She began to think back, count in her mind how many months it had been since she’d first made love to Talon, but the memories made her dizzy with longing and she gave up. It seemed like an eternity since he’d come to her cabin with that single perfect rose and created this tiny life that grew within her.

She crossed the room toward her bed, thinking she needed to lie down. But before she could get there, the pain came again, sharper this time.

She stumbled to the satin bell pull and yanked on it, panic clawing at her throat. She needed help. She needed Betsy’s smiling face.

“No,” she whispered, hugging herself. “Please, please not yet.” She was terrified of both the pain and going through this by herself. She wanted Talon at her side, holding her hand and encouraging her with words of love. All her carefully constructed dreams of the future had revolved around this day and his presence by her side.

In her heart of hearts, she’d been so certain he wouldn’t let her go through this alone. She was unprepared to face the truth... she was going to have this baby alone and probably remain that way for the rest of her life.

Betsy entered the room, her face paling when she saw Kate lying on the bed. “Goodness, sweetie, are you all right?”

Kate blinked away her tears, resolving to get through this. Her child needed her to remain strong, because the worst battles were yet to come. “Send for the doctor, Betsy. The baby’s coming.”