Free Because of the Baby by Debbie Macomber Page A

what the outcome of this day, it would be hard.
    He leaned forward and clasped his hands, bracing himself against a fresh wave of pain. It was so sharp, so constricting, that he had difficulty breathing.
    Distracted by his thoughts, Matt wasn’t immediately aware of the doctor who’d entered the room and called his name.
    â€œMatthew Caldwell.”
    Matt leapt to his feet and nearly tripped over a toddler sitting on the floor, stacking wooden blocks.
    â€œI’m Matt Caldwell,” he told the lanky older man in the white coat. “What’s going on with Karen? What about the baby?” He prepared himself to receive the news that they hadn’t been able to save the pregnancy.
    â€œYour wife is resting comfortably.”
    Matt didn’t bother to explain that Karen was his ex-wife.
    â€œWe’ve run a number of tests, and as far as we can tell the pregnancy is progressing just fine.”
    Matthew was too stunned to respond. “The baby’s fine? What happened? Karen thought she was having a miscarriage.”
    The other man patted him on the back. “Your wife has a severe bladder infection.”
    â€œBut…she was in such terrible pain.”
    â€œI suspect the infection was complicated by stress and fatigue. We’re giving her an antibiotic that’s completely safe for the baby, and as a further precaution, we’ve decided to admit her for the night. Her obstetrician will call on her later.”
    â€œShe’s been very ill with morning sickness. Is that normal?”
    â€œSometimes. You might talk with Dr. Baker when he’s in. Would you like to see your wife now?”
    â€œPlease.”
    Matt followed the ER physician down a corridor crowded with gurneys and IV stands to a semidarkened room. He pulled aside the thin curtain around the bed. Karen lay there, her hands resting protectively over her abdomen.
    Matt barely noticed the doctor’s leaving. He gazed down at Karen; their eyes met. She looked deathly pale against the white sheets. Matt figured he probably didn’t look much better. He’d never spent a more harrowing two hours in his life.
    â€œHow’re you feeling?” he asked gently. Needing to touch her, Matt reached for her hand and brought it to his lips. It wasn’t until her fingers closed around his that he remembered their disagreement.
    â€œOh, Matt,” she whispered, “I’m so sorry for causing you all this trouble.”
    â€œI’d never consider helping you trouble.” He kissed the back of her hand.
    Tears filled her eyes and she turned her face away from him.
    â€œThe doctor said you should sleep,” he urged her softly. “Don’t worry about a thing.”
    â€œWhat about your plane? You were supposed to have leftOakland long before now.” She shifted her position to look at him again.
    â€œI canceled my reservation. Now stop worrying about it.”
    Ever so lightly, he touched her tear-stained face.
    â€œBut the tour—what about your presentations in Portland and Seattle?”
    That she knew so much about his schedule surprised him. “There’ll be other tours.”
    â€œI feel bad about messing up your plans…” Her voice faded. Whatever drug the hospital had given her seemed to kick in just then, because she closed her eyes and was asleep within seconds.
    Matt sat next to her bed until the orderly arrived. Then he followed Karen to the room she’d been assigned. He stayed until she started to stir, at which point he quietly slipped out, assuming he was the last person she’d want to see.
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    Later that afternoon, Karen woke up, feeling more rested than she had in weeks. She pressed her hand to her stomach, forever grateful that the pregnancy remained intact. She’d been so afraid.
    A brief smile touched her lips. Generally she was the calm, cool one in a crisis, not Matt. The reverse had happened that morning. Consumed as she