house.
Daddy!
His young screams filled his mind as he’d run to the house, back to his mother who’d crumbled on the porch steps sobbing. That was the day his whole world changed, the day he had to step up and care for his mother, to be the man of the house.
“My sweet Tess, I know you’ll be fine. You’re a survivor, just like me. We wouldn’t have gotten through everything in our past otherwise.” He sat down on the bed, her scent surrounding him like a warm blanket. “I miss you.”
“Me too.” The sadness in her voice pulled at him. “But we’ll be together soon, with our child.”
“You take care of my baby. Next time you go to the doctor’s make sure you tell him I want a bouncing baby boy.” As those words flowed from his lips, he realized the truth in them. He wanted a son that he could play ball with in the back yard, to teach him all the things his father never had time to teach him.
“A son, huh? Well I’ll see what I can do about that.” She let out a soft laugh. “Chloe mentioned this evening Doctor Bowman wants to see me the day after tomorrow…to follow up because of the trip, and everything.”
“Your pregnancy will be fine as long as you take care of yourself.” The glaring numbers on the bedside clock reminded him he had to be up in four short hours. “I’ll call when I can, but I’ll be able to check my email more than call you, especially with the time difference. I left you my laptop, so make sure you email me. I want to know everything the doctor says, and each step of the pregnancy.”
“Yes, sir.” She teased. “It’s not my first rodeo. I’ll email you, but if you have a chance to call anytime, don’t worry about the time. I’ll let you know what the doctor says.”
“Good. Now get some rest. I’ll see you soon.” Not knowing when he’d get to hear her voice again he hated to say goodbye, but they both needed to get some sleep. Especially since after arriving in Clearwater they barely slept, they laid in bed watching movies, talking, but sleep was the furthest thing from their minds. Neither of them wanted their time to end.
“One last thing, Cam…” There was a long pause. “I’m so proud of you. Our child couldn’t be blessed with a better father. Stay safe.”
“I promise.” He ended the conversation and collapsed back onto the bed. What the hell was I thinking? I went from my job is too dangerous and I want no commitment, to a wife and child on the way in a matter of days. A wife is one thing but one I’m in love with, and have been for more than half my life complicates things a bit.
* * *
Long after they ended the conversation, Tessa wished she’d told him she loved him, but that would only serve to complicate matters further. He didn’t need to leave for this deployment with any more strain then he already had. To tell him she loved him would only serve to make things tense between them.
She could feel there was still a strong connection between them, and he still had feelings for her. But were those feelings love or merely obligation, she wasn’t sure. His kisses, his touches, they made it seem like love, but it could be lust on his part. She couldn’t tell him her feelings until she was sure about his.
Chapter Nine
The four walls of the cabin were beginning to close in around Tessa, and no matter how nice the bed, she couldn’t get comfortable. The small cabin was beginning to feel like a prison instead of a retreat. She needed company and though Chloe tried she still had a bed and breakfast to run, leaving her alone most of the time. She was going stir crazy but today was her doctor’s appointment and with any luck, he’d give her permission for light activity instead of bed rest. Her sanity depended on it.
She sat on the edge of the bed and pulled her hair into a ponytail when she heard Chloe come in. She opened her mouth to say something, but closed it when she felt the first flutter in her stomach. She stilled hoping
Daddy!
His young screams filled his mind as he’d run to the house, back to his mother who’d crumbled on the porch steps sobbing. That was the day his whole world changed, the day he had to step up and care for his mother, to be the man of the house.
“My sweet Tess, I know you’ll be fine. You’re a survivor, just like me. We wouldn’t have gotten through everything in our past otherwise.” He sat down on the bed, her scent surrounding him like a warm blanket. “I miss you.”
“Me too.” The sadness in her voice pulled at him. “But we’ll be together soon, with our child.”
“You take care of my baby. Next time you go to the doctor’s make sure you tell him I want a bouncing baby boy.” As those words flowed from his lips, he realized the truth in them. He wanted a son that he could play ball with in the back yard, to teach him all the things his father never had time to teach him.
“A son, huh? Well I’ll see what I can do about that.” She let out a soft laugh. “Chloe mentioned this evening Doctor Bowman wants to see me the day after tomorrow…to follow up because of the trip, and everything.”
“Your pregnancy will be fine as long as you take care of yourself.” The glaring numbers on the bedside clock reminded him he had to be up in four short hours. “I’ll call when I can, but I’ll be able to check my email more than call you, especially with the time difference. I left you my laptop, so make sure you email me. I want to know everything the doctor says, and each step of the pregnancy.”
“Yes, sir.” She teased. “It’s not my first rodeo. I’ll email you, but if you have a chance to call anytime, don’t worry about the time. I’ll let you know what the doctor says.”
“Good. Now get some rest. I’ll see you soon.” Not knowing when he’d get to hear her voice again he hated to say goodbye, but they both needed to get some sleep. Especially since after arriving in Clearwater they barely slept, they laid in bed watching movies, talking, but sleep was the furthest thing from their minds. Neither of them wanted their time to end.
“One last thing, Cam…” There was a long pause. “I’m so proud of you. Our child couldn’t be blessed with a better father. Stay safe.”
“I promise.” He ended the conversation and collapsed back onto the bed. What the hell was I thinking? I went from my job is too dangerous and I want no commitment, to a wife and child on the way in a matter of days. A wife is one thing but one I’m in love with, and have been for more than half my life complicates things a bit.
* * *
Long after they ended the conversation, Tessa wished she’d told him she loved him, but that would only serve to complicate matters further. He didn’t need to leave for this deployment with any more strain then he already had. To tell him she loved him would only serve to make things tense between them.
She could feel there was still a strong connection between them, and he still had feelings for her. But were those feelings love or merely obligation, she wasn’t sure. His kisses, his touches, they made it seem like love, but it could be lust on his part. She couldn’t tell him her feelings until she was sure about his.
Chapter Nine
The four walls of the cabin were beginning to close in around Tessa, and no matter how nice the bed, she couldn’t get comfortable. The small cabin was beginning to feel like a prison instead of a retreat. She needed company and though Chloe tried she still had a bed and breakfast to run, leaving her alone most of the time. She was going stir crazy but today was her doctor’s appointment and with any luck, he’d give her permission for light activity instead of bed rest. Her sanity depended on it.
She sat on the edge of the bed and pulled her hair into a ponytail when she heard Chloe come in. She opened her mouth to say something, but closed it when she felt the first flutter in her stomach. She stilled hoping
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