“Wow.” I run my hand over my face and realize I’m shaking. Some emotion I can’t identify rises up in my chest until I feel like my sternum is going to crack. Seeing the little bean and hearing its heartbeat makes the baby feel so real. It’s no longer just an abstract concept growing inside Paige. It’s so much more, and I’m at a loss to describe the wonder of it.
Dr. Silverman tries, but she can’t quite hide the smile that’s threatening to come out. “Congratulations. The baby is healthy.”
“Then why did I bleed?” Paige asks.
“Sometimes that happens, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re having a miscarriage. Of course, we should take extra precautions, and I want to see you again next week. Also, I strongly urge you to not overexert yourself. Get plenty of rest and avoid stress as much as possible. I understand you have a wedding coming up, a ‘once in a lifetime’ event, but so is your baby. Delegate as much as you can.” Then she gives me a look. “I expect you to make sure that happens.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I answer meekly.
We thank the doctor and leave. I have Paige sit in the waiting room, while I talk to the receptionist about the next appointment. The young woman is nowhere near as professional or cool as Dr. Silverman. She’s virtually fucking me with her eyes.
I let it roll past. Other women are no longer my concern. They can look all they want, but right now the only person I care about is Paige.
As the receptionist hands me an envelope with the print-out of the ultrasound and a card with the information about the next appointment, I hear a loud gasp behind me.
“No!” Paige cries. She’s looking at her phone, her face drained of blood.
I shove the envelope in my pocket and take a few big strides toward her. “What is it?”
“Bethany.” Paige’s eyes are wide, and her face is so pale I’m afraid she’s going to pass out. “She’s been in a car wreck.”
Chapter Sixteen
Paige
I manage to calm my nerves and drive to the hospital address Oliver has texted me. If the roads weren’t wet, Ryder would probably take over, but…
If it had been anybody but Bethany, I would’ve assumed the weather had something to do with the accident. But she’s not a California native, and she’s a great driver, even in snow.
Ryder puts on shades and an old cap as I park the car. Renni and Gary are already in the waiting room by the time we make it inside. Oliver’s usually smiling face is devoid of color, and his narrow shoulders are hunched almost level with his ears. The rimless glasses sit skewed on his nose, but he doesn’t seem to notice.
I run over to him. “Bethany?”
“The doctors are with her right now,” Oliver says.
“What happened?”
“The police think somebody ran her off the road.” He drops his hands. “There were skid marks. But they aren’t telling us anything more.”
“How about the other driver?”
“Didn’t stop.”
Anger laces through my worry. I know some people are horrible about stopping and doing the right thing, but this is just awful. Ryder puts a hand on my shoulder and squeezes. I lean toward him, grateful for his support. My knees are unsteady, and I can’t help but imagine the worst.
“The baby?” I manage to ask.
“I don’t know.” Oliver wipes tears away. “There was blood on her, Paige. So much blood.” He covers his face with shaking hands.
My vision dims. Bethany and Oliver tried so long and hard for that baby. If anybody deserves one, it’s—
“Paige!” Ryder’s urgent voice rings in my ear. His arms are tight around me.
I blink a few times until my eyes focus. Ryder’s peering at me, his brows scrunched.
“What?” I ask, my voice low.
“You went limp, and I thought you fainted.”
Maybe I did faint for a moment. I have no idea. I find a seat and try to collect myself.
Ryder watches my every move. Eventually he turns back to Oliver and the others. “Is there anything we can do to help?”
Oliver shakes his head and sighs. “I doubt it. You should go home. I didn’t mean for all of you to come. I have no idea what I was thinking.”
I stand up—gingerly—and walk over to hug him. “You did the right thing. You deserve our support.” Gary and Renni nod.
I don’t know if Oliver can hear me though. His gaze is focused on something beyond us, and his mouth is tight with denial. I recall the terror I felt when I was brought to the hospital, bleeding, and I wasn’t going through the trauma of an accident on top of it. He and Bethany must be petrified. What if the unthinkable happens…?