Page 142

“Why doesn’t he want kids?”

Ray was asking something I wanted to know, too. I’d been putting the conversation off but I knew, now more than ever, it was one we needed to have.

“I don’t know.” I picked up the test to throw it out when something caught my eye. “What does it mean when there is a really light second line? Is it still negative?”

“Usually a line is a line. Are there two?”

“Yes.” I swallowed painfully over the sudden lump in my throat as my queasy stomach threatened to revolt.

“Congrats, sweetheart. Do you want me to come over?”

“No. I… I have to go talk to Jake.”

After I let Ray go, I found Jake pacing in the kitchen.

When he looked at my face, his eyes closed slowly before he dropped his head.

“I’m gonna, uh, go call my doctor.” Dazedly, I headed into my room and sat on the edge of my bed as the call connected.

“Doctor Augusta’s office,” the cheerful receptionist answered.

“Hi, this is Piper Skye.”

“Hi Piper, honey. How’re you?”

“Good. Well, maybe. I’ve been feeling pretty run down and sick, so I took a pregnancy test and it was positive.”

“Congratulations! Normally Dr. Augusta doesn’t see patients until they’re nine weeks into the pregnancy. Since you were just in for your shot, though, I’m not sure. Let me put you on hold for a second, alright?”

As I waited, Jake came in and sat behind me. Pulling me to him, he kissed the spot behind my ear.

The receptionist clicked back on. “Piper?”

“Yes?”

“Doctor Augusta would like to see you. Can you come in at eleven thirty?”

“Sure, that’s no problem.”

“Okay, you’re all set. See you then.”

I ended the call and leaned back into Jake’s chest. “She wants to see me in a couple hours.”

“I’ll come with you,” his voice rumbled in my ear.

“No, that’s okay. You left work early yesterday.”

“It’s cool, I know the guy who owns the place.”

“I’ll be—”

“Piper.” From his firm tone, I knew arguing was a waste of time.

“Fine.” I got up and went to the bathroom to get ready, not daring to look at Jake.

*******

“Well, Miss Skye, it was a false alarm.”