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He frowned at me and drank the coffee that had brewed on a timer. “What are you doing up so early?”
“Couldn’t sleep,” I answered around a mouthful of omelet.
“Everything okay?” His voice was filled with concern, but I shrugged it off because the last thing I needed was to see that big sexy outlaw cowboy staring at me like I was his something special.
“Yep. Just restless.”
If he was bothered by my short answers, he didn’t show it. Just flashed that panty melting smile and leaned back in his chair, sipping his coffee. “What are you up to today?”
I savored the last bite with a little bit of everything on the fork, chewing slowly because I’d made it through a meal—through breakfast—without getting sick. It was a sweet moment that ended with a scowling biker.
“Just running a few errands and mailing a few orders. How about you,” I asked automatically, still the polite southern girl at heart. Yeah, right.
“Fine.” He pushed up from the table and grabbed his coffee before he stormed from the room.
If I didn’t savor being a bitch once in a while, I might have felt bad about that. But I couldn’t find my give a damn, so I cleaned my dishes and went upstairs to get everything I’d need for the day. Including cash for a visit to the medical clinic in town, just in case Genesis was much smarter than I gave him credit for.
A few plans played out in my mind as I loaded up the Blazer and got on the road, but for one reason or another, they all ended the same. With Genesis and his thugs finding me, making me pay and then locking me up to be their little dancer monkey.
I pulled into the parking lot of the family planning clinic, parked in the middle of the lot and looked through the rearview mirror just in time to see a familiar vehicle roll right past me. Checking up on me.
There was no time to worry about Lasso because it was time for my first official doctor’s appointment and I was nervous as hell. Not that there was anything for me to do, really, other than getting probed and interrogated. The difference was there was a baby in there, growing and taking nutrients from me. It was bizarre. But by the time I got up on the crinkly exam paper, my nerves had settled a bit and I was excited to know more.
“Well?” I said to Dr. Hanson.
She had a kind smile and soft brown eyes, somehow understanding the gravity of my situation enough to take a moment before she answered.
“You’re about eight weeks along and everything looks normal. I have a prescription for prenatal vitamins. Take them every day and be sure to eat a healthy, balanced diet. Some things may give you heartburn like onions, pizza, spicy foods. Stay away from alcohol and beer. No smoking. Come back and see me in six weeks or if you leave town, call so we can forward your records to your obstetrician.”
When she asked if I had any questions, I just stared at her like a deer caught in the headlights on a dark road. I had a million questions, but I couldn’t remember a single one.
“Stress!” I just blurted the word out rather than ask a question, but Dr. Hanson smiled.
“Try to keep your stress to a minimum. It’ll be good for you
and the baby, just remember that.”
How could I forget? The mixed scents in the waiting room had brought my nausea right to the forefront of my day which meant deep breathing through the doctor’s visit, the trip to the drug store to fill the prescriptions and pick up a couple cases of ginger ale and plain wheat crackers. Also, a little bit of junk food because I wanted to be prepared.
Inside the bookstore, the troublesome scents were the strongest with coffee as the aggressor. I held my breath and quickly perused the pregnancy books. My dad was a good provider but stunk at being a dad. He had no patience or time for things like play time and nurturing unless it would help with his next score. With no role models, I needed all the help I could get. I settled on three different child care and pregnancy manuals before I passed out from holding my breath.
It wasn’t much better outside but at least I could breathe. I felt like I’d driven all around the town of Mayhem and parts of Vegas, stopping at the grocery store, bakery and craft store before heading home. It was a long day and I hoped Lasso would be home soon so I could go to the guest room and crash.
I waited ninety minutes for him. When he didn’t come home I bit the bullet and went inside, leaving my bags beside the bed as I curled on top of it. I remembered one final task before I could finally sleep.
I needed to send Lasso a text.
Chapter 4
Lasso
Hope you got your answers. ~R
That was it, just five words and it had me spooked and a little bit curious about how a little redheaded hippie chick could have spotted my tail. I’d even taken my truck so it wouldn’t be obvious because I was damn curious where she was going that required such secrecy. Maybe I was overreacting. She wasn’t secretive; Rocky just wasn’t sharing any information with me.
Goddammit!
And the worst part was, I couldn’t even blame her. I made her feel unwelcome to the point she spent all day out of the house, pregnant and doing who knew what, all because she misinterpreted what I’d said. But seriously, would it have been so hard to just say she was going to the doctor? I drove past and parked on the street, watching her in the rearview. She looked like she was freaking out or trying not to before she stepped from the car and walked inside on shaky legs. Then I pulled away, picked up my bike and went to meet the guys at the clubhouse.
