Chapter 16
Lily
I take my time getting dressed in some loose jogging pants with a tank top and a big button-up shirt on top. I look like a complete fashion 'don't' right now. But it doesn't matter.
Jakob knows I'm pregnant. And he's going to fire me.
I feel a dozen different emotions right now. Anxiousness. Relief. Anger. But most of all shame. I hid my baby. I know what it's like to feel unwanted, like I was a mistake. I never want to make my child feel that way, too.
I pull in a steeling breath and pad quietly into the kitchen. When I see him at the stove, his broad back rippling as he stirs a pot, I briefly consider retreating into my room and hiding out under my sheets. But the squeaky floorboards betray my presence. He turns around with rage darkening his eyes. His biceps strain against the dark fabric of the t-shirt stretched snugly across his sculpted torso. He folds his arms across his chest and stares at me.
Why is he still here?
Usually, he'd be out in the fields by now, toiling away in the sun, planting and weeding and fertilizing. But today, he’s here. To fire me.
"Sit down. I'll fix you a plate," he says finally.
I shake my head, making another attempt to retreat. "Look, Jakob. I don't know what you think you just figured out, but if you want to fire me, just fire me. Okay? You don't have to give me a speech, too."
His eyes darken further. "Sit. Down."
His expression is firm enough to cause a chill to skitter up my spine. Usually, I like to challenge him and give him a hard time, but now isn't the time for joking around. I see it in his face.
Pouting and huffing, I drop into a chair, my hands knotting in my lap as he prepares the food. He drops a heaping plate of bacon, eggs and toast in front of me and the ceramic rattles as it hits the table.
"Eat this," he growls.
"I'm really not that hungry."
He leans over me, his eyes locking on mine with so much force that I recoil even as arousal ignites in my blood. "You have been running around here, skipping meals and overexerting yourself. That won't happen anymore. I won't have you under this roof, weak and hungry. Now, eat."
"Fucking caveman," I grumble under my breath. With a shaky hand, I shovel into the eggs with my fork.
He shoots me a look, his lips pressed into a flat line. A prickling silence slips over us as I eat. He shoves his hand roughly through his hair and paces the floor.
"Have you been to the doctor?" he asks breaking the silence.
The question takes me by surprise. This is not how I expected this conversation to go. I look up at him. "Yes. Grace booked an appointment with her family doctor the other day. Faith went with me.”
He's quiet for a moment before asking, "Did he prescribe you any medicine? Vitamins, maybe?”
I nod. "He did but I haven't gone to the pharmacy yet. I didn't have any money and I didn't want to burden my sisters any more than I already have.”
"Making sure your baby is healthy isn't a burden on anyone, Lily," he growls. "It's a basic human need.”
I flinch. He makes it seem so simple but my life is anything but simple these days. Everything is a mess and I'm just trying to put it back together piece by piece.
"That's easy for you to say," I mutter.
He ignores my snarky comment. "I'm going into town this afternoon to discuss some things with the bank manager. I'm gonna need you to give me the name of that medication the doctor wants you to take.”
"I can wait until pay day, Jakob. It's only a few days away.”
He pulls in a deep breath. "You'll give me the name of your medication. Today." His voice remains calm despite the anger bubbling beneath.
“Fine."
"And you'll eat properly. I don’t want you on some city girl diet. Not when you’re pregnant. You won't put any strain on yourself. If Mini needs any help moving around, you'll ask for my help. Understood?”
"You don't have to do all this for me. I'm the one whose supposed to be working for you."
He ignores my protest. "Understood?" he demands.
I nod, feeling a tear spilling down my face. Gosh, these pregnancy hormones have me so emotional. Or maybe it's simply the fact that no one's ever treated me like this. No one's ever gone out of their way to make sure I was okay.
Jakob exhales a heavy breath then leans down over the table. The calloused pad of his thumb swipes my tear away. The rough touch resonates all the way to the apex of my thighs. I can't help but shiver.
"I will take care of anything you need," he growls in a low tone. "Just say the word. You hear me?”
I look up into his eyes. They're warmer than I've ever seen them, filled with an emotion that I don't understand. "Yes," I whisper past the tightness in my chest.
"Good." He straightens and marches to the back door. He slips into his work boots and throws one last glance at me before he walks out.