Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 71348 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71348 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
Putting my hand on her shoulder, I give it a squeeze. “You are seriously like the most beautiful and sexy woman I have ever known.”
Rachel’s head snaps my way and her eyes lock onto mine, filled with disbelief.
I nod encouragingly. “Seriously, Hart. All the guys have their tongues hanging out at you behind your back. If you ever want to stop being a mercenary, you could totally be a supermodel.”
Rachel rolls her eyes and growls, “Will you seriously just shut the fuck up, Bodie?”
Dr. Anchors pulls his hand away with a suppressed chuckle and rolls his chair toward the garbage while pulling the latex gloves off. My hand goes behind Rachel’s back and I help her sit up, bending down to whisper in her ear, “I’m not going to lie, I was trying to distract you. But I’m not lying about you being the most beautiful and sexy woman I know.”
Rachel’s face flushes. In that moment, it’s obvious not many men have whispered sweet nothings to her. I find that to be very sad and in need of remedy for sure.
“Okay,” Dr. Anchors says as he stands from the stool. He leans against the counter and crosses his arms over his chest. “Everything looks and feels good on your examination. Going to run some bloodwork and get a urine test to get some baseline readings. Assuming those all look good, you won’t need to come back to see me for another thirty days. You’ll start coming to see me biweekly at the end of your second trimester.”
“And that’s it?” I ask incredulously.
Dr. Anchors gives me a reassuring smile. “That’s pretty much it. Not much to do during the first trimester. We’ll do your first ultrasound at sixteen weeks, and we should be able to check the baby’s gender at that point. Although given the fact that you’re thirty-five, Rachel, you’ll need to be thinking if you want to get some advanced testing.”
“Advanced testing?” she asks hesitantly.
“Amniocentesis for starters,” Dr. Anchors says. “There are a variety of tests we can do to check for abnormalities of the brain and spinal cord or genetic conditions. You two can discuss it and decide if you want to go that route. I’ve got some pamphlets that describe what each of the tests are and what they look for.”
“Okay,” Rachel says. She sits up straighter on the table, wrapping her arms tight over her stomach as if she’s protecting the baby. Shooting me a quick glance, she then looks back to the doctor. “If it’s possible, Dr. Anchors, I would like to be able to talk to you privately.”
A zap of what feels like electricity skitters up my spine in surprise over her request, particularly because there’s no mistaking the slight hint of worry in her voice. She’s not looking at me, though. Her gaze is pinned on the doctor.
He gives her a warm smile. “Of course. That’s not a problem.”
I want to object because I don’t want cut out of any discussion, particularly if there is something worrying Rachel. She says she’s going to go through with this pregnancy for me, but what if she’s having second thoughts?
Her hand comes down on top of mine, and she gives me a squeeze. “Bodie… it’s just personal stuff I want to talk to him about. I haven’t changed my mind about anything.”
Relief floods through me because I hear the truth in her words, and I trust her. I nod and bend down to brush my lips over her cheek. “Okay. I get it. I’m just going to wait for you in the waiting room.”
“Thank you,” she says softly. “I won’t be too long.”
I shake Dr. Anchors’ hand before leaving Rachel in the room to ask whatever secret questions she has, hoping she will eventually confide in me what has her worried so I can help her get through it.
CHAPTER 6
Rachel
I make my way down an empty corridor of gray concrete flooring and white cinderblock walls. I’m not particularly fond of security details, even less so when they’re of some diva pop princess whose highest risk is getting stampeded by thirteen-year-old girls. It’s not exciting enough for me and it’s below my comprehensive skill set, but at least they’ll have me perched in the catwalk that runs above the stage with a rifle. This pop star has had what have been deemed to be credible death threats, and while metal detectors are used at the venue, they’re not foolproof. Her manager felt that adding specialized security through the Jameson Group was a wise use of her money, and I probably agree. I’m on the team covering tonight’s Los Angeles concert. Another team will meet her in Houston for her next one.
Still… I’d rather be running black ops in a foreign country or protecting an important government official. Those are the jobs that gets my juices flowing, and make me feel vital and important.