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“Do you think she’s going to be OK?” she asked Jared.
They sat in a private alcove with a sofa, two chairs, and a table with scattered magazines. Prior to the remodeling of the hospital it had been the main waiting room, but now served as an open sitting area just outside the hallway leading to the operating room.
“She should be,” Jared reassured her, lacing his fingers with hers and gently squeezing. “She’s in excellent hands. Dr Marks is Madison Memorial’s best general surgeon.”
Chelsea stared at their entwined hands, loving the warmth and comfort of Jared’s touch, wondering if he realized he was holding her hand, wondering what his touch meant.
“The stress of surgery is so hard on a body, though,” she said. “She could easily miscarry.”
“It’s possible.”
“How far along do you think she is?”
“From the ultrasound I’d guess eleven or twelve weeks.”
“She’s not far enough along for a baby to survive if the surgery puts her into labor.”
“No, but we’ll think positive.”
“Who do you think the father is?”
“That’s none of my business.”
“I think it’s Will.”
He gave her a pointed look. “Neither is it any of your business.”
“You’re right, of course, but—”
“But nothing. Leslie’s business is Leslie’s business. Don’t harass her on who the father is.”
“I wouldn’t.”
He sighed. “I know. Sorry. It’s been a long day.”
Although afraid to remind him they were holding hands, she brushed her thumb over the back of his hand. “I’m glad you were there when Leslie passed out. I’d hate to have had to deal with that alone.”
“You’d have been fine.”
“It’s different when the person you’re taking care of is someone you care about.”
He nodded, glancing up when her brother stepped into the waiting area.
Their hands parted. Chelsea smoothed her slacks while Jared tucked his hand beneath his thigh. If Will noticed, he didn’t comment. Actually, she doubted he had.
“She’s already in surgery?” he asked, his gaze going to the closed doors. He looked tired, stressed. His dark hair was ruffled and his expression grim.
“Yes, just a few minutes ago.” Although reluctant to leave her spot next to Jared on the sofa, Chelsea went to her brother and touched his shoulder. “Jared and I followed the ambulance. I called you the moment we arrived.”
“I was at the nursing home, making rounds. I came as soon as I got your message.”
“Jared called ahead and had the operating room ready. Dr Marks was waiting. Everything happened pretty fast.”
“You’re sure it’s her appendix?” Will’s eyes went back and forth between them.
Jared nodded.
“I heard…” Will’s voice trailed off, and he met Chelsea’s gaze. If there had been any doubt in her mind about Leslie and her brother’s relationship, about who was Leslie’s baby’s father, the way her brother’s face paled to a ghostly white would have convinced her. “She’s really pregnant, isn’t she?”
