The Cowboy Hitch by S.M. West & Kimberly Quinn

Author:S.M. West & Kimberly Quinn [West, S.M. & Quinn, Kimberly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781989881767
Publisher: Silver Linings Press
Published: 2023-09-20T18:30:00+00:00

14

LACY

With nothing but a flimsy paper medical gown on, I shiver and clumsily climb onto the table. Ridge helps to guide me into a lying position while I try to ignore the excruciating pinch to my ready-to-burst bladder.

Why must I drink a gallon of water before an ultrasound? I’m so full that I fear I’ll float away or better yet, pee right here in the exam room.

“What’s wrong?” He hovers like a mother hen and squeezes the hand he’s already holding too tight.

“Nothing,” I grumble. It’s a refrain that’s become all too familiar since Otis and Arlene decided to pop back into my life.

For the last three weeks it’s been nonstop texts and calls. All of them from my mother—Otis hasn’t had the balls—and all of them some form of failed manipulation to try and get me to leave town.

I still don’t know what they’re up to, or what the heck to do about it, but I don’t have the bandwidth to deal with it right now.

Now is all about my baby. Our baby—Ridge’s and mine. And my aching damn bladder.

“Don’t lie to me, Lace.” His free hand tenderly brushes along the curve of my jaw. “You’re clenching your teeth. Talk to me. Are you in pain?”

I try to hold back another kind of shiver as my insides melt at how attentive and caring Ridge has been since we got here. Instead, I end up wincing as the motion causes the prickling pressure in my bladder to intensify.

“I have to pee really badly.”

Just then the technician enters the room, her neutral expression softening at my admission as she settles in front of the equipment.

“Hi, I’m Brenda and I’ll be doing your sonogram. Sorry about the bladder, but we need a full one for what we’re going to do today. Let’s get started, and the sooner we’re done, the sooner you can go to the bathroom.”

“And what is it you’re going to do?” Ridge’s authoritative tone causes the woman to stiffen slightly and stop preparing for the ultrasound.

“Well, Mr. Kincaide.” She blushes and flutters her eyelashes and I sigh, not in the least bit surprised that Ridge has this effect on her. Damn, the man knocked me up on the first go. “This is your baby’s twenty week anatomy scan. I’m going to take some measurements of Ms. Hallman’s abdomen and get a good look at the fetus.”

“Will we be able to see the baby?” It’s subtle and I doubt Brenda noticed, but I don’t miss the hint of hope and, dare I say, excitement in his question.

She nods and points to the monitor. “Yes. This examination will be longer than other ones you’ve had, but you’ll see the baby right here.”

Brenda doesn’t give him a chance to ask any further questions, turning to me to explain the process with the ultrasonic gel and wand.

“Okay, let’s get started.” She glances at Ridge. “Please understand that I’m not here to interpret the scan. That’s what Doctor Anderson will do. But if you

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