Courtney sat up on the bed, fastening her jeans as the technician left the room. “We’re only having one,” she said softly.
“I guess that’s good news.”
Her mouth twitched. “Good for me. I only have to push one out.”
He immediately felt guilty, because that was another thing she’d have to do because of him.
And yet there was a warmth in him too, because that baby was his. And he knew for certain that no matter what happened he’d protect them both. Mother and baby. The thought was like a fire scorching over his body, making his muscles tight and his breath shallow.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Courtney asked, slipping her shoes back on. “You feel far away.”
“I’m just…” He shook his head. “It’s our baby, you know?”
She blew out a mouthful of air. “Yeah,” she said. “I know.”
/> “He or she is perfect. Those little legs and arms.” He smiled at her. “Did you see them?”
“I did.” She grinned back, her shoulders loosening up. “And they weren’t still at all, were they? I guess he or she doesn’t have much of a chance with being calm. Not with two workaholics for parents.”
They went out through the door, stopping at the front desk for Courtney to make her next appointment. The receptionist held out the ultrasound photographs, and Courtney took one. She glanced at Logan. “Would you like the other one?” she asked tentatively.
“Is that okay?”
“Of course.”
He took it, opening his wallet and carefully sliding it inside. Baby Roberts was written in white print at the top, and for a moment he felt dismay at the words.
He wanted it to be Baby Hartson. His. And that fiery feeling of protection washed over him again.
Yeah, well that was a discussion for another day.
“You ready to go?” he asked her. “I need to head to the airport to catch my flight.”
“Will you be okay with two flights in one day?” She looked concerned.
“Yeah.” His brows knitted together. “It was hard to even take a day off. Things are crazy with opening a new restaurant right now.”
“Oh.” She pressed her lips together. “I didn’t know you were opening something new.”
He felt like a dick again, because there was so much she didn’t know about him. And if it wasn’t for the little strawberry sized life growing inside her, she probably never would know those things. “Maybe you can come and see my restaurants some time,” he said, feeling exposed. “Since the baby will spend some of his or her time in Boston with me.”
Courtney swallowed. The smile had disappeared from her lips and he was already missing it. “Of course. That would be good. Maybe once I’m in the second trimester.”
He nodded. “Let’s check our calendars and work on something.” He pulled his keys from his pocket and held the door open for her. “Come on, let’s get you home.”
Courtney swallowed hard as they walked out of the doctor’s office, trying to stop the tears that were threatening to form. She was so aware of Logan standing next to her, his hand pressed lightly against the small of her back. And yes, she knew he was just being gentlemanly, but it didn’t stop her from remembering the way he’d stared at her in the ultrasound room, his eyes piercing, his lips parted. It had made her feel warm inside. And for the first time in a long time she hadn’t felt alone.
His stare had told her they were in it together. Or at least that was how it felt.
But it had been an illusion. Wishful thinking, maybe. He was only in this because he had to be. He was a good man who’d be there for his child and nothing more.
And he’d made it perfectly clear that their child would need to be part of his life in Boston, not Hartson’s Creek. Something about that made her stomach tighten.
She rubbed her stomach, shaking her head at her own thoughts. The important thing was that the baby was well. Perfect, even. Nothing else mattered.
“I don’t want to bring you down,” Logan said, his voice low. “But we’re attracting some attention.”
Courtney blinked out of her thoughts to see two older women staring at them from the diner. Then she turned to her left and her heart almost stopped beating.