Page 64 of Sheltering You

She took a cracker, broke it, and ate half.

“Are you pregnant?”

His question brought a gasp that had her inhaling cracker crumbs. She spluttered and coughed.

“Dang. Sorry. I shouldn’t have…” He jumped up and hovered over her, his hand on her back. “What can I do? Are you okay?”

She sipped her water, coughed again. Trying to breathe. Trying to think. Because…

How in the world had Derrick guessed her secret?

“What can I do?” he asked again. “Do you need⁠—?”

“I’m all right.” Her voice was croaky and rough. She cleared her throat, sipped more water. It took a few moments, but when she thought she could talk, she tried again. “Really.”

Derrick moved back to his seat. She was afraid to look at him, but when she did, his expression surprised her almost as much as his question had. In his eyes she saw not condemnation but kindness.

She felt the most amazing…tenderness. Gentleness and patience.

She couldn’t bear it.

She turned away, staring out the window at the stark trees, bent by the wind. How lovely the sight would be in the summertime, all green and lush, the skeletal branches hidden by the foliage.

Even a layer of snow would add a hint of beauty. Not the ugly nakedness displayed there now.

“Jazz?”

“I was going to tell you.” She forced herself to meet his eyes. “I decided last night I would tell you today.”

Derrick’s expression didn’t waver. He held very still. Only his Adam’s apple moved as he swallowed. “Do you want to tell me about it?”

She shrugged. “What is to tell? Your father says the baby is healthy.”

Derrick’s eyes squeezed shut. “Dad knows.”

It wasn’t a question, so she didn’t say anything.

A moment passed, and then he said, “Michael knows.”

Also not a question, but now Derrick opened his eyes and watched her.

She dipped her head.

By the way he winced, the acknowledgment had inflicted a wound.

“I did not tell him,” she hurried to say. “He guessed, on your plane, on the way from Greece because I had been so sick. Even Leila hadn’t realized.”

Derrick rubbed his lips together, took a long breath. “That makes sense.”

“And your father… I needed a doctor. I couldn’t keep food down. Michael arranged for me to see him right after we arrived.”

“You don’t owe me an explanation.”

“But you are my friend.”

“I thought I was.”

Tears stung, and she turned, ashamed of them. Ashamed of herself. Just…ashamed. She covered her face with her hands, wishing for a better hiding place.