Page 4 of Not Afraid to Trust Again

“Sorry I’m late.”

I looked up from my phone as Kyden stood in front of me. My gaze traveled the length of his body, and I admired him in his brown and tan work uniform, wide-brimmed hat, and those awful mirror-looking sunglasses he wore. I hated them, but he said it was a part of his uniform.

“You aren’t late. I just got here a minute or two ago,” I told him as I put my phone in my pocket.

He removed his glasses and kissed my cheek before sitting next to me.

“Good.”

He smelled like the mint gum he always chewed. Even though he said he would come, I wasn’t sure if he would make it because it was in the middle of his shift, but I was happy he made it.

It had been a week since I agreed to be his girlfriend, and I hadn’t regretted it so far. Since finding out about the baby, Kyden had been texting me every morning, noon, and night, ensuring I had eaten and was good.

“Are you nervous, Elise?”

I instantly stopped bouncing my leg when Kyden placed his hand on top of it.

“Yes, but not in a bad way. It’s just a life-changing event, but I’m excited as well.”

I had my reservations about being pregnant, but each day, it was becoming more of a joy and not nervousness. Kyden was making it easier to accept that we were having a baby together.

“Any nausea?”

“Nothing some crackers and a little ginger ale didn’t help.”

It seemed like as soon as I told Kyden, my symptoms intensified.

I’d been getting morning sickness, but thankfully, it didn’t last all day.

Once I put something on my stomach, it subsided, which was good.

I wouldn’t have been able to function at work feeling sick.

I didn’t want to take any medication without talking to my doctor, so crackers and ginger ale were my go-to fixes.

Everybody knew ginger ale was the cure for almost everything.

“Should you be drinking soda?”

“I believe so. It’s caffeine-free, and I don’t drink that much. Just a few sips when I feel nauseous.”

“Okay. I’m going to ask the doctor anyway.”

I rolled my eyes and giggled.

“Don’t start acting all overprotective and stuff, sheriff.”

Kyden cut his eyes at me. He gently gripped my chin and turned my face toward his.

“I’m going to always be overprotective of you, Elise. You might as well get used to it.”

The seriousness in his tone and the intense look in his eyes let me know he meant what he said. I squeezed my legs together because I was turned on.

“Kanae Tate,” the nurse called.

It was a good thing the nurse called my name because I was ready to tell him to take me to the bathroom for a quickie.

Kyden stood first then held his hand out to help me up. We walked toward the open door with our hands conjoined. He only let my hand go so I could get weighed, then he grabbed it again as we followed the nurse to the exam room. Kyden helped me up on the table and sat in the chair next to me.

“Here’s a gown. Take everything off and leave it open in the front. The doctor will be in shortly.”

“Okay. Thank you.” I took the paper sheet from her to cover up with after I changed.

She smiled at Kyden and me then left the room.

“You need some help?” Kyden asked with a smirk.

“No, sir. That’s why we are here now. You are always trying to help me out of my clothes.”

He scoffed. “Don’t act like you don’t like it.”

I laughed and undressed. The room was a little chilly, so I hurried to put on the gown and the paper blanket. Kyden watched me the whole time. A minute later, there was a knock at the door, and my doctor came in.

“Good morning, Kanae,” she said when she walked in. She looked to the side of me. “Oh, Sheriff Mills. I’m surprised to see you here.”

She smiled at him, but it wasn’t in a flirtatious way.

Kyden was well known around town, so I wasn’t surprised she knew who he was.

So far, I hadn’t had any issues with the women in town like my sister did with the chick from the diner.

Homegirl was on the mayor hard and tried to pretend my sister didn’t exist. If I were her, I would have dog walked her, but Janae was the calmer one.

Dr. Beckam washed her hands and walked over to me. “How are you feeling today?”

“I’m okay. I’ve been feeling a little nauseous in the morning, but other than that, I’m okay.”

“Can she have ginger ale?” Kyden cut in. I whipped my head toward him and squinted.

Dr. Beckam laughed. “Yes, she can but not too much.”

“Told you,” I said and stuck my tongue out at Kyden.

He shook his head. “Just checking.”

Dr. Beckam looked between the two of us and laughed again before she told me to lie back on the table.

I did what she said and stared at the ceiling.

I noticed Kyden sit up in the seat, but I didn’t look at him.

I thought about eating a nice Philly cheesesteak when we left here, but they were hard to come by around here.

I only had a real one when I went to Philly one time in college for the weekend.

I had so much fun that weekend partying and eating good food.

Other places tried to copy the cheesesteaks from there, but they couldn’t.

None of them even came close. I might have to make one myself or see if Kyden could make one since he was a pretty decent cook.

“Are you two ready to hear the baby’s heartbeat?”

“We can already?” I asked.

“Yes, ma’am.”

My eyes traveled over to Kyden when he grabbed my hand, and I nodded at Dr. Beckam.

I flinched when she put the cold gel on my stomach, but it was forgotten about when a swooshing sound filled the room. I looked at the monitor but couldn’t tell what I was looking at, but I knew it was my baby. Kyden wore a wide smile, and I noticed water pooling in his eyes.

“That’s our baby,” he whispered then kissed the back of my hand. He used his other hand to wipe the tears that had fallen.

I no longer had reservations about the baby, but this moment solidified it all for me. Hearing my baby’s heartbeat filled me with so much joy.

After Dr. Beckam wiped off my stomach, she printed out the ultrasound, gave me some instructions, and told me to schedule my next appointment before I left. When she left the room, Kyden helped me off the table so I could get dressed.

“Can you believe we are having a baby? Kyden asked as I pulled my shirt over my head.

“I mean, it’s not like you ever pulled out,” I teased. Kyden sucked his teeth, and I laughed. “But no. I can’t believe it, but it’s happening.”

Kyden stood in front of me when I finished dressing.

“It is happening, and I can’t wait.” He kissed my lips and looked into my eyes. “Thank you for keeping it. I know you didn’t do it for me per se, but I appreciate you.”

He kissed me again.

“You’re welcome, and thank you for allowing me to decide for myself.”

“You will always have a choice when it comes to us. Now, let’s get some food because I know you are hungry, and I am too.”

He opened the room door and led me out to the hallway.

“Don’t you have to get back to work?”

“I run the town, baby. I do what I want.” He winked, and I rolled my eyes.

He and his brother never failed to remind Janae and me that they ran the town, but it was all in fun.

“Whatever. Can you make me a Philly cheesesteak?”

“If that’s what you want, then that’s what you will get. Let’s make your next appointment, then we can meet at my house.”

We walked to the front desk and made my next appointment for when it would be convenient for both of us. When we were finished, Kyden walked me to my car then went to his, and I followed him to his house.

I laughed when my stomach growled at the thought of eating.

This baby was greedy already. I just hoped I didn’t blow up like a house over the next nine months.

Well, eight or so since Dr. Beckam told me I was already five weeks.

I was sure the time would fly by, so I would talk to Kyden about figuring some things out while we had lunch.

We lived in separate houses, so we would have to figure out if we were going to move in together or not.

We’d just established our relationship, and I wasn’t sure if we were ready to cohabitate yet, but we had time.

Twenty minutes later, Kyden and I pulled into his driveway. After he parked and shut off his car, he helped me out of mine.

“I don’t have to rush back to work, so we can take our time and relax,” he said as he led me up the steps.

“Good.”

I hadn’t mentioned it, but I wanted to ride his dick before I left his house.