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“What are your symptoms?” Jenni listened to a recounting of her late period and upset stomach, and, as an afterthought, sore breasts. Her comment was, “I assume you have reason to think you could be expecting.”
“Unfortunately, yes. I realize how stupid that makes me look, when you urged me to use contraception. Well, we did…mostly.” Without going into detail, Leah explained how they’d forgotten the condom at first. “But he put it on before…climaxing.”
Unaccustomed to discussing such intimate matters, she stumbled over the term. Thank goodness Jenni didn’t ask about the circumstances.
“There can be semen present before ejaculation.” Her calm, professional demeanor never wavered. “It’s possible you’re unusually fertile. Since there’s an easy test, let’s rule out pregnancy before we consider any other possibility.”
Unusually fertile. That would be just her luck. “Does Yvonne have to know?” Leah’s cheeks burned at the prospect of her situation becoming common knowledge.
Jenni tilted her head. “Yes, but don’t forget, she’s been through a similar situation.”
Remembering how the nurse had held her head high during her pregnancy—and refused to this day to disclose the name of the father—Leah conceded the point. Besides, she had to trust someone.
Following Jenni’s instructions, she went off to give a urine specimen for testing. Then Leah changed into a hospital gown and underwent a physical exam.
The results came back just as Jenni was finishing. “The result is positive,” she reported. “That confirms my observation that your body’s showing the kinds of changes we expect during early pregnancy.”
Stunned, Leah hugged her knees as she sat on the examining table. She was going to have a baby. Will’s baby.
Chapter Three
This altered everything about Leah’s life and plans. Will, on the other hand, would never find out about it. She had no way to reach him even if she wanted to.
Nevertheless, in spite of the difficulties ahead, she felt a spurt of excitement as she sat on the examining table, trying to absorb the news. What she’d regretted most about staying single was that it meant never giving birth to a child. Part of her longed for that experience, though she would never have attempted it on purpose.
Now she’d have a tiny baby with fingers that would curl around hers. A little boy or girl toddling on chubby legs. An eager, freshly washed face like the ones she saw in her classroom each morning.
“I have no idea what to do next,” she admitted. “I mean, I’m happy in a way. I’ve always wanted children, but I figured I’d adopt.”
Holding her clipboard, Jenni leaned against the washstand. She’d had a difficult early life, shuffled from one relative to another because of neglectful parents, Leah recalled. The experience had given her a depth of understanding beyond her years, and it showed.
“Let’s talk about the father,” the doctor said gently. Her obvious concern and lack of judgmentalism dispelled the last of Leah’s hesitation.
“He’s someone I met in Austin,” she said. “We got carried away.” That seemed simpler than relating the whole ugly story, and less embarrassing.
“Are you planning to tell him?”
“I don’t know where to find him.” To cut off further inquiries, Leah said, “I really really really doubt he wants to be involved.”
Jenni accepted her statement. “It’s too bad your child won’t know his or her genetic heritage, not to mention having a father to help raise him, but apparently, it can’t be helped.”
“Thank you.” More than ever, Leah was struck by how much she could have used her mother’s support. Despite all her connections, she felt basically alone.
“As your physician, I’m concerned about your emotional as well as your physical health, so let’s talk about how you’ll deal with gossip,” Jenni said. “If you want to, of course.”
“Sure.” Leah shuddered. “In my position, things could get nasty.” She hadn’t forgotten Beau Johnson’s harsh reaction to Yvonne, or the unpleasant comments some of the students’ mothers had made within her hearing.
“You won’t be able to hide your condition for long,” her friend pointed out.
“I could leave town. It’s no secret that I’ve applied to other schools.” No sooner had she uttered the suggestion than Leah rejected it. “That’s all I need. I’d have no job, no friends and no place to live.”
“You’re more familiar with Downhome than I am.” Jenni frowned. “Is there any chance you could lose your job on moral grounds?”
“Not while Olivia’s the principal, but I hate putting her in a tough position.” An idea hit Leah. Much as she disliked lying, it might soften the criticism, and it would deflect questions about the baby’s paternity. “I could say that I had artificial insemination while I was in Seattle. I’ve mentioned plenty of times that I planned to adopt, so it wouldn’t seem totally strange. I’ll tell Karen the truth, but as far as anyone else is concerned, my private life is none of their business.”
She braced for objections. Jenni reflected briefly.
“Under the circumstances, I don’t see what harm it can do, unless the father shows up, demanding his rights,” she said.
“He has no idea where to find me.” For the first time, Leah considered that a good thing.
“Normally, we’d include a report from the Seattle clinic in your medical records. Obviously, we can’t do that. However, I can truthfully put down that the father is unknown and that you state that you were inseminated at an unidentified facility in Seattle. You are stating that, right?” she added teasingly.
“You just heard me.” Despite her anxiety, Leah appreciated the conspiratorial humor.
Jenni made a note on her clipboard. “Folks will be curious. Even though our staff is sworn to protect patient privacy, your condition will become unmistakable within a few months. You ought to develop a more complete story, such as how you planned it and why.”
“I’ll say I did it on the spur of the moment,” Leah replied. “I mean, it could happen that way, right?”
“Clinics usually do a lot of screening,” the doctor replied. “However, this unidentified facility might have lax rules. Perhaps you used a private physician that you heard about from your friend?”
“Sure.” Leah had never realized lying could be so complicated. And she hated involving Jenni in the deception. But how fair was it that she faced all sorts of repercussions, while Will faced none at all?
The doctor went on to explain about proper health care during pregnancy, and provided several brochures, along with a prescription for neonatal vitamins. “Our new obstetrician is arriving day after tomorrow. It isn’t necessary to return for a few weeks unless you’re having problems, but when you do, perhaps you should visit him instead of me.”
Leah didn’t care to share her most delicate feelings with a stranger, especially a man. “I’m staying with you.”
Jenni looked pleased. “I have to admit, I like treating mothers-to-be. Of course, if complications develop, we’d need Dr. Rankin’s help, but there’s no reason to expect any problems. He should probably handle the delivery, though. He’ll have staff privileges at Mill Valley Medical Center.” The clinic had an arrangement with the hospital twelve miles away.
“We’ll deal with that in due time,” Leah said. “Right now, I’m trying to figure out how to settle my stomach. Any suggestions?”
Jenni had several, including eating frequent, small meals. “I seem to recall hearing that you provide snacks for your class, so that should help. Which reminds me—I’ve been meaning to talk to you about Nick.”
Nick Forrest, soon to be Jenni’s stepson, would be in Leah’s class this year. “That’s right. He’s diabetic, isn’t he? Tell me about his special needs.”
Jenni explained that, thanks to the boy’s insulin pump, he didn’t require shots, but had to eat regular meals and avoid excessive sweets, as well as monitor his blood sugar levels by pricking his finger and testing the blood droplet. She and Ethan would drop by to make sure all went well, she promised.
“Good,” Leah said. “I’d love to have you educate the kids about his condition. That should allay any teasing.”
“Great idea!” They set a date. When they were done, Jenni said, “Go ahead and get dressed. By the way, congratulations.”
“Thanks.” Accepting best wishes under the circumstance felt odd. Yet having a baby was cause for joy, Leah thought.
“Don’t forget to stop by the front desk,” Jenni added from the doorway. “You’ll need another appointment. Also, Yvonne will give you vitamin samples to get you started.”
“Thanks.” As soon as the door closed, Leah took several deep breaths. Pregnant. How exhilarating and how terrifying.
She’d often watched students’ mothers as their waistlines expanded. She’d been both curious and envious that a child grew inside. And despite their discomforts, the moms had mostly beamed with contentment.
Still, they had almost always had husbands or at least boyfriends to help out. Helen Rios, the manicurist at Aunt Rosie’s salon, was moving to Knoxville soon with her fiancé, the artist who’d painted Pepe’s murals, to start a new life. It would shortly include their baby.
Leah, on the other hand, faced going through the entire experience alone.
Her aunt and Mark would help, she felt certain. So would Karen and Jenni, of course. But it wasn’t the same.
Lots of women managed, and so would she, Leah decided firmly.
When she pulled on her slacks, they strained over her midsection. Karen hadn’t noticed the problem this morning, so no doubt her heavy lunch had contributed, but already her body was changing.
It reminded her that she would need a new wardrobe. Other things, as well: clothes, baby furniture and a car seat.
So many changes. So much to consider.
After she finished dressing, she went to the reception desk, where Yvonne discreetly slipped her the vitamins. The nurse frowned at Patsy, who was sorting through a cardboard box.
“That girl is out of her mind,” the nurse confided. “The new ob-gyn sent some books and stuff ahead for his office, and she’s mooning over his picture.”
“I heard that!” The receptionist skewered her with a mock glare. “He’s cute, that’s all. And he’s divorced.”
“Terrific! An obstetrician she can flirt with,” Yvonne grumbled. “This is a medical office, not a dating service. I don’t know where they’re to find a nurse for him—they’ve been advertising for weeks—but I hope they do, because I’ve got my hands full as it is. Plus, I prefer a female doctor any day.”
“Me, too,” Leah agreed.
“You should see Dr. Rankin. With him around, work is going to be way more interesting.” Patsy retrieved a framed photo from the box and thrust it toward her. “Look!”
Leah took the picture. Stunned, she stared, barely managing to keep her disbelief from showing.
It was Will, kneeling on a lawn, a breeze ruffling his hair as he favored the camera with a heart-stopping smile. He had his arms looped around two little blond girls, one on each side.
Dr. William Rankin, she thought numbly. In a crazy way, it made sense. Karen must have asked him to recommend a country-music bar in Austin, and he’d cited the Wayward Drummer.
Now he was moving to Downhome. Her situation had just become a whole lot more awkward.
The obstetrician who might be expected to deliver her baby was its father. Yet he’d made it clear he wanted nothing to do with her. Presumably, with her child, as well.
Still, unless she fled, they couldn’t avoid meeting again. Besides, seeing the joy he showed for his two daughters gave Leah pause.
“Well?” Patsy said. “What do you think?”
“Cute girls,” Leah responded, and handed the picture back. She went out the door, too flummoxed to make any further attempt at chitchat.
Two shocks in one day. Knowing she couldn’t carry on a coherent conversation with anyone, she hurried to her car and drove home.
One fact stood out in her mind. She wasn’t going to let that man chase her from this town or her friends.
Beyond that, Leah had no idea how she was going to handle this.
IN THE BACK OF THE CAR, Diane squirmed. “Daddy, can I stay with you today?”
“You don’t want to go to school?” The girls had been atwitter all weekend, partly about settling into a new home but mostly about preparing for class. They’d even set up a pretend classroom for their dolls. Now, however, it sounded like Diane had a case of cold feet.
Will had to admit that he shared a touch of her nerves. Their first day of school didn’t seem nearly as casual as escorting his kids to kindergarten had been. He was much more aware of starting them on a path that would eventually lead to—heaven help them all—adolescence.
“I want to be a nurse,” Diane replied. “Let me work with you.”
“Me, too,” India said.
“They don’t let kids work at medical offices,” Will informed them as he drove.
He wished he had a clearer view of the girls than his small mirror provided. Safety required strapping them into the rear seat, something his ex-wife hadn’t always bothered to do, despite his warnings.
He refused to think about Allison or how she ought to be here. In many ways, the three of them were better off without her.
“Tell people we’re midgets,” Diane commanded.
“We could sit very still on your couch,” India countered.
“Won’t work,” Will said, “but thanks for the suggestions.”
Last Thursday, the twins had accompanied him to the clinic, where they’d been thrilled to spot themselves in the photo on his desk. The receptionist had fussed over them, providing sugar-free lollipops and paying them compliments.
The rest of the staff had acted a bit more reserved. Will figured they’d all relax once he settled in.
“Anyway, you have to study,” he told his daughters. “I studied for years and years to become a doctor.”
“I don’t want to be a doctor,” Diane said.
“Why not?”
“I told you! Because I don’t want to go to school!”
“You liked it when you saw the place,” he said over his shoulder. He’d taken the girls to the elementary school on Thursday to register them.
The principal had assured him that the first-grade teacher, Miss Morris, was warm and nurturing, as well as an excellent educator. Too bad she hadn’t been around. He’d have liked to talk to her about the difficult transition the girls were making.
“What if we get lost?” Diane demanded, which surprised him, because usually she was the braver of the pair. “What if Mrs. McNulty can’t find us?”
“Then I’ll come get you in person,” he responded promptly. “Listen, I’ll make sure Miss Morris has my phone number, okay? If Mrs. McNulty isn’t there, ask your teacher to call me.”
“She might not have a phone,” Diane protested.
In the mirror, he saw India reach across and take her sister’s hand. “It’ll be okay,” she said quietly. “I’ll stay with you.”
His heart swelled with love for his two little sweethearts. They made everything else worthwhile.
Will realized he should have left the car at the clinic a couple of blocks away, when he pulled into the lot and found it filled. He’d noticed the high school next door but hadn’t realized until now that the two shared parking facilities.
Trying not to let the girls see his irritation, he backed out and located a free space on the street. By now, the twins had pasted their noses to the windows as they stared at the passing children.
