The Lawman's Little Surprise

by Roxann Delaney

  “My foot, you are.” She slammed the magazine closed.

  “Boring article?”

  “Bad company.”

  One dark eyebrow raised. “I see your mood hasn’t improved.”

  “It had,” she said, hoping no one in the somewhat crowded waiting room would hear. “Are you crazy, Morgan Rule?”

  “I have a right to hear what the doctor says. I have a stake in this, too.”

  Before she could think of a reply, Susan Fulcom, Doc Priller’s nurse for as long as Trish could remember, called her name from the open hallway door of the small clinic. Trish put the magazine aside and started to stand.

  “I’ll be along shortly,” he whispered.

  She turned back to stare at him. “Morgan—”

  “Don’t worry. There’ll be no reason for anyone to question my being here.”

  Although he looked sincere, and Trish didn’t doubt that he had some plan to keep tongues from wagging, just the two of them speaking would raise eyebrows among Desperation’s populace. And that would lead to talk. She’d hoped to keep that to a minimum, at least until she told Aunt Aggie.

  With no way to point that out to him without gaining unwanted attention, she stood and walked across the waiting room to follow Susan to the examining room. Once inside with the door closed firmly behind them, she took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

  “Nice to see you and Morgan being friendly,” Susan said, her attention on what was probably a medical chart.

  Trish froze. What should she say? Flippant answers flashed through her mind, until one that would suffice finally settled firmly. “Oh, there are no hard feelings between us.”

  Susan turned with a smile. “I’m glad to hear that. Maybe there’ll be good news in the future?”

  Oh, yes, the best of news! I’m preggers.

  Trish shrugged.

  “So what are you here for today, Trish?”

  Trish’s heart sank. She hadn’t realized she’d be talking to anyone other than the doctor. How foolish had that been? Thoughts jumped in and out of her head. Susan could gossip with the best of them. Did nurses take a Hippocratic oath like doctors did? Just how long could they keep this little secret…secret?

  “Why, Trish, you’re pale. Lie back, honey.”

  Head swimming, Trish did as she was told, while Susan fussed around her, removing her shoes and generally trying to make her comfortable.

  It wasn’t working.

  “Maybe a drink of water?” Susan asked, moving to the door.

  Trish nodded, relieved to get rid of the woman while she gathered her wits.

  She’d almost managed it when the door opened and in walked Morgan. Propping herself on one elbow, she straight-armed a point with her finger at him. “Out!”

  Instead of obeying her command, he stood perfectly still, his eyes filled with concern. “I heard Susan say you weren’t feeling well.”

  “I wasn’t. I’m not.” Lying back on the exam table, she put her arm over her eyes. “Why did you have to show up? Everybody in town will know something’s up, and it will only be a matter of days before they’ll have it figured out.” Throwing off her arm, she popped up on her elbows. “I haven’t even told Aunt Aggie yet!”

  That got his feet moving, and he took the few steps to where she was half lying, half sitting, his eyes wide with what she assumed was fear of her aunt. But just as he started to say something, the door opened and Doc Priller walked into the room.

  Doc looked from Trish to Morgan. “Well, hello there, young man,” he said, picking up the packet of files on the small stainless-steel countertop. He gave Morgan another glance as he stepped around him and approached Trish, peering at her over the top of his rimless glasses, his blue eyes serious. “Susan tells me you aren’t feeling well. What’s the problem?”

  “I—” She glanced at Morgan, standing silently behind the doctor. Morgan nodded.

  She’d expected this to be easier. All she had to do was say she suspected she was pregnant. The words were easy. Saying them was proving not to be.

  Doc turned to look at Morgan, then back at Trish. “Would you be more comfortable talking if the sheriff waited outside?”

  Would she? She shook her head. “Morgan is aware of the…situation.”

  White eyebrows lifted, and Doc nodded, a slow, knowing nod. Reaching behind him, he pulled up a metal swivel stool and lowered himself onto it, folding his hands on the folder in his lap. “Trish, I’ve known you since you came to Desperation to live with your aunt. I don’t judge. I don’t gossip, although my wife might say different when it comes to our own family. Tell me what’s going on.”

  “I’m pregnant.” She relaxed, knowing it was over, and she felt better for having said it.

  Doc’s expression didn’t change. “A baby is a wonderful thing. Not quite so easy when mom and dad aren’t together, but still a miracle.” He jerked his thumb over his shoulder and continued with, “And I take it this fella is the father?”

  Trish looked past the doctor to Morgan, who was stuffing his hands into his pockets, his head down as if he was embarrassed.

  “Yes, Doc.”

  “Then there’s not a problem,” Doc said, opening the folder and pulling a pen from his pocket. “He’s a good man. A little stubborn maybe, but nothing wrong with that. Now you just answer my questions, and we’ll have you up and out of here in no time, and no one will be the wiser.” He turned to Morgan. “Have Susan step in, will you? I’ll need a blood test to start with.”

  Trish’s fears hadn’t completely eased. “Will Susan—”

  Doc reached out and pressed a comforting hand on her arm as Morgan left the room. “Susan Fulcom has been with me since she graduated from nursing school. She’s a professional. Doesn’t gossip, either, not about patients or what goes on here. If need be, we’ll put our heads together and cook up an answer for anyone prying into something that isn’t their business until it is. You can count on that.”

  Trish nodded as tears of relief stung her eyes. Wiping at them with the back of her hand, she sniffed. “Damn crying spells,” she muttered.

  Chuckling, the doctor leaned back. “You’ll get used to them. How’s Aggie taking this news?” he asked as he began to scribble on a paper.

  “I haven’t told her yet.”

  He peered at her without raising his head, and then dropped his gaze to the paper. “I can understand your hesitancy, but I know your aunt well enough to know she’ll be pleased. Maybe not so much with the circumstances as they currently are, but she’ll welcome a baby with the same open heart she welcomed you and your sister.”

  Nodding, Trish sniffed again. “It isn’t that I’m afraid to tell her. It’s because I don’t want her canceling her cruise on account of me,” she explained. “And I know that’s exactly what she’d do. I’ll tell her when she gets back. I promise.”

  “Of course you will. Now, let’s get started on those questions. Susan should be in here in just a minute with Morgan, and then we’ll do the blood test. You up for that?”

  Trish smiled. “That’s the easy part.”

  He went straight to the questions with only a soft laugh to show that he understood. The questions seemed endless, starting with last date of menstruation, nausea or morning sickness, sleeping habits, loss of energy, the whole gamut. She explained about the pregnancy test, and he nodded. “Quite the thing, although not one hundred percent. It’s good you came in. That’s the best thing. We’ll get you on a round of vitamins—”

  The door opened and the nurse walked in, followed by a sober-looking Morgan. “Are you feeling better, Trish?” Susan asked. “Your color has definitely improved.”

  “Much better, thank you,” Trish answered.

  “Morgan told me the good news,” Susan said.

  “You’ll make a great mother, Trish.”

  Trish could only hope so. She wasn’t planning to be anything but a good mother, although she knew it wouldn’t be easy. And even though she’d told Mo
rgan she would raise the baby on her own, she knew she wouldn’t be alone. She had her family and probably everyone in Desperation to help, once they knew and accepted the news.

  It wasn’t long before the exam was over and the blood work done, with a warning the next visit would entail more. Trish had been fine about the drawing of blood and was through it without even a wince. She’d noticed Morgan hadn’t fared as well and looked a little pale.

  With several papers about pregnancy and childbirth in hand, she stood at the door in the hallway leading into the waiting room. She and Morgan had agreed at Doc’s suggestion that she would leave first, while Morgan waited ten or so minutes. He’d elicited a promise from her to wait for him in her car near the park.

  “That wasn’t so bad after all, was it?” he asked, before he pushed open the door to let her pass through.

  Trish’s answer was a groan. Bad? He had no idea. He’d pay for this day, one way or another. She swore he would.

  MORGAN ARRIVED AT what was considered the back side of the local park, where he’d instructed Trish to wait for him. He wasn’t disappointed. He could see her car as he rounded the last corner.

  He wasn’t sure what had gotten into her. He couldn’t imagine why she’d been so riled up when he walked into the doctor’s office. From the minute she’d told him the news that she was pregnant, he’d had every right to be there.

  The news. He still felt a warm glow when he thought about it—right before the lead weight settled in his stomach. There was nothing to do about it now but make sure she and the baby were taken care of. He couldn’t marry her, but he could do that much.

  Lifting his hand in a wave as he approached her car, he watched as she rolled down her window. A bitter-cold wind blew, and he quickened his steps.

  Creases between her eyes had formed as she looked up at him when he reached her car. “Was there something else we needed to discuss? Because if there isn’t—”

  “What are your plans for the rest of the day?”

  “Stop to get some prenatal vitamins and go home, I guess. That means going to Kingfisher.”

  Was she afraid of the gossip? It could be tough in a small town, but she wasn’t the first unmarried pregnant female in Desperation, and she wouldn’t be the last. No doubt there would be some talk, but it would run its course and be done.

  “I have an idea,” he offered. “Where’s Aggie?”

  Her mouth opened and she gasped. “We can’t tell Aunt Aggie! Not before she leaves.”

  “Not what I had in mind.”

  Shoulders easing, she leaned back in the seat and closed her eyes. “She and Hettie went shopping for clothes for the cruise. They don’t plan to be home until well after dark.”

  He couldn’t have asked for better. “Then here’s what I was thinking. Let’s go into Oklahoma City and check out the shopping malls.” The pained look on her face had him quickly adding, “Only if you’re up to it.” When she gave a small nod, he continued. “Just for a little while. I’m not familiar with baby things, so maybe you can show me what’ll be needed. I don’t want you wanting for anything.”

  “Well…”

  “We can have a late lunch afterward. Stu gave me the name of a new place. So what do you think?”

  Sitting up straight, she placed her hands on the steering wheel and looked at him. “I could pick up the vitamins when we get to the city.”

  “Right.”

  “And not have to worry about someone seeing me in Kingfisher and telling tales.”

  He nearly pointed out that she was being paranoid, but he thought better of it. “Good idea.”

  “We’ll take my car,” she said, reaching for the ignition.

  “Only if I can drive.”

  After making a face, she gave in. “Oh, all right. I’ll follow you home and pick you up there.”

  Less than ten minutes later, they were on their way, the countryside flying by. “Watch your speed,” Trish warned him.

  He kept his eyes on the road ahead, ignoring her warning. “Nice car,” he said from behind the wheel. “You made a good choice.”

  “I researched online and talked to people who owned one. It wasn’t all that hard.”

  “Technology has its advantages. It drives smoother than I would have thought, and there’s room in the back for passengers.”

  “Not to mention that the trunk is spacious and the gas mileage is good.”

  He was proud of her. There were some folks who thought she was nothing but a piece of fluff. Sure, she was sweet, but she was smart, too. Reasonable in most circumstances. Or so he’d thought until earlier at Doc Priller’s. Sliding a look at her, he almost wished he hadn’t canceled their wedding. Not that he’d had a choice in the matter.

  After stopping for the vitamins she needed, they drove to the mall. Trish mentioned her fear of running into Aggie and Hettie, but Morgan thought that would be highly unlikely. Even if they did, he had no doubt Hettie would be pleased to see them together. Aggie he wasn’t so sure about.

  “Does a baby really need all this?” he asked, as they stood surrounded by bright colors in one of the large department stores.

  “No, of course not,” Trish answered. “And not at first.”

  He touched a fuzzy bunny hanging from the top of a crib. “Does this stuff really do anything?”

  “It’s stimulating.” Her voice held all the patience in the world, and he paid attention while she explained. “At first they only see in shades of black and white, and then only six inches from their face. Colors and distance come along soon after.”

  “When do they start talking?”

  “Not for a long time,” she said, laughing.

  It did his heart good to hear the sound of it. He’d missed it while she was gone. He’d missed it since she’d come home. If only things could be different.

  So lost in thought that he hadn’t noticed her move away, he wandered in the direction of where she was looking at a small cradle and talking with one of the salesclerks. Instead of joining her, something caught his eye, and he pulled a tiny football jersey from the rack.

  “Cute, isn’t it?”

  He looked up to see a different salesclerk than the woman Trish was still talking to. “Yeah, it is.”

  “Is this for someone you know?”

  “Not yet.”

  Her eyebrows went up slightly, but her smile remained. “Not here yet? I see. When is the baby due?”

  “July,” he answered. At least that’s what Doc Priller had told them. Digging in his back pocket for his wallet, he checked to make sure Trish was still busy. “I’ll take it,” he told the clerk.

  “I’ll ring you up over there.” She pointed to a counter and he followed her.

  He paid for the item quickly, and Trish joined him just as the clerk handed him the sack.

  “What did you buy?”

  “Something.”

  “Well, of course it’s something. What?”

  “I’ll show you when it’s time.” Taking her gently by the arm, he led her away.

  “Just let me see,” Trish insisted.

  “Not now.”

  She hurried quickly beside him as he steered them through the store and out into the wide-open hallway of the mall. “Then can we go for that lunch? I’m starving.”

  He felt the smile coming on. “Me, too.” Taking her arm, he guided her toward the exit, pleased that their shopping trip had turned out so well.

  “BUT WHAT IF IT isn’t a boy?” Trish asked.

  They were sitting at a small table in the restaurant Stu had recommended, the soft murmur of the conversations of other diners all around them. It had taken some wheedling, but Trish had managed to get Morgan to show her what he’d bought in the baby department of the store. The tiny football jersey was adorable. She only hoped he wouldn’t go overboard on buying things.

  “Girls wear jerseys, too,” he said before taking a sip of water. “Including—and especially—your sister.”

  She studie
d him for signs of his usual stubbornness and saw none. “Just so you don’t have your hopes up.”

  “Don’t worry about it.”

  Oh, but she would, right along with whether he would ever tell her the truth about canceling their wedding.

  Filled to the brim with an excellent meal, she set her fork on her plate, dabbed the cloth napkin on her lips and leaned back in her chair to study the man she had not so long ago been engaged to. “Did you play football in school?”

  “I did.” He tossed his napkin to the table, but didn’t look at her.

  His answer surprised her. “Really? In all these years I’ve known you, I’ve never heard you mention it.”

  “The subject never came up.”

  “One more thing I didn’t know about you. I mean, I know you enjoy watching football, but I never knew you’d actually played. What position?”

  He looked up and stared at her across the table. “Tight end. Do you know what that means?”

  She smiled as sweetly as possible. “I’m not completely clueless about sports.”

  “You don’t. But that’s okay,” he hurried to say before she could defend herself. “There’s no reason you should. And you can learn. If there should be a reason, that is.”

  She was fascinated with this. Morgan had never offered much information about himself. Not the little things, anyway. She knew he had an older sister and both a niece and a nephew. He’d grown up near Miami and had always wanted to be a cop like his grandfather. He’d had, he’d often told her, a happy childhood. Nothing out of the ordinary. She was eager to learn more.

  “Were you good?”

  He reached for the napkin and began to fold it. “All State my senior year.”

  “Wow.”

  “It was a long time ago, Trish.” He didn’t look at her. “Kid stuff.”

  “Our childhoods are what make us who we are today,” she reminded him.

  He finally met her gaze across the table. “I expect our child to have the best childhood that can be had.”

  “All parents do.”

  “I’ll make sure of it. I want him or her to always feel safe,” he continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “That’s the way it should be.”