1105 Yakima Street - Debbie Macomber [57]
He hadn’t inquired about her. “Everything is normal so far… . I’m having an ultrasound tomorrow at nine.”
“And you’re telling me this because…?”
“I thought you should know.” She regretted calling him. Chad’s attitude—indifference verging on hostility—was making this nearly impossible.
“Why?”
“The nurse said I could bring someone,” she muttered, feeling foolish.
“You want me with you?” His voice softened.
“If possible. I…I realize I didn’t give you much notice.”
“I work the early shift on Tuesdays.”
“Oh.” She should’ve phoned right away… .
“I’ll do what I can. But I’m not making any promises.”
Her heart rate accelerated. Chad was saying he’d join her if he could—that he wanted to be with her.
“Okay,” she said, and recited the pertinent information.
“At nine,” he repeated.
“Yes, and, Chad, thank you for the books.” She wanted him to know that she was aware those had come from him. He might not care about her, but he cared about his baby, and that gave her courage. She wondered if she would’ve had the nerve to call him if not for that one small sign.
“Mack told you the books were from me?”
“Not at first. I confronted him about it after Roy admitted he’d talked to you.” Once she’d found out, her emotions had been chaotic for days afterward.
“I have a right to know I’m about to become a father.”
“Yes,” she agreed. “You do.”
“You should never have hidden it from me.” She heard the resentment in his voice; clearly he hadn’t yet forgiven her.
“I hope to see you tomorrow,” she said, and before their conversation could deteriorate into a verbal battle, she ended the call. She did understand his reaction to her keeping the pregnancy a secret. The ironic thing was, she’d done it for him. Chad was seeing someone else—still might be, for all she knew. At this point their only bond was the baby, and she didn’t feel that an unplanned responsibility, one he hadn’t asked for, should interfere with his future or his new relationship.
The next morning Gloria arrived at the ultrasound clinic fifteen minutes early. The waiting area held six chairs, four of which were occupied. Gloria took the fifth one, sat down and picked up a magazine. The couple across from her held hands, while the other couple whispered excitedly.
The two holding hands were called in first. Gloria glanced at the wall clock, figuring Chad probably hadn’t been able to get the time off.
Ten minutes later, the assistant called her name. Gloria put down the magazine, which she’d hardly looked at, and stood. She followed the woman out of the waiting area and into an examination room. She was on the table, with her pants unzipped and pulled down and her top raised, when there was a knock on the door. The technician was explaining the procedure and what Gloria could expect to see and not see in the ultrasound. She listened intently but found herself distracted by a feeling of aloneness. A feeling of abandonment, of not mattering enough to anyone. The lump in her throat seemed about to choke her—and then the assistant opened the door.
“Dr. Chad Timmons is here. Would it be all right if I sent him in?”
“Yes, please,” Gloria said. To her embarrassment tears filled her eyes and slid down her face. She desperately wanted to wipe them away but was afraid it would only call attention to the emotion that racked her.
“Come on in,” the technician said. She smiled, greeting Chad. “Pull up a chair and sit down. We’re about to get started.”
Chad arranged his chair so he’d have a full view of the screen. The technician spread a cold gel on Gloria’s stomach and placed a wandlike device over the small round protrusion that was her baby.
Gloria stared at the screen. She didn’t dare look at Chad.
“Did you want to know the sex?” the technician asked.
“Sure,” Gloria answered for them both, then turned to Chad.
“That would be fine,” he said.
“Okay, do you see him?”
“Him?” Chad asked.
“Oh, it’s definitely a him.”
Despite her determination not to look at Chad again, Gloria shifted her head—and saw his broad smile. He glanced at her and