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“But you’re a grown-up now. You don’t have to be intimidated or frightened by anyone. Your husband’s suggestion makes sense. He wants to expose this Sheila for who she really is. If you were to go back to his house and live with him again, you would be provided with the perfect opportunity to see this thing through and discover the truth for yourself.”
Ashley took in a huge breath. “But what if Cord is still hiding things from me?”
Sister Bernice eyed her shrewdly. “Then it’s your duty as his wife to find out, isn’t it?”
She hadn’t thought of it quite like that. “Yes.”
“Because you still love him. Otherwise you would never have agreed to join the program at the hospital with him.”
“You’re right. I think I love him more than ever,” she cried softly. “You should see how excited he is about the baby.”
“As well he should be. Ashley—since you’ve come to me, I’m going to tell you something. I can promise you that you’re more than equal to the challenge of facing Sheila or anyone else, if you’ll do it. Three lives are at stake here. Surely the welfare of a lovely family like yours is worth the fight. You above all people should understand that.”
She bowed her head. “I do. I guess I just needed to hear you tell me again that you believe in me.”
“Was there ever any doubt?”
“No,” she whispered emotionally.
“That’s my girl. Now let’s not keep your husband waiting any longer.”
Sister Bernice, a tall regal woman with a smiling face that put everyone at ease, got up from the chair and walked out to the foyer with Ashley. Cord rose to his feet the second he saw them coming.
The nun beamed at him as they shook hands. “Congratulations to the expectant father.”
“Thank you, Sister,” Cord murmured in a cordial tone. “It’s good to see you again.”
“I couldn’t be more delighted with this visit and am looking forward to holding your child when he’s born.”
“I’ll phone you the moment Ashley delivers,” he promised.
“I’ll be waiting.” Her gray eyes twinkled. “Before you leave here, feel free to step inside the chapel and thank God for the miracle He has bestowed on you. I, too, will say my prayers for you.”
Her gaze sent Ashley a private message. Then she made the sign of the cross and walked off, disappearing down another corridor.
Cord studied Ashley’s features. “Where is the chapel?” he asked in a voice as deep as velvet.
She cleared her throat. “Through those doors on the right.”
By tacit agreement they entered the small, simple room and sat down on the end pew. While Cord leaned forward, his hands clasped, Ashley closed her eyes and offered a prayer of thanksgiving as well as a plea that it wouldn’t be a mistake to go back home with him after they left the hospital.
“Ashley?” He spoke once they’d returned to the car and were on the road once more. When he said her name like that, her body tautened nervously.
“Yes?”
“Aside from the quilt you’re making, what have you bought for the baby?”
“Nothing yet.” It was embarrassing to admit, but because of meager finances and no place to keep things, she’d put that day off. “I was waiting until I moved into the apartm—”
“Which damn well isn’t going to happen,” he cut her off in a savage tone. “I’ll need a phone number so I can call the landlord and tell him to rent it to someone else.”
Ashley trembled. Cord wants a commitment, and he wants it now.
“He’s a she. I’ll phone her when we get back to the hospital.”
It wasn’t anything tangible, yet she could feel some of the tension leave his body.
“Did you sign a lease?”
