No More Tears

by Sandy Appleyard

  “Hey,” I say as she pops her head in. “Come on in. Grayson’s at the hospital this morning. You just missed him.”

  She comes in and closes the door behind her. “How’s he doing?”

  “How long have you been waiting to ask me that?”

  “Since he started.” She admits sheepishly.

  Sighing, I put my pen down and look at her. “Well, rest assured, he’s doing perfect. Better than I expected. It’s like he hit the ground running. He hasn’t asked for a lick of help, either. The man is a born doctor, Laura.”

  “I offered for him to open a practice at the ranch. He hasn’t given me an answer yet, but it’s only been a couple of weeks since I mentioned it.”

  “He’s free to do that if he likes.” I frown. “But to be fair, he seems pretty happy here.”

  She lifts her hand and places it on top of mine on the desk. “Oh, he is, Clint. He loves it here. It was my idea to open one at the ranch. He may put it right out of his mind for all I know.”

  “As long as he’s happy.” I say. “You’ve got to love what you do and where you do it. If he prefers his own practice, he has my blessing. But I welcome him here all the same.”

  “I knew you would say that.” She smiles warmly. “Will was over earlier. Did he tell you that he’s got a girlfriend?”

  This piques my interest. “No. Have you met her?”

  “No. I don’t think it’s serious yet. But serious enough that he told me about her.”

  “Hm. I was going to stop by this morning before work, but the alarm panel went off earlier, so I had to divert and come here. I figured I’d come by after work today, since I’m not at the hospital.”

  “Is everything okay with the alarm?”

  “Yeah. Something set it off. Who knows. We don’t have any narcotics or cash here, so if someone was trying to break in, I’m not sure what it was for.”

  “Needles, data, scammers will collect just about anything that they think is worth money.”

  I’m sensing that Laura has something else to tell me, but she’s taking her time. So I gauge her. “How are things with Grayson? You two still getting along well?”

  “We had a conversation a couple of weeks ago about marriage.” She states, nodding.

  “And it took you this long to tell me that?” I scoff. “I bet Lisa knew in a heartbeat.”

  She’s staring at her hands, almost nervously. “No, actually. I haven’t told Lisa. I’m afraid that she’ll blurt it out and embarrass the hell out of Grayson. For all I know he was just testing the waters. It could be months…years…before he mentions it again.”

  Bending down, I try to look in her eyes. There’s something else in there. I can tell. “Hey.”

  She looks at me and purses her lips. “Clint, I need you to do something for me.”

  I sit up straight, taking her hand in mine. Concern is registered on my face and in my voice. “What, Laura. Anything.”

  She swallows before answering. Her tone is serious, like she’s admitting to a serious fault. “I think I’m pregnant.”

  My hand is still holding hers, but I sit back slightly. “How far along?”

  “My last period was…” she looks at the ceiling, doing period math. “…I don’t know, probably six weeks, eight weeks ago. Before Grayson was here, for sure.”

  “Well, hell, Laura. He’s been here, what, about that long.” I sigh and look at her. “You up for this if you are?”

  Her lips thin and she bites her bottom lip, as her eyes fill with tears. Sniffling, she wipes a tear away that travels down her cheek. “I know I am. I…got so old looking after the ranch, and after Quentin died…I forgot to have kids.” Her voice cracks. “Always wanted them. Never had a chance.”

  “And you’re afraid that if you are pregnant, that all of this marriage talk is out the window, and Grayson’s tires’ll hit the gravel before you can blink.” I state.

  “Something like that.”

  I look at her and shake my head. “Really, Laura. I think you need to give the man just a little bit more credit.”

  “He’s an old-fashioned guy, Clint. He’d want to be married first.”

  “He’s not that old-fashioned, Laura. You two have been living together, and clearly having sex for a long while now.” I point out.

  She wipes her eyes with her hands, releasing her hand from mine. “Maybe you’re right. But I’m still afraid.”

  “There’s nothing to be afraid of, sis. Grayson loves you. Hell, the man adores you, worships the goddamn ground you walk on. He’s not going to leave you for anything, especially if you’re having his baby.”

  I rise, pulling an unmarked pill bottle out of the drawer by the small examination bed I have in my office. I hand her the bottle. “You know what to do. Bring it back here. There’s only one way to settle this.”

  She gets up and takes the bottle.

  “Don’t forget to put a towel around it.” I warn playfully. “You’re my sister, but I still don’t want to be touching your piss.”

  That gets a slight smile.

  Five minutes later, Laura returns with a full bottle, complete with a paper towel wrapped around it. I place a strip of paper in it that detects a certain level of pregnancy hormone in it. She sits in the guest chair, not able to look at me, while I dip the paper in. After the test is complete, I dump the urine down the sink, and dispose of the bottle and the paper, and wash up. Taking my seat in front of her, I clasp my hands together in front of me on the desk.

  She looks at me expectantly. “Well, are you going to hold me in suspense? What is it?” I detect a hint of a smile on her face.

  “Is that a…smile I see?” I tease.

  “No, it’s not.” She lies, unable to stop it now.

  I play along. “You already know, don’t you?”

  “Know what? Why would I waste your time coming all the way down here if I already knew?” She’s almost giddy.

  I shake my head. “Man, have I got dirt on you now, sis. By golly, I could place a call to Lisa, and the whole town would know in an instant.”

  Her eyes bulge, but her eyes are dancing. “You mean it’s positive?”

  “It is.”

  Her hands cup her nose and mouth as she gasps. “Oh my God! Are you serious? It’s positive?”

  I nod once. “Positive.”

  Her hands still cup her face. “Oh my God!”

  “My sister’s going to have a baby.” I gush, toying with her.

  “Oh my God, shut up!” she says, unable to hide her excitement. “How am I going to tell Grayson?!”

  “Well, when he gets home tonight, all exhausted and miserable from the misery that is the Emergency Ward, give him the great news…that he’s going to be a daddy.”

  She smacks me, absent-mindedly. “Oh my God, shut up!” she gasps. I’m chuckling at her reaction, and I’m so glad that I get to be the first one to see it.

  “I’m going to be an Uncle.” I add.

  Another smack. “What are you hitting me for?” I laugh.

  “I don’t know.” Her hands leave her face, which is as bright as a one thousand-watt lightbulb. “I have no idea. I’m…numb.”

  “Well, hold on to that feeling now, because in about nine months time you’re going to be the total opposite of that.” I point out. “That reminds me. I’ve got to set you up with an ultrasound and with an obstetrician. Do y’all want Doctor Keegan or Doctor Smith?”

  “Which one is better?”

  “Smith. She’s the best of the best. Keegan’s great, too, but his bedside manner I’ve heard isn’t great. He’s good-looking though.”

  “Just what I want in someone who’s delivering my baby.” She says facetiously.

  “So, when are you going to tell Grayson?” I ask, as I email Doctor Smith.

  “Well, tonight. My gosh, I’m not going to keep this from him any longer than I have to.”

  “Are you going to be able
to keep it under your hat until then? What about if Lisa comes around? Or the boys?”

  “I’ll hide out in my office for the rest of the day.”

  “They know where to find you, Laura.”

  “I’ll figure something out.”

  “Okay.” I scrawl the name of the prenatal vitamins down on a sheaf of paper and give it to her. “Pick these up on your way home. Start them immediately. They’re vitamins and they’re vital. No messing around.”

  She nods. “Gotcha. I won’t keep you. I know you probably have patients waiting.”

  “Well…not yet, but soon.” I admit.

  “Okay. I’ll see you later.” she says, rising.

  “Hey,” I say, rising with her. I take a step towards her, opening my arms. “Congratulations, sis.”

  Fresh happy tears start appearing in her eyes. She embraces me as I pat her back. “Thank you, Clint. You’re the best brother I could ever have.”

  “Yeah, but I’m not your favorite. Will is.”

  “You’re all my favorite.” She says, and then she kisses me on the cheek. “I’ll see you later.”

  “See you. And be careful.”

  “I will.”

  ***

  Laura

  My hands are shaking with joy and excitement as I drive to the pharmacy. I can’t hide my smile as I choose the proper vitamins and take them to the cash register. The girl behind the counter looks at me and reads my mind. “This your first?”

  “Yes, it is.” I beam.

  “Congratulations.” She smiles.

  “Thank you. I just found out.”

  “Does your husband know?”

  My smile slips a notch. “He’s not my husband, and no, he doesn’t know yet.”

  Her smile slips a notch, too. “Oh, well, that’s okay.” She pulls her hand up to her mouth, as though ready to tell me a secret. “This isn’t one of them frozen egg type of deals, is it?”

  I shake my head, and my smile returns. “No. This is the old-fashioned, natural kind of pregnancy. And Grayson and I have discussed marriage, so I’m sure it’s not far behind.”

  “Grayson?” she asks, patting a finger on her chin. “Now, where have I heard that name before.”

  “He’s a doctor.” I name the clinic where he and Clint work.

  “Oh, yes! Doctor Thomas. But he tells everyone to call him Grayson.” She’s pleased. “Oh, he’s a fine man. Fantastic doctor.” She pats my hand. “Good for you.”

  “Thank you.” I grin warmly. “I should go.”

  “Congratulations.” She says again.

  “Thank you.”

  As I drive home, the muscles in my face are literally aching from smiling so much. I can’t wait to tell Grayson. It’s all I can think about. Things are going through my head, like how I’m going to tell him, and what I’m going to say. How I’m going to survive all day is beyond me. Maybe I’ll tell him at lunch. He usually comes home for lunch, so maybe I’ll just spring it on him then. At this point, I figure, I can’t wait any longer than that. It’s only a couple of hours away.

  Pulling up to the ranch, I don’t remember ever feeling this happy. The boys are all out, exercising the horses. Lloyd is relaxing today in the staff quarters on Grayson’s suggestion. He seems to be feeling much better, but Grayson says a day or two of rest won’t hurt him. Then, out of the blue, a thought occurs to me. Maybe I should propose to Grayson. We both know that we want to get married. There is no fear there, that he’s going to run to the hills after a marriage proposal. I mull the idea around in my head as I gather my things and head inside.

  The place is pleasantly quiet, as Wendy and Grace are both out picking up supplies, and all the boys are busy outside with the horses. As I walk into the study, I set my keys and purse on the desk, and suddenly someone comes up behind me, grabbing me aggressively. A hand forces itself over my mouth, and I feel the barrel of a gun on my temple. “Scream and I shoot.” The voice whispers coldly into my ear.

  My hands are shaking, but this time it’s not from excitement. I learned how to shoot a gun from my father, when we all used to go hunting with him. The metal is cold against my skin, and I feel the slight shake of the man who is holding the gun. I chide myself for never taking self-defence classes like Lisa had recommended. It was as a fun thing to do on a Saturday night when we were younger, but it would have been a handy skill to have during a time like this.

  All I can think about is that there is nobody here to help me. Grace and Wendy should be back soon, but if the girls walk in on this madman, there’s no telling what could happen. And suddenly I fear for anyone who walks into this room. Finally, my worst fear comes into my mind. My baby. This new life that is all nestled safely inside my belly, may never see the light of day. And it’s all that I can do to try and think of an escape.

  As this lunatic holds me close to him, gripping my mouth shut with his large hands, I look around the room. There is a letter opener inside my desk; metal, sharp. That could prove helpful. There are no firearms in this house, but there is one hidden under one of the shelves where we keep the feed in the barn. How I’m going to get out there is beyond me. I pray that Will or Kurt will come in with one of their requests, but then I pray that they don’t, for fear that this killer will shoot and then ask questions after the fact.

  I think of Grayson, too. What if he does come home early for lunch, and this shooter gets him first? I can’t even fathom the idea of anything happening to my love, this man, whom I’m going to make a father in mere months. I can’t let anything happen. I can’t let this freak ruin all the things that I’ve worked so hard for. I try to break free, so I can see his face at least, and know what I’m dealing with, but he’s strong.

  “Relax. I don’t want to shoot you, but I will if I have to, Laura.”

  A ‘v’ forms between my brows. That voice. He called me by my first name. This is someone I know. I know the voice. I know who it is before I even turn around to face my assailant.

  …Matty Herald.

  Alright, so there’s a cliffhanger…I warned you!

  To find out what happens with Laura and Grayson, and to find out if Matty Herald gets what’s coming to him, you’ll have to read on.

  Best part is, in the next book of the series, ‘

  No More Lies’, we get to hear Lisa and Kurt’s story. It’s a good one! You don’t want to miss out!

  Learn more in ‘No More Lies’. To pick up your copy, click here.

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  Author’s Note

  T
hank you so much for reading ‘No More Tears’. I had this series in my head for a while, but there were so many others that I needed to finish in production first. This book literally flew out of my imagination and on to the pages! No More Tears was written in a record twelve days! No, that’s not a typo! I began writing it on July 21, 2020 and finished today, August 2, 2020. Granted, I’m still out of work due to Covid-19, so I have plenty of time on my hands, but still! That’s a record for me!

  This story is the product of many readers’ input from my last series, ‘The Magic at Cog Hill’. From reviews and other feedback, I learned that some readers loved the aspect of a small-town story, so I went with that. They also loved the fact that those stories are bite-sized, and not tipping the scales at over 80K words like most of the books in my other pen name. So, I decided to make this a serial series, but in keeping with the shorter, more popular, 60K word books.

  Readers also wanted to see more romance and heat between the characters, so I went with a medium-sized heat level, instead of the sweeter romance like the other series. Swearing was also kept to a minimum (which is difficult when you’re writing about alpha males who are cowboys! But I managed!)

  These are all new characters and an all new setting, and I very much enjoyed writing this book. I should go now…on to book 2!

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