I'Ve Got You by Louise Forster Page B

devastating, heartbreaking time in her life. ‘Four weeks later, I was late. Tests showed I was pregnant.’
    â€˜Fuck!’ Kabe growled. Emotions crossed his face—rage, heartache, empathy—as he moved to hold her.
    Again, Belle stopped him advancing. His hands flew into his hair, raking at his curls. ‘Please, Kabe, I can’t go on if you touch me, I—I’ll fall apart.’ Reluctantly, he backed down. ‘I went through everything with my doctor. We all know it takes one precise moment, and there you are, pregnant. It felt like ice water ran through my veins.’ Reliving the memory, Belle shivered and watched Kabe clench and unclench his fists. ‘I confronted Greg. He said getting pregnant was all my idea and insisted we get married. I knew he’d break if I kept pushing. I was right. It didn’t take long for him to blow a fuse. His excuse? He was so in love with me, he wanted us to be together and getting me pregnant was a means to that end. He threatened to announce throughout the office, on Facebook, to the papers, to anyone who would listen, that he was the father and we were engaged. He’s totally insane!’
    Belle could feel and see Kabe’s body was wired ready to erupt. His handsome face hard as flint, his jaw muscles working hard. Red-hot anger vibrated through him. He said nothing and held her gaze, as though he knew there was more to her devastating story. His barely controlled emotions were for her … all for her.
    It had been nearly six months, and going through it again would reopen wounds that still felt so raw. Her pain would be horrific, but she couldn’t hold back … not now. Her mouth trembled and tears rolled freely down her face. Then gathering strength within, she continued, ‘I did everything right. I read pregnancy books. I took good care of my body, ate the right food, rested …’ Belle had worked hard to keep control, but what she was about to say now, out loud, was the most devastating, and her voice trembled as she went on. ‘Six months later … six months …’
    â€˜Belle, no!’ Kabe reached for her.
    She had no strength left to push him away. Body shaking, hands covering her face, sobbing, she slumped into his arms. ‘M—my beautiful baby girl. Gone.’
    â€˜ Belle …’ Kabe whispered, his voice tight. He pulled her to his chest and eased down on the airbed with Belle in his lap. ‘It’s all right, I’ve got you.’ Her head on his shoulder, he wrapped his arms around her, and gently rocking back and forth, he waited until her grief settled. ‘Deep breaths, Babe, deep breaths.’
    She didn’t know how long they sat like that, but as her tension eased, she felt Kabe’s did as well. Face wet with tears, grateful for his caring arms around her, she did as he asked.
    Kabe reached behind him for his T-shirt dropped in the dinghy earlier and used it to dab her face, then left it on her lap, just in case.
    â€˜You must think I’m such a blubber-arse.’
    He chuckled. ‘I’ve seen and felt your arse, Babe, and trust me, it’s nothing like blubber.’
    Tears drying, she covered her mouth and snort-giggled. ‘I meant a weeping-wailer.’
    â€˜Got any more of those?’ His grin didn’t reach his concerned eyes.
    â€˜Not right now, but give me time.’ Her fingers twisted at his shirt.
    She looked down as his hand closed over hers, stilling them. Dare she hope Kabe understood how deeply her loss had affected her?
    â€˜Feeling better?’ His grip tightened, and his eyes held a measure of sadness for her. He did understand as much as anyone could.
    â€˜Yes, thank you for listening.’
    â€˜I always will. I’m honoured you feel safe with me to open up the way you did,’ he said, giving her a meaningful look. ‘Never keep anything like that bottled up, never. You can talk to me about