Cameron

I climbed into my truck and drove to Barnes & Noble. I was no stranger to how pregnancy affected women since my mother always seemed to be pregnant. I headed to the family planning aisle and picked up the book What to Expect When You’re Expecting. Sierra had no idea what she was in for and she needed to be prepared. I loved the fact that she was pregnant and I was going to be a father, but I hated that I had to sit on the sidelines and watch for now. I wanted to be there for her. To rub her back, rub her feet, and take care of her, and hold her tight with every ache and pain she would experience. But, in time, and with careful planning, I would be able to do all those things for her. Whether she believed it or not, she needed me. She was a strong woman, but this was one thing she couldn’t control and she was going to need my help to get her through it. A smile crossed my face as I thought of her expanding belly. Her heart may have turned to stone for now, but before long, I’d break through that stone, and once again, she would give her heart to me. And this time, it would be for eternity. We definitely had our issues, but they weren’t issues that couldn’t be resolved with a deep conversation about each other’s fears and needs.

Once I returned home, I looked through the door wall to make sure Sierra wasn’t in the kitchen before going inside. As I set the book down on the kitchen counter, she startled me.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” she yelled. “You are not allowed to enter this house!”

I slowly turned around with the book in my hand.

“I bought this for you.” I held out the book.

She glared at it from a distance.

“What is it?”

“A book of what to expect when you’re expecting.”

She slowly took it from me and stared at the cover.

“Why would you buy me this?” she asked.

“Because this is new to you and you should know what to expect.”

“How did you know about this book?” Her eye narrowed at me.

“When I was remodeling the Starbucks across from your office, there was a group of pregnant women who met there once a week and they all had that book with them.”

“Thanks,” she spoke.

“You’re welcome. I’m going to go.” I pointed to the guest house.

“Good idea.” She crinkled up her nose.

Well, at least I got a “thanks” and a not a big fuck you. That was a start.

“By the way,” I stopped before stepping outside, “I hope you enjoyed your tacos for lunch.” I gave her a small smile and left.

****

Sierra

I stood there for a moment processing what he had just said. The tacos were from him? Damnit. Damn him. I made myself a cup of tea and took it, along with the book, upstairs to bed. The next morning when I was in the bathroom getting dressed, I noticed that the faucet was leaking from the handle all over the counter.

Walking into the kitchen, I saw Kirsty, James, and Cameron sitting at the table eating breakfast.

“Good morning,” Kirsty excitedly spoke.

“Morning,” I replied.

“Morning, Sierra,” James spoke with a mouthful of pancakes.

I gave him a smile and a nod. I tried my best not to look at Cameron, but my eyes couldn’t help but notice how damn sexy he looked.

“Good morning.” He smiled at me.

I ignored him and poured myself a cup of coffee.

“Kirsty, I need you to call someone to come fix the faucet up in my bathroom. It’s leaking all over the counter.”

“Sure, I’ll get right on it.”

She pulled out her phone, and within seconds, Cameron’s phone rang. He picked it up from the table.

“Hello.”

“Hey, Cam, it’s Kirsty. Sierra has a leaky faucet up in her bathroom that needs fixing.”

“I’ll take a look at it right now.”

He got up from the table and walked out of the kitchen.

“What the hell is the matter with you?!” I spoke through gritted teeth at her.

“What? He’s a repair guy and he can fix it. You told me to call someone, but you didn’t say not to call Cameron.” She grinned.

James sat there snickering.

“Shut up, James. Kirsty, I’m placing an ad in the paper for your position,” I spoke as I walked upstairs to get my shoes.

I walked into my closet and could only find one of my black Jimmy Choo heels. My favorite pair, to be exact. I looked up and down my shelves and couldn’t find it. I was on the verge of a breakdown. I sat on the floor of my closet with one shoe in my hand and began to cry. What the hell was going on?

“Sierra?”

“Go away, Cam.”

He stepped inside the closet and sat down next to me.

“Why are you sitting in here crying?”

“Because I can’t find my other shoe.”

“I’ll help you. Don’t cry.”

I didn’t listen to him because I couldn’t help it. The tears wouldn’t stop.

“Here it is.” He smiled as he handed me my shoe.

“Where was it?” I sniffled.

“It was a couple rows down behind another shoe. Your faucet is fixed. If it gives you any more problems, let me know, or have your assistant call me.” He smirked as he held out his hand to me.

“What?” I looked up at him after I put my shoes on.

“I was just going to help you up.”

I reached for his hand and then pulled back, for I knew what would happen if our hands touched. I felt a tightening in my chest.

“I can get up by myself.”

“Okay. Have a good day at work,” he spoke as he walked out.

I gasped for air as I placed my hand on my forehead.

“Sierra, what are you doing?” Kirsty asked.

“Oh, just having a breakdown because I couldn’t find one of my shoes,” I spoke as I walked out of the closet.

“Are you sure it was because of the shoe?” she asked.

“If you’re implying it’s something else, you’re wrong.”

“Listen, you can’t do this. You have to give Cam a second chance.”

“I don’t have to do anything. What’s done is done.”

I hurried down the stairs, grabbed my purse, and headed to the car.

“This isn’t a Ryan situation, Sierra. Cameron didn’t leave the state never to be seen again. He didn’t cheat on you or leave you for some other woman. He was hurt and felt betrayed by what you’d done. He loves you so much and he knows he made a mistake handling it the way he did.”

“I don’t want to talk about this anymore. Do you understand me?” I pointed my finger at her as we climbed into the car.

“Well, you’re going to have to at some point. I know what you’re doing!” She pointed at me from the front seat.

“Really? And what am I doing?”

“You’re punishing him for hurting you. You love him to death, but you won’t admit it or take him back because you like to see him suffer and beg. Especially now that you are carrying something of his. Something that will attach the two of you for the rest of your lives.”

I rolled my eyes at her. She didn’t know what the hell she was talking about. Or did she? When I arrived at the office, I picked up my phone and called Dr. Robbins.

“Dr. Robbin’s office. How can I help you?” a polite young voice answered.

“This is Sierra Adams. I need to schedule an appointment with Dr. Robbins as soon as possible, please.”

“Is today at two o’clock soon enough?” she asked.

“Really? I didn’t think she’d have anything available today.”

“The patient who was scheduled to come in at two passed away suddenly last night.”

“Oh. Sorry to hear that. But I’ll take it.”

“Very good. Dr. Robbins will see you at two o’clock.”

“Thank you,” I spoke as I ended the call.

I didn’t want anyone to know where I was going, so I told James he could have the rest of the day off and I told Kirsty and Sasha I was taking off to get a massage and do some shopping to clear my head. I hopped into a cab and took it to Dr. Robbins’ office.

“Sierra, it’s been a long time.” She smiled as she held the door open to her office.

“It has been, hasn’t it?”

“Have a seat.” She motioned to the couch. “Let’s see, the last time I saw you was after your father’s death and Ryan’s disappearance. You were doing well and felt you didn’t need to come here anymore. How have you been?”