Country Boy vs. City Girl

by Shanna Hatfield

  Josh took a long drink of his tea before answering.

  “I sent Jake over to do the Tuttle’s baling. He should be done in another hour or so. I was working on some repairs in the shop and remembered I had a bit of picking up to do before you got home,” Josh shot her a sheepish smile. He had been hustling for the last hour, throwing dirty clothes in the washer, wiping down the kitchen, putting fresh sheets on the bed and straightening up their bathroom. The house looked pretty good, if he did say so himself. He just finished loading the dishwasher when he saw Jenna’s car pull in the drive.

  “Well, everything looks wonderful,” Jenna said, looking around. Josh generally did a good job of keeping the house up despite his busy farm schedule. She hoped he knew how much she appreciated all his hard work and his willingness to let her try this new career.

  “I didn’t know if you remembered, but we are supposed to go to dinner and then the play with Clay and Callan tonight. If you are too tired, I know they will understand,” Josh said, leaning across the counter as he spoke, his eyes intent on her face. He almost hoped she would cancel because he wouldn’t mind staying home with her this evening.

  “Oh, I did forget, but I would still love to go. I’ve got time to get ready, don’t I?” Jenna asked, glancing at the kitchen clock.

  “Plenty of time,” Josh said, giving her a quick kiss. “I’ll call Cal and let her know we are still on. Why don’t I have them meet us here and we can ride together.”

  “Sounds great,” Jenna said as she finished her tea and tugged her suitcase into the bedroom. The bed looked so inviting, she wanted to sink into it and sleep for a week. Instead, she went and drew a bath, deciding she had time for a short soak. She hoped it would drain the achiness that had been plaguing her so she could enjoy the evening ahead.

  Jenna awoke to hear Josh knocking on the bathroom door.

  “Babe, you better get a move on. Clay and Cal will be here in half an hour,” Josh hollered, sticking his head around the bathroom door. “Have you been in the tub all this time?”

  Jenna couldn’t believe she fell asleep in the tub. That was definitely a first. Looking down at her shriveled fingers, she wondered how long it would take them to look normal again. Grabbing a towel, she got out of the tub and plugged in her blow dryer and flat iron.

  “I’ll be ready in a flash,” she said, already blowing her hair dry. “Want to time me?”

  “No need, I’ll still be ready before you are,” Josh laughed, pulling his clothes out of the closet and laying them on the bed before he jumped in the shower.

  Josh beat her getting ready by a full five minutes. She walked into the living room just as Clay and Callan came in the back door.

  Deciding to go in Callan’s car, they enjoyed catching up on the drive to the city. Clay pulled into the restaurant parking lot where they sat at a cozy booth for four and savored a delicious meal. At the play just down the street, they ran into Jenna’s aunt and uncle.

  “Jenna, sweetie, we haven’t seen you forever,” Amelia said, embracing her in a hug and a fog of expensive perfume.

  “I know, Aunt Amelia. I’ve been kind of busy with my new job,” Jenna said, threading her arm through her aunt’s as they walked inside the theatre. It turned out Phil and Amelia’s seats were just a few rows over from them so they all visited until it was time to sit down. After the play, which was a great comedy, Amelia and Phil invited them over for dessert.

  “I didn’t have time to bake today, Jenna, so I picked up something from that wonderful bakery you always liked so well,” Amelia explained. “One of their chocolate creations.”

  “Well, I don’t think it would hurt for just a short visit, would it Jenna?” Josh threw in, more than willing to eat chocolate as long as Amelia didn’t make it. Turning to his sister, he was sure he could count on her support. “What do you think Callan?”

  “That sounds lovely,” Callan said with a warm smile. Josh knew Callan wouldn’t let him down when it came to chocolate.

  Chatting over chocolate cheesecake with raspberry sauce, Josh and Callan relished every bite, while Clay carried most of the conversation with Amelia and Phil. Jenna looked like she could barely stay awake as she leaned wearily over her untouched dessert.

  On the drive home, Jenna fell asleep against Josh’s shoulder. Slipping his arm around her, he pulled her close.

  Callan glanced back to see her sleeping and shook her head.

  “Is she feeling okay, Josh?” Callan asked quietly, concern filling her voice. “Jenna looked so pale and tired this evening, I wondered if she was sick.”

  “I’m not sure,” Josh said, looking down at his wife. It certainly wasn’t like her to be tired and lacking energy. She was usually a fireball, one he sometimes had trouble keeping up with. “She fell asleep in the tub when she got home and then had to rush to get ready before you two arrived. I wonder if she is just exhausted from all the travel and stress of her job.”

  “Probably,” Callan commented as they turned into Josh and Jenna’s driveway. “She should have said something and we could have done this another time.”

  “I know, but she really did want to go,” Josh said, unfastening both his and Jenna’s seat belt, which woke her up.

  “Oh, are we home already?” Jenna asked, sitting up. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to conk out on you guys.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” Callan said, looking over the seat. “We had a great time and it is your turn to pick our outing next month. Just tell us when and where to show up.”

  “I will. Thanks again for this evening. It was so nice,” Jenna said, trying unsuccessfully to stifle a yawn.

  “I better get her inside or she might just curl up on the step,” Josh teased, giving Jenna his hand as she climbed out of the car. “See you both later and thanks again.”

  Jenna’s head barely touched her pillow before she was in a deep sleep. Josh watched her in the moonlit shadows and wondered what exactly was going on with his wife.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Jenna slept most of the weekend. She seemed to lack the energy to do more than shuffle into the kitchen to get a drink or eat something before she would shuffle back to the bed and sleep for hours on end. Josh was nearly in a panic by the time Monday morning arrived.

  “Babe, let me take you to the doctor this morning,” he said, sitting on the edge of the bed. While Jenna slept through the weekend, he kept watch trying to figure out what could be making her so tired. Shadows hung beneath his bleary eyes as he fidgeted with the edge of the sheet. “Please? Something isn’t right and I really think you should let the doctor take a look.”

  “I have an appointment tomorrow. One more day won’t make any difference,” Jenna said, struggling to keep her eyes open long enough to talk to Josh. “I’m sure I’ll feel better soon.”

  “Right,” Josh said without any conviction. Leaning over her, he put an arm on each side of her head and stared into her eyes, willing the sparks he often saw there to flare to life. Instead, all he saw was exhaustion. “I’ve got my phone if you need me today, okay? Promise you will call me if you don’t feel better or if you need something.”

  “I promise,” Jenna said, raising her arms to hug him around the neck, offering him a soft kiss. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too, Babe,” Josh said, standing up, but uncertain whether he should leave her.

  “Go on Josh. I’ll be fine,” Jenna tried to reassure him. Summoning a smile, she shooed him in the direction of the door. “I’m sure Jake is wondering what has happened to you. Get going Mr. Farmer Man.”

  Josh walked backward to the bedroom door and smiled at her before he turned and left. If she wasn’t better tomorrow, he would personally escort her to the doctor.

  Jenna couldn’t keep her eyes open and drifted back to sleep. She woke up at noon when she heard a noise in the kitchen. Not feeling the energy to shuffle in, she raised her voice and called, “Josh, is that you?”

  She heard something being placed on th
e counter, then footsteps coming toward the bedroom. A soft knock preceded a dark head peeking into the room. It was Jake.

  “Josh went over to the Weavers to finish the swathing,” Jake said, standing cautiously in the doorway. After the last lunch-time fiasco, she couldn’t blame him for being a bit gun-shy. “Can I get you something, Jenna?”

  “No thank you, Jake, I’m fine. I just heard someone out there and thought maybe it was Josh. Go ahead and eat your lunch. Don’t mind me,” Jenna said, somewhat embarrassed for anyone to see her looking like such a tousled mess. She hadn’t showered since Saturday and she could only imagine if she looked even half as bad as she felt what a sight she must make.

  “Are you sure I can’t bring you something to drink or eat?” Jake asked, giving her a worried glance. “Josh said you’ve been under the weather. I could make you some tea or soup.”

  “Thank you, Jake. I appreciate the offer,” Jenna said, watching his eagerness to help. Someday a lucky girl would be mighty blessed to snag Jake Chandler, if he was ever of a mind to be caught. “If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, I’d love a glass of iced tea and some toast.”

  “No problem. I’ll be right back,” Jake said, hustling back into the kitchen. She heard him banging around and in no time he was back with a glass of tea, a plate with two pieces of toast, buttered and sliced, and a napkin on a tray. Jenna had scooted back to sit up against the pillows and pulled the sheet up to her chin.

  “Where do you want this?” Jake asked, walking over to the bed. Jenna took the tray out of his hands and placed it on her lap. She offered him a warm smile filled with gratitude.

  “This looks wonderful. If you don’t mind eating in here, I’d love to hear some news of what has been going on in the world while I slept away the last few days,” Jenna said as Jake stepped back away from the bed.

  “Sure Jen. Just give me a minute,” Jake said, hurrying back to the kitchen. He soon returned with two sandwiches, a pile of chips and a mound of grapes on a plate along with a big glass of tea. Looking around, Jenna motioned him to a small side table.

  “Set those books on the floor and drag the table and chair over here.” Jenna gave directions which Jake quickly followed. They were soon laughing and visiting and Jenna forgot about her exhaustion for a little while. Jake was just finishing his lunch when Jenna heard “Hello, anybody home?” from the kitchen.

  “We’re in the bedroom. Come on in,” Jenna called, as Callan entered the room carrying a vase of summer roses.

  “I thought you might like something to cheer you up,” Callan said, setting the flowers down on the dresser and looking around the room.

  “Well, goodness, Jake, how are you? I haven’t seen you forever since you enlisted to be Josh’s summer slave labor,” Callan said with a grin. Jake stood up and gave her a warm hug.

  “Josh has kept me plenty busy, but I enjoy it,” Jake said, picking up his plate and glass.

  “You know, I think you just get more handsome every time I see you,” Callan teased, playfully pinching his cheek and watching his ears and neck turn red. “But don’t let it go to your head.”

  Jenna and Callan both laughed as he hurried into the kitchen. He quickly returned to move the side table and chair back under the window, replacing the books on top.

  “Okay, I’m out of here and back to the field. Despite my heart-stopping good looks, Josh will still expect some work out of me today. It looks like you are in good hands this afternoon, Jen,” Jake said, giving Callan another hug. In all the years he’d known her, she’d become like a second mother to him and he enjoyed spending time with her.

  Jenna held out her hand to him, giving it a squeeze. “Thank you for coming to my rescue Jake. I very much appreciate it. Have a great afternoon.”

  “You’re welcome. Bye ladies,” Jake said, walking out the door.

  Callan sat down on the edge of Jenna’s bed and looked at her intently. After studying her for a few minutes, she leaned back and smiled.

  “So your husband was convinced you were on your deathbed today and asked me to check on you,” Callan explained. “The girls went with Clay to Steve and Bobbi’s so I thought I’d come over and spend the afternoon, if you don’t mind. Josh said you’ve been down in bed all weekend. Where do you feel sick?”

  “That’s the problem,” Jenna said, exasperated both by her strange illness and by Josh. She appreciated him wanting to take care of her, but to call Callan to babysit her was going a bit too far. “I don’t really feel sick anywhere. I’m just tired. Bone tired. I sleep and sleep, wake up and think about doing something and fall back to sleep before I can get up.”

  “Maybe your travel schedule just has you exhausted. You’ve been on the road so much the past couple months and it has been so hot, maybe you got a bit dehydrated as well,” Callan said, trying to think of reasons why Jenna might not feel well.

  “I tried to tell Josh I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow anyway, so I didn’t see any reason to get all worked up yet,” Jenna said, scooting back down into the bed as her eyes grew heavy.

  “Is there anything you’d like me to do?” Callan asked, knowing Jenna was about to go back to sleep.

  “No, I’m fine. You really don’t have to stay,” Jenna said softly as her eyes drifted shut and she fell asleep.

  Callan picked up Jenna’s lunch tray and returned it to the kitchen. She gathered up all the dirty clothes she could find and started the laundry then she went outside and watered Jenna’s garden and flowers.

  When she finished that, she returned inside to check on Jenna, who was still sleeping. Digging around in the freezer, she pulled out some meat and planned dinner.

  By the time Josh came home, Callan had completed three loads of laundry, picked up the house, made dinner, along with a chocolate cream pie, and had Jenna sitting up in bed showered and wearing a T-shirt and shorts, sipping on a glass of lemonade. Pecking Callan on the cheek, he washed his hands at the kitchen sink and looked around in appreciation.

  “I didn’t know when I called you that a miracle worker was going to come over,” Josh said with a grin. “Honest, Cal, I didn’t expect you to work all afternoon, just keep Jenna company.”

  “I know Josh, but she was tired and needed to sleep and I couldn’t just sit around doing nothing,” Callan said as she pulled a pork roast out of the oven.

  Walking into the bedroom while Callan put dinner on the table, Josh looked down at Jenna and smiled. “How are you feeling, Babe? Want to sit at the counter or the table with me?”

  “I think I do feel better and I would love to see something besides these four walls,” Jenna said, scooting to the edge of the bed. Josh started to pick her up but she insisted on walking. “I feel like my legs need to stretch,” she said, leaning on Josh’s arm as she walked into the kitchen.

  Callan dished up the food and prepared to leave. “Everything is ready, you two enjoy. I better get on home and feed my own hungry troops,” Callan said, giving Jenna a hug. “If you need me to come over tomorrow, just say the word. I expect a phone call as soon as you find out anything from the doctor.”

  “Will do, Cal,” Josh said, walking her to the back door. “Thanks again for coming today. I really appreciate it.”

  “Anytime,” Callan said, giving him a big smile as she walked out the door. “I’m sure I’ll think of some way for you to repay me.”

  Jenna’s doctor appointment was for late morning in Portland. Josh got up extra early and completed as much work as he could before returning to the house, showering and helping Jenna out to her car. Driving the hour into the doctor’s office, he certainly hoped they could find out what was making Jenna so tired. She did look a bit better today and her color was definitely improving. Maybe it was a flu bug like she suggested, but he somehow doubted it.

  When Jenna arrived, she explained to the nurse that she was there for an annual check-up, but didn’t feel well and wanted to speak with the doctor about what was making her sick. Leaving Josh in the w
aiting room, the nurse took her blood pressure, weighed and measured Jenna and collected both urine and blood samples.

  When the doctor finally came to her room, Jenna was exhausted. The doctor took one look at her and knew something was not right. Looking in her eyes, nose and throat, having her breathe and swallow, the doctor kept up a friendly chatter, occasionally asking questions.

  She just finished when the nurse came in the room, beaming a huge smile as she handed a folder to the doctor. Nodding her head, the doctor proceeded with the rest of the exam then told Jenna she would like to have her come to her office. So while Jenna finished getting dressed, the nurse went and got Josh from the waiting room and escorted them both to the doctor’s office.

  Sitting facing the doctor, who was all smiles, Jenna felt Josh take her hand in his and squeeze it lightly. The warmth of his fingers wrapped around hers made her feel protected and loved.

  “Well, Jenna, after your exam and looking at your test results, I can tell you that your condition is temporary and should completely right itself in about seven months,” the doctor said, continuing to smile at both Jenna and Josh.

  “She can’t make it like this through seven more months,” Josh said, letting go of Jenna’s hand and leaning forward on his knees. Was the doctor crazy or completely lacking in empathy?

  “I assure you, she can. Women have been doing it since the beginning of time. So I don’t think you have anything to worry about, Daddy,” the doctor said, giving Josh a pointed look.

  “Well, what does…” Josh suddenly looked from Dr. Meliah to Jenna and back to the doctor, who sat nodding her head. “Daddy? Do you mean she’s… that Jenna ... that we’re going to have a baby?”

  “That is exactly what I mean. Congratulations to you both. It looks like Jenna is about seven weeks pregnant,” the doctor said enthusiastically. She picked up some brochures and a prescription pad, scribbling something across it before handing the information and the note to Josh while she turned to Jenna.