Page 126 of Under His Guard

“Luke, I…”

She’s not looking at me, so I take her chin and tip her face up.

“What did you just say, doc? Cuz I’m going to need to hear that one again.”

With a sharp single laugh-snort through her nose, Clara nods. Her fingers come to mine on her chin, and she takes my hand.

“You should sit.”

I cock a brow.

“For your leg’s sake, Luke. Come on.”

I sigh, taking a seat next to her in the open back of the ambulance. “Now spill.”

“I’m pregnant.” Clara releases a heavy breath.

“Didn’t think that was possible.” I stroke my thumb across the back of her hand.

“It’s not supposed to be. I probably have a million tests in my future if I go through with this, but…yeah.”

“How far?—”

“Not long at all. A few days, maybe a week. It must’ve happened that first time we…”

I can’t stop the laugh. It’s like something out of one of the movies they show in a high school health class.

“The first time. Ha! I guess it really can happen, then, huh?”

Clara rolls her eyes at me. “Yes. Well, of course, it can. I just didn’t…I was explicitly told I couldn’t get pregnant. I’ll be having a word with Dr. Winkler.”

She lets out a wry chuckle before clamming up.

Furrowing my brow, I scrub a hand over my face. “When did you find out?”

“Just before I was attacked at the hospital. When Dr. Carter…”

My chest pinches, and I reflexively squeeze Clara’s hands.

“Right before our fight. Right before all this. Jesus. That’s some luck we have.”

That nervous chuckle filters out of her again, and I realize my hand is very near her stomach. Brushing my knuckles over the area makes Clara look up at me.

“I know this is a lot. Hell, I’m definitely still reeling, but…” She swallows, her breaths shuddering. “Do we…do you want to try…this?”

I’m completely blown away by the news. My brain is swimming in leftover adrenaline, and my damn leg is still killing me.

I’ve been without parents for a while now. I’m not even sure if either one of them ever really thought about me or my brothers.

I’m coming to grips with the fact that I have severe PTSD from my time in the military, and it’s made me a damn alcoholic.

I haven’t had long-term relationships, like, ever, and my job is pretty demanding of my time.

There are more than a few reasons I should just say no and leave Clara alone. She gets to decide what to do with her own body.

If she doesn’t want this, it’s not up to me, and she’d be much better off without me in her life.

And still…

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