Hidden Under Her Heart by Ayala Rachelle

Author:Ayala, Rachelle [Ayala, Rachelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: FIC044000 FICTION / Contemporary Women, Contemporary Women
Publisher: World Literary Press
Published: 2013-01-12T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 23

Maryanne sorted through the allergen vials and took out the four needed for her next patient. She slid the tray back in the refrigerator and placed the vials on her table. Ten weeks had passed since she had broken up with Lucas. Her baby wiggled and made herself comfortable. Maryanne shifted in her chair. The ligament on the left side of her abdomen was strained, but the baby’s favorite position tucked her there, right under her heart.

Vera tapped her shoulder. “Ready for the spa weekend?”

“Sure, except I don’t have a bathing suit to fit. You haven’t told me where.”

“It’s a surprise, dearie.” Vera sat at her workstation and started her computer.

Maryanne called in the patient, a young woman dressed in a business suit. She made pleasant conversation and remembered to ask after her allergies and how her last shot went. After the patient departed, Maryanne looked at the clock and stepped onto the patio for her break.

She checked Lucas’ blog update on her tablet. They hadn’t spoken after the ring incident, but since he was a public figure, he had a blog and a tweet stream. He’d finished his training in Colorado and was camping near Lake Tahoe for the Ironman race coming up Sunday.

She sent him a tweet: @TriKnight How’re the bugs in your tent? Anyone bite you?

A few minutes later, he replied: @Pumpkingal You been sticking those fire ants in, haven’t you?

Maryanne: @TriKnight Seriously, are you prepared for the race?

Lucas: @Pumpkingal Would be if I wasn’t itching all over. Don’t know what I’m allergic to.

Maryanne: @TriKnight If I were there, I’d rub Benadryl cream all over you.

Lucas: @Pumpkingal The itching will make me go faster. Are you coming to watch?

Maryanne: @TriKnight I can’t, but I read your blog every day. You’re my hero.

Lucas: @Pumpkingal I know, you’re clogging my blog with comments. Does your mother know?

Maryanne: @TriKnight How old do you think I am?

Lucas: @Pumpkingal Who was president when you were born?

Maryanne: @TriKnight Not fair. I don’t remember.

Lucas: @Pumpkingal Ha, ha, you got me. Gotta go. Bike ride, fifty miles.

Maryanne: @TriKnight Geotag your locations? Someday I want to follow your footsteps.

Lucas: @Pumpkingal Okay, I’ll post pictures. Bye.

Maryanne sighed and scrolled through the pictures downloaded from TriKnight’s blog. He had stayed all summer in Boulder at 5,430 feet altitude to raise his red blood count and lactate threshold. His times had improved, especially the biking—his weakest event which was also the longest in a triathlon.

Even though the Olympic triathlon was much shorter than Ironman, Lucas’ plan was to place high enough in the Ironman to get sponsorships, and then begin intensive workouts to increase his power for the shorter distances. So far, he was on target as far as his racing was concerned. However, his name had not been cleared and rumors had it that no one would sponsor him with the rape accusation hanging over his head.

Maryanne checked the OB/Gyn webpage and made an appointment. She signed up for an amniocentesis at twenty weeks to analyze the baby’s DNA and clear Lucas’ name.

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