“Harley!” Mary Ann called after her. Harley turned to see the blooming scarlet spot on the woman’s face. “I’ll get you for this.”
“Go home and drink some coffee.” Harley shot her a contemptuous glance and watched as the car pulled from the driveway. So anxious was the woman to get away that she almost ran into the postal carrier as he made his way down the street with his sack of mail. He shook a fist and swore as she sped away.
Carville’s grandmother shot a concerned glance in Harley’s direction. “That’s a mean woman, honey. Now you have two crazies to deal with.”
Harley nodded and sighed. “No kidding.”
Later that night, Abisi stared at Harley in disbelief as she related the day’s events. His features visibly darkened. “I won’t have you harassed. That woman waited for me to leave. Isn’t it bad enough she’s had you fired? Now, she has to stalk you with horrible comments. I’m calling her and her lascivious husband.”
David apologized profusely for the behavior of his soon-to-be former wife but stressed their marriage would soon be terminated. He, too, found Mary Ann erratic since she’d learned of his affair. Abisi related the conversation to Harley. ‘The man’s unbelievable. He even made a joke about the whole thing and said he assumed you wouldn’t be helping her with the upcoming reunion. Apparently, she already had a call from someone offering to help with that event.” Abisi shook his head and stood with his arms folded. “Imagine the stupidity of that man.”
Harley threw her arms around his midsection and beamed at him. “Forget about them. I should have slapped that prim bitch when she hid Mia’s pencil pouch freshman year.”
Abisi kissed her. “I forget I married Jack Dempsey.”
Harley clutched Abisi’s hand as they sat in the doctor’s office together. The day before, she’d feigned a light airiness. She was no doctor, but she could recognize signs of distress and hadn’t wanted to upset her husband. Abisi was looking forward to this child and had begun planning the nursery. Harley laughed when he pointed out cribs and wallpaper patterns. On numerous occasions, he’d returned home with stuffed animals and baby accessories. Harley, despite the early trepidation, had come to accept this new challenge and even embrace it. What if fate played a cruel trick on them both now?
Dr. Jonah Solomon was an earnest man with a bulging Adam’s apple who immediately put his prospective parents at ease. He listened calmly as Harley told him what distress signs she’d been experiencing.
“Any spotting, Mrs. Sharif?” He gazed at her kindly.
Harley and Abisi were sitting in the doctor’s office. She glanced at her husband and then at her feet. Her heart pounded, and her throat went dry. She wondered if she could say the words. “Only in the last day or two.”
Abisi’s hand clamped over hers like a steel trap. Something else she hadn’t told him. Harley took a deep breath before facing him. She hadn’t wanted to worry him, but now, he would be frantic and drive her mad with unnecessary pampering. She winced when she heard the accusation in his voice. “When were you going to tell me?”
Harley snatched her hand from his and hissed. “We were going to see Dr. Solomon today. I didn’t think I needed a headline in the paper.”
“No more lies, Harley, no more—”
She cut him off. “I’m not lying, for God’s sakes. I wanted to protect you. Anyway, you were going to find out today.”
“Dr. and Mrs. Sharif, please.” Dr. Solomon looked from one to the other. He sounded like a teacher disciplining kids. He turned to Abisi. “I’m going to send your wife for an ultrasound. We’ll see what it shows. You can have the results today.”
Abisi took Harley’s hand gently in his and kissed it. She tightened her grip and rested her face against his hand. “I’m sorry. I should have told you.”
Abisi slipped an arm around her shoulders. He met the doctor’s gaze. “Did you find signs of distress in your initial exam?”
Dr. Solomon studied them gravely. “The heartbeat sounded weak. On the last visit, it didn’t sound that way.”
Harley wished she could escape. The walls were closing in on her. She forced herself to breathe, not recognizing her own voice when she spoke. “Have I done something wrong?”
“No, Mrs. Sharif, you haven’t.” Dr. Solomon studied her with undisguised sympathy. “Sometimes, things happen in the womb that are beyond anyone’s control. You must not blame yourself for anything.”
Harley wished she believed him. She swallowed hard and pushed back tears. Her stomach was one knot. “What do we do if the ultrasound shows something negative?”
“That will depend upon what the problem is. We have to discern if there is any danger to you—”
“I’ll be fine.” Looking down, Harley felt the pressure of her husband’s hand on hers. “I know it’s too early in my pregnancy to deliver. I’m only three months.”
Abisi drew her closer. “If it ever comes to a choice between Harley and the baby, I want my wife.”
Dr. Solomon’s sympathetic gaze grew even gentler. “Well, we’ll do everything we can to make sure that mother and baby are safe.”
“My husband is an unbelievable old MawMaw.” Harley had heard a key in the lock and had darted to the door wearing baggy shorts and a Beatles T-shirt. She rolled her eyes when she saw Donna at her doorstep the next day. Nico followed, barking, at her heels. Oh God, Abisi had called out the troops!
Donna glared at her like a rooster about to do battle. “You’re supposed to be in bed.”
Harley grinned in spite of herself. Donna always managed to dispel Harley’s gloom. She wasn’t quite the mother hen Judy was. “I was in bed until I thought you were some thief trying to rob the place or Kimberly the nutter coming again to torch us.”
“I brought you breakfast.” She held up a bag of biscuits from a local coffee shop.
“I’m not very hungry.” Harley took a biscuit and headed to the kitchen. Nico followed, gazing adoringly at the biscuit.
“You’re not using butter? No jelly?” Donna shook her head. “Look, let me get you some milk. You head back to bed and stay there.”
“So you have your marching orders?” Harley laughed wryly. “If you’re being a Nazi, I know Judy will be ten times worse.”
“Head back to bed and hand over the biscuit.” Donna searched the refrigerator as Harley obeyed. Donna called after her. “I’ll be in there with a nice breakfast for you.”
“I can’t eat a lot in the morning,” Harley said over her shoulder.
A few minutes later, Donna appeared in Harley’s bedroom with a tray filled with biscuits, preserves, butter, and milk. Harley retched. She fought to keep what was in her stomach down. “I can’t eat all of that.”
“We’ll share.” Donna sat on the edge of the bed. “Besides, you’re helping me celebrate. I just sold a piece to a very rich collector.”
“That’s great, D. Who is it?” Harley took a bite of the biscuit. She tasted nothing. It was like cardboard in her mouth. She put it down, her mouth twisted into a sour expression. Nico, resting beside her, glanced up in anticipation. She gave him her uneaten portion.
“Thanks for looking so happy for me.” Donna raised one eyebrow. “It’s Cole Keating.”
“Oh, the banker. That’s good. Maybe he’ll be a steady client.” Harley grew quiet. She stared into space. She truly was happy for Donna, but she couldn’t muster any real enthusiasm. This was her only chance to have a child, and any hope of that reality was evaporating.
Donna lightly touched her chin. Her voice was soothing, and her eyes were kind as always. “Hey, what’s wrong?”
Harley’s face crumbled. Her insides shook with sorrow. “I’m going to lose it, D.”
“Look, the doc didn’t say that definitely, did he?” Donna moved to her side and put an arm around her should
ers.
“I know that I can’t keep this up for close to six more months. A baby can survive when it’s close to term, not this early.” A knot clamped hold of her stomach.
“Harley, let’s be honest. You weren’t that happy about this baby. What’s changed?”
“Abisi is so wrapped up in this baby that I’m not sure if he’ll love me when it’s gone.” Harley sobbed, and took the tissue Donna offered. She wept so hard that she believed her heart would burst inside her breast.
Donna hugged her. “Harley, the guy loves you. You have to know that.”
Harley shrugged and tried to suppress her sobs. “He only proposed when he knew about the baby.” She struggled to control her breathing, gulping for air like a swimmer in need of oxygen. “Besides, I’m guilty because I didn’t really want the baby.” She shot Donna a quick glance. “A part of me still doesn’t, but I’m afraid I’ll lose him if I don’t carry it.” Harley stared out of the window. She’d never voiced those feelings to anyone before. “When I knew the baby was coming, I decided I was going to give it my whole heart despite my misgivings.” She wiped away a tear. “I would have been a good mother.”
Donna stroked her hair. “I’m so sorry. You’ve been carrying a lot, haven’t you?” She lifted Harley’s chin. “Don’t give up hope.”
Harley shook her head. “It’s over. I can feel it dying.”
Chapter 20
Harley was awakened by the sound of breaking glass. She bolted upright in bed and glanced at the clock. Twelve—thirty. What in hell was that noise? From the backyard, Nico started to growl. Donna had let him out before she left.
Harley threw her legs over the side of the bed and peered from her door. Nothing was in the hall. The sound had come from a window in the spare bedroom next to Eden’s sealed one. She reached for the phone and dialed 911. Deep growls were emanating from the back of Nico’s throat. The back door was ajar, but the latch was on the screen. Harley could see him running along the side fence.
Was it next door? The dog’s growling told her otherwise. Something or someone was trying to break into her house. The spare bedroom would be vulnerable because of the window. An intruder could enter and not have to penetrate the backyard. Carville’s grandmother usually napped at midday and slept like the dead. Most people were at work. Harley whispered a soft prayer. “Eden, help me now. That bitch is here.”
The dispatcher’s voice suddenly droned in her ear. “What’s the nature of your emergency?”
Harley’s heart was pounding so hard in her ears that she could barely hear her own voice. Her voice shook as she whispered. “Someone’s breaking into my house.” Her trembling hand clutched the phone so tightly she almost disconnected the woman. The light beamed dimly from the crack at the bottom of the door. “Please send someone.”
“Do you have a gun, ma’am?”
Harley swore inwardly and took a deep breath, forcing her voice steady. “Yeah, in the bedroom.” Shit, why hadn’t she grabbed it? A voice from somewhere inside her head murmured, Don’t be afraid. You can face this.
“Ma’am, we’ll send a unit to your house. Are you alone? Where do you hear the possible intruder?” The woman’s voice droned on evenly and soothingly.
“In the back bedroom. My dog’s here in the backyard.” Harley was suddenly standing in front of the door that held the invader. Nico’s growl was low and terrifying in the backyard. She wanted to run to him, but racing to him would alert the intruder that she knew of his or her presence. Harley swallowed hard. Her. She knew of no one else who would risk breaking into the house in broad daylight. Her insides turned to liquid, but she had to face this test of her strength.
“I’m going to stay on the line with you until the officers arrive.”
Harley’s hand was wet as she clutched the phone. For a long time, she heard nothing. Had she imagined this? Then came the faintest sound of an object splintering glass. Her mother had bought a Glock after her father’s death. Harley hated the thing, but she kept it for her own protection. When Abisi worked late, Harley felt more secure knowing it was by her bed. Harley backed away from the door, walking backward with the phone in her hand, staring at the closed door.
Harley had almost reached her own bedroom when the door to the spare room swung open with a thrust that almost set it on its hinges. Kimberly stood briefly before her as if she were frozen in place. Harley was startled by the change in the woman. When she’d caught a glimpse of her in the hospital, Harley had thought her beautiful. The thing in front of Harley now looked like something out of a Greek myth. Her dark hair fell in unkempt strands along her face. She was wearing a ratty T-shirt and dirty jeans.
Harley sprinted for her bedroom door, but Kimberly hurled herself at her with a cry like a wounded animal. She knocked Harley to the floor so hard that the phone flew from her hand. The cries of the dispatcher rang in Harley’s ears. Kimberly had Harley by the neck. Harley gasped for air and kicked Kimberly as hard as she could in the gut. Eden’s voice echoed in Harley’s ears. “You’re stronger than she is. She’s a weak nothing.”
Kimberly screamed through gritted teeth. “You bitch! You whore.” She head-butted Harley and laughed. “Nobody loves you. It only took one little phone call to the school for me to get your friend Mary Ann on my side. She let me know when your bitch friend was leaving.”
Harley saw white lights in front of her eyes, but she struck Kimberly with a hard chop to the neck. Kimberly gagged but still held onto Harley. Harley swore silently and thrust her knee into her adversary’s chest. Neither Kimberly nor Mary Ann was going to kill her. Kimberly’s grip loosened as she began coughing. Suddenly, Harley heard a fierce crash. Nico had burst through the door and flew at Kimberly. Teeth bared, Nico launched himself at the back of her neck. Kimberly turned to ward off the dog, and he went for her face. Kimberly screamed, and Harley squirmed free. Sharp pains in her lower abdomen almost took her breath away, and she felt blood ooze from between her legs. Taking deep breaths, Harley raced into the bedroom and frantically searched for the gun. With it clutched firmly in her hand, she stood beside Kimberly. Kimberly had grasped Nico’s neck with one hand and was trying to cover his mouth with the other. She screamed obscenities but wasn’t succeeding in holding off the enraged animal. Regardless, Harley wouldn’t chance Nico’s safety. No, that whore wouldn’t hurt Nico.
“Look at me, you filthy bitch!” Harley waited until their gazes locked. The woman’s hands went limp on the dog when she saw Harley pointing the Glock at her. Her gaze widened, and she attempted to rise. Harley fired the gun. The hole looked like a third eye. The woman stared blankly at Harley, looking totally surprised for one second, and then fell back. Abrasions and cuts from the dog’s teeth and nails marked Kimberly’s face. Harley tried to feel pity for her, but she couldn’t. She’d killed someone, but the murderous bitch had wanted to kill her. She suddenly understood about the law of the jungle. The strong survived. Nico’s deep growls slowly subsided as he stared at Harley’s adversary, seemingly puzzled.
Dropping the gun at her side, Harley ran to Nico, who licked her face repeatedly. She checked the dog for any wounds, but he seemed happy and unscathed. She suddenly grew weak and groaned as sharp pains shot from her lower abdomen to her breast. She gasped when she saw the blood staining her shorts and tried to crawl to the phone but couldn’t. “Nico, help!” The room spun and the world went black.
“Dr. Sharif, it’s your wife.”
Abisi saw the pale face of the nurse as she peered into his office.
“They brought her in. She’s lost a lot of blood. Someone tried to attack her.”
Abisi’s heart almost stopped. A voice deep inside told him who had attacked Harley. He shuddered and raced to the emergency room. “What happened?”
“She’s hemorrhaging. Someone got into your house. The police broke down the door. They brought her
in.”
The world reeled around him. The bitch Kimberly was intent on destroying his happiness. He would kill her, but first, he had to save the best thing that had ever happened to him. Carville was waiting for him and told him what transpired. The nightmare grew worse when Carville described what Harley had endured. God, he’d put her in such a position! Harley had been forced to kill someone to save her own life. He wondered if she would ever be able to forgive him for involving her in such a cheap, tawdry drama. Abisi knew he couldn’t forgive himself. The police had arrived around the same time as her cousin Judy. Sweet God, what had he unleashed on his sweet Harley?
Abisi’s heart thundered in his ears as he raced to the emergency room. Harley’s face was ashen, and her eyes were shut tight. The same nurse who had brought him the news of Harley’s arrival pushed him into the main area of the ER. “Dr. LeBlanc will take care of her. You’ll only make this worse.”
Abisi tore away from her. “I’m a doctor.”
“You’re her husband.” She met his gaze.
Abisi knew she was right. He’d run into a burning building to save Harley, but his shaking hands and pounding heart would be the death of her now. His own guilt threatened to crush him. Mind-numbing fear paralyzed him. His feet were rooted to the floor. Anyone gazing at him now wouldn’t recognize the cool and in control Dr. Sharif. He turned to see Judy staring at him. “Judy, I—”
The Doctor and the War Widow Page 20