She shook her head in exasperation. “That’s what keeps me from flat-out telling you I refuse. I know it will help Royal. I just think someone else might make a better pitch. Thanks, Aaron, but you just don’t get it,” she said.
“Sure I do and I’m certain it will be easy for you. But all that is in the future. Right now, in our immediate future, I think it’s time to dance,” he said, holding out his hand.
She went to the dance floor with him, but her thoughts were on the group in Lubbock. She wanted to ask how many people would be in the audience, but she had already made a big issue of it and she couldn’t back out now. It was a chance to raise funds and awareness for Royal, so she had to get over her fears and help. She wanted to help her town so maybe she should start planning what to say.
They danced three fast numbers that relaxed her and made her forget the rest of the week. Next, the piano player began an old ballad and Aaron drew her into his arms.
For a moment she relished just being held so close and dancing with him.
They danced one more song and then sat down and talked. Later, he ordered hot cocoa and they talked longer until she looked at her watch and saw it was after one in the morning.
“Aaron, I lost track of time. I do that too much with you. I need to go to my suite. It’s been a long day. I’m exhausted,” she said as she stood up.
“I’m glad you lost track of time,” he said, standing and draping his arm across her shoulders to draw her close to him.
When she reached for her purse, it fell out of her hands. As the purse hit the floor, Aaron bent down instantly to pick it up for her. A coin purse, a small box of business cards and a book fell out.
Horrified, she realized she had not taken the book she had bought earlier out of her purse. She tried to grab it, but Aaron had it in his hand and was staring at the cover with its picture of a smiling baby. For a moment her head spun and she felt as if she would faint, because in his hands that tiny book was about to change their future.
Four
Your Pregnancy and Your First Baby. The title jumped out at Aaron. Stella grabbed the book and dropped it into her purse.
When he looked up at her, all color had drained from her face. She stared, round eyed, looking as if disaster had befallen her.
He felt as if a fist slammed into his chest. Was she pregnant from their night together? She couldn’t be, because he’d used protection. Gazing into her eyes, he had his answer that the impossible had happened—apparently the protection they’d used wasn’t foolproof after all. Her wide blue eyes looked stricken. Shivering, she clutched her purse in both hands.
“I need to go to my suite,” she said in almost a whisper. “We can talk tomorrow.”
She brushed past him and for one stunned moment he let her go. Then he realized she would be gone in another minute and went after her. He caught up with her at the elevators and stepped on with her. Another couple joined them and they couldn’t talk, so they rode in silence to the fourth floor, where the couple got off.
Aaron looked at her profile. Color had come back into her flushed cheeks. She looked panicked. It had to be because she was carrying his child.
Stunned, he couldn’t believe what had happened. She might as well shout at him that he had gotten her pregnant. Her stiff demeanor, terrified expression and averted eyes were solid proof.