The Texan's Tiny Dilemma. Judy Christenberry
Читать онлайн книгу.
wrapped his arms around her. “You scared me to death! That’s good, isn’t it? To feel the baby move?”
She eased herself out of his hold. “Yes, I’m sure it is. I’ll ask the doctor Wednesday.”
“What time is your appointment?”
“Two o’clock.”
“What did it feel like?” Jim asked as he urged her to sit down.
She gave him a confused look. “What?”
“What did the movement feel like?”
“Oh. Kind of like a butterfly. Just a fluttering.”
“Is that normal?”
“I think so. I haven’t known anyone who’s been pregnant. I can ask the doctor Wednesday.” She frowned at him. “It was nice of you to stop by, Jim, but really, I’m fine.”
“Good.” He looked around the cozy room, one he remembered so well from his visits here last summer. “I like your living room. It’s so comfortable. Hey!” he exclaimed. “Where’s your television?”
“My television? I have a portable I keep in my bedroom.”
“Is that the only one you have? What if you have someone over to watch television?”
“I don’t.”
“But the World Series starts this week. Aren’t you going to watch it?”
“I don’t know. Probably.”
Jim got an idea. He knew just what he could do for Teresa, and he wanted to get onto it right away. “Well, if you don’t need me, then…” He walked toward the door. “I’ll see you Wednesday.”
Teresa followed Jim to the door just in time to wave goodbye as he hurried to his car. What a strange visit. He wanted to be her brother? How would that work, when he was the father of her baby? Not that he knew that. Nor would he. She certainly wasn’t going to tell him.
As she turned from the door, she couldn’t help but think of the last time Jim Schofield was in her house. That summer night was forever emblazoned on her memory. It had certainly been different from today. Then Jim wasn’t looking to be her brother. Nor had she looked for fraternal affection from him. She’d tried her best that night to seduce him…and she’d succeeded. He’d given her the best night of her life.
Until he’d told her he didn’t want to see her again.
Her memory jogged, and she suddenly remembered his most recent remark. He’d see her Wednesday. What did he mean by that?
Had Tommie planned something for her entire family again? Teresa didn’t think sharing another meal with Jim was a good idea. She loved him, but he didn’t love her, nor did he want anything to do with her…except as a brother.
And that was impossible.
When Teresa came out to get in her car Wednesday for her doctor’s appointment, she remembered wondering what Jim had meant when he said he’d see her Wednesday.
Now she knew.
Jim’s luxury car was parked in her driveway behind her own economy car. His window was rolled down and he sat behind the wheel.
She slowly walked over to him. “Jim? What are you doing here?”
“I’m here to take you to your doctor’s appointment.”
Teresa frowned. “Why?”
“Because I thought you sounded a little apprehensive talking about the appointment when I was here on Monday. I didn’t think you should have to go through it alone.”
Teresa fought back the sudden tears that filled her eyes. She turned away from Jim so he couldn’t see them. “I’m afraid that’s not possible, Jim. Everyone at the doctor’s office would think you were the father. Rumors would start. Your mother would be appalled.”
“My mother will survive. We’ll tell everyone at the doctor’s office that I’m your brother. It’s almost true.”
That brother thing again, she thought. Why did he torture her with that? “No. Please back out so I can leave.” She turned and headed for her car.
Jim jumped out of his car and beat her to the door of her own. She thought he was being sweet and was going to open it for her. Instead, he leaned against it. “I’m not leaving.”
“Jim, you’re being unreasonable!”
“No, you’re the one being unreasonable. I just want to help you.”
“I don’t need your help.”
He stepped forward and put an arm around her shoulders. “You need someone’s help, and I’m the only one here. If your sisters had shown up, I’d back off. But they didn’t.”
“I told them I’d be fine. There was no need for them to take off work.”
“I agree. Come on, Teresa. Let me go with you.”
“Okay, you can drive me there, but you have to stay in the waiting room while I’m examined.”
“If that’s what you want,” he assured her as he opened his passenger door for her.
Once they were on their way, his gaze kept flitting to the side to catch a glimpse of her face. In a casual voice he said, “It seemed to me you were worried about what the sonogram might show. Am I right?”
“It’s going to be fine, I’m sure.”
He reached out and took her left hand in his, cradling it on his thigh. “Of course it is.”
When Teresa tried to withdraw her hand, he held it fast. Finally she stopped fighting him. After all, no one else could see, and it did give her some extra courage at the moment—and she needed that.
When they reached the doctor’s office, Teresa signed in, then sat down beside Jim. “It shouldn’t take too long. I’ll be his first patient after lunch.”
“That’s good. Does it embarrass you to be seen by a man?”
When she stared at him, he clarified. “I mean, the doctor is a man, isn’t he?”
“Well, yes, but…you know, the nurses drape me. He’ll only see my stomach today.”
“I’ve seen your stomach before, Teresa,” he whispered, watching her closely.
She turned a bright red. “Not like it is now.”
“Come on, Teresa, let me come in with you. I’ve never seen a sonogram before.”
“I—I don’t—”
“Miss Tyler?” the nurse called from the just-opened door.
Jim followed Teresa to the door. “I want to come in when the doctor does the sonogram. She’ll be properly draped, won’t she?”
“Yes, of course. But that decision is Miss Tyler’s, unless you’re the father?”
Jim looked from the nurse to Teresa, and she could feel her heart start to race. How was she supposed to answer that?
In Jim’s expression she could see how much she wanted to come in, to be a witness to the first sight of her baby. Their baby. Even though she couldn’t tell him he was going to be a father, she couldn’t in all good conscience deny him this opportunity. She swallowed the fear she tasted in her mouth and said to the nurse, “He’s just a good friend, but it’s okay with me if he comes in for the sonogram.” Then, without a glance in his direction, she headed down the hallway toward the examination rooms.
“All right, Miss Tyler, I’ll let the doctor know you’re ready. Are you excited?”
Teresa rubbed her damp hands on the white cloths