by Sable Hunter
Inside, Molly sank to the floor. Her body betrayed her. She trembled with a combination of desire and shame. A burning need to run out the door and keep on running overwhelmed her. But where would she go? She was far from home and if she were to flee to Alpine, what awaited her there? God, she hated to be helpless! She hated to be indebted to Tennessee, to be at his mercy!
For so long she’d dreamed of him coming to her, apologizing, telling her how wrong he’d been. If one could dream away their pain, hers would have disappeared long ago.
Next door, Tennessee sank down to sit on the bed. He plowed his fingers through his hair, growling in frustration. How was he going to stand it? The woman he desired more than life was so near. Ten bowed his head. He couldn’t trust her, he knew this. So why did he have this inexplicable urge to go to her, tell her they would forget the past and start over?
He didn’t know and he couldn’t do it.
Some things just aren’t meant to be.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“We were lucky to get you into the doctor today.” Tennessee spoke as he headed south toward the capital of Texas.
“Will I have an ultrasound?”
Her question caught him off-guard. “I don’t know.” The idea of seeing an image of his child quickened his heartrate. Was he ready to be a father?
Molly stared out the window of Ten’s black custom Ford F150, trying to focus on the passing scenery instead of the man sitting next to her. Wildflowers were blooming profusely. Bright bluebonnets, red and yellow Indian Blankets, pink evening primroses and yellow black-eyed Susans. The reason she recognized them so easily was because she’d foolishly read everything she could find on the area, preparing herself to fit in, to be a part of his family.
Neither of those things were going to happen.
“How do you feel?” he asked. Since he had mirrors on the side of the truck and navigation cameras on the sides displayed on the LED screen, he’d angled the rearview mirror so he could watch her and still keep an eye on the road. Damn, he wished he didn’t enjoy looking at her so much. Seeing her half-naked last night had fueled his dreams. She had starred in all of his late night fantasies since the day he met her. If he could dream their problems away, he and Molly would be happy.
She leaned her head against the glass, so tired that she could have gone to sleep if she weren’t so nervous. “I’m good.” No use bothering him with the facts, Ten didn’t seem able to recognize the truth if it bit him in the ass.
“Look at me.” Tennessee’s voice held a hint of steel, the same dominant tone that used to make her clit throb.
She glanced over at him, not really making eye contact.
“You will tell the doctor everything and I will be right there to make sure you do.”
Molly didn’t argue, she didn’t even answer, just went back to looking out the window.
Once they arrived, he parked in the garage of the upscale medical clinic and ushered her into the building. They rode to the third floor to Dr. Howell’s office where she stood meekly in front of a receptionist until she was handed a clipboard with pages of information to fill out.
The forms were humiliating. Filling out her maiden name and her ‘single’ status with the man she used to be married to sitting right beside her was humiliating. Gritting her teeth, she just did what had to be done. Until she came to the insured information…
Tennessee saw her hesitate. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t have any insurance and I don’t know how I’m going to pay for this.”
Tennessee breathed out a low curse. “I’ll be paying for anything you need.”
“I don’t like this at all,” she whispered.
“Deal with it,” his reply was terse.
Molly finished the forms and was ushered back from the pre-exam routine. She was weighed, gave a little blood and made a pee deposit in a paper cup. When she was through, a nurse escorted her to a small room to wait for the doctor. In a few moments, Ten joined her.
“You didn’t have to come back here.”
“I told you I wanted to hear it all for myself.” When she gave him the evil eye, he chuckled. “Hey, it’s my baby too.”
With a barely concealed snarl, she turned her back on him and picked up a tattered Parenting magazine. There was only one chair, so he had to stand. During the long minutes they waited, she could hear Ten shuffling from one foot to another, but she didn’t turn around to look at him. In a few minutes, the doctor came in and greeted them.
“Okay, let’s see what we have here.” He patted the table and told her to take seat. “Now, lie back.”
Molly felt extremely self-conscious. He listened to the baby’s heartbeat and took her vital signs and measurements. “Okay,” he mumbled noncommittally. “Let’s take a look at this baby.” Wheeling in a small machine, he directed her to pull up her shirt exposing the tiny baby bump.
Tennessee swallowed hard as he watched. Seeing the doctor exposing the smooth golden skin of her waist and abdomen made his heart flip over. He’d trailed kisses all over that silky expanse. And to think his seed had planted itself there filled him with pride and anxiety. She’d said she was on birth control and he’d never used a condom. Mistakes happen. He tried to dredge up an ounce of regret but he couldn’t.
The doctor squirted cool gel from a tube onto her stomach, making Molly shiver. Instinctively she raised he hand to grasp Tennessee’s, then realized what she was doing and dropped it.
As Dr. Howell moved the wand over her baby bump, he pointed toward the monitor. “Look, there’s the head.”
Ten moved closer and Molly felt his hand move over hers, entwining their fingers. She almost jerked hers away, but the contact with him felt so good tears formed in her eyes. Molly raised up slightly to look at the image and when she focused on the small body with its waving tiny hands, her whole being flooded with joy. “He’s beautiful!”
“He?” The doctor looked closer. “Who told you the baby was a he?”
“A woman in my trailer park.” Molly blushed. “She used an old wife’s trick with a string and a spoon.”
Both the doctor and Ten chuckled. “Well, the woman is wrong. This little charmer is a baby girl.”
Ten went around the table and knelt in front of the screen, running his finger over the image. “Hello, honey,” he whispered. “I’m your daddy.”
Molly choked out a sob. Tennessee McCoy was breaking her heart.
The doctor gave them a few more seconds, then hit a button to print a photo.
“Do two if you will,” Molly suggested. When the doctor gave her a speculative glance, she explained. “We’re not together.”
He just nodded and printed another image. After wiping her clean, he checked the chart, then began to make notes.
“How are they?” Ten asked.
The doctor pushed his glasses up on his nose and crossed his arms, holding the clipboard next to his chest. “I’m worried.”
Molly started to sit up and Tennessee moved to help her. “What’s wrong?” she asked. “I know they told me down in the emergency room that I need to rest and eat more. I’m doing that.”
“There are traces of protein in your urine and your blood pressure is too high.” The doctor picked up one of Molly’s hands. “Your extremities are swelling and you’re underweight. All of these combined are signals of preeclampsia which can be very serious.”
Tennessee moved next to the doctor. “Explain. How serious? Is the baby in danger?”
Molly would’ve been angry that he was only concerned about the baby, but she wasn’t. His concern mirrored her own.
“Preeclampsia can, of course, lead to eclampsia which would force us to take the baby early. You’re going to need to take it easy and eat better. If you can’t promise me you’ll do that, I’ll put you in the hospital until the baby is born.”
“No, no, I’ll be all right.”
“She’s staying with me. I’ll see to it that she follows your orders.”’
>
He nodded and smiled at Ten. “As far as sex is concerned, it’s encouraged. In fact prior to the pregnancy, frequent sex and exposure to your partner’s sperm lessens the impact of preeclampsia.”
Molly blushed. “A little late for that revelation.”
“Nonsense.” The doctor winked at Ten. “Just trying to help you out.” At Molly’s snort, he laughed. “Oh, it’s true. There’s an article in this month’s medical journal.”
When Molly started to get up, the doctor held up his hand. “Seriously. If left unchecked, this condition can kill you, so I want to see you in here once a week for a checkup, no exceptions, no excuses.”
“You have my word.” Ten informed him. “I’ll take care of them both.”
“How about physical activity other than…sex?” she asked, adjusting her clothes.
“Nice slow walks are good. Don’t get too hot. Anything normal is okay, just take it easy.”
“She’s a rock-climber.” Ten muttered.
“Well, none of that. Take an aspirin every day and if you get a headache or the swelling increases, call me immediately.”
Once they were alone, Molly bowed her head, holding it in her hands. “My life is a total mess.”
Tennessee started to say something smartass, but decided against it. He couldn’t even fathom harm coming to either Molly or his baby. “Let’s get out of here.”
Once Ten had taken care of the bill, he led her out to his truck. “We need to get some food into you. Do you like tacos?”
“Sure.” Molly couldn’t summon much enthusiasm. Her mind was clamoring, trying to see the big picture. She couldn’t work, even if she had a job. Everything she was qualified to do meant standing on her feet. When she’d agreed to come to the Highlands, she’d never really anticipated staying for the duration of her pregnancy. A rising realization of how helpless she truly was swamped her.
As they left downtown, Ten drove by the pink granite capital building, past the famed entertainment district of Sixth Street and by the University of Texas campus. “If we would’ve stayed together, I was going to try to go to school here.”
Her comment sounded so sad. Not guilty, but full of regret.
He understood, he had regrets also.
They drove westward and the landscape, while still urban and upscale, grew very hilly with steep limestone cliffs, juniper covered hills and winding streams of water. When they went down one steep hill, he pulled into a restaurant. “Wait here, I’ll come back with something good.”
As promised, in a few moments he was back with two trays filled with gourmet tacos. “There’s four kinds. Beef brisket, orange salmon, grilled jalapeno sausage and slow roasted pork.”
Molly surprised herself and laughed. “Our little girl is in for a good case of indigestion and heartburn.”
Tennessee immediately became contrite. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think of that. What would you rather have?”
She made a grab for a taco. “Are you kidding? She’s part Mexican and part American Indian, we can handle the hot stuff.”
“You are hot stuff.” The words slipped out before Ten could call them back.
Molly didn’t respond, but she hid a secret smile.
Tennessee didn’t wait in the parking lot, he proved his dexterity by eating with one hand, holding his drink with the other and driving with his knee. “Here, let me help.” She held the wheel.
“We’re going five miles an hour through 360 traffic.” He named one of the more congested highways in west Austin.
“Where are we going?”
He gave her a smile. “Well, since I rushed you off, you didn’t have a chance to bring any clothes with you.” Ten didn’t know if she’d noticed, but he had packed the clothes he’d bought for her on their honeymoon. “Heath’s buddy, Jimmy, has a lady friend who own a boutique. She’s promised to fix you up and to keep you in proper fitting fashionable maternity clothes. We’re going to pick up the first box of goodies.”
“This Jimmy seems to be the source of all good things,” Molly observed dryly.
Ten snorted. “Don’t let him hear you say that, his ego is already as big as his plane.”
“How do they know my size?” She didn’t know if she should be happy or angry.
“I know your size, Molly. I’ve had my hands all over you.”
A flash of heat enveloped her. She blushed and shook her head. “Why would you do this? You know I can’t pay you back.”
Tennessee put on his blinker and turned down a street with a big sign that said, ‘Arboretum Mall’. “I’m trying my best to take care of you.”
His brief comment was the only explanation she received.
A little while later, they were on their way to the Highlands and Molly had more beautiful clothes than she could possibly wear.
“I don’t know what to say except thank-you. Thank you for everything.”
Tennessee nodded. Her words of appreciation made him sad.
Gratitude wasn’t what he wanted from Molly.
* * *
“There you go.” Ten placed the big box of clothes and the two garment bags filled with fashionable outfits for every occasion on her bed. “I’m going to go check on Jaxson and see how I can help.”
“Okay, I’ll put all of these lovely things away.”
She smiled at him and he lingered, almost as if he were about to say or do something else. “See you later,” he finally said as he walked away.
Molly let out a long breath. He was a very potent male and she was still susceptible to his charms. With typical feminine curiosity and wonder she unpacked and put away the clothes, admiring every single item. There was more outfits here in one place than she’d ever owned in her whole life.
When she was finished, she put on the casual jeans and top he’d bought her on their honeymoon, saving the new things for a special occasion. Molly inspected herself in the mirror. The only changes she saw in her body so far were bigger breasts. The circles under her eyes weren’t so prominent. Maybe what she needed was a short walk. Fresh air and sunshine had to be important.
Leaving her room, she went downstairs, expecting to see Ryder and Pepper. She and Tennessee had left so early this morning, no one else in the family had been up and about. Looking around the kitchen, she saw the backdoor standing invitingly open. The green fields in the distance dotted with livestock were too compelling to resist.
Outside, she walked across the beautifully landscaped back yard with its brick patio and swimming pool, then ventured down by the barns and corrals. As she drew nearer, several horses came up to the fence to greet her. They were gorgeous Palominos and Appaloosas. “Well hello, I’m so glad to meet you.” She took time to rub noses and give them a pet.
“They seem to like you.”
Molly turned to see Ten’s brother, Philip, walking up.
“I love horses. I’ve ridden for years. When I would be called on to help with a lost hiker at the park, the rangers let me use one of their horses.” A whinny and a nudge caused her to laugh and return to her task, rubbing one eager horse on the side of her neck.
“Ten told me you rode. He said the first time he saw you that you looked like a pagan princess.”
Molly’s cheeks grew warm, not at Philips’s compliment but the reminder of the first time she’d seen Tennessee. “I’m afraid I gave him a hard time.”
“I’m sure he deserved it. Do you want to take a stroll down by the lake?” He opened the gate and Molly walked through it.
“Yes, thank you. I think I would enjoy the fresh air and the view.”
“Ten mentioned a story about an abandoned mine in the park?” Philip walked with his hands stuffed in his pockets.
“Yes, the Lost Chisos mine.” She stepped over a small limb and Philip offered his hand to steady her. “There are many such tales, that’s only one. There’s also the Golden Madonna of the Chinati Mountains and the treasure of Paisano Pass.” Molly laughed at his interested expression. “Ten told me you
were the Texas version of Indiana Jones.”
Philip shrugged. “Maybe, the murder trial set me back, that’s for sure.” They moved on up the hill, passing through a herd of placid Longhorns. “What I want to ask you about is something a little different. Have you ever heard of an ancient tablet being found in the park?”
Molly froze in her tracks. “Yes! I can’t believe you have. A family named Uzzell were exploring in the Boquillas Canyon near the hot springs. They were hunting petroglyphs when they saw a cavern far above them on a canyon wall while crossing Tornillo Creek. Mr. Uzzell scaled the wall and searched the small cave. He found seven small tablets covered in the markings of a language he couldn’t read. Once he had them on the ground, they examined them, discovering they fit together like a jigsaw puzzle and had 13 lines of writing on them. The family photographed the tablets before taking them to a ranger in the park.”
“That’s what I heard,” Philip said, moving his hands excitedly, “they mailed out the pictures to various people, several historians and universities who they thought could help identify the tablet and translate the writing.”
“Unfortunately, the tablets disappeared.” Molly nodded.
“Yes, but eventually a translation was made and the language was identified as a form of the Libyan alphabet and dated back to 700 B.C.”
Smiling, Molly added. “The sentence said something similar to the inscription found on the Statue of Liberty. ‘Send these, the homeless tempest-tossed to me. I lift my lamp beside the golden door.’”
“Beautiful.” Philip laughed with excitement. “If the tablet was authentic, and I think it was, it proved this land was visited some 2000 years prior to Christopher Columbus.”
“If you’d like, I’ll take you there someday. I’ve seen the cave.” Molly offered, understanding his passion.
“Where are you planning on going with my wife, Philip?” Tennessee asked from behind them, his voice coming from out of nowhere.
Philip raised an eyebrow as Tennessee moved in front of them. “Your…wife…offered to show me where a great archaeological find was uncovered in Big Bend.”