by Paula Mowery
“You look beautiful.” His gaze roamed her face, halting at her lips. He leaned closer.
Chelsea’s pulse pounded and her body trembled with anticipation. She could hardly breathe. No. She couldn’t let this happen. He’d regret it. She stepped back and smiled. “You are looking quite dapper yourself.”
Kevin’s shoulders slumped and his lips pressed together. Her heart ached at pushing him away.
He pulled the front door open. “Guess we better get on the road.”
The ride to the church in Knoxville was silent. Kevin escorted her to a seat in the sanctuary and then scurried off to find Eric. The church was already full. Would she see someone she knew? She stared straight ahead to avoid eye contact with anyone. She hoped she didn’t embarrass Kevin today.
She studied the wedding décor—mixes of wildflowers and candles. The familiar Canon in D hummed from the organ. Eric entered from a side door followed by Kevin. Their eyes met. He winked and again her insides shook.
Throughout the wedding ceremony she couldn’t take her eyes off Kevin. Tears threatened for what might have been. She swallowed them down.
Chelsea stayed planted in her pew until the pictures were completed.
Kevin sauntered over and offered his arm. “We’re off to the country club.” He stuck his nose in the air.
She giggled.
They strolled arm in arm into the large room and joined the line to the buffet.
“I didn’t know we were eating. I’m used to the cake and punch type wedding receptions,” she whispered.
“Me, too, but it smells good.”
After the meal and cake cutting, the bride and her father wowed everyone with a special father-daughter dance. The applause for their performance died down and a slow love song crooned from the speakers. Kevin stood and extended his hand. “May I have this dance?”
She placed her hand in his and allowed him to pull her to her feet and onto the wooden dance floor. She avoided meeting his gaze as he wrapped his arms around her. The trembling returned. Could he feel her reaction to his nearness and touch?
“Thanks for coming with me.” He spoke in a low voice near her ear as they continued to sway to the music.
She didn’t trust her voice so she just nodded. The song ended, but she wasn’t relieved. She had to admit to herself she was actually disappointed.
She had to resist giving in to Kevin’s effect on her. though he was making that a difficult thing to do.
CHAPTER NINE
Chelsea’s summer break sped by and school began. Her pregnancy could no longer be hidden. Mrs. Tarwater had congratulated her and sponsored a baby shower. Chelsea was so appreciative. Most of the school staff had attended, giving her much-needed supplies. She perched at the kitchen counter, writing thank you cards. The aroma of chicken casserole wafted from the oven.
She put down her pen and shuffled over to check on the supper. She pulled the door open and struggled to bend over. Being mid-September, only about a month remained until delivery. Bending and getting up from a seated position were challenges she hadn’t known she’d have to face.
“Here, let me.” Kevin shoved his hand into the oven mitt and slid the casserole out.
Chelsea leaned over, studying the crushed crackers on top. “Yep, that’s ready. Could you take it out?”
“Sure. Mmm, it’s making me drool.”
“There’s bread in that basket and vegetables in that dish.” She pointed.
Kevin looked at her and cocked an eyebrow. “Little nesting?”
She chuckled. “Mrs. Tarwater accused me of the same thing. I totally reorganized the whole art supply closet.” She rubbed the small of her back. “Good for her but not my back.”
“Don’t get overzealous there, little mama.” He snapped the oven door shut and put his arm around her shoulders. “Don’t want to endanger Laura in any way.”
Since discovering the sex of the baby and choosing a name, Kevin had promptly started to speak of her baby by name.
They sat down at the dining room table and Kevin offered a prayer. Silence pervaded as they ate. After dinner, Kevin leaned back. “I’m not sure whether I should thank you or Laura’s influence for this delicious meal.” He accentuated the word “influence” with air quotes.
“Either way, you’re welcome.” She started to stand but Kevin’s hand on her arm stopped her.
“Just a minute. I wanted to ask you something.” His expression was serious. “I don’t suppose you have a crib or changing table?”
Chelsea shook her head. “No. Afraid not.”
“I found a few pieces stored in the shed out back and had an Amish patient refinish them and replace the mattress and covering. But, I don’t want to presume that you’ll want to use them.”
Tears sprang to her eyes. “Are you kidding? I would be so thankful.” Her throat grew thick and her pulse pounded there.
He reached for her hand and pulled her to her feet, leading the way to the downstairs guest bedroom. He stepped to the side. “What do you think?”
Chelsea’s eyes fell upon the crisp white crib and matching changing table. She crossed the room and ran her hand over the smooth side rail of the bed. Whirling around, she stood face to face with Kevin. “You’ve saved the day again.”
“Kinda like a super hero?” He grinned.
“Exactly like a super hero.” Her words trailed off as his gaze became more intense. She swallowed.
“Chelsea.” He spoke her name with a breathy quality. “You have to know I care for you.”
“That’s obvious. You’ve been so kind, taking me in and...” Her insides trembled.
His hand cupped her cheek and her pulse pounded. Suddenly, a sharp thump shook her belly. She couldn’t suppress a small yelp. Kevin blinked and stepped back. “What’s the matter?”
Chelsea giggled. “I guess Laura didn’t want to be left out. Here, give me your hand.”
She guided his hand to her bulging stomach just as Laura thwacked again.
Kevin’s eyes widened. “Whoa. She’s going to be a soccer player.”
“I just wish she’d wait until after birth to start practicing.”
They laughed.
Kevin caressed her belly. “I care for you, too.” He spoke directly to Laura, eyes on her midsection.
Chelsea’s chest warmed. How could she not fall in love anew with this man? But, I’m bound to hurt him if I follow through on how I feel. I can’t do that to him again.
* * *
Kevin crawled into bed and stared at the dim light sneaking around the blinds. Had he gone too far today? His love for Chelsea had returned with renewed strength. But, she held back. Could it be that all she wanted was friendship? In his heart, friendship didn’t appear to be an option. All he could do was continue to show his love and pray she would reciprocate.
A low thud in the kitchen caught his attention. He jumped up and sprinted around the corner. The light over the sink illuminated Chelsea’s Cheshire cat grin. “Sorry. I tried so hard to be quiet.”
“Everything okay?”
“Having trouble getting comfortable. Thought maybe a little warm cocoa might help.” She retrieved a mug from the microwave.
“Mind if I join you?”
“Not at all.” She stirred the mug’s contents and then offered it to him. “Here. I’ll make another.”
“Thanks.” He plopped onto a stool and sipped the warm chocolate. “What kind is this? That’s good.”
“Oh, it’s homemade, not a packet.” She eyed at her mug. “My dad taught me how to make it.” Her lip quivered but she covered it by sipping from her cup.
“You miss him, don’t you?”
She nodded. “He never treated me like my mother did. He was very loving and even encouraging. But.” She sighed.
“But what?”
She met his gaze. “He never would stand up for me when Mom...” Her forehead crinkled. “I don’t know why.” She sipped her chocolate again. She stared off at nothing
in particular. “I hope I can be a good mother.”
“You will be.”
“The Promise Classes at the Pregnancy Center have truly been a Godsend. They’ve taught me about being a godly parent.” She looked him in the eyes. “We better get back to bed.”
“Thanks for the cocoa. Hope you can sleep.”
“Me too.” She rubbed her protruding belly. “I hope Laura won’t decide to practice her soccer kicks.” She rolled her eyes.
He chuckled. “Me too.”
Kevin moseyed back to bed. What was it that could cause a father to be so aloof from his own daughter? Kevin wasn’t Laura’s father, but he’d never push her away like that.
CHAPTER TEN
Chelsea gathered her purse and sweater. As she headed for the exit, Mrs. Tarwater stopped her. The children worked at their desks.
The old teacher embraced her. “I wish you well, my dear. I will miss you during your leave. Take care of yourself and that little girl.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Tarwater.”
Chelsea waddled to her car. The doctor had ordered her to begin her leave immediately. In just four days her labor would be induced if she didn’t go into labor on her own before then. That seemed unlikely since the doctor had informed her there was very little dilation.
She climbed the steps to the front door and made it as far as the front sitting room before she slumped into a chair and propped her swollen feet on the small ottoman. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes.
The front door creaked open and she jumped awake, still groggy from dozing off.
Kevin eased the door shut and tiptoed dramatically toward her. “Sorry,” he whispered.
She sat up a bit straighter. “I didn’t mean to doze off anyway.” A yawn overtook her mouth. “Excuse me.”
Kevin plunked onto the couch. “No reason for that. I know you’re not sleeping well. But, just a couple more days.”
“Yeah. I have mixed feelings.”
“Oh?”
“Well, you know, the going through the delivery part is a little scary. But, then again, maybe I’ll get some relief.”
“I already arranged it with Dr. Tarwater. I’ll drive you and stick around.”
Tears threatened to spill. Most women had a husband or even their mother to be with them during delivery. She had neither. “Kevin, I hate to ask this of you because you’ve done so much already.” She diverted her eyes from his.
“Chelsea, you can ask me anything. Shoot.”
“Do you think they would allow you to stay with me, at least at the beginning? I’ve heard the inducing can be a long process.”
“I’d be honored. And, I can keep a watch out on my new patient’s arrival.” He winked.
“Thanks. I’m so indebted to you already.”
“No. Stop right there. I want to be there with you. You need someone.”
He understood. She was relieved.
* * *
Kevin chuckled to himself. His stomach fluttered with a million butterflies as they checked Chelsea into the hospital. He waited outside the room as the doctor performed his initial exam and prepared to insert the IV of Ptocin.
“Dr. Alley,” a voice called from behind him.
He whirled around. A nurse held open the door to Chelsea’s room. “You can go in now.”
“Thanks.”
The monitor was already attached to show Chelsea and the baby’s stats as well as the IV with the induction meds. He couldn’t help a quick glance at the heart rates. He turned his attention to Chelsea.
She shrugged. “So, here we are.”
“Yep. How are you doing?”
“Okay. I was told this could take a while.”
“I’m afraid so.”
She filled her cheeks with air and let it out.
Maybe he could distract her and help the time pass. “Do you remember that time I taught you to fish?”
She burst into a giggle. “I can’t believe you didn’t run when I caught the back of your shirt with my hook and almost slung you into the lake.”
They reminisced for hours while the nurse intermittently increased the induction drug.
At about two in the afternoon, Chelsea could only concentrate on getting through increasing contractions. Kevin stood next to the bed, encouraging her. She reached for his hand and squeezed until the ends of his fingers turned beet red. She released but immediately bore down again. When the nurse returned, Kevin informed her of the closeness of the contractions.
The doctor rushed in, displeased by the lack of progress in dilation. “You need to go ahead and have the epidural.”
Chelsea pinned the doctor with a glare and spoke through gritted teeth. “I was hoping to try to do this.”
“You need the epidural.”
Chelsea nodded.
An anesthesiologist wheeled in a small cart followed by the nurse. “Could you step out one moment?” the nurse said in a low tone.
“No. Could he stay?” Chelsea’s gaze sought his and her eyes were wide.
He nodded.
Finally the procedure was done. She laid back and closed her eyes. Her breathing became even. Kevin studied the monitor on the baby. The readings were increased from just moments before. He eased into the hallway and caught the doctor’s eye.
“Dr. Alley, right?”
“Yes. I was noticing a little irregularity with the baby.”
“Let me take a look.” He followed Kevin back to Chelsea’s bedside and studied the monitor. He whipped his stethoscope around and moved it over Chelsea’s stomach.
Her eyes popped open. “I must have dozed off.”
“Ms. Wilson, I’m concerned about some of the baby’s readings. I think we need to do a C-section.”
“What?” Chelsea’s eyes bulged.
Kevin grabbed her hand and held it. “It’s okay. He just needs to get Laura delivered. I think she’s over-ready to make her debut.”
She nodded, keeping her gaze directed toward him.
After they wheeled Chelsea into the operating room, Kevin paced a path in her room, out to the hallway, and back.
Finally, two orderlies pushed Chelsea back into place in the room and locked down the bed wheels.
“Thanks.”
Chelsea was sound asleep, no doubt exhausted. A nurse scurried in, scanning the IV and monitor hookups.
“Ma’am? How’s the baby?”
“Fine. Mom and baby both did well.”
Kevin sank into a chair and leaned his head back. Relief calmed the fluttering in his stomach.
Early the next morning, Chelsea stirred. Kevin jumped to his feet. Her eyes fluttered open and met his.
“Hey, girl. How’s your pain?”
“I only got to see her face.”
“Oh, honey. I’ll be right back.” He jogged to the hall and up to the nurse’s station.
“Dr. Alley, can I help you?”
“Yes, Ms. Wilson is awake now. She hasn’t really seen her baby.”
The nurse stood. “Let her know I’ll bring the baby right in.”
“Great. Thanks.”
Kevin rushed back to Chelsea. “The nurse is bringing Laura as soon as she gets her.”
A smile spread across her face. She shifted. “Do you think I can put the head of the bed up a little?” She reached for the control but sank back with a low moan.
“Here, let me help.” He suppressed the proper button.
She winced. “Okay. I think that’s as far as I can go.”
“Ms. Wilson, I’ve brought you a visitor.” The grandmotherly nurse wheeled the clear-sided basinet right up to Chelsea’s bedside.
A tear rolled down the new mother’s cheek. “Can I hold her?”
“Of course you can, honey.” The nurse scooped the bundle up and tucked her into Chelsea’s arm. Chelsea pushed the blanket away from Laura’s face. “She’s beautiful, isn’t she?”
At that moment Laura’s mouth stretched open in a yawn. All three adults emitted “aw” at the
same time.
Baby Laura’s eyes opened and she started a low whine. The nurse leaned in and spoke in a low voice. “Would you like to try to nurse her? I can help you.”
Kevin cleared his throat. “I’ll just run downstairs for some coffee.”
Chelsea smiled and mouthed, thank you.
He shot her a wink and rushed to quell his growling stomach.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
After huffing up the few steps to the front door, Chelsea was glad she had agreed to Kevin’s insistence to sleep in the guest room on the first floor. Her incision burned and dizziness forced her to steady herself. She eased into a chair and sighed. “Didn’t think that would be that difficult.”
Kevin rested Laura on the floor still tucked in her car seat. “Chelsea, you had surgery.” He plunked onto the couch. “And I had no idea you were allergic to the bandage tape.”
Chelsea shuddered. “I didn’t know it either until that nurse ripped it off, taking my skin with it.”
He shook his head. “That poor nurse felt so bad. She was still apologizing.”
Chelsea chuckled and immediately grabbed her stomach and held herself together.
Kevin stood and came close. “I hope it was okay to set up Laura’s crib and changing table in the bedroom down here. I also took the liberty of putting your linens from upstairs on the bed in there.” He motioned in the direction of the room. His hand came to rest on her shoulder. “I’m a little hungry. You?”
She nodded.
His mouth eased into a smile. “Lucky for us, Mrs. Tarwater dropped off a pot of her famous potato soup. With explicit instructions on how to warm it properly.”
* * *
Chelsea picked Laura up from the changing table and kissed her soft cheek. She breathed in the baby smell. Could eight weeks have really gone by so quickly?
She gently secured Laura in her carrier/car seat. Stroking her cheek and smiling at her produced Laura’s irresistible grin.
“We better get a move on. That doctor of yours expects us to be on time for appointments.” A slight sense of dread gnawed inside of her. Today Laura would be required to get several vaccinations. Thank goodness Kevin was Laura’s doctor.