CHAPTER SEVEN
GABE STUDIED ZOE. She’d been reading for the last couple of hours while he had supposedly watched TV. Even though he wasn’t outside with her, he was very aware of her movements. From his chair he could see her better than she could him. Was she aware of how many times her hand went to the rounded area of her stomach? Just from that small action he had no doubt she loved and wanted their baby.
Her gaze met his through the glass. She gave him a small smile before she returned to her reading. Only by a force of will did he stop himself from getting up and going out to kiss her. Or more. But he’d promised not to touch her again unless she initiated it. He would keep his promise even if it killed him.
Sometime later Zoe came in and quietly went to the kitchen. Now he was listening to her moving around as she prepared a late lunch. Something about having her in his home, being around her, sharing meals and even picking out furniture seemed right. She brought a softness to his life that he hadn’t known he had been missing. Did he want to let it go? Was he capable of hanging on to it?
Would Zoe consider staying if he asked? They got along well. But she wanted a husband. Could he offer her that? Be the husband she needed? What if he didn’t measure up to her expectations? Could he even be the father to his child that he should be? How would he ever know? He’d had no firsthand experience, not seen a father in action close-up. Could he find enough balance in his life to make it work? Which would be worse: not taking the chance or failing?
Zoe brought him a plate with a sandwich and salad on it.
“Thank you.”
She smiled. “You’re welcome.” She continued outside to the table.
He watched her. She hadn’t invited him to join her. Would she mind if he did? One of the things he liked most about having Zoe in the house was sharing meals and conversation.
Taking his plate, he went to join her. Zoe didn’t look up as he approached. He’d like to know her thoughts. “Do you mind?”
Her head jerked around. “Uh, sure. It’s your patio.”
Annoyance ran hot through him. “I wish you’d quit thinking like that. This is your home for as long as you stay. I want you to treat it that way.”
“I’ll try.”
“Don’t try. Accept it.” He took a chair beside her.
She pushed a leaf of lettuce around on her plate. “It just seems strange to live with someone you know so little about.”
“What do you want to know?” He bit into his sandwich. Was it so good because of the sliced ham and cheese or because Zoe had made it?
“I don’t know,” she said slowly, as if giving it thought. “What’s your favorite color?”
“Green.” Like your eyes, but he didn’t say that. “What’s yours?”
“Red. But I’m supposed to be asking you questions.”
He grinned. “Ever think I might like to learn a few things about you?”
“Okay, then. Do you like a dog or a cat?”
“Dog. Big dog. And you?” He looked up from the fork he was filling with salad and raised a brow in question.
“I always wanted a Labrador retriever but didn’t have a good place for one to live.” A dreamy look came over her face.
“Nice dogs. Good with children, I’ve heard.”
She focused on him again. “Favorite vacation spot?”
“I like the beach but the mountains are nice too. What I like is to be active and learn something wherever I go.”
“Learn something?” She pulled her sandwich apart and took the cheese off it.
“Yeah, I like taking trips centered around a subject where there are lectures and visits to places where events happened. History, social service, medical missions.”
Zoe nibbled at the cheese and then said, “I haven’t done that. Maybe I’ve been missing out on something.” She paused in a pensive manner before asking, “Where have you been on a medical mission?”
“I’ve made a couple of trips to South America, another to Arizona.”
“Oh!” Zoe jumped.
Gabe leaned forward, concern making him study her. “What’s wrong? You hurt somewhere?”
Her smile turned to a sweet, reflective one. “The baby kicked.”
He looked to where her hand rested. Despite being a doctor, the action filled him with awe.
She hissed and looked at him. “There it was again.”
“May I feel?” he asked softly. The need to know the small life growing in her would take him to his knees, begging, if that was what it took to get her to agree.
She nodded. He placed his hand where hers had been. There was nothing. Zoe flinched again but he didn’t feel anything. Placing her hand over the top of his, she moved it slightly and pressed. A second later there was a thump against his palm. His gaze snapped to meet hers. At that moment she took his heart.
He leaned forward with the intention of kissing her. But he’d promised. “Zoe...”
She wanted and deserved assurances he wasn’t prepared to give. He needed space. Gabe stood and picked up his plate. “Thanks for sharing that with me.”
Zoe looked at him with big wide eyes before he stalked away.
Fifteen minutes later he was on his way to the hospital.
* * *
Wednesday morning Zoe sat in the obstetrician’s office, waiting for the nurse to call her name. She’d not seen Gabe since Sunday afternoon. He’d been gone Monday by the time she’d gone to the kitchen. She’d heard him come in once but it had been late and she’d already been in bed.
His new job might be demanding but the thought had crossed her mind that maybe he was dodging her. She wasn’t sure why he would be but something about the way he’d abruptly left on Sunday made her question his actions.
She’d texted him the time of the appointment and the address. Maybe he’d changed his mind about being there. She wasn’t sure how she felt about that. His insistence had taken her by surprise. Although she knew she shouldn’t, she wanted to share the moment of discovery with him.
A nurse standing at the door leading back to the examination rooms called Zoe’s name. She searched the entrance to the outside of the building as disappointment filled her. Apparently Gabe wasn’t coming. After all he’d said about being involved and the one time she’d agreed, he wasn’t taking advantage of it. She’d let herself believe... What, she wasn’t sure. That there might be a chance for them? That Gabe could really care about the baby beyond being honor
able? Or that he could want to be there for her? All of it was just wishful thinking. Nothing based on reality.
She followed the nurse back to the examination room. Inside she sat on the table with shoulders slumped and waited. Her situation with Gabe reminded her of her relationship with Shawn and her father. She hadn’t been able to depend on them. They were unreliable, would hurt her. She saw it one way when in reality it was all another. With Gabe she needed to keep what was truth separated from wishful thinking.
Zoe had been waiting a few minutes when there was a quick rap on the door. Fully expecting the doctor, she was shocked to see Gabe step in. She couldn’t deny the joy surging into her chest. He had come.
“I’m sorry I’m late. I got tied up at the last minute,” he said, puffing as if he’d been running. He came to stand beside her. “Have I missed anything?”
His breathless enthusiasm made her smile. He was acting like a kid looking for a piece of candy. “No. The doctor hasn’t been in yet.”
“Good.” He sank into the only chair in the room.
Moments later the door opened and this time it was her doctor. He gave Gabe a questioning once-over.
Gabe stood and offered his hand. “Gabe Marks. I’m the baby’s father.”
Zoe didn’t miss the proud tone of his voice. Another gentle wave of happiness washed over her.
“Nice to meet you,” the doctor said, then turned to her. “This visit is the one where we do the anatomy ultrasound. The question is, do you want to know the sex?”
Before Zoe could speak Gabe said, “I’m more interested in knowing if Zoe and baby are all right.”
Tears sprang to Zoe’s eyes. She’d not expected that statement.
“That I can let you know as well, but I don’t anticipate a problem with either one of them.” The doctor smiled at her.
“That’s good to hear,” Gabe said, then looked at her. “We do want to know the sex, don’t we?”
Zoe nodded.
“Okay,” her doctor said. “The tech will be in in a few minutes to do the ultrasound. Then I’ll be back to do the examination.” That said, he left, closing the door behind him.