CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

 

“Babe, wake up,” I say quietly, gently tapping Hamish’s shoulder.

“What time is it?”

“Seven-thirty.  I’ve got to get going so I can get to work on time.”

His eyes open slowly, revealing their gorgeous sleepy depths to me.  Framed by luscious black lashes, his lips plump from sleep and our kisses the night before, his chest bare.  He is a sight to behold.  He groans as he stretches and then he tugs me on top of him, eliciting a surprised shriek from me.

“Hey! You’ll mess up my hair,” I say through a giggle. 

“Good, it’ll match your lipstick when I’m done with you,” he replies, smiling, right before his lips meet mine.

“Mmm.”  His lips are soft soft as they expertly caress mine.  His strong hands roam my body, down my back, over my behind and back up again under my ribs.  Tender.  Soothing.  So good.

“Loved having you sleep beside me last night, babe,” he whispers gruffly.

“I loved it, too.”  I really did. Since being pregnant, I’ve found I toss and turn more during the night, constantly waking for short bursts that result in me being tired in the afternoons.  Last night, held securely in Hamish’s arms, my back plastered to his front, his arm cradling my stomach, I slept sound all night.

“Come back tonight.  Spend the weekend with me.”

I don’t even need to think about my answer before it tumbles from my lips.  “Okay.”

Hamish walks me out to my car, bare-chested and barefoot, wearing only low-slung black basketball shorts.  I really wish I didn’t have to go to work today. He kisses me goodbye and I drive off with a smile on my face, knowing I’ll be seeing him again later today.

 

Thankfully, my workday passes quickly.  During my lunchbreak, Genevieve told me that Bethany delivered a baby girl late last night.  My heart just aches for her, and every time my baby kicked today, I thought about Bethany and her family.

Speaking of my baby—the little one doesn’t stop moving.  She (or he) is constantly kicking and punching, rolling and prodding.  My stomach is super tight today as well, and even though it is sometimes uncomfortable, it is still the most amazing feeling.

“Olive, if you’re free for five minutes could you pop into my office?”

“Sure, Eligh.  I have one patient, and then I’ll come and see you.”

Twenty minutes later, I finish up with my client and wave them goodbye before walking down the hall and knocking on Eligh’s door. 

“Olive, come on in.  Take a seat.”  He shuffles some papers on his desk and pulls out a bunch clipped together.  “I spoke to my friend, Tom, who is head of recruiting for the Pine Creek clinic.  He faxed through your contract this morning.”  He hands me the papers and I flick through them.  “Tom’s going to be in Pine Creek on Monday, and he’d love to meet with you.”

“That sounds great.”

“Excellent.  If you can organise with Joan to change the roster, I’d appreciate that.”  He smiles broadly.  “Have a good weekend, and I’ll see you Tuesday.”

“Thanks, Eligh.”  I take the papers and leave the office, making my way into the staff room to get my handbag from my locker.  Before I leave for the day, I stop by reception and speak to Joan, ensuring she can find someone to cover me on Monday.  She assures me it will be fine, so I leave for the day and make the drive to Pine Creek.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“You were born on the bathroom floor, so be prepared in advance.  If you’re anything like me, my grandbaby will be making a very quick entrance,” Mum says.

I sip my icy water and grin over the glass at her.  “Dad’s reaction was the best though,” I say.

“What’s the number for an ambulance?” Mum mimics in a deep voice, making me giggle.

When she was pregnant with me, Mum didn’t have time to get to a hospital, so my dad had to deliver me on the bathroom floor.  Mum yelled at him to call an ambulance, and in his panic, he couldn’t remember the number for Triple Zero.

“I’m sure I’ll be fine.  Knowing my luck, I’ll probably have a labour that lasts for a week!”

“God, I hope not.” She grimaces.  “Is Hamish planning on being there with you?”

I frown.  “We haven’t talked about it.  I guess we should, though. I start birth class this coming week.”

“Well, if he’s unsure, you know I’ll be there for you, sweetie.”

“Thanks, Mum.”  I check the time and sigh.  I was only popping in for a quick hello before I headed to Hamish’s, but I’ve been here almost two hours.  I better get moving.

“If you guys aren’t busy, come out on Sunday for a barbeque lunch.  Your father has a surprise for you,” Mum mentions as she walks me to my car.

“I love a surprise.”  I grin.  “We’ll be here.”

“Bye, sweetie. Love you.”

“Love you, Mum.”

 

Twenty minutes later, it’s just on dark as I pull to a stop outside Hamish’s place.  The lights are on inside, and as I reach the front door, the smell of steak wafts toward me.  Yum.  My stomach rumbles.

“Hey, handsome,” I greet as I walk inside.  He’s shirtless, flipping steaks in pan.  God, he looks good.

“Hey, beautiful.”  He sets the tongs down and walks to me, kissing me deeply, leaving me breathless.  His hair is wet, like he just got out of the shower.  We hug and my nose goes to his shoulder, breathing his scent in, letting it wash over me in waves.  So good.

When he looks at me, his blue depths have the ability to penetrate my soul.  He makes me feel like he sees only me, and everything else in the world is just background noise.  I cup his jaw with my palm, loving the tickle of the slight smattering of dark stubble growing there.  He mustn’t have shaved today.  I hope he leaves it that way, at least until Monday morning.  It suits him.  We stare into each other’s eyes, silently soaking in the beauty of whatever this is that’s growing between us.

I want to tell him I’m falling for him.

But I don’t let the words sneak past my lips.  Not yet.

The hard truth is, I’m pregnant with another man’s baby, and as receptive to that as Hamish is now, doesn’t mean he will feel that way when the baby is born in just a few short months.  I need to be wary, I need to remember that the reality of the situation may hit him at any time, and he might just walk away without a second glance back to the heartbroken rubble he will undoubtedly leave me lying in.

“I better get the steaks out,” he says, touching his lips to my nose.

“I’ll wash my hands and then pour us some drinks,” I offer.

When I open the fridge, I notice there are three tubs of store-bought salads.  Potato, coleslaw, and pasta.

“Do you want these with dinner?” I ask, holding up the potato salad.

“Yeah, please, babe.”

I take them out and set them on the bench before getting Hamish a beer, popping the cap and handing it to him.  He grins and thanks me, then takes a swig as he dishes up the meat.  I watch his throat move as he swallows the lager.  I’ve never taken much notice of a man’s neck before, but Hamish is the exception.  The columns of his throat are strong and thick.  My eyes trail a path down and across until I reach that spot just where his neck meets his shoulder.  There’s a little dip there.  When I’m in his arms, resting my nose there, breathing him in…

It’s my favourite place in the world to be.

 

During dinner, I tell Hamish of my parents’ invitation for lunch on Sunday.  He readily agrees, thinking it will be great.  Then we muse over some possibilities of what dad’s surprise is for me.

“Maybe he built the baby a crib?” I suggest, then instantly frown.  I don’t think my dad is good with woodwork.

“He may have found something he gave you as a kid, and now he wants to give it to this little one,” Hamish offers, placing his hand on my stomach.  The baby kicks him and his eyes swing to mine, a boyish grin stretching his lips.

“Hmm, that is a possibility.”

After we’ve eaten, I rinse off the dishes and stack them in the dishwasher while Hamish collects some assignments he has to mark.  Then we cuddle up on the couch and I watch the John Travolta movie marathon on television while Hamish marks his students’ work.

It’s the perfect night in with my love.