Seducing Simon(5)

The nurse stuck her head into the lobby and called Toni back. Toni shot from her chair and followed the nurse back to a small desk.

“Your urine results were positive, Miss Langston. I’ll phone your blood results to you tomorrow afternoon, but congratulations. It certainly appears you’re pregnant. We’ll check your HCG levels and make sure they’re where they should be. Then we’ll get you an appointment for your first check up in four weeks.”

-16-



Seducing Simon

Toni murmured her thanks and left the office. Numbly she sat behind the wheel of her Jeep. Thankfully she didn’t have to return to work today since Doc was taking the afternoon off. She wanted to go home and hide in her room, but instead, she instinctively drove toward the fire station.

God, what a mess she was in. Pregnant. Single. No way to tell the father without admitting what she had done. What a fool she’d been.

She clenched her hands around the steering wheel as she neared the station. She pulled into the small parking area and stopped next to Simon’s extra cab Ford truck. To her surprise and a little dismay, he was getting out of his truck with lunch in hand.

He immediately walked over, setting the sacks on the hood of her jeep. “How did it go?”

The concern in his voice was nearly her undoing. “It went okay. I, uh, well, I’m definitely pregnant.” Of all the ways she’d imagined telling the father of her baby she was pregnant, this wasn’t one of them.

He pulled her into his arms and she rested her head on his chest, breathing deeply of the faint scent of his soap. “Are you okay with it?” She drew away and smiled tremulously. “Yeah, I’m okay.”

“Help me take in lunch to the guys? They’re anxious to hear from you.”

She took two of the bags and walked beside him through the garage and into the station. Inside the guys were lounging around the TV. She and Simon set the bags on the table, and the rest got up and ambled over to sit.

“Hey Toni,” several of the guys called out as they rummaged through the bags for a hamburger.

She smiled and returned their greeting. She was pretty much a fixture around the station house. A regular Dalmatian. Good grief, now she was comparing herself to a dog.

-17-



Maya Banks

Matt and A.J. sidled over to her side. “Well?” Matt whispered.

She nodded and A.J. put a hand to her back, rubbing up and down soothingly. “You okay?”

She nodded again and offered a smile.

“You wanna hang out here at the station tonight?” Matt asked. “We’re going to watch a few movies later. Might beat being at the house alone.”

“No, I’ve got things to do at home. I need some time alone anyway. I’ll catch you guys tomorrow afternoon when I get off from work.” As she made for the door, Simon fell into step beside her. She looked up in surprise when he followed her out. “You sure you’re going to be okay tonight? I know this has to have been a tough day for you.” Her heart lurched at the tenderness in his voice. “Yeah, I’ll be fine.

It’s probably just as well you guys are working tonight. Don’t think I’d make good company.”

“I wish I could be home to hang out with you. We’ll catch up tomorrow night, okay?”

She smiled and climbed into her Jeep. “Thanks, Simon.”

“Take care,” he said softly, closing her door.

Simon watched her drive off and slowly walked back inside the station. Finding out Toni was pregnant had been a huge shock. She’d been like a little sister for so long, it was hard to imagine her doing anything to get pregnant.

His heart wrenched when her sad face floated through his memory.

He was used to her sparkling. She was never without a mischievous smile, her warm brown eyes full of laughter. The light smattering of freckles, almost invisible, sprinkled across her nose just added to her pixie-like appearance.

-18-



Seducing Simon

She was a small package, barely reaching his chest, but she was full of dynamite and had long kept him and the others in line. In their house, she towed the line, and you better walk it straight.

He grinned to himself. Yeah, she was cute and fun. His smile vanished. Someone had taken advantage of her, and now she was left holding the bag. Well, she wouldn’t do it alone. She’d been there to help him through his disastrous break up with Starla, and he’d be damned if he didn’t return the favor.

When he walked back in, Matt and A.J. were waiting. “What’s up?” Matt demanded.

Simon raised an eyebrow. “Nada. Just making sure Toni was okay.”

“And is she?” A.J. prompted.

“Yeah, I guess as good as she can be under the circumstances.”