His Texas Christmas Gift by Meg Maxwell

Author:Meg Maxwell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2021-08-30T14:56:40+00:00

* * *

But now, faced with the possibility of losing her child, everything was suddenly different. If she lost this baby, this new capacity to love would surely die right along with it. Becca closed her eyes against the thought.

It wasn’t going to happen. She wouldn’t let it happen.

“How are you feeling, hon?” Becca opened her eyes to see Kate standing at the opening in the privacy curtain. Kate had driven Becca to the emergency room as soon as the nausea and pain had started.

The onset had hit Becca like an iron fist. One moment she was fine, walking from her desk to Kate’s office with the mail, just as she did every single day, and the next thing she knew, she was doubled over in pain. Sensing something, or maybe Kate had heard Becca whimper, Kate had insisted on taking her to the hospital. “I got you some ice chips,” Kate said. “I tried for water, but this was the best I could do. The nurse said she wants to make sure you can handle ice before she lets you have the hard stuff. They’re pretty busy out there, and they’re getting ready for a staff change. She said she’ll try to pop in before she clocks out, but if she can’t, she said the doctor who’s coming on duty will be in to see you.”

Becca did her best to smile as she accepted the white foam cup from Kate’s outstretched hand. She felt like a wrung-out dishrag, but she was stable and the baby was okay.

Now she just wanted to go home.

“Thank you,” Becca said, trying to steady her thin, shaky voice.

“I’d feed them to you, but—” Kate crinkled her nose as she held up her hands, motioning around with one “—it’s a hospital and I haven’t washed my hands. Plus, you’d probably bite me if I tried.”

She smiled her sweet Kate smile. Becca did her best to smile back.

“Feeding me would be going above and beyond. I can handle it, thank you.”

As Kate sat down, Becca lifted a piece of ice to her mouth, letting it linger on her parched lips. It melted on contact, leaving behind a cool, clean moisture. As she licked the droplets of water, Becca thought it was possibly the freshest, most delicious thing she’d ever tasted in her life. She placed another chip on her tongue. Surely this was what they meant when they’d said nectar of the gods.

Whoever they were. The ones who imparted such great wisdom about flipping coins and drinks fit for deities.

“How’s the ice settling?” Kate asked.

Becca turned her head toward her friend, who had seated herself on a chair in the tiny space.

“I can’t recall ever tasting anything so good,” Becca said. “I highly recommend it.”

She smiled at Kate, but Kate’s smile didn’t reach her worried eyes. “I’m glad you and the baby are going to be okay.”

She knew her friend’s words were sincere, but an unspoken question hung between them.

“No one else knows,” Becca said. “About the baby, I mean.

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