Trinity: Bride of West Virginia (Amercan Mail-Order Bride 35) by Carré White

at how happy and content they must be. Here I was, mistress of all those grand things, and I felt far from happy. How had my life come to this?
    A twinge of pain shot through my belly at that moment, startling me. I wondered at the occurrence, waiting for another. A long minute passed without incident. Perhaps, I had eaten something that had not agreed with me. Returning to the bed, I drew the covers up to my chin, staring at the plasterwork on the ceiling overhead. The moonlight now streamed in through the crack in the draperies. I had forgotten to close them.
    Intending on leaving the bed again, another flare of pain registered, the feeling throbbing now. “What is that?” Rubbing my belly, I worried it might be the baby. “Are you all right?” Although I wasn’t particularly in love with the father, I respected him greatly. I hoped to one day feel some affection for him. This baby, however, was desperately wanted. Ever since discovering I had gotten with child, I embraced the idea wholeheartedly, looking forward to becoming a mother. I yearned to have something of my own to love and cherish openly. Another jolt of pain flared. “Oh, my word. I hope it’s not … I hope this isn’t me losing my baby. I … no.”
    Leaving the bed, I hastened from the room, finding Nathanial’s a few doors down. Without knocking, I entered. He hadn’t gone to sleep yet, sitting on a sofa reading. His startled expression met mine.
    “Is everything all right, Trinity?”
    I grasped my belly. “I’m not sure. I … don’t think so.”
    He tossed the book aside, springing to his feet. “What is it?”
    “I’ve a belly ache.”
    Leading me to the bed, he had me sit, his expression worried. “Where?”
    “Here.” I touched my stomach.
    “How long has it bothered you? I was with you no more than thirty minutes ago. You seemed perfectly fine then.”
    “I was. This started just now. Something’s not right.”
    “Are you bleeding?”
    “No.”
    “Shall I get the doctor?”
    “I don’t want to be trouble.”
    “But you came to me for help.” He touched my face. “I’ll get dressed. We can’t leave this to chance. If something happened to you, I’d never forgive myself. I’d rather be safe than sorry.”
    I watched him, as he pulled up a pair of drawers beneath the nightshirt. The lower part hidden, he then drew the shirt over his head discarding it on a chair. This revealed a surprisingly muscled torso smattered with hair. He then donned an undershirt, grinning my way.
    “I’m glad you’re here, although I’d rather you come to me healthy, not in need of medical attention.” He buttoned the shirt quickly, reaching for a pair of trousers.
    I wasn’t able to appreciate the view for long, something throbbing in my belly. I fell back onto the bed, moaning. Nathanial dashed over to me, his features pinched with concern.
    “Trinity?”
    “Just go get the doctor.”
    “I will, my love. Lord have mercy, I will.” He ran from the room.

Chapter Fourteen
     
     
    Instead of sleeping, in the early hours of the morning, I had woken the entire house, even my husband coming up to the second floor to sit by my bedside. Doctor Leonard Goff arrived within the hour, Nathanial having gotten him. He examined me, listening to my heart with a stethoscope. He seemed satisfied a short while later, staring at me.
    “You’ve not had another cramp?”
    “No, sir.”
    “There’s no bleeding.”
    “No.”
    He nodded. “I was worried the embryo might’ve implanted outside of the uterus, but that’s not the case.”
    “I was examined at home by Doctor Watson. He said everything was fine.”
    “You’re not far along enough to be in pre-term labor. We can rule that out. Do you feel an ache in your lower back?”
    “No.”
    “Pressure in the pelvic area?”
    “No.”
    “It couldn’t possibly be placental abruption, because it’s too early in the pregnancy for that. That usually occurs much later.” He smiled slightly.