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With one palm still snug around her stomach, she squeezed his hand. “I landed hard, face first on the ground.”
The fresh bout of tears and hitch in her voice broadcasted her fear louder than any words she could have said. He tightened his jaw, determined to keep both Laura and her baby safe. He dug his phone from his pocket. “You’re both going to be fine, okay? I’m going to call the sheriff so they can find who did this. I’ll tell them to bring an ambulance. I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about, but a quick trip to the hospital will make everyone feel better.”
She nodded and tightened her grip on his hand.
Struggling not to let the soft feel of her palm mess with his head, he dialed the local sheriff’s department and described what had happened to the dispatcher.
“Someone will be here soon,” he told Laura as he disconnected. “Is there anyone else you want me to call?”
A flash of hesitation lingered in her eyes and a few seconds passed before she answered. “No.”
The admission crushed him. If he’d been hurt or scared, he had an army of people to surround him. Too many, actually, but his large family always meant well. Even if their support could be suffocating at times.
“Do you want to stand?” he asked. “Or get onto a chair?”
She bit her bottom lip then nodded.
He stood first then leaned forward to cup her elbow under one hand while bracing her back with the other, helping her to her feet. He watched every muscle in her face for any signs of distress or pain. “Does anything hurt?”
“My side,” she said, voice small. “I tried to pivot when he pushed me so I didn’t land on the baby.”
He forced a small smile. “You’re already the mother of the year. Looking out for that kiddo.”
That coaxed a grin from her, transforming her red-nosed puffy face into the look of a proud mother.
“Let’s get you in one of the chairs to relax.” He helped her settle into the cushioned seat in front of the desk. “Can I get you anything? Water?”
“Can you just sit with me? I…I don’t want to be alone.”
He swallowed hard, hating how much she was hurting. How frightened she was.
Because he’d left her here alone.
Never again. Until they got to the bottom of what had happened, he’d make sure she was safe. While he stood watch, no one would ever get their hands on her again.
The grainy blobon the silky square paper stared back at Laura. She wanted to grasp the tiny reminder that her baby was okayall night, but instead she used a magnet to stick it to the cream-colored refrigerator.
Relief trickled through her veins. She rested a palm on her belly. Fearing for the life of her unborn child had been the scariest moment she’d ever experienced. And since her life had been far from rainbows and butterflies, that said a lot.
The crinkling of paper food bags turned her toward the two-person table in her tiny kitchen. Cade set out take-out boxes and napkins. The smell of greasy burgers and French fries made her mouth water.
“You didn’t need to order all this food. I already made you stay with me at the hospital while they checked me over. This is too much.”
“First, you didn’t make me do anything. I wanted to be with you. Doesn’t matter why a doc’s lookin’ you over, it’s scary as hell. Add in the baby and it’s downright terrifying. And second, if I was starving, you had to be too.” He grabbed a large, clear bowl and set it next to her burger. “Got you a salad, too.”
She wrinkled her nose.
“Not a fan?” he chuckled and crossed the kitchen to the sink.
“Not when I have a burger staring me in the face.”
“Fair point. Go ahead and get started. Glasses in here?” He tilted his chin toward the cabinet to his left.
She nodded.
“Water okay? I would have ordered you something to drink at the restaurant, but I know pregnant women aren’t supposed to have caffeine, and booze is a no go.”
Amused, she watched him gather two tall glasses and fill them with water from the tap before sitting in the chair across from her. “How do you know what pregnant women aren’t allowed to have?”
