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The baby kicked again, and I jumped from my seat right into Hunter’s arms, knocking him over.
“I’m so sorry,” I cried again.
“I was thinking about taking a walk by the river. I’ll set up a blanket and maybe catch some fish for dinner. It’s not too hot outside.”
“Okay…”
“Eat first.”
“I’m really not hungry.”
Truthfully, I had no space in my stomach and had no appetite since last night. The delusional plea for steaks and burgers was just that: delusional. But the doctor had said to walk and move as much as possible. I rubbed the side of my belly where the baby’s foot pressed against my skin, the imprint of its tiny toes visible. Hunter’s smile showed a full grid of teeth.
“That’s so cute.”
“My shifting liver is not cute.” I massaged the baby’s foot into a new position. “Move, move, move, please, move.”
The baby turned, and I breathed out in relief, “All right. Let’s go to the river.”
I pulled up my pregnancy joggers and adjusted the sports bra. Since we’d moved back to Costa Rica, Hunter had built stairs so I could easily walk up to the house. Or wobble. He still preferred the rope, as it was quicker.
He cleaned up the food, gathered his fishing gear and a blanket, and minutes later, I was sitting near the riverbank, watching his muscled back twist every time he cast a fishing line. This was so much better. Beautiful arms, a tight behind, strong trapezoid muscles stretching from shoulder to neck… He was a caveman… No, a bear, because the hair on his back and chest regrew. I’d wax him when bending over was no longer an Olympic challenge, but I didn’t really mind the cuddly growth.
I cracked my head to the side. The sound of rushing water eased the tension in my shoulders, and the soft breeze cooled my skin, but it didn’t take long for a cramp to tighten around my belly as the baby pushed its foot into my ribs. I lay down on the blanket, stretching and seeking comfort. Just one more week! Tomorrow, we had a visit booked with the doctor in the city, and I was not looking forward to the five-hour trip.
The leaves rustled in the bushes on my left, and I rose to my elbows, scanning the area. I sat up higher as Hunter cast his line. He was standing knee-deep in the water, concentrating on the flow. The leaves rustled again, and I startled. A cougar’s head popped out from within.
“Oh, my God. Hunter,” I whispered. My heart lodged itself somewhere in my throat, halting my voice.
“Hunter?” I said louder, but he couldn’t hear me over the flowing water. Kali stepped out from within the bushes and slowly approached. I sat frozen, unable to speak or breathe. Her stomach stuck out on each side, swollen and large.
She’s pregnant.
We held eye-to-eye, the distance shortening until the cougar stopped a stone’s throw away and sat. She was panting, and I still couldn’t breathe. I slowly inhaled as she extended her front paws forward and stretched out onto her side, her round midsection lifting like a balloon.
“Oh, you poor girl. Hunter, get some water.” But I could barely voice the words.
Hunter was still focused on the line, unaware of Kali’s presence. I slowly stood and wobbled as eloquently and non threateningly as I could to the shore, squatted like a duck, and filled the bowl Hunter had brought for the fish with water. I went back to the cougar and set the bowl a safe few feet away from her head. She sat up and I stepped back, hurrying to the river and into the water. The cougar bent down to the bowl and drank the water. I smiled while walking backward until I reached Hunter and tapped his shoulder.
He tugged on his line and turned around with a huge grin on his face. “Perfect timing. I just got one.”
He reeled in the line, and I folded my arms over my large breasts, waiting until he finished. The fish flapped, and he hooked it by the gills, dragging the trout out of the water.
“I could have been eaten alive, and you wouldn’t have known it.”
“What are you talking about? Are you feeling better?”
“I’m talking about the cougar.” I pointed to the shore.
“It’s just Kali.”
“She’s still a cougar.”
“Kali protects us. You think I would have left you in danger? I saw her pacing along the river, but she took off when I set up the blanket.”
I slapped him lightly on his arm. “You could have told me.”
“But you had nothing to worry about. See?” He pointed to the cat.
