A Special Summer(42)

Nick hated to see her so distraught over not being able to go home. He’d never seen one woman cry so much. Every time he turned around, she was crying for one reason or another. Guilt gnawed at him, he was the main source of her recent spells of weeping.

“Dr. Neil, I’m taking Summer home.” Before the doctor could object, Nick put his hand up cutting him off. “I’ll make certain she has around-the-clock care.”

A surge of relief flowed through Summer as she reached for Nick’s hand and squeezed it.

“Thanks Nick.”

“Don’t worry ‘bout it.”

It was settled, Summer was going home.





Chapter 17




As Nick’s vehicle pulled off from in front of the hospital Summer felt a heavy weight lift from her shoulders. Thank goodness she wouldn’t be spending four weeks in the hospital. Unless she started to have contractions within the next two weeks Dr. Neil informed her she could stay home. If she went into labor after that, the baby would be fine.

Settling back into the soft leather upholstery of the vehicle, Summer began mentally rehashing the last few hours. Suddenly she felt foolish, downright simple. I acted like a complete brat! Whining and crying like I was ten years old! And I have the nerve to soon be somebody’s momma. Nick and Dr. Neil probably think I’m a basket case carrying on like I didn’t have a bit of sense! Shaking away the thought she gazed lovingly at Nick. He was so sweet, offering to have someone come to her house to watch over her so she wouldn’t have to stay in the hospital.

Concentrating on the road, he hadn’t paid any attention to Summer intently watching him, her thoughts turning from appreciation of his kindness to appreciation of his good looks. Oh my goodness brotha is too fine! Just looking at him had her body tingling all over settling dead smack between her legs causing her to squirm in her seat. It’s been months since she experienced such sensations. Only one man was capable of evoking such a reaction.

Summer wasn’t sure if he saw her squirming, she camouflaged the movement by maneuvering her body in the seatbelt facing him. She wanted to tell him how much it meant to her that he’d convinced Dr. Neil to let her go home. How she would have been totally depressed

if she had to be confined to one room for the next four weeks. Of course if she absolutely had to do it, she would’ve. However, she would have hated every single minute of it.

The movement of her body drew Nick’s attention; he could tell she was thinking about something.

“What’s up, Summer?” he asked as he brought the car to a stop at a red light.

“I just want to thank you for taking me home. It’s really sweet of you.”

Pulling off from the green light he told her, “I’m not taking you home.”

“Huh?” What’s he talking about, ‘I’m not taking you home?’

“You’re going home with me.”

Stunned, Summer stammered, “But… you… said―”

Nick immediately cut her off. “I said I was taking you home, meaning my home.”

“What? I can’t go home with you!” This fool done fell and bumped his head!

Making a U-turn in the middle of the street, Nick start heading in the opposite direction.

“What are you doing? Where are you going, Nick?”

“I’m taking you back to the hospital.”

Panic overtook her in waves. He’s not serious. Is he? Summer grabbed his forearm. “Please, Nick, I don’t want to go back to the hospital.

Nick was gradually losing his patience. He had enough of her whining and crying for one day.

“Summer, listen to me, and listen real good. Either you go home with me where I can take care of you, or you can go back to the hospital and let Dr. Neil do it. The choice is yours.”

Silence.

“Come on Summer, I don’t have all day.”

Shifting her body facing forward again, crossing her hands over her chest, she grumbled, “I’ll go home with you.”

“I thought you’d see things my way.”

Summer glared at him before rolling her eyes. He is so smug, get on my nerves.

“Woman, don’t roll your eyes at me. I’m just looking out for the baby…my baby.” Reaching out and lightly rubbing her belly he said, “Okay.”

Summer wanted to melt right there where she sat. He really did care about the baby after all. However, the streak of stubbornness she inherited from her mother wouldn’t allow her to melt…not now anyway.

Turning back to face him she didn’t respond to his tender gesture. Instead she pouted, “I don’t have any of my things.” She unfolded her arms and rattled off a list as she pointed to each finger on her left hand with the index finger of her right hand. “I need my clothes, my toiletries, my laptop, my overnight bag I packed for the hospital for when I go into true labor, and… and… my stuff. I just need my stuff!”