Читать книгу The Texan's Tiny Dilemma - Judy Christenberry, Judy Christenberry - Страница 10

It only took one look from Teresa to change Jim’s plans. He wasn’t going to demand anything. Because he’d seen fear in her eyes.

“Jim! What are you doing here?” she’d asked.

What had he done to make her fear him? And if he demanded the truth now, when she already feared him, she’d never admit his role in her pregnancy.

“I wanted to come by and see you. Mind if I come in?”

“But why are you off work? It’s too early for you—”

“I worked a lot of overtime last week. I thought I’d take off early today. And I wanted to offer my services to you.”

“Your services? I don’t need any accounting help.”

He smiled, gently moving into her house as she backed away from him. “I know that. But I thought there might be some things I could do for you…like a brother.”

“A brother?” Her voice wavered and Jim didn’t know if she was going to laugh or cry.

“You know, lift things, move things. I’ll pretend to be your brother while you’re pregnant. You can call on me for anything.”

They were still standing in the entryway. Jim didn’t think he was going to get any farther into her home.

“Well, that’s very thoughtful, Jim, but—”

Suddenly, a strange look came over her face and she felt her slightly protruding stomach.

“What is it? What’s wrong? Come on, let’s sit you down. This way,” he said as he moved her into the living room toward the sofa.

“No, it’s—I’m fine. I think I just felt the baby move—for the first time!” She beamed at him.

Jim wrapped his arms around her. “You scared me to death! That’s good, isn’t it? To feel the baby move?”

She eased herself out of his hold. “Yes, I’m sure it is. I’ll ask the doctor Wednesday.”

“What time is your appointment?”

“Two o’clock.”

“What did it feel like?” Jim asked as he urged her to sit down.

She gave him a confused look. “What?”

“What did the movement feel like?”

“Oh. Kind of like a butterfly. Just a fluttering.”

“Is that normal?”

“I think so. I haven’t known anyone who’s been pregnant. I can ask the doctor Wednesday.” She frowned at him. “It was nice of you to stop by, Jim, but really, I’m fine.”

“Good.” He looked around the cozy room, one he remembered so well from his visits here last summer. “I like your living room. It’s so comfortable. Hey!” he exclaimed. “Where’s your television?”

“My television? I have a portable I keep in my bedroom.”

“Is that the only one you have? What if you have someone over to watch television?”

“I don’t.”

“But the World Series starts this week. Aren’t you going to watch it?”

“I don’t know. Probably.”

Jim got an idea. He knew just what he could do for Teresa, and he wanted to get onto it right away. “Well, if you don’t need me, then…” He walked toward the door. “I’ll see you Wednesday.”

Teresa followed Jim to the door just in time to wave goodbye as he hurried to his car. What a strange visit. He wanted to be her brother? How would that work, when he was the father of her baby? Not that he knew that. Nor would he. She certainly wasn’t going to tell him.

As she turned from the door, she couldn’t help but think of the last time Jim Schofield was in her house. That summer night was forever emblazoned on her memory. It had certainly been different from today. Then Jim wasn’t looking to be her brother. Nor had she looked for fraternal affection from him. She’d tried her best that night to seduce him…and she’d succeeded. He’d given her the best night of her life.

Until he’d told her he didn’t want to see her again.

Her memory jogged, and she suddenly remembered his most recent remark. He’d see her Wednesday. What did he mean by that?

Had Tommie planned something for her entire family again? Teresa didn’t think sharing another meal with Jim was a good idea. She loved him, but he didn’t love her, nor did he want anything to do with her…except as a brother.

And that was impossible.

When Teresa came out to get in her car Wednesday for her doctor’s appointment, she remembered wondering what Jim had meant when he said he’d see her Wednesday.

Now she knew.

Jim’s luxury car was parked in her driveway behind her own economy car. His window was rolled down and he sat behind the wheel.

She slowly walked over to him. “Jim? What are you doing here?”

“I’m here to take you to your doctor’s appointment.”

Teresa frowned. “Why?”

“Because I thought you sounded a little apprehensive talking about the appointment when I was here on Monday. I didn’t think you should have to go through it alone.”

Teresa fought back the sudden tears that filled her eyes. She turned away from Jim so he couldn’t see them. “I’m afraid that’s not possible, Jim. Everyone at the doctor’s office would think you were the father. Rumors would start. Your mother would be appalled.”

“My mother will survive. We’ll tell everyone at the doctor’s office that I’m your brother. It’s almost true.”

That brother thing again, she thought. Why did he torture her with that? “No. Please back out so I can leave.” She turned and headed for her car.

Jim jumped out of his car and beat her to the door of her own. She thought he was being sweet and was going to open it for her. Instead, he leaned against it. “I’m not leaving.”

“Jim, you’re being unreasonable!”

“No, you’re the one being unreasonable. I just want to help you.”

“I don’t need your help.”

He stepped forward and put an arm around her shoulders. “You need someone’s help, and I’m the only one here. If your sisters had shown up, I’d back off. But they didn’t.”

“I told them I’d be fine. There was no need for them to take off work.”

“I agree. Come on, Teresa. Let me go with you.”

“Okay, you can drive me there, but you have to stay in the waiting room while I’m examined.”

“If that’s what you want,” he assured her as he opened his passenger door for her.

Once they were on their way, his gaze kept flitting to the side to catch a glimpse of her face. In a casual voice he said, “It seemed to me you were worried about what the sonogram might show. Am I right?”

“It’s going to be fine, I’m sure.”

He reached out and took her left hand in his, cradling it on his thigh. “Of course it is.”

When Teresa tried to withdraw her hand, he held it fast. Finally she stopped fighting him. After all, no one else could see, and it did give her some extra courage at the moment—and she needed that.

When they reached the doctor’s office, Teresa signed in, then sat down beside Jim. “It shouldn’t take too long. I’ll be his first patient after lunch.”

“That’s good. Does it embarrass you to be seen by a man?”

When she stared at him, he clarified. “I mean, the doctor is a man, isn’t he?”

“Well, yes, but…you know, the nurses drape me. He’ll only see my stomach today.”

“I’ve seen your stomach before, Teresa,” he whispered, watching her closely.

She turned a bright red. “Not like it is now.”

“Come on, Teresa, let me come in with you. I’ve never seen a sonogram before.”

“I—I don’t—”

“Miss Tyler?” the nurse called from the just-opened door.

Jim followed Teresa to the door. “I want to come in when the doctor does the sonogram. She’ll be properly draped, won’t she?”

“Yes, of course. But that decision is Miss Tyler’s, unless you’re the father?”

Jim looked from the nurse to Teresa, and she could feel her heart start to race. How was she supposed to answer that?

In Jim’s expression she could see how much she wanted to come in, to be a witness to the first sight of her baby. Their baby. Even though she couldn’t tell him he was going to be a father, she couldn’t in all good conscience deny him this opportunity. She swallowed the fear she tasted in her mouth and said to the nurse, “He’s just a good friend, but it’s okay with me if he comes in for the sonogram.” Then, without a glance in his direction, she headed down the hallway toward the examination rooms.

“All right, Miss Tyler, I’ll let the doctor know you’re ready. Are you excited?”

Teresa rubbed her damp hands on the white cloths covering her naked body as she lay on the exam table. “Yes…and a little apprehensive.”

The nurse reassured her. “I’m sure you have nothing to worry about. Shall I show your friend in now?”

“Oh, I—I—”

Before she could complete her thought, the nurse reminded her, “You did say he could come in, didn’t you?”

“Yes, but—”

“It will make you feel better to have him with you. I’ll go get him.”

She whisked out of the room, leaving Teresa even more alarmed than before. What if there was something wrong with her baby? The nurse said she’d gained quite a bit of weight, and the doctor might be concerned.

Now that she thought of it, she didn’t think it would be good for Jim to hang around. She might weaken and tell him it was his child. But she’d promised herself she wouldn’t do that. She didn’t want a man who had to be trapped. He should know about his child. But not now. Later, when she wasn’t pregnant.

The door opened and Jim came in smiling at her. “I appreciate you letting me come in, honey.”

Teresa tried to smile at him, but she didn’t quite pull it off.

He immediately came to her side and took her hand in his, as he had in the car. The warmth his hand provided began to seep through her. She would’ve been greatly embarrassed if his gaze had not remained on her face. But it did.

“It will be all right,” Jim promised.

She didn’t try to respond because the door opened again to allow Dr. Benson to enter, followed by the nurse.

“Mr. Schofield, if you’ll move to the other side of Miss Tyler, it will make our job easier,” the nurse assured him, smiling at him.

Teresa wondered if she was flirting with Jim. He was an attractive man, tall, muscular with dark hair and the most beautiful hazel eyes she’d ever seen. She could understand why the young nurse would be interested. After all, hadn’t he stolen her own heart when he wasn’t even trying. Foolish her.

The doctor began chatting about her pregnancy, and Teresa was forced to take her mind off Jim. But he continued to hold her hand.

“You’ve gained a couple more pounds than I expected, my dear. Have you been doing a lot of munching between meals? You have to watch that. We want a healthy baby, you know.”

“Yes, doctor,” Teresa said, biting her bottom lip.

He must’ve seen her uneasiness. “Well, now, I’m sure you’ll be careful. The nurse is going to put some petroleum jelly on your stomach so we can get a picture of your baby.”

Teresa clutched Jim’s hand as if it were a lifeline. She didn’t bother looking at him to make sure he wasn’t staring in disgust at her stomach. Instead she kept her eyes on the nurse’s movement. The jelly felt a little cold and a bit slimey. But she so badly wanted to see her baby and make sure it was all right.

“Now I’m going to press down on your stomach,” Dr. Benson said. “It may be a little uncomfortable, but it will ensure a good picture. You watch the monitor.”

Teresa fastened her eyes on the small screen. When the picture came through, they all watched closely.

“Well, well, well,” the doctor said a few moments later, beaming a broad smile at Teresa. “I see now why you picked up the extra pounds. I should’ve expected this. After all, you are a triplet.”

Good thing she was lying down, or the news might have knocked her to her back. Was he saying what she thought he was? “Dr. Benson, does this mean…Am I having…”

He nodded his head. “Twins.”

Not one baby, but two? What Tommie had feared about her relationship with Pete—a multiple birth—had come true for her.

She sobered suddenly as a fearsome thought hit home. Would Jim think he was the father? After all, he was a twin. She tried to remove her hand from his. After getting this profound news, she couldn’t face another pronouncement right now.

Thankfully she heard the doctor ask, “Do you want to know the sex of your babies?”

Jim squeezed her hand. She didn’t know what that meant, but she’d made her decision before she arrived at the doctor’s office. “Yes, I do.”

The doctor beamed down at her. “You’re having twin boys, my dear. Your life is going to be very busy.”

“Yes,” Teresa agreed, avoiding Jim’s gaze. Twin boys. She didn’t know anything about boys. No, she corrected herself, that wasn’t true. She had about fifteen of them every year in her kindergarten class. But sons? She was having two sons?

As if sensing how overwhelmed she was, the kindly sexagenarian doctor patted her hump. “Now, I’m going to go to my office. After the nurse cleans you up and you get dressed, she’ll show you to my office and we’ll have a little talk. I can answer any questions you might have.”

“Thank you, doctor.” She waited for the nurse to take Jim back to the waiting room.

“Mr. Schofield, is it? You want to wait in my office for Teresa?” the doctor asked.

Teresa wanted to scream no. Jim had no business being in the consultation with them.

However, before she could protest, he bent over and kissed her forehead and accepted the doctor’s invitation.

“So, the babies are all right?” Jim asked Dr. Benson as he followed him into the office. “And Teresa?”

“All three are in perfect shape.” The doctor sat in his leather chair and smoothed his tie over his chest. “Mr. Schofield, if you don’t mind my asking, how are you related to this situation?”

“I’m Teresa’s sister’s husband’s brother,” Jim said. “I came with her as a friend, sort of as her brother.”

The doctor nodded his head, and began jotting some notes in a file. He didn’t look up as he spoke. “I think under the circumstances we’d better wait until Teresa comes in. But I hope you will continue to offer her support. It won’t be easy to raise two little boys by herself.”

“I’m a twin myself,” Jim said. At that, the doctor picked up his head, fully attentive. Jim knew what the man was thinking. A mother who was a triplet—and a father who was a twin? But Jim revealed nothing. He had no right to divulge the truth. Only Teresa could do that.

“Really?” Dr. Benson intoned, trying for mildly interested. “Then you’ll be a lot of help.”

Jim wanted that responsibility. Though he’d never pictured himself married, he was willing to take that leap so that he could be involved in his sons’ lives. He’d never deny his kids. He’d also never regret them. Though this complicated situation was created out of his own stupidity, Jim vowed to do what was right.

The door opened and Teresa, again dressed in a turquoise dress that made her blue eyes look huge, stepped into the office.

“Come in, my dear. I’m so pleased with your pregnancy. Now, do you have any questions?”

Teresa stared first at the doctor and then at Jim.

Before she could speak, Jim reminded her, “Don’t you want to ask about the baby, I mean babies, moving?”

“You felt the babies moving?” Dr. Benson asked.

“I felt what I would describe as a flutter. It worried me,” she admitted.

“That’s a good sign. Perfectly normal. Now, I want you to continue your normal activities, but don’t push yourself. A nap every day would be good. Pamper yourself, but don’t overeat.”

“Yes, doctor.”

“Do you have any other questions?”

“I—I can’t think of any others,” she said faintly.

“Good. But you call if you’re worried about something. I think the best thing for your babies is to have a happy mom. You should be spoiled and cared for. Mr. Schofield has promised—as your brother, sort of—to be sure you’re cared for. I’m holding him to his promise.”

“No! He isn’t my—It’s not his responsibility. I can take care of myself!”

“That’s exactly what I mean,” the doctor said as Teresa jumped from her chair. “It’s not good for the babies or for you to get agitated.”

Teresa sank back into her chair, assisted by Jim, and took deep breaths. “I’m sorry. I’ll be careful. My sisters will check in on me. That will be sufficient.”

In a fatherly manner, the doctor said, “My dear, you should never turn down a friend. We all need any help we can get.”

Jim watched Teresa’s jaw tighten, just as it had when he’d asked who was the father of her babies. “She’ll be careful, doctor. She loves children.”

“Good.” He stood and held out his hand first to Teresa and then to Jim. “Let me know if you have any questions.”

Teresa nodded and headed out of his office, not waiting for Jim. He sighed but caught up with her. “Teresa, are you mad at me?”

“Yes, I am. You had no right to talk to my doctor. You’re poking your nose in where it doesn’t belong.”

“We didn’t discuss anything except that I’m a twin. Unlike you, he didn’t feel I was being nosy.” About the time he finished that statement, he noticed she was carefully carrying a paper. “What’s that?”

A warm flush covered her cheeks. “A copy of the sonogram. The nurse printed it out for me.”

Jim hadn’t realized Teresa would have a picture. “May I see?”

“You were there, Jim.”

“I know, but…it all went by so fast.”

They had reached his car and he held open the door for her. Then he circled the car to get behind the wheel. Without a word, Teresa handed over the sonogram picture.

Jim noted that his hands were shaking as he took the picture of his sons. There they were. Two baby boys. “Dear God, Teresa, this is so wonderful. You might have preferred triplets, but…” His voice trailed off as he looked at the two small shapes.

“No. I’ll have to struggle to manage with two boys. Three would do me in,” she said with a small smile.

“And now, more than ever, I want to help you. After all, I’m a male twin. I can give you advice, help you deal with…anything.”

She closed her eyes and laid her head against the headrest. “I don’t need any help, Jim. Please take me home.”

He carefully put the picture back in her lap and started the car. “Are you going to show your sisters the picture?” he asked.

“Probably, the next time I see them.”

“But—”

“Jim, these are my babies and my decision. They don’t have to know immediately. The babies and I aren’t going anywhere!”

Jim pressed his lips together to stop himself from arguing with her. That was the last thing she needed. It would make her blood pressure go up.

When they reached her house, she got out of the car before he could reach her door. As she started for her house, he said, “You unlock the door. I’m going to get something out of the trunk.”

Teresa turned around to stare at him. “What? I don’t need anything.”

“I’ll be right there.” He took a large flat box out of the car and started toward her.

Teresa stared at the box, unable to figure out what it could be. Then she saw the writing on it. That couldn’t be a television.

Jim hefted the box through the door while she held it open. Then she followed him into the living room.

“Jim, what is that? What are you doing?”

“I thought I’d loan you a television for your living room, so you can rest.”

“I have a television in my bedroom. I can rest there. Besides, that’s too flat for a television.”

“It’s a new—uh, relatively new plasma television. And it has that new picture. I’ll just hang it on the wall.” He put down the box and looked around. “May I take down this picture?”

“Jim, I don’t need a television. And I like that painting.”

“Sit down and take deep breaths, Teresa. Let me just show you how this will work.” He removed the picture and went about hanging the TV in its place. A while later he moved back and picked up the remote control. A blast of noise came out of the flat television, cheering as the camera panned the audience at a baseball game.

“The game’s on already?” Teresa asked, immediately captured by the big screen and sharp clarity.

“Yeah. It just started.”

Teresa reluctantly turned from the television to look at Jim. “I really don’t need this television. I don’t want to take it away from you.”

“The doctor said you should be pampered,” Jim reminded her. “I’m just following his directions. Mind if I stay and watch the game?”