Page 6 of Sweetie Pie (Wildwood Construction)

Colt

She’s so still. And pale. I’ve never seen Maggie as anything but full of energy and sass.

This version of her is scaring the living hell out of me.

Picking up my phone I call the last person I ever thought I’d call for help.

My mothers’s soft voice picks up swiftly. “What’s wrong, baby?”

“I’ve asked you not to call me that, mom. I’m a grown man.”

“Not too big to get an ass-chewing. Now tell me what is the problem.”

“I’ve got a….friend, and she’s sick or something. She’s passed out now but she was throwing up so bad that there’s probably nothing left on her stomach.”

“How is she passed out? Does she have a fever?”

I run my fingers over her soft forehead. Sweat cools on her skin but she’s not warm.

“I don’t think so.”

“Then I don’t know. What kind of friend is she, Colt?”

I don’t really want to answer that question. Mom’s not a bad person but she tends to be a little pushy. If she realizes that I’m in love with Maggie she’ll tell her and push her to marry me. She has no idea what boundaries are.

“I don’t think that matters, mother. The woman’s obviously sick. She didn’t seem surprised to have to run so obviously she’s been sick for awhile. Do you think I should take her to the hospital?”

“Is she pregnant, Colt? Is it yours?”

My brain freezes and I’m desperately counting in my head. She could be, couldn’t she? It would be way too soon to tell though, right?

“No. I’m sure that’s not it.”

“Colt. Don’t be an idiot. Just think about it. If she’s pregnant and she’s this sick, she needs to get some care. She might need medication.”

My whole body feels like it’s made of ice. What if there’s something seriously wrong with Maggie?”

“I’m taking her to the hospital.”

“Probably a good idea. Good luck, son.”

“Thanks, mom.”

Hanging up, I wrap Maggie up in the pretty pink quilt on her bed like a gorgeous little burrito.

If there’s nothing wrong with her she’s probably going to gut me. But I can’t risk it. I would not be able to live with myself if something happened to her on my watch.

And it’s all my watch now. She’s mine. I just have to convince her of that.

My lips twitch when she grumbles under her breath. Something tells me I’ll have a really great time convincing her to listen to me.

Stumbling out of the door, I wrench it closed while I hold her with one arm plastered to my side. She grumbles again and I can feel her starting to fidget.

Settling her back in my arms, I shush her gently and gently settle her in my truck. Then I sprint around and jump in my truck, laying her head on my lap.

I’ve had dreams about this but it’s nothing like what I hoped for.

The sky’s starting to lighten and I jam my foot to the floor, holding the wheel steady when the beast jumps like a wild animal.

I watch her out of the corner of my eye while I drive, terror ripping through me every mile we go.

When I finally pull into the little hospital that serves Wildwood, I grab her up and slam the door in one move. She stirs but I ignore her and stop in front of the door, hammering at it like a crazy man.

The door pops open and the doctor stares at me like I really am nuts.

“What are you doing here so early, Sheriff? Has there been an accident? I flush and fidget.

“No. But my friend here is really sick and she was throwing up when I got to her place not too long ago.”

His dark brow lifts and he smirks. “Could she be pregnant?”

“Why is that everybody’s first guess?” I grumble as he moves out of the way to let me carry my precious burden inside.

“Because at this girl’s age it’s always the most likely possibility for feeling sick. How long has she been sick?”

“I don’t know. But when she ran for the bathroom she didn’t seem that surprised.”

“Hmmm,” he hums. “Well, I’m gonna do a quick blood test just to rule it out. Then if it’s not then I can take some more tests. See what’s up. But you always start with the easiest explanation.”

I huff and settle her in the little exam room. She whimpers and shivers when doc gently sets up the needle and quickly draws blood. He eyes it and smiles.

“Okay. I’ll run this and then we’ll know whether we’ve got to do some more tests. Why don’t you just settle down here with her. She’s sure tired. She looks like she hasn’t been sleeping well.” He looks like he wants to say something else but he doesn’t.

My shell-shocked heart thanks him.

I pace back and forth eyeing her little figure skeptically. She doesn’t look pregnant. She just looks fragile.

My hands shake when I push them through my hair. What am I going to do if she is pregnant?

My whole soul settles and a smile slowly tilts my lips. I will do what needs to be done.

After about half an hour the doctor comes back in, a smile on his lips and a prescription in his hand.

He hands it to me. “Well, she’s pregnant.

So I guess that we don’t need to look any further right now.

I’ve got a prescription for prenatal vitamins for her here.

I’ve also got another prescription for some meds for her nausea.

If she doesn’t need it…fine. If she does, fill it and follow the directions.

You don’t want her to get too sick though.

So make sure you keep an eye on her. Do what needs to be done to keep both her and the baby healthy and happy and I’ll set up an appointment with an obstetrician. He’s a great guy.”

My nose crinkles. “A guy?” I huff.

He grins and slaps me on the back. “Trust me. He’s got no interest in your lady’s parts beyond the job they do for her delivery.”

Oddly enough, that does make me feel better. My eyes drift over to her.

“Why is she still sleeping?”

“Throwing up all the time is rough on a woman. Hell, on anybody. But she’s growing a new life in there and it’s hard work on top of being sick.

She’s just exhausted. Probably a little dehydrated and malnourished right now.

As soon as you get this little bout of morning sickness kicked she should straighten right up.

But if anything seems off, then go ahead and call the doctor and get her in right away. ”

He hands me a pile of things and I eye them and her. He waves me out the door. “Go put those in your truck. I’ll keep an eye on her.”

I jog out the door and quickly shove them inside the back seat and then run in to get her. I get there just in time for her pretty brown eyes to open.

Her mouth drops and she glares back and forth. The doc wisely backs away and winks. “I’ll let you handle this. Good luck.”

And with that, we’re alone again.