The Doctor Wears A Stetson (Contemporary Western Romance)
Page 19
Sam frowned at her. "Okay, that's it. I'm taking you to the clinic. Something's definitely wrong if you're fainting and falling down."
"Nothing's wrong. Give me a minute, will you? I'll be fine. I just stood up too quickly, that's all."
"Nope, I'm taking you to see McCade. And I'm taking you right now. You shouldn't have a problem going to the clinic now that you're engaged to him. No excuses, Jessie. You stay here. I'll get your coat and purse and we'll take my car."
"But what about the garage? We can't just up and leave."
"Hell yes, we can. I'll drop you off at the clinic, then come back here. The place isn't exactly hopping with customers right now."
Jessie couldn't argue with that and decided to let Sam play knight-errant. He'd gotten used to "taking care of her" the past couple of years. He was a good friend. He'd teased her about the flowers, but hadn't said much about the engagement. She wondered what he thought about her marrying Cameron.
At the clinic, Sam wouldn't let Jessie just hop out of the car. "You're not walking in by yourself. I don't want McCade accusing me of letting you hurt yourself."
"What are you going to do? Carry me in?"
"If you don't shut up, I might just do that."
Jessie made a face at him. "Right."
He parked the car and Jessie started to open the door.
"Don't even think about it," Sam said.
"Good grief. What in the world has gotten into you?"
He didn't answer, only got out of the car and walked around to the passenger side and jerked the door open.
"Grab you purse," he said, scooping her out of the car.
"Hey, put me down!"
"Not until we get inside and see McCade."
Sam marched toward the entrance, pushed open the glass door and entered the clinic. Thankfully, the waiting room was empty. Sam strode to the admissions window and tapped on the glass.
The nurse opened the window and gasped. "What's going on? What's wrong with Jessie?"
Jessie shook her head. "Nothing's wrong, Sheila. I got dizzy--"
"Jess? What the hell?" Cameron came up behind Sheila and frowned. "Are you hurt? Is she hurt?" he asked Sam.
"No, I merely felt dizzy--"
"Shut up, Jessie," Sam said. "She almost fainted at the shop. She hasn't felt well in weeks. I think you need to find out what's wrong with her."
"Damned right." Cameron rushed around the counter to open the door leading to the examination rooms.
Sam carried Jessie into the passageway and faced Cameron, whose eyes were trained on her. She wiggled and squirmed. This was all ridiculous and embarrassing. "Let me down, now!"
Sam handed her over to Cameron. "Here, take her, she's your woman. She obviously needs a keeper, since she refuses to take care of herself. I'm going back to the garage."
"Thanks, Garza," Cameron said.
Sam smiled a male kind of smile that made Jessie want to smack them both.
"No problem," he said. "I know I'm leaving her in good hands. Congratulations. You're one lucky son of a bitch. And if you mistreat her in any way, you'll have to answer to me."
"I know. Thanks, again."
"Sam!" Jessie watched him leave the clinic. He didn't look back, just waved his hand.
She felt silly being in Cameron's arms with Sheila staring at them, a tiny smile playing on the nurse's lips.
"Please put me down, Cameron."
"I don't think so. Sheila, I'll be examining Jessie in room three. Hold any calls."
"Sure thing, Dr. McCade."
Jessie sighed and gave up the struggle. When they reached the examination room, Cameron deposited her on the examination table. He kissed her hard, then stepped back, the frown in place again.
"I knew you were feeling bad for the past couple of weeks. Tell me your symptoms--in detail. Don't leave anything out. Garza looked pretty shook up out there."
"It's nothing," Jessie said, straightening her coveralls after being manhandled. "I stood up too quickly and was dizzy."
When she didn't elaborate, Cameron lifted an eyebrow.
"I'm waiting, Jess. You worked hard for this clinic to be built. You should take advantage of my professional services. God knows you have access to all of my personal services." He winked. "Come on, sweetheart. Tell the doctor where it hurts."
Jessie rolled her eyes and shook her head, feeling the bubble of happiness she'd been floating on expand. "Well, I have had an upset stomach off and on. I've lost count of the days. I'm sure it's just the bug that's been going around."
Cameron stepped forward and listened to Jessie's chest with his stethoscope, then moved it to her back and listened there. "Take a deep breath. Any vomiting?"
Jessie inhaled deeply. "Only once. I've been tired a lot lately, too."
"Uh-huh." Cameron felt the glands in her throat. Then looked in her ears. His hands were impersonal and professional, yet she could feel the healing power in his touch.
"Open your mouth," he said.
Jessie sighed and complied.
Cameron examined her tonsils, then stepped away. "When was your last period, Jess?"
Her head snapped up. "What?"
"Your last period?"
"What does that have to do with anything?" she asked with a frown.
Cameron walked over to the cabinet and took out a plastic- wrapped specimen cup and handed it to her.
"What's this for? I'm not pregnant. Why don't you believe me? I've told you--"
"Just pee in the cup, sweetheart. It's quick, easy and painless."
"But I can't be--"
"You have all the symptoms, Jess. Pee in the cup and we'll have our answer in a couple of minutes."
She hopped down from the table and Cameron took her elbow.
"Here, I'll help you to the bathroom."
Jessie jerked away. "I can do this myself, thank you very much."
He nodded and held open the door, smiling as she passed him on her way out.
She couldn't believe he was making her do this. It was a waste of time. As she collected the specimen, Jessie tried to think when she'd had her last period. What with all the commotion in her life and being sick as a dog, she hadn't noticed. She wasn't regular by any means, but as she counted the days, she realized she was later than usual.
Cameron was waiting outside the restroom when she emerged and took the cup. "Sit there while I run the test." He pointed to a chair near the scales. "Sheila's going to weigh you and take your blood pressure."
Jessie sighed. "You know this is a waste of time. I have a bug, that's all."
"Humor me, Jess."
She watched him walk to the lab, handsome and strong in the green scrubs he liked to wear for work. A fleeting sadness settled over her. She knew Cameron truly didn't care if she was barren, but damn, she wished she could have Cameron's baby. A little McCade to hold in her arms and sing lullabies to.
Jessie knew better than to wish for the moon, but she couldn't help herself. Several of her most secret wishes had recently come true. The clinic was up and running. Cameron had come back to practice medicine in Salt Fork. And he loved her and wanted to marry her.
Three out of three wasn't bad. But oh, how she wished she could give Cameron a child.
Sheila weighed her, then proceeded to take her blood pressure. "This is so exciting," she said. "A baby! I know you must be thrilled. And Dr. McCade will be happy, too. He's so good with the sick children he treats."
"Sheila, don't get your hopes up. I can't be pregnant. In all the years I was married to TR, I didn't get pregnant. I'm not--"
Jessie stopped in mid-sentence. Cameron hurried out of the lab, waving a small white strip like a flag, his face beaming. "Guess what, sweetheart?"
Jessie stood abruptly and shook her head. "But that's impossible. It must be a false reading." She couldn't let herself hope . . . couldn't let herself believe.
Cameron showed her the evidence. "You're pregnant, Jess. I'll do an ultrasound and a blood test
to verify it, of course. But this test is extremely accurate."
Sheila clapped her hands. "All right! Congratulations." She hugged Jessie and Cameron, sniffling and laughing and wiping her eyes. "Oh my, I'm so happy for both of you. I'll leave you two lovebirds alone."
Jessie couldn't stop staring at the test strip. She tentatively placed her hand on her tummy.
"A baby?" she asked in wonder.
Cameron covered her hand and kissed her forehead. "Yes, Jess. We're going to have a baby."
A million thoughts ran through her head, each one more fantastic than the last. Something she hadn't thought possible . . . suddenly was.
Her world had turned upside down. Again.
She felt tears welling up, slipping down her cheeks. She hastily brushed at them. "Damn, I'm as bad as Sheila."
Cameron set the strip on the table and pulled her into his arms. He wiped away her tears and sprinkled tender kisses on her cheeks, nose and chin and finally her mouth. When they came up for air, he reared back and smiled that sexy smile she loved so well.
"We're having a baby," he said softly.
Jessie nodded and laughed. "Thank you, thank you, thank you! You've made all my impossible dreams and wishes come true."
"Not all of them, surely?" he said, kissing her forehead.
"Oh yes, all of them." She planted kisses on his neck, inhaling his scent, loving him more than ever. "Or most of them anyway."
"I'm glad, sweetheart. It makes me happy to make you happy. I'll always try to make your wishes come true."
Jessie looked up at him. "Well, there is still one wish you've never gotten around to."
"Which one is that?" he asked.
"It involves a handsome doctor, a Stetson and a soft bed."
Cameron chuckled. "I think I can grant that wish. Is tonight soon enough?"
She grabbed his stethoscope and pulled him back for another kiss. "Tonight is perfect. I can hardly wait."
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About the Author . . .
Anne Marie is a Texas girl, born and raised. Romance is her passion. She loves to read and write about men and women falling in love, overcoming life's obstacles, and living happily ever after. She writes spicy contemporary novels, usually involving a cowboy or two, as well as Regency historicals.
Anne Marie lives just outside of Houston with her husband who is her best friend and her own special hero. They have two grown children, two mischievous cats and one sweet puppy dog. Besides reading and writing, Anne Marie enjoys puttering around in her flowerbeds, going to garage sales, collecting antiques and watching old movies.
Visit her at www.annemarienovark.com.
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Also available on Smashwords:
Midnight My Love
Other books by Anne Marie Novark:
Her Reluctant Rancher
Chasing the Moonlight