I kissed her. “Try to keep me away.”
Six months later
I patted Lucy’s head. “She’s doing great, Mrs. Thomas.” I made a note on the chart. “Hopefully I won’t see her again for another year.” Escorting her to the front, I smiled. “Caitlin will send you the reminder. If you need anything before then, we’re here.”
“Thanks, Dr. Spencer.” She beamed in gratitude. “Oh, hello, Mrs. Spencer!”
I looked up, surprised to see Avery. It was only two o’clock. Moving forward, I wrapped my arm around her, bending to kiss her cheek.
She surprised me by turning her head, pressing her mouth to mine. Hard.
Her eyes were dancing when she drew back, smiling. “Hi,” she whispered.
“Hi, your own sweet self. This is a nice surprise.” I nuzzled her lips. “You okay?”
She had been fighting the flu the past week or so, sleeping a lot, and her appetite had been off.
“Yep. I’m good. Caitlin says Steven can handle the rest of the afternoon after your next patient. Can you come home?”
I tightened my arm. “You sure you’re okay?”
She nodded. “Come home as soon as you can.”
I watched her leave. She didn’t seem upset. She didn’t seem anxious or worried. She was calm, and her eyes were clear. Maybe she simply wanted my company—or even better, perhaps she wanted something else.
During the past months, we tried so hard not to let the romance leave our lovemaking. While it was never a chore to make love to my wife, there were times it was frustrating
for both of us to have to schedule it. We preferred spontaneity. Maybe Avery was feeling . . . frisky, which meant she was feeling better. Maybe we needed to saddle up Zen and take a short ride to our beach. However, a glance out the window changed my mind. It looked as if it would start to rain soon.
Oh, well. A warm soak in the tub or a hot steamy shower would work, as well. We’d gotten good in each of those places.
Whistling, I walked to my office. “Let me know as soon as Mr. Warren’s here, Caitlin. My wife is waiting.”
I heard her chuckle as I sat at my desk and transcribed the last patient file, grateful the next animal was for a vaccination. I’d be home soon.
It started to rain while I walked the short distance to the house. I found Avery sitting at the kitchen table, sipping a cup of tea, a plate of her cupcakes in front of her. I poured myself a cup and grabbed one of the treats, leaning over to kiss her as I sat down. “Tea? That’s unusual for you.”
She spoke over the edge of her cup. “Easier on the stomach.”
“Um, I think you should go see the doctor, Avery. It’s been a week, maybe even more.”
“Good idea. You can come with me.”
I blinked, and was sure my mouth dropped open. She rarely agreed when I worried about her.
Still smiling, she dropped a couple sugar cubes in my tea and handed me a spoon. “We’ll go next week. Tuesday, in fact.”
“Avery—”
“Stir your tea, Daniel.”
Frowning, I mixed in the sugar, wondering why it was so freaking important right now. I tapped the edge of the spoon on the cup with a little more pressure than needed, glancing down at the spoon as it slipped from my fingers, the light glinting off the silver. It wasn’t one of our regular spoons—it had writing on it. I tilted my head and picked up the spoon to study it closer. My eyes widened as I read the small inscription.
YOU’RE GOING TO BE A DADDY
My head snapped up to meet Avery’s glowing countenance.
“Sprite?”