremor in her voice as she lied.
“I know that’s my baby, Jenna. Now, I know you’re angry with me, but I need you to please hear me out.”
“I don’t have to hear anything out, and this is not your baby. I left your house eight months ago, yet I’m only seven months pregnant, you do the math.” She saw the look of devastation on his face but chose to ignore it. This man had no place in her or her baby’s life.
“You’re pregnant by another man?” he asked in little more than a whisper, shock and pain mingling with his words.
“According to you I’m just a whore who’ll sleep with anybody, I guess you were right all along. Now, I need you to leave. The baby’s father will be here soon and I’d rather he not find you here. Besides, the sight of you makes me want to vomit,” she said, as she opened the door.
He stood motionless as her words slowly registered. She was having another man’s baby, there was no longer any room for him in her world. Wade slumped his shoulders as he walked out the door.
“Goodbye Jenna. I sincerely wish you the best,” he said as he walked out of her home and out of her life.
Jenna closed the door and walked into her bedroom. She lay on her bed and sobbed. Seeing him again brought back all those feelings she had tucked away in her subconscious, hoping to never let them see the light of day again. Feelings of love and loss, of want and betrayal. He had used her, then humiliated her by throwing it in her face. He didn’t deserve her time, yet when she saw him she had an overwhelming desire to jump in his arms and pretend that the past had never been. For the sake of her baby she had to forget that he had ever come here. He was repulsed by her, but he might want his child, and that was something she would never allow.
The doorbell rang again. If it was Wade she would not open the door, she said to herself. When she asked who it was she heard Corbin’s voice and sighed with relief. She opened the door and let him in.
“Hey, are you okay? Do you need to go to the hospital?” he saw her swollen eyes and guessed that she had been crying.
“No, no. I’m okay. It’s just that Wade was just here,” she said as she blew her nose.
She had told Carol and Corbin all about her relationship with Wade and Corbin’s protective nature took over.
“Did he hurt you?” he asked, growing angry at the thought of someone hurting Jenna. He looked ready to pounce.
“No, he didn’t. But he did guess that this was his baby. I lied and told him that I was only seven months pregnant and that he couldn’t be the father.”
“Did he believe it?”
“I think he did. But I need to ask you for a huge favor.”
“Anything. You know I’d do anything for you.”
“I told him that the baby’s father was in the picture. If he comes back around, will you pretend to be the father? It’s only until he leaves,” Jenna asked expectantly.
Corbin didn’t even have to think about it. “Of course I will. I wouldn’t mind playing house with you,” he joked, but Jenna could detect the longing in his voice.
“Thank you Corbin. You’re a true friend.”
***
Wade had been elated when he’d finally found Jenna. Now the anguish that he had felt all along was back with a vengeance. He blew it. He’d found the one woman who could make him happy, and he had thrown her away. Now it was too late, she had found someone to love her and that man would be raising the child that should have been theirs.
He gave one more backward look and saw a man approach Jenna’s door. He was her new love. Wade watched as he entered Jenna’s apartment and felt like a knife had been plunged into his heart.
***
Wade stayed at the local motel overnight, figuring on setting out early the next morning. As he lay in bed it began to rain and soon lightning began illuminating the darkened room. At the sound of thunder he envisioned Jenna, eyes wide open as she clutched the blanket to her chest. He felt an overwhelming desire to go to her little home, take her in his arms and kiss the fear away. Then it hit him like one of the bolts of lightning descending outside his room, there was someone else holding her in his arms, comforting her.
His dreams that night were more like nightmares. He saw Jenna running toward him, smiling and happy, only to watch her pass him and jump into the arms of another man. Someone handed her a baby and they walked away as a family. He tried to call out to her, but she didn’t hear him and soon she vanished into the clouds.
He woke up in a sweat, his mouth dry and his head pounding. He decided to check out early and went to the local diner for a cup of coffee to help clear his head and to hopefully get rid of the pounding ache. The waitress approached him just as he was rubbing his temples for relief.
“Hey bud, are you feeling okay?” she asked.
Her name tag read Carol, and she seemed truly concerned.
“Yeah, just have a killer headache. I’m sure a cup of coffee will take care of it.”
“I’ll bring it right over.”
He watched as she walked away then put his head back in his hands, thinking of the mess he had created. Knowing that Jenna would never be his tore his heart apart and he couldn’t control the errant tear that ran down his cheek.
Carol came back with his coffee and put her hand on his shoulder.
“I know you don’t know me from Adam, but I can tell you that whatever is troubling you will pass. Time heals all wounds,” she said warmly.
He gave her a slight smile and began sipping his coffee. Carol looked him over, trying to figure him out. He was gorgeous, that was for sure, but he looked defeated, and she couldn’t help pitying him.
“Would you like something to eat?”
“The coffee will be fine, thanks.” He looked down at his cup and she knew she had been dismissed.
“Well, you let me know if you need anything else, okay?”
“Sure.”
Carol went back to work and he finished his coffee. As he walked out he decided that he would visit Jenna one last time. He had been in such shock the day before that he had never explained what had driven him to his actions. He felt that she should know that he knew the truth, and that in his eyes she was the most virtuous woman he’d ever met.
***
He approached her door, hoping her lover was away. He neede
d to talk to her, and he would rather it be alone. He rang the doorbell and heard her voice call out.
“Who is it?”
“Jenna, it’s Wade. I’d like to talk to you.”
The last thing Jenna needed right now was to talk to Wade. Her contractions were coming quicker and she had just been getting ready to go to the hospital.
“Wade, please go away.”
“I’m not leaving until I talk to you.” Wade said firmly. He knew it was selfish but he needed to unburden himself.
Jenna figured it would be best to let him say what he had to say and leave.
He heard as she unlocked the door then opened it to let him in.
“Please be quick, I have things to do,” she said as she walked into the living room.
Wade began to speak but stopped when he saw her bend over and grab onto a chair.
“What’s wrong?” he said, alarmed at her pallor.
“Nothing, now say what you have to say and leave.” She tried to sound strong but this last contraction had taken her by surprise, it had been stronger than any of the others. She figured that the stress of seeing Wade again was pushing things along more quickly.
He watched as she again bent forward in pain.
“You need to get to a hospital.”
“I need to call Corbin, I want him to take me to the hospital.”
She didn’t see the look of pain in Wade’s eyes.
“What’s his number, I’ll call him,” he said.
“That’s okay, I’ll call him. Now please Wade, you need to go,” she said as her face again contorted in pain.
“I’m not leaving until he gets here. You can’t stay alone in this condition.”
Jenna decided not to argue. She picked up her cell phone and went into her bedroom. She first called Carol, since she was her coach, and then called Corbin and explained the situation.
Within minutes they were both there. Wade saw that the woman was the waitress from the diner and caught the look of recognition in her eyes, but she said nothing and neither did he. He watched as they put her in a car.
“Carol, please get my bag, it’s under the bed.”
Carol rushed in and took the bag out. She locked the door and ran to the car. No one gave Wade a second look. He stood there and watched helplessly as they drove away.
He began to turn around and head to his truck when a plump lady came up to the door looking for Jenna.
“They just left for the hospital,” Wade said to the lady.
He saw as the woman raised her fist into the air.
“Finally, I thought that baby would never come,” she said laughing.
Wade felt as if he had been punched in the gut.
“What do you mean, isn’t she early?”
“Early? Hah! That baby’s almost two weeks late.”
Realization hit Wade like a ton of bricks. She had lied to him, this was his baby!
“Can you tell me where the hospital is located?” he asked nervously.
The woman finally stopped and looked him over suspiciously. “Who are ya? I’ve never seen ya ‘round these parts before.”
“I’m a friend of Jenna’s, and I need to get to the hospital right away,” he said.
“Listen, I don’t want ya starting any problems for Jenna,” Midge said, regretting ever speaking to the stranger.
“Believe me, the last thing I want is to create any problems for her. I just have to see her, that’s all.”
“Well, I’m not gonna be the one to direct ya there,” Midge’s protective instinct took over. Jenna had become like a daughter to her and the last thing she wanted was to see her get hurt again. In her excitement Midge had said too much, but this man would get nothing more out of her.
“Okay, you don’t have to help me. I’ll find out some other way.”
Midge saw him walk away and immediately called Carol, but the call went directly to voicemail.
“Hi Carol. I just wanted to let ya know that some man was here and said he was going to the hospital to talk to Jenna. Please warn her for me. Thanks.” She ended the call, hoping that Carol would receive the message before the man got there.
Chapter seventeen
Wade drove to the local gas station and went into the small convenience store located towards the rear of the lot.
“I’m sorry to bother you,” he said to the tall lanky man sitting behind the counter.
The man put down the newspaper he had been reading and looked at Wade.
“How can I help you, son?”
“I’m looking to get to the hospital. Can you give me directions?”
“Sure thing. Take this road to the end, then make a right. Just follow the hospital signs from there.”
“Thank you much,” Wade said as he rushed out the door.
He sped down the road hoping that there were no police around to stop him. Everything was a blur, Wade’s only focus was reaching Jenna. When he finally got to the hospital he hastily parked the truck and ran into the emergency room waiting area.
“I need to see a patient who was just brought in,” he said to the young nurse in the reception area.
“What’s her name,” she asked.
“It’s Jenna Delaney, she’s in labor.”
“Oh, you have to go through those doors. Make a left and go to labor and delivery, someone will help you there. Are you the daddy to be?” she asked sweetly.
“Yes I am,” Wade answered, an overwhelming flow of emotions suddenly hitting him. He was going to be a father. He and Jenna were having a baby. Tears sprang to his eyes as the reality of the situation set in.
He followed the nurse’s directions and stopped when he saw Jenna being wheeled in. The nurse left her to help prepare her room.
“I’ll be done in a jiffy, sweetheart,” the nurse said.
“Okay,” Jenna said as she looked up.
Wade saw the look of sheer panic in her eyes as she caught sight of him.
“I told you to go away, Wade. Please leave me alone.”
He slowly walked to her and knelt beside her. “Jenna, I know this is my baby,” he said softly.
Jenna looked at him wide-eyed and started to protest, but he stopped her before she could continue.
“A lady stopped by your house right after you left, she said the baby’s late. This is my baby.”
Jenna lowered her head and began to cry. He hated being the one to bring her to tears at a time like this.
“Wade, you made perfectly clear how you feel about me. Please leave me alone to raise my child in peace. I can’t subject it to your scorn and hatred of me, please don’t make me do that.”
Wade started to explain what had happened that awful day when he saw her tense up in pain. Just then Carol and Corbin walked in.
“Hey hon, we got you signed in.”
“She’s in pain, I’ll go get a nurse,” Wade said as they eyed him suspiciously.
***
When Jenna had left Wade back at the house she felt reassured that he would not follow her. Knowing that she was carrying another man’s child should have been enough to send him away for good, so why had he come back? When he told her that he knew he was the baby’s father Jenna felt as if her world were collapsing. What would he do now? Would he try to take the baby from her? She didn’t think Stanley and Rose would allow him to do something like that, but he did have the resources to fight her.
“What’s he doing here?” Carol asked worriedly.
“He figured out that he’s the father,” Jenna said dejectedly.
“How did he do that? You told him you were only seven months pregnant.” Carol said in disbelief.
“Someone told him that I was actually late.”
“What does he want to do now?” Corbin asked.
“I don’t know, but I don’t want to anger him. Maybe we can come up with an amicable solution.” Jenna was trying to remain hopeful. If he wanted to be in the baby’s life they could come up with visitation. It wasn’t what Jen
na had envisioned, but if he proved he was the father she would have to give in. The last thing she wanted was a legal fight, but if he thought that he could come in and take her baby away he didn’t know Jenna. She would fight tooth and nail for her child. She felt another contraction coming and braced herself. The nurse rushed over and wheeled her into the labor room just as Wade was returning from the nurses’ station.
“I’m going in with you,” He wanted to be there when his child came into the world and no one was going to stop him.
“I’m her coach,” Carol protested.
Jenna looked at Wade and knew that it would be futile to argue.
“You can both come in,” she said, looking at Carol.
Once they settled Jenna in her bed Wade went over to talk to the head nurse.
“She’s in a lot of pain, can’t you give her anything?” He had seen her grab onto the bed rail, white knuckled and in excruciating pain, and wanted nothing more than to ease her misery.
“She’s too far along, the baby will be here soon. The doctor’s on his way and in the meantime we’ll try to make her as comfortable as possible,” she said, looking at Wade with understanding eyes.
Wade went back into the room and took Jenna’s hand in his.
“Hey sweetheart. The nurse said the doctor’s on his way,” he said, wishing he could magically take the pain away.
Jenna didn’t know what to make of him. He was treating her with such tenderness, yet when she had last seen him back at the ranch he had been anything but. She was trying to make sense of it when another contraction took hold, obliterating any other thought but that of her body wracked with pain.
The nurse checked her vitals and Wade watched as she rushed out to find the doctor.
A couple of minutes later the doctor came into the room.
“Sorry I’m late. So I see he or she finally decided to make an appearance,” he joked to an unamused Jenna.
“She’s in a lot of pain doc,” Wade nervously said.
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