Page 94 of Rocky Mountain Home

“Where’s the doctor? Why’s he not here yet?” Jesse complained, turning around as if he was going to track down the man himself.

“Jesse,” Dare warned. “Come here.”

He was by her side in an instant. “How do you feel?”

She shrugged. “Physically? Okay. Still dizzy, but everything else feels great.”

His face was tight, and he found her fingers again. “I’ll take care of you,” he promised.

Dare closed her eyes. That tremor of fear was growing. She swallowed hard. “I’m scared,” she repeated. “What if something’s wrong with the baby?”

His arms went around her and Jesse pressed her head to his chest. His heart beat solidly under her ear. “Buckaroo is fine. Take a deep breath, and let’s wait to see what the doctor says.”

They stayed like that for a while, Dare holding back the protests she wanted to make to his calm assurances because he was right. There was nothing they could do at that moment but wait.

The curtain slid back like metal fingers on a chalkboard, and Dare tensed all over as an older man in white doctor’s garb stepped into the space.

He offered a friendly smile. “So, I finally meet another part of the Coleman family.” He shook Dare’s hand then Jesse’s. “Dr. Kincaid. I’ve delivered all Jaxi and Blake’s babies, as well as other Colemans…”

His voice faded as he attempted to tug his arm free.

Jesse wasn’t letting go. Instead he gripped the doctor by the wrist so he could rotate the man’s palm toward the ceiling. Dare and Dr. Kincaid exchanged worried glances before Dare realized Jesse had laid his hand over the doctor’s.

Jesse finally released the doctor, turning to Dare with a nod. “He’s okay.”

In spite of being scared to death, Dare felt amusement creeping in. Jesse had remembered her comment about small hands being important. “You’re a nut.”

Dr. Kincaid gestured for Jesse to move aside. “I’m glad for the vote of confidence. Let’s see if we can figure out what’s happening with you.”

Jesse slipped around to the other side of the bed, and she caught his fingers like an anchor as the doctor checked her, pushing and prodding gently.

Dr. Kincaid listened to her stomach, then pulled the stethoscope from his ears as he offered a gentle smile. “Heartbeat sounds strong.”

Relief hit so hard Dare collapsed back onto the pillow. “Okay.”

“I want to run a few more tests before I let you go,” the doctor warned. “I don’t like hearing that you passed out.”

Dare nodded. “Whatever you think best.”

He pulled a chart over and wrote down a list of items. “You’re going to be here for a few hours.” The doctor glanced at Jesse. “If you need to go—”

“I’m staying,” Jesse cut in.

The doctor held up his hands. “Figured you would. You might need to grab some things for Dare if we have to keep her overnight, though.”

Overnight? All the blood in her body seemed to be rushing past her ears at that moment. “I can’t stay overnight.”

“Of course you can.” Jesse glared at her. “I’ll grab your stuff.”

“But we’re supposed to—”

“You’re supposed to listen to your doctor, and that’s me,” Dr. Kincaid lectured sternly before softening his gaze. “You Coleman women are all the same—stubborn as all get out. Now take it easy, cooperate with the nurses, and I’ll be back in a couple hours to see how things are progressing.”

Then he was gone and a new nurse was there, pushing aside the curtains. Jesse helped Dare into the wheelchair the woman had brought, and the next couple hours were spent waiting for people to poke and prod her. An ultrasound was followed by another test with tabs connected to her belly.

Jesse stayed with her when he could, but there were times he was on the other side of the door and Dare stared at the wall, far too alone with her own thoughts.

Far too alone, period.