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Chapter 23
The waiting room at the obstetrician’s office was nearly full when Jamie arrived. After checking in, she managed to find a couple of open seats off to the side and took one, placing her purse on the other to save it for Duncan. She had told him the date and time, but there was a little insecure voice in her head telling her he wouldn’t show.
She knew she wasn’t alone. God was with her and would get her through this. But not growing up knowing such a thing, she had to keep reminding herself of that fact. She did have a newfound peace, but it was still scary.
It had been a week since Dréa went back to Denver. Shannon had told her as much. She felt bad for the situation this put Duncan’s fiancée in. It couldn’t be easy knowing that the man she loved had impregnated another woman, even if it was before they got together. All Shannon knew was Dréa had gone home, and as far as she knew, they were still engaged.
Jamie fidgeted nervously. At her last appointment, she’d had her mom with her as a second set of ears in case she missed anything the doctor told her. This time, she might have to write things down so she wouldn’t forget.
A woman seated across from her glanced up from a Parents magazine. “First pregnancy?”
“Is it that obvious?”
The woman chuckled. “I can remember my first. I was terrified. And you have the same look I’m sure I had back then.”
“Are you seeing utter confusion and pure terror?” Jamie asked. “Because that’s probably what I’m putting out there.”
Her laughter somehow took Jamie’s nerves down a notch.
“How many kids do you have?” Jamie asked.
“This is my third,” the woman told her. “Two boys, and I finally got the girl I’ve been wanting.”
“How nice. I can’t wait to find out what I’m having.”
“How far along are you?”
“About fifteen weeks.”
“They’ll schedule you an ultrasound soon, and then you’ll know.”
Jamie didn’t know what Duncan thought about finding out the gender ahead of time, but she was dying to know if she should buy blue or pink for this child.
“Jamie Linde,” the nurse called out.
Jamie’s heart stuttered in her chest just before disappointment settled over her. Duncan hadn’t come. She clutched her purse tightly as she stood. “It was nice talking with you.”
“You too. Congratulations.” The woman gave her a friendly wave.
“Thanks.” She returned the wave and walked toward the smiling nurse.
“Hi, Jamie. Right this way.” The nurse led her down a hallway. “We’re going to be in this room today.”
Jamie entered, and the nurse proceeded to take her weight and blood pressure.
“We received the records from your doctor in Pennsylvania.”
“Oh, good. I was hoping you would get them in time.”
“Did you just move here?”
“No, I had only just found out I was pregnant when I was home visiting my parents, and I wasn’t sure how long I was staying, so I went to our family doctor while I was there.”
A sudden knock on the door interrupted.
“Yes,” the nurse answered.
Another nurse opened the door. “I have someone here for Jamie Linde’s appointment.”