Dangerous Ground

by Smith, Stephanie Jean

  “Hello Miss, how may I help you?”

  Loretta brought her head up so fast she almost hit it on the counter top. “Yes, I’m looking for Mr. Quine.”

  “I sorry I startled you, I am Quine.”

  “You come highly recommended Mr. Quine. If the jewelry in the cases is a sample of your work my friend didn’t give you credit, everything I’ve seen here is magnificent.”

  Quine studied the young woman before him. He saw something in her that he didn’t see in many people. It was quite refreshing to meet someone who truly appreciated the work he did. “Who is your friend that recommended me?”

  “Mrs. Corrine Watson told me to stop by.”

  Quine rubbed his chin he didn’t know anyone named Corrine Watson. “I’m sorry I can’t place the name.”

  “If you ever met her, you would never forget her. She’s about five foot four, and she has horrible taste in clothing.”

  “Are you talking about Cookie?”

  “Yes, that’s her.”

  “Cookie is one of my best customers. She talks a lot, but she has a good heart. What do you want me to make for you?”

  “Mr. Quine, the job I have in mind requires the skills of a master craftsman. I want you to design a wedding band for my fiancé.”

  “Sure, tell me what you want and when you need it.”

  “I want the figures of a man and woman kissing on the ring.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want a nice love knot?”

  “No Mr. Quine. If I wanted a love knot, I could have went to any jeweler, and picked out the ring. This is a distinctive ring for an extraordinary man, and I can’t get married without it.”

  “Okay I give, do you want a full body view or just the torso.”

  “From the torso up, will be just splendid. Will you take the order?”

  “If I take this order, I expect you to put down a deposit, plus sign a contract guaranteeing that you will buy the ring whether or not you like the end product.”

  “Mr. Quine you have yourself a deal. By the way, I will pick up the ring on December 19th.”

  “December 19th!”

  Loretta watched in fascination as Mr. Quine looked at his calendar. “Sooner if possible.”

  “Why didn’t you come to me sooner?”

  “I only agreed to the engagement three days ago.”

  “I see your fiancé doesn’t waste any time. I will have your ring ready on time Miss Loretta. Let’s go fill out the paper work.”

  Thirty minutes later Loretta left the little shop. She didn’t flinch when Mr. Quine told her what the deposit was. Loretta knew what she wanted, and it was well worth the cost. For the first time in months, Loretta felt that everything in her life was perfect.

  ***

  Xavier and Loretta flew to Chicago Friday morning for the commercial opening of the new branch to Xavier’s consulting firm. Loretta was excited about the trip, even if they were only there for three days. Xavier would be tied up all day Friday and Saturday. So this gave Loretta ample opportunity to shop. Loretta had never been to Chicago before, and she wanted to get in a little sightseeing.

  Loretta was getting ready to go out to dinner Saturday evening when a wave of nausea came over her. She must have over did it this afternoon, Loretta knew better than to shop all day without taking the time to eat. Loretta felt better by the time she and Xavier made it to the restaurant. Leland was waiting for them along with two other people she hadn’t seen before.

  Leland stood up when Xavier and Loretta approached the table. “Good evening Loretta and Xavier. Loretta let me introduce you to Shannon Banks and Todd Mitchell. They’ll be working with me at the new branch here in Chicago.

  “It’s so nice to meet you Shannon and Todd.” Loretta said as she shook their hands. Loretta liked Shannon immediately, she reminded Loretta of herself before Xavier came into her life. Todd seemed to be a pleasant enough fellow; he had a cockiness about him that Loretta found unattractive.

  Loretta couldn’t wait for their food to arrive she was so hungry she felt as if she could eat a seven course meal. She order the fresh salmon, it came with a Caesar salad and mash potatoes. Loretta let the conversation flow around her as she concentrated on her food. The waiter brought several loaves of bread to their table, and Loretta was determined to declare one loaf for herself.

  After dinner, they went to a small jazz club on the south side of town. Loretta danced once with Leland and Todd, but the rest of her dances were reserved for Xavier. They left the club sometime around one o’clock in the morning. By the time they got to the hotel, Loretta was so tired the Xavier helped her get undressed.

  Xavier watched Loretta as she slept, he was so proud to call her his woman. She wore her hair up tonight, and his hands had been itching to take it down all evening. Now it cascaded around her shoulders. Xavier had a few tense moments last week when he asked her to marry him. At first he felt as if he’d asked for too much too soon. When Loretta touched his face and told him that she loved him, and nothing could change that. Something inside of Xavier was set free; it took the love of a woman to set him free from the past which had hounded him for so many years. He turned out the light and got into bed with Loretta, put his arms around her and fell into a peaceful sleep.

  ***

  It was Sunday night, and Xavier was hosting a party for Leland. Loretta swore that Xavier invited a representative from every company in Chicago and then some. The hotel ballroom had the capacity for three hundred people; however, if felt as if there were five hundred there. Loretta had been nauseous all Sunday afternoon. She had been sipping warm seven up in hopes of settling her stomach. Loretta met a lot of Xavier’s acquaintances at the party, it felt a little strange when Xavier introduced her as his fiancée. A year ago no one could have told her that she would marry again.

  The party was a monumental success, Xavier rid his homework. He and Leland were tied up most of the night answering questions and exchanging business cards. Loretta was happy for Leland, he had smiled more tonight than he had in the last month. He couldn’t hide his excitement about running the Chicago branch. Leland’s son Jordan is adorable; he had large beautiful eyes like his father. Jordan was well mannered, and his admiration for his father flourished in his young eyes. Loretta knew that when he grew up he was going to be a lady killer.

  “Hey pretty lady can you spare a dance for the man of your dreams.” Xavier said as her wrapped his arm around Loretta’s waist.

  Loretta smiled up into Xavier’s face as she kissed him lightly on the lips. “I’ll always have a dance for you.”

  Xavier pulled Loretta out onto the dance floor. “How are you feeling this evening?”

  Loretta was caught by surprise; she had been trying to keep her illness to herself without spoiling Xavier’s weekend. “What makes you think that anything’s wrong?”

  “I don’t know just a few things that led me to believe you’re not feeling well. You’ve barely eaten anything all day, and you’ve been sipping on warm seven up all night.”

  “I think that maybe you and Vincent should change professions. You make a pretty sharp detective.” Loretta said as she laid her head on Xavier’s shoulder.

  “It’s not that I’m such a good detective, it’s just that I’m and expert on you.” Xavier didn’t tell Loretta that he suspected that she was pregnant. It was the only thing that made sense. He went to his own doctor a week ago to find out if a low sperm meant that he was totally sterile. Xavier’s doctor informed him that, in his case, the chances were slim, but not impossible for him to father a child.

  “Is it too soon for us to leave the party?”

  Xavier smiled down at her. “What do you have in mind?”

  “I just want to be with you all night long.”

  “Are you sure you’re up for that?”

  “Come here.” Loretta whispered all the things she was going to do to him once she got him in their hotel room.

  “Let me tell Leland that we’re leaving
, and I’ll be right back.”

  Loretta smiled at Xavier’s back. When he put his mind to it, Xavier could get things accomplished in a hurry.

  ***

  Loretta couldn’t wait to go home, she spent last night locked in Xavier’s arms, but by Monday afternoon she was nauseous again. She did her best to keep her illness to herself. Loretta refused to be a cause of worry for Xavier in his time in the limelight. They arrived home Monday evening, and Loretta went straight to bed. When she got up on Tuesday morning, Xavier had already left for work. She called her doctor’s office and made and appointment to see him this afternoon.

  It was probably the flu. She always got the flu this time of year. Her appointment was at one o’clock; she had no intentions of going back to work after her appointment. Loretta called Cookie to let her know she wouldn’t be at the King Center tonight.

  Dr. Ferris has been Loretta’s doctor since she was ten. He had never seen her looking so haggard. “Come in my office Loretta.” Loretta got up slowly and followed Dr. Ferris back to his office. “Child you act as if you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders.”

  Loretta really liked Dr. Ferris. He was a wiry man who was barely five feet tall. Dr. Ferris seemed to live in his own world much the absent minded professor Loretta used to watch on television as a kid.

  “I haven’t seen you for quite a while, what seems to be the problem.”

  “Well, I’ve been feeling run down lately, and parts of my body are sore.” Loretta didn’t go into detail; she hated getting personal with her doctor no matter how long she’s known him.

  “Could you be more specific? What parts of your body are sore?”

  “My breasts mostly.” Loretta felt the heat in her face; however, Dr. Ferris didn’t seem to notice her loss of composure.

  “Okay, we’ll run a few tests, and see if we can locate the problem. Sally will be in here in a few minutes. While you’re waiting for her, take off your clothes and put on this gown. Dr. Ferris handed Loretta a gown and walked out of the office.

  Sally came in a few minutes later and took Loretta’s temperature, looked in her ears and throat. Then Sally ran a series of tests that Loretta was certain had nothing to do with the flu. After the tests, Loretta had to fill out a questionnaire. The questions were pretty straight forward; have you notice a change in your weight? Do you have loss of appetite? Are you sexually active? When was your last period? Loretta re-read the last two questions and laughed. There was no way that she could be pregnant.

  After all the tests had been completed Loretta put her clothes back on, and waited for Dr. Ferris to come back in the room. He returned to the examination room twenty minutes later; however, it seemed like an hour. “Loretta I noticed you didn’t answer the last two questions of the questionnaire. Have you been sexually active lately?”

  “Yes.” Loretta answered with a whisper.

  “When was your last menstruation period?”

  Loretta sat there with a blank look on her face. She hadn’t had her period since August. “Sometime in September, but my menstruation period has always been erratic.”

  “I won’t know for sure until we get the blood test back from the lab, but your symptoms are similar to the first stages of pregnancy.”

  “Dr. Ferris, that’s not possible. I thought pregnant women had morning sickness. I feel as if I’ve got the flu. Sometimes I’m hot, and at other times I feel cold.”

  Dr. Ferris shook his head, with a little grin. “All women don’t experience morning sickness. Sometimes the smell of certain foods makes them sick, and other women have bouts of morning sickness in the evening. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you how babies are conceived. Have you been taking birth control to prevent such a thing from happening?”

  Loretta was in a state of shock. She couldn’t be pregnant. Xavier couldn’t have children. She gave out a nervous giggle. “I haven’t been taking birth control because my partner can’t have children.”

  “Really, how so, is the gentleman sterile?” Dr. Ferris said noting Loretta’s nervousness.

  “No, he’s not sterile; however, he sperm count is extremely low. When he was married, he and his wife tried to have kids, and it wasn’t possible.”

  “A man with a low sperm count can have children it’s just that the odds aren’t in his favor. You can call and get the results of your tests after ten on Friday morning. I left a list of good obstetricians’ at the front desk for you. I also noticed that you were a little anemic. I left a prescription for you with my secretary for iron tablets. They should help alleviate the tiredness your feeling. If the tests are positive, you should stay away from alcohol or over the counter drugs. Everything you take into your body affects your child.” Dr. Ferris was on his way out of the examination room before Loretta stopped him.

  “Are you sure I’m pregnant.” Loretta asked in a shaken voice.

  “I’m quite sure of it; however, I would wait for the results of the tests before I would tell your gentleman friend.”

  “If I am pregnant, how much time do I have before I start showing.”

  “I’d be only guessing, but I’d say you’re about five to six weeks along. I’d say you have maybe another four to five weeks before it’s obvious that you’re pregnant.”

  “That’s not much time at all!”

  “If you’re trying to hide it from the father if he can count, he probably already knows. Don’t worry you’re going to be a good mama.” He gently patted her hand and left the room.”

  Loretta grabbed her purse and left the examination room. She got her prescription from Dr. Ferris’s secretary and left the office complex. She sat in her car for a few minutes thinking about the possible problems a pregnancy could bring at this stage in her life. Loretta was scared an excited all at the same time. She would love to have Xavier’s child. How would she tell him? He didn’t think he could have children. Would he believe her?

  Loretta stopped by the King Center to talk to Cookie after she left Dr. Ferris’s office. By the time she got to the King Center it was almost three o’clock, Loretta found Cookie in her office getting her things together. Loretta knocked on her door before she entered. “Hey Cookie can I talk to you for a few minutes?”

  Cookie looked Loretta over be for she sat down in her chair. “What did the doctor have to say?”

  Loretta shut the door to Cookies office and took a seat. “Dr. Ferris thinks that I might be pregnant.”

  “Oh, that is terrific news. How far along are you? You and Xavier sure didn’t waste any time.”

  “Cookie I don’t know for sure that I’m pregnant. I have to call in and get the results Friday morning.”

  “You don’t sound happy about the pregnancy.”

  “I’m excited about the life Xavier, and I have created, but I’m concerned about how Xavier will feel about it. When he was married to Yvonne, they tried to have children, and it wasn’t possible. Xavier has a low sperm count; therefore, he believes that he can’t have kids.”

  “Now I see what you’re getting at, you’re afraid that Xavier won’t think the baby is his. That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. You haven’t been with anyone but him. Go home and talk to him and quit trying to cause problems in your relationship.”

  “You think I’m acting silly don’t you.”

  Cookie pretended to considered Loretta’s question. “Yes I think you’re acting silly. Probably as silly as you thought I was when I first found out I was pregnant.”

  “Well, I didn’t think you were acting silly. I thought you were stupid.”

  “Is there a difference?”

  “Yes there is. You were stupid because you couldn’t tell your husband of four years that you were pregnant. I’m being silly because I don’t know how the man I love is going to respond to the fact that I may be pregnant when he can’t have children.”

  “You’re right Loretta I am stupid for sitting here listening to you run off at the mouth. Go home and tell Xavier
your good news. I’m going to go home and fix John dinner.”

  “John’s allowing you to cook now?”

  “John is getting tired of eating his own cooking, so he’s bending the rules a little. He doesn’t want me cooking dinner more than three times a week.”

  “I should stop by the grocery store and pick up the ingredients to Xavier’s favorite dinner and surprise him.” Loretta hugged Cookie before she left. “Tell John I said hi.”

  “I will. Don’t forget to put on something slinky before dinner.”

  “I have some lingerie that will set Xavier’s soul on fire.”

  ***

  Chapter 17

  Xavier couldn’t believe his ears, his secretary just called to let him know that General Asa Schaffer was here to see him. Xavier wasn’t a fool; General Schaffer was here to receive payment for helping him locate Loretta. The sneaky old bastard knew that Xavier would have done anything to get Loretta back safely.

  Xavier examined the general’s body language as he walked into Xavier’s office. He was at least twenty years older than Xavier, but he carried himself well for a man in his mid-fifties. His eyes were ice blue, but his black hair was now all white. To anyone else, General Schaffer would be classified as a harmless, grandfatherly type of man. Xavier knew better, his head was full of national security secrets. Leland warned him not to trust General Schaffer, but what choice did he have.

  “Hello General Schaffer, what do I owe the dubious pleasure of seeing you?”

  “I’m glad you didn’t waste any time with pleasantries. I hear that your fiancée made it through her kidnapping with little difficulty.”

  “My fiancée is doing just find. Without your help I never would have found her.” Xavier watched General Schaffer’s every move. The last time Xavier saw him, he was just a kid, but this time around General Schaffer was dealing with a man.

  General Schaffer didn’t quite know how to proceed. Xavier had always been an enigma, with his skills he would have made the perfect assassin. “I have a very serious problem, and I need your help.”