Free Seasoned Veteran by Roz Lee Page A

stood, helpless. Lost. What if she was pregnant? He felt bad enough about the way he’d ended their relationship, but if she was carrying his child, he’d never forgive himself.
    If he’d stayed…. She needed someone to take care of her. It should have been him.
    The door closed behind them with a soft click. His daughter came to his side. “She’ll be fine, Dad. You’ll see.”
    Please, God. Please let her be okay.

    “When was your last menstrual period?”
    Siobhan’s gaze flew from the blood pressure cuff wrapped around her arm to Dr. Simon’s face. “Why?” She couldn’t imagine what her cycle could have to do with anything.
    The doctor removed the BP cuff, folding it neatly. “Because, there doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with you. You’re young, healthy, and I presume, in a sexual relationship with one of the men in the next room.” Her words were kind rather than accusatory. “Is there a chance you could be pregnant?”
    “No.” She shook her head, trying to remember. “We used protection.”
    “Are you on the pill?”
    A trickle of fear turned her blood to ice. “No. We were cautious. He always….”
    “Condoms are not one hundred percent effective,” she warned, pinning Siobhan with a serious expression. “Have you ever fainted before?”
    “No.”
    “So, about that menstrual period?”
    Now that she thought about it, she hadn’t had one since before Jake left. “I’ve never been regular.” Her mind scrambled, searching for any reason to dismiss the doctor’s assumption.
    “One month? Two?”
    “Two. I think.” Oh Lord. A pregnancy became more of a probability.
    “Queasiness? Fatigue? Breast tenderness?”
    Yes. Yes. Yes.
    Dr. Simon took her hand in both of hers. “Look. I’m not the morality police here, but years of experience tell me the likelihood of you being pregnant is pretty high. Healthy women your age do not faint for no reason. You should visit your gynecologist sooner rather than later, just to make sure.”
    Unable to form words, she nodded.
    Gathering her things, the other woman stood. She laid a white card on the nightstand. “Call me if you have any questions or if you need someone to talk to. I understand how overwhelming something like this can be.”
    Dr. Simon paused before opening the door. “Which one?” She tilted her head toward the closed door. “James Bond or Captain Kirk?”
    Siobhan smiled for the first time since she’d woken up in the strange room. “James Bond. Captain Kirk is my brother.”
    The older woman pretended to swoon. “I thought so. Good genes. You’ll make beautiful babies.” She had a big smile on her face as she closed the door softly behind her.
    Propped against the headboard, she tried to absorb what she knew to be true. She was pregnant. With Jake Tulleson’s baby.
    Her mind flitted all around but never once contemplated anything other than seeing the pregnancy through to a natural conclusion.
    I’m having a baby.
    Wonder and love blossomed in her heart, spreading warmth throughout her body. She placed her hands over her stomach, willing the life inside to feel her love. She didn’t have a clue how to be a mother, but she’d learn. Daddy or no, her child was going to be loved.
    Daddy. Jake.
    As if her thoughts conjured him up, the door opened. The daddy-to-be stepped inside. Following close on his heels were the other two people who had been in the room when she woke.
    Sean shouldered his way past Jake and the hussy in gold. “Sis,” he said, sitting on the bed beside her. A small smile softened the worry on his face. “The doc says you’re okay.”
    “I’m fine. Just a little tired. I guess that’s normal.” She ducked her head to avoid his gaze.
    “It’s true? You’re pregnant?”
    “It’s not official but, yeah, I think I might be.” She raised her head, seeking Jake’s gaze. The crinkles around his blue eyes matched the parenthesis around his curved lips.
    “It’s mine.”
    She nodded. “Yes.