Текст книги "Until You"
Автор книги: Jeannie Moon
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Текущая страница: 13 (всего у книги 22 страниц)
Chapter 18
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David had known about the pregnancy for a week, and he thought things between him and Kate would settle down, but she was still running hot and cold. Maybe it was hormones, but the truth was, he didn’t really know.
What he needed was a woman’s opinion.
His first choice, his sister Rachel, would have to be brought up to speed on the whole Kate situation, and that would take too long. He’d tell her all about it when he saw her in a couple of weeks.
So, he went to see his second choice, Annie, because like his sister, he knew she would tell him the truth. Even if he didn’t want to hear it.
Having long passed the formality of a doorbell, he walked into the Hemmings’ house through the garage and found Annie feeding the twins lunch. Jay had stayed at practice and was doing some extra conditioning work with the trainer, so that gave David some time to get Annie’s take on his love life.
Their kitchen was big, bright and modern. It had clean lines, white cabinets and stainless steel. It was a stark contrast to Kate’s traditional, warm décor, but there was a common thread. This was a family home, and just like Kate’s house, the kitchen had a place for finger paintings and pictures of the children.
Annie was wiping down the stainless steel island and smiled as he walked in. “Hey, you.”
The twins turned in their high chairs and squealed with delight as David tickled them from behind.
“I will never get tired of that sound,” he said as he eased onto one of the stools at the counter.
Annie didn’t miss a beat and poured him a glass of iced tea.
“Thanks.” He took a swallow of his drink and wondered how to start the conversation.
“How’s Kate feeling?” Annie dried her hands on a towel and set the twins free. They ran off into their playroom, making motorcycle noises the whole way.
“Good, tired. It’s hard to know.”
“How are you?” Annie grinned as she sipped her coffee.
“Preoccupied, overwhelmed. I can’t stop thinking about her.” He folded his arms on the counter and leaned in her direction. “She doesn’t trust me.”
Annie smirked. “Well, hell, Burke. I don’t trust you either.” She reached her hand across the island and patted his forearm. “But that doesn’t mean she can’t love you.”
“You think there’s a chance?”
“Definitely.” Annie walked around and looped her arms around his neck. It was platonic, sisterly, and just what David needed. “She told you about the baby. Came to you on your turf; that was hard for her.”
“I know. So she must trust me a little.”
“Eh.” She slid onto the stool next to him. “You majorly screwed up. What were you thinking taking Kate out one week and then jumping right back in the saddle with Chelsea?”
“We went out to breakfast. That’s it. I didn’t think.”
“You didn’t think you’d get caught.”
He dropped his head into his arms and tried to block out any thought of Chelsea. “Why doesn’t she trust me?”
“I’m guessing it has to do with her age.”
His head came up and he saw this was the biggie. “What about it?”
“David, she’s insecure. Trust me on this. She thinks that when you see someone younger and prettier you’ll be gone.”
“That’s just stupid.” He’d realized he’d made a mistake as soon as the words came out of his mouth and Annie whacked him on the back of the head.
“It’s not stupid, it’s real. You’re the one who told me she’s afraid of being left. Well guess what, honey, you are a flight risk.”
“Because I’ve dated a lot?”
“Date? You don’t date, you window shop.”
“Oh, come on. It’s not that bad.”
“Yeah, it is.” She was dead serious.
All the years David played around, he didn’t think it would mean anything, but it did. Now that there was someone important to him, his past was biting him in the ass. He had to find a way to make Kate understand he wasn’t going anywhere.
He shrugged. “So what do I do?”
“Make her part of your life. Bring her to a game. Take her to a movie. Bring her here and let her meet your friends.” Annie snapped her fingers. “Invite her to the New Year’s party at the Girards’.”
“Really, you think that will help?”
Annie rolled her eyes. “You can’t really be this obtuse.” She paused before continuing. “Dave, do you think being a hockey wife is easy?”
“I’ve never thought about it.”
She leaned back and folded her arms. “Women like Chelsea are predators. They hunt down athletes like a wolf hunts down its next meal. Players’ wives and steady girlfriends are enemies. I’ve seen posts about me on the Internet that have made me cry. I’m a shrew and the twins aren’t really Jay’s and I’m bleeding him for his money and he’s looking to get out of the marriage… it’s endless. They make this stuff up. If Chelsea wanted Jay, it wouldn’t matter that we’re married, she’d go after him anyway. Women have hit on Jay when I’ve been sitting with him, just the two of us. They slip him their numbers like I’m not even there. I can’t even imagine how it is on the road. Frankly, I don’t want to think about it.”
David’s eyes were locked on Annie. It could get bad on the road. Women were a regular part of the landscape and in the past, David had taken advantage. Jay didn’t, but it dawned on him that her husband didn’t have to cheat for the groupies to make Annie, and the other wives, nervous and scared.
“It bothers me and I’m in a happy, stable marriage. I know my husband loves me, but sometimes even I need reassurance. Based on what you told me about her, I can understand why Kate’s keeping her distance. The poor woman already lived with a lying, cheating husband.” Annie rose, walked to the playroom door, and checked on her sons. “You’re the one with the bad track record, so you have to prove to her you’re worth the risk, that you want someone who’s more than a hot body. Because, as you know, unless she’s sure of you, she’ll bolt the first second she thinks you aren’t committed.”
Just then Jay crashed through the side door, and before he acknowledged his friend, the barking dog or the kids who came screeching from the other room, he had his arms around his wife and kissed her. Annie was first in his mind, always. “You giving the big dope some help?”
“I’m trying.” Annie gave Jay another kiss and then wiggled away. “David, Kate’s not the one who should have to change if you want it to work. You have to change. You have to make her feel like she’s more important than anyone else.”
*
Laura sat snuggled against Jack while they watched a movie. It was perfectly innocent. They’d been seeing each other for over a month, they really got along well, and he wanted to hang out at home. The only problem with the whole scene was that she’d cut school, taken the train to the city, and managed to find her way to his apartment in Washington Square.
“Do you want anything?” he asked.
“No, I’m good.” She leaned forward and picked up one of her mother’s books off the coffee table. “Have you read this?”
“Ty recommended it. It’s really good so far. Have you read any of her books?”
Laura shook her head. This was her mother’s first book, and it was published when she was in fifth grade. She flipped it over in her hands, opened the cover and landed on the dedication page. The words made her breath catch.
To Laura,
You are the light in my life…
Past, present, and future.
There was so much she didn’t know and it made her angry. At everyone. Jack’s hand ran over her shoulder.
“You look like you have something on your mind.” He cared about her, he really did.
She looked into his beautiful face and felt her mouth turn up at the corners. “Only you.”
He took one of her hands in his. “I wish I could fix whatever is making you so unhappy.”
Laura drew a breath, and not knowing what made her do it, started talking. “It’s my family. My parents hate each other and my dad’s fiancée is constantly pushing me to do things and say things to make my dad happy, and then I hurt my mother. And she never says anything, but, I don’t know, I feel bad.” Laura laid her head on his chest. “I’m a mess.”
“It sounds like a mess, but it’s their mess.”
“I wish I knew her better, you know.” She breathed out.
Laura thought about Mom having a baby and it made her sad she wouldn’t be part of it. There was someone her mother cared about and Laura didn’t know anything about him. How had this happened?
Jack didn’t say anything, but he kept rubbing her back.
“Tell me about your family,” she said.
“Not a lot to tell. I have two younger sisters; one is seventeen and one is nineteen. My parents have been together since they were fifteen years old. They run the farm together. We grow wheat and barley.”
“That sounds nice.”
“It’s really a beautiful place. I’d love to take you there in the summer. We could take the horses out.” His voice was so soft, so calm. “You can ride forever and not see another person. It’s so quiet, you can actually hear yourself think.” He paused and smiled at her. “That must sound strange to you.”
“No, it sounds amazing.”
“It’s home, that’s all.”
“I wish I belonged somewhere like that.”
His hand came to her cheek and he tilted her face toward his. “You belong with me.”
His voice was a whisper, and after he said it, he leaned in and kissed her gently, brushing his lips over hers, caressing her face. He made her feel like she was everything. Looking square into his eyes, Laura lost herself. He meant what he said, and for once, Laura did feel like she belonged to someone. She belonged to Jack.
He leaned in and kissed her again.
Each time she and Jack spent time together, they made out a little more. The last time, sitting in his truck in front of her house, his hand inched down into her jeans, his fingers pushed inside her a little, and she came in a great explosion in his arms. At first he’d been alarmed by the intensity of her response, but it didn’t take him long to figure out she was a virgin.
When Jack looked at her again, the darkness in his eyes put Laura’s body on alert. He was so incredibly good looking, she didn’t know how she would breathe, much less stay calm enough to make a rational decision. But that was when he kissed her and Laura lost her ability to think.
“What’s wrong?” he asked. “You’re so tense.” She shook her head in response.
She thought about how lucky she was. He was sweet and considerate, and he obviously liked her. His hands gently ran up and down her sides and her mind raced.
Eventually Jack would find out she’d lied to him. Would he still feel this way about her? Would he forgive her? Doubtful. He’d been straight with her and she’d been dishonest with him. He’d respected her feelings and she’d stomped on his. Jack wouldn’t want to see her anymore. So Laura had a dilemma. Did she walk away from a hopeless relationship with her virginity intact or give in, let the most wonderful guy on the planet take her to bed and wait until everything came crashing down?
Jack pushed her hair aside and brushed kisses up her neck, behind her ear and down her jaw. The most incredible heat flooded through her, along with a rush to her nervous system. Everything seemed to melt together, muscles and bones, to become soft and pliant under his hands.
His hands did the most magnificent things. How did hands that were so strong touch so gently? She didn’t realize when he’d cradled her in his arms and lifted her, didn’t realize when he’d lain her on his bed. Laura felt drowsy, hypnotized, and Jack stared at her like she was the most precious gift. That was what it was supposed to be like, a gift.
Jack kissed her and she kissed him back, feeling his weight settle next to her on the bed. Laura knew this was a mistake, but she was willing to make it for Jack.
He took the hemline of her sweater and tugged it off, did the same to his own and undid the button and zipper on his jeans. He moved closer to her, hovering over her, touching her, kissing the swells above her bra.
“I won’t do anything you don’t want me to do.”
Laura trembled when she looked into his eyes and nodded. His hands caressed her, making her skin feel hot. Her own hands traveled over his shoulders and torso, her fingers stopping just above his waistband.
“You can touch me,” he whispered, easing her hand into his pants. “It’s just part of me.”
She gasped when she came in contact with his erection. Laura had never touched a man like that before and she tried to stay calm, and be mature, but it was so—big.
How would it fit inside her? Thinking about the pain, she pulled her hand away. “I’ve never… I’ve never…”
“I know, I know. Don’t worry.” He kept kissing her and easily removed her bra. She sighed when his lips brushed over one nipple. “The first time is about you. I promise.” He tugged at her pants and eased them off. Laura was only barely conscious of the fact that she was laying on his bed in nothing but a thong. His hands gripped her hips and his mouth left hot, wet kisses over the plane of her belly, and finally on the inside of each thigh. He slid her thong down her legs and when she tensed, he came up for a kiss.
“Shhh,” he said. “I promise, not ’til you say.”
She nodded, wanting to trust him, but thinking about how many girls he’d done this with and who else had been in this bed. She wondered if Marie was right. Did she have to sleep with him to keep him? If she did, maybe it wasn’t the right thing to do.
“Why me, Laura?”
She tilted her face toward him.
Jack was looking down at her with such sweetness all reason left Laura’s brain. His hand came up and touched her face so tenderly; Laura could only draw in a breath. His question took her by surprise, and put an end to all the questions running through her mind. He knew this was important to her, and he wanted to know what made him different. Just the fact he asked told Laura if she was going to be with a man, it should be Jack.
So Laura told him the truth. “No one has ever mattered enough until you.”
He brushed the hair away from her face and kissed her forehead, her nose, and then her mouth. It was hot and hungry and Laura wrapped her arms around his neck and gave into it. He touched her and it made her burn deep inside. She didn’t know what he was doing, but the searing combination of pleasure and pain made her cry out.
“Jack… I… I… please, don’t.” Laura felt the tears roll down her cheeks, the sob choked her and before she knew it he held her in his arms while she cried.
“Shhh. Please, Laura, don’t cry. It’s okay. We’ll stop. We’ll stop. I’m sorry.”
“I didn’t mean to lead you on. I didn’t. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” She cried again and he cradled her head against his chest.
When the tears slowed, he looked into her eyes, touched her face.
“There’s nothing wrong with you.”
“I should be able to make love with you, I should.”
“There’s time.”
“I’m being such a baby. It shouldn’t be a big deal.”
“Yes, it should. Laura, don’t make love with me because it’s what I want, but because it’s what you want.”
“I do want it, Jack, I do. I just… I don’t know. I’m afraid.” Laura took a deep breath, trying to find her words, to take hold of one emotion and make sense of it for him. She finally found one, and made sense of it for herself. Oh, God, I love him.
“You’re afraid of me?” He looked worried and a little hurt.
“I think,” she began, “I think I’m afraid of everything.” Laura knew she was afraid of how things would change between them, knowing once they crossed the line, they couldn’t turn back. She also knew that emotionally, no matter what Marie told her, if they started sleeping together she had a lot more to lose. “But I do want to be with you. I do.”
“It’ll happen,” he said. “We’ll find a time that’s right and it will.”
Gazing at him, at his beautiful face, Laura knew what she wanted. Being with him like this, stealing a few hours, made her feel slutty, like all she was there for was the sex. What she wanted was to fall asleep in his arms, and wake up snuggled next to him. That would be like love.
Jack glanced down and kissed her nose, examined every feature of her face. He was on the brink of telling her something, something important, but he held back.
Laura kept her feelings to herself, because at this point, she couldn’t imagine someone as perfect as Jack being in love with her.
Chapter 19
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The thought of having a white Christmas made Kate a little giddy. It had been flurrying on and off for days, but tomorrow they were supposed to get real snow, at least six inches.
It made her happy, but then lately, a lot of things made her happy. She and David were learning the ins and outs of dealing with each other. He called her every day just to say hello or to see if she needed anything. They’d gone out a few times when he sensed she was feeling lonely, grabbing a bite to eat at Piccolo’s, or wandering around the bookstore near his house. They kept it simple, but David made Kate feel like she mattered. She, in turn, was learning to depend on him.
One day he didn’t call, but instead showed up with a Christmas tree lashed to the roof of his truck, a pizza, and three old Christmas movies on DVD. He knew she couldn’t get a tree and decorate it on her own, so he took care of it for her. She was really touched that she was on his mind, and he had given up yet another Saturday night out to be with her. They’d decorated the tree, and every time she walked by, she thought about David, on a step ladder, placing and replacing the angel on the top until it was just right. Then when they were done, he built a fire, she made popcorn, and they stayed up until three in the morning watching It’s a Wonderful Life and the old version of Miracle on 34th Street. It was a picture perfect December evening.
Kate walked him to the door and he said his goodnight. But this time, instead of the platonic kiss on the cheek she’d been getting the past two weeks, David folded her in his arms and dropped a bone-melting kiss on her lips. They stood kissing by the open back door, with light snow blowing around them for several minutes until Kate had to come up for air. David looked at her with the most amazing expression on his face. He was trying to tell her something, trying to get her to understand that he was going to be with her no matter what happened.
Kate loved the feel of his arms around her, of his soft lips, his smell… she basically just loved him. Their relationship was changing, quickly, and Kate didn’t know if she could stop it, or if she even wanted to. He owned her heart, but she was still uncertain if she owned his. There were signs, but Kate had never been more scared in her life. She was also willing to take the risk.
Tonight David was taking her to dinner in the city. She offered to make them something at the house, but he said he wanted to take her out, so he made reservations at a beautiful Italian restaurant on Rittenhouse Square. She’d had her dress picked out for three days and was imagining how the evening might go. Rittenhouse was stunning at Christmas. The lights made it the most romantic place in the city. Kate realized she was completely charmed, but David wasn’t trying to finesse her, and this wasn’t one of his big gestures, this was about her. He was leaving on a short road trip before Christmas, then going to see his sister in Toronto. So this would be their last night together for over a week, and David said he wanted to make it special.
Everything was perfect until she pulled in the driveway and saw Marie’s hybrid parked in Richard’s old spot. The mudroom door was open and she could only imagine what was going on inside.
Kate forgot about the presents in the trunk of her car and proceeded quietly when she heard the voices from upstairs. Marie and Laura. Not knowing if she should be angry or upset, Kate dropped her bag and walked up the stairs. Laura’s bedroom door was open and Marie was standing in the doorway of Kate’s room, surveying the scene. “I had no idea your mother was a slob,” Marie said.
“She’s not usually,” Laura called. “Why?”
“The room is a mess. I wonder if her boyfriend is moving in.”
“I don’t know,” Laura answered.
“Why is she hiding him?” Marie turned and ran smack into Kate. “Oh!”
“What’s going on?” Kate snarled and folded her arms.
Marie took a step back and leaned against the railing. Kate used to think she was exotic looking, now she couldn’t imagine why. Marie’s bones protruded from beneath her clothes and her jet black hair fell in a silky sheet to her shoulders. She looked irritable and rigid. “Kate, you startled me.”
“Imagine that. You being in my house and all. What the hell are you doing here?”
“Laura’s packing,” Marie said.
“Packing? For the ski trip?” Kate clarified for her.
“No,” Marie began, hesitating a little too much for Kate’s comfort. “She’ll be staying with us until the custody hearing.”
The words hit Kate like a fist in the gut, but she forced herself to recover when she thought about everything that was at stake. Everything was at stake. “Says who?”
“Richard thinks it’s best.” Marie folded her arms and pursed her thin, red lips.
“Is that so? Screw Richard,” Kate said in response.
“Really Kate, can’t we be civilized?”
“Civilized? You call what you and my husband did civilized?”
“We’d like to have Laura with us and she wants to be there. Richard and I are planning a family and we think—”
“A family? You and Richard? How are you going to do that?”
“I’m a healthy, fertile woman. Many women my age are having children. In fact, I may have recently conceived.”
Kate folded her arms and stifled the laugh that so wanted to escape. “He didn’t tell you, did he?”
“Tell me what?”
Kate swallowed hard before continuing, knowing full well she was losing the battle, but she was going to take her best shot. “He didn’t tell you about his vasectomy.”
Marie’s eyes widened. “Vasectomy?”
“He got it about thirteen years ago. He didn’t want any more children after Laura.”
“You’re evil,” Marie said. “You’d say anything to hurt us.”
At that point, Laura was standing in the doorway of her room with a box on her hip. The look on her face could only be described as confused. Laura didn’t know what to do.
“And I’m supposed to just give her up?” Kate said, advancing on Marie. “Let you walk out of here with my child?” Kate turned toward Laura, who wouldn’t look at either of them.
“Kate, really,” Marie said. “She’ll be gone in a year and a half. If you truly love her, let her have a real family for a change.”
Kate spun at her and hissed, not even recognizing her own voice. “She had a real family until you took it from her.”
“Richard and I are her family.” A quiet settled over them as soon as Marie said it.
“Is that what you want, Laura?”
Laura couldn’t answer. Kate, who didn’t think anything could undo her as much as the divorce, found her heart hurting so much she couldn’t speak. Never in her life had Kate felt more alone or more isolated. Her daughter didn’t say a word, and Kate didn’t know what was holding her back.
Laura retreated to her bedroom and left her future stepmother to deliver the final blows. Marie stared at her. “I’ve been more of a mother to her than you will ever be, Kate. Let her go.”
Kate was about to respond, but out of nowhere a twisting pain, a tore through her stomach and lower back making Kate double over. “Oh, God.”
“Please, Kate,” Marie sniffed. “Must you be so melodramatic?”
Kate couldn’t respond and using the wall behind her as a support, she sank to the floor. There was another pain and then warm wetness between her legs. She knew what was happening now, knew how one story was going to end. She was losing the baby. “Oh no,” she whispered.
Unaware that Kate was miscarrying, Marie lashed out at her again. “Honestly, you’re a disgrace.”
Laura came out of her room and saw her mother on the floor and when Kate locked eyes with her daughter, awareness filled Laura’s eyes. She knew something was wrong. Her gaze drifted along her mother’s body and saw the dark stain growing between her legs. “Call an ambulance,” she said quietly.
“She’s having a breakdown, she’ll deal.”
“No,” Laura said, pushing past her and dropping to the floor beside her mother, “I think she’s losing her baby. Call an ambulance!”
“Baby? She’s pregnant? How?”
Kate was in such pain she couldn’t think, but she was aware of Laura kneeling next to her.
“Marie! Call a freaking ambulance!” Laura screamed. Marie rolled her eyes and flipped open her cell. Kate heard her whiney voice on the line.
Another pain hit and her eyes started to tear. Laura grabbed her hand. “On my nightstand is a small notebook. My doctor’s number is in there, please call her.”
“Okay,” Laura nodded and touched her mother’s arm as another pain hit. “Anyone else I should call?”
Kate shook her head. “The doctor will call David.”
As Laura stood to make the call, Kate caught sight of Marie, who was nailing her with a look that could only be described as pure hate. Laura hadn’t told them about her pregnancy. She’d kept the secret. And while Kate suddenly had hope that her relationship with her daughter could be saved after all the lies, she worried what Richard might do now that Laura had betrayed him.
*
The ambulance ride seemed to take forever, even though it didn’t. Laura had the doctor on the phone when the paramedics arrived and she told them to bring her mother to the hospital in the city. The driver balked a little, but when Laura proceeded to rip off his head, he did exactly what he was asked to do. He made the twenty-five minute trip in about fifteen.
Marie left as soon as she saw that Laura wasn’t going to leave her mother. She didn’t see any reason to hang around, so, Laura rode in the ambulance and now was waiting outside the room on the obstetrical floor where her mother was being examined.
Marie’s reaction made Laura sick. Her mother was lying on the floor bleeding and all Marie could do was think about herself. While she was waiting for the ambulance, Laura heard Marie on the phone with her Dad. Granted, it was only one side of the conversation, but it sounded like they were talking about Mom being pregnant and that they weren’t aware.
And they weren’t aware—because Laura didn’t say anything. She didn’t know what made her keep her mother’s secret, but she had, and Dad would be pissed. He never really got mad at her, but somehow Laura knew this would time it would be different.
Glancing down the hallway, she saw the main nurses’ station and beyond that she thought she saw one of the nurses from the ER. She was talking with a man who then turned and looked in Laura’s direction. He was tall, dressed in black pants and a maroon shirt. Her cell phone buzzed and Laura looked down at the screen. It was her dad. He’d been trying to contact her for an hour. Instead of answering she went back to the game she’d been playing. It was mindless and the only thing she could focus on.
There was so much blood. It seemed like gallons of it, but the doctor told her that Mom was fine now and other than her blood pressure being a little low, she would recover. Still, it was scary. Seeing Mom in so much pain… and what if it was her fault? Hers and Marie’s? Mom had gotten so upset… Laura couldn’t stand to think that she may have caused her mother to lose the baby. She drew a deep breath and wiped at her eyes. God, her life sucked.
“Laura?”
The voice was deep and she assumed it was another doctor, but when she looked up there stood David Burke. The Flyers’ left wing was towering over her… and Laura made the connection: David. Her mother’s boyfriend was David Burke!
“Holy shit,” was all that came out of her mouth.
“Hi,” he said. “I’m David.”
It took Laura a moment to recover and scramble to her feet. “Hi,” Laura took his outstretched hand and tried to make some sense of her mother’s life. It appeared Laura wasn’t the only one with a secret, hockey-playing boyfriend.
“How’s she doing?” He stared at the closed door and his face looked… well, he looked miserable, helpless almost.
“I don’t know. The doctor hasn’t been out.” Laura started to choke up.
Everything had changed between her and her mother in a matter of days. It was the weirdest feeling, but Laura knew she’d done the right thing when she didn’t tell her dad about Mom’s baby. She’d done the right thing helping her tonight.
Over the years, Marie had been a presence. Laura didn’t understand the relationship between her father and his girlfriend until she was in her teens, but by then her Dad had made it clear her mom didn’t want her. So while Marie was a little weird, she made a fuss over Laura, and it helped take away the sting of being rejected by her mother. But she hated that she knew about Marie. She hated that her dad had put her in that position.
Recently, though, Laura started thinking about her mom, searching her memory for something that would confirm the things her father had said over the years. There was nothing. The only things that came to mind were good—old memories from when she was a little girl, of a woman who had never been anything but loving and sweet. Her father was the one who was hard.
David reached out and put his hand on her arm, which broke Laura’s trance. Just then Dr. Emmanuel came out of Mom’s room. “David, good, you’re here. We should talk. Laura, you can see your mom.”
Laura nodded and watched for a minute as the doctor led David down the hall to a small lounge. Once they disappeared from view, Laura steeled herself, turned toward the door and knocked.
*
Her body failed her.
That was the only explanation. The baby died. It was nothing she did, and there was nothing anyone could have done to stop it. She sat in the bed with an IV in one arm, a blood pressure cuff on the other, and a box of tissues in her lap. She sniffed and dabbed her eyes, trying to hold on to her composure until she was home.
Dr. Emmanuel wanted to keep her overnight, but Kate didn’t think it was necessary. She’d rather just go home and mourn her baby alone. That’s how she was going to end up anyway—alone.
She wiped her eyes again and heard a faint rap at the door. She didn’t respond, but the door opened anyway. Laura, looking scared, poked her head in the room. They made eye contact and Kate was shocked at first, then touched. Not only had Laura stayed with her during the miscarriage, she was still there; something kept her there.
