Return of the Secret Heir by Rachel Bailey

something sweet?” JT said over his shoulder.
    The sales assistant appeared with a jar of candies. “We have these. You folks okay if I leave you for a few minutes?”
    â€œWe’ll be fine. Thanks for calling me.” He unwrapped a candy and passed it to Pia. “How are you feeling?”
    â€œA little sheepish for causing all the fuss,” she said, her voice unsteady. “And I’ll have some bruises tomorrow, but I’m fine.” As long as she didn’t start cramping. She pressed clammy hands to her stomach. “JT, the baby—”
    â€œI’m taking you to Dr. Crosby’s office. I’ll call on the way.”
    The relief of having someone take charge when she felt too fragile for the role was immense. “Thank you,” she whispered.
    You’ll be fine, little one. Don’t give up.
    He supported her weight with an arm around her waist as they walked out the front door and hailed a cab. His lean, muscled form was so strong, so reassuring against her that she melted into him. As soon as they were in, he punched in a number on his cell, explained their situation to the person on the other end, and told them they were on their way.
    He hung up, slipped the phone into his pocket and turned to her. “The receptionist says Dr. Crosby was about to leave for her hospital rounds, but she’ll wait till we get there.”
    Pia sent up a silent prayer of thanks, and another that her baby would be unharmed. JT sat beside her on the cab’s vinyl backseat, his arm loosely around her shoulders, his face turned to the passing scenery. What was running through his mind? Did he have the same bone-deep terror that she would lose the baby? Did he blame her? She clenched her fists tight and turned away to her own window.
    When they reached the medical suites, the receptionist ushered them straight in.
    Dr. Crosby was calm and reassuring as she did the examination. Once they were sitting at her desk again with JT, the doctor made some notes, then turned to them.
    â€œI can’t find any signs to indicate a problem. You’re in the first trimester and the baby is well insulated in your womb at the moment, but if you have any spotting or cramping, call me immediately and get to a hospital.”
    â€œDo you think that’s likely?” JT asked, his voice grave,and Pia was glad he’d asked the question that had been on the tip of her tongue.
    â€œIt’s hard to say,” Dr. Crosby replied. “Occasionally these things surprise me, but I’d say you should be safe because it wasn’t a heavy fall and everything looks fine.”
    Pia let out a pent-up breath that felt like every last bit of air in her lungs escaped. Her baby should be fine. She smiled at JT, giddy with relief.
    â€œThis might be a good time to discuss your first pregnancy, Pia.” Dr. Crosby laid a hand flat on the desk and her expression grew solemn. “I’ve reviewed your medical records—the trauma you suffered from your fall caused a placental abruption. This means you do have an increased risk of the problem reoccurring—probably about a ten-percent risk. I don’t want you to worry unduly but it is important that you take extra care.”
    Any traces of relief Pia had felt vanished as Dr. Crosby’s words slapped her in the face. “Is there anything we can do to keep my…our baby safer?” she whispered.
    â€œKeep up with the suggestions I gave you last time, like having enough fluids. And you need to get plenty of sleep. And because you’ve fainted twice, you might want to put some precautions in place until we see how your blood pressure responds in your second trimester.”
    â€œPrecautions?” JT said from beside her. His body stiffened and tension radiated from him.
    Dr. Crosby smiled kindly. “Simple things—for instance, when you’re showering, you should make sure the water isn’t too hot,