He rolled over once again and punched his pillow. Deep breaths. That would relax him so he could sleep.
Just as the creeping warmth of slumber began to soothe him, a jolt of adrenaline hit his stomach, and he sat up abruptly, his mouth dropped opened in surprise. His heart doing a rat-tat-tat in his chest and his mouth dry as a desert, he listened to the distinct sound of his world tumbling down around his ears.
“Goddamnit!”
Tori dragged her tired body out of bed. So far her stomach seemed all right. Maybe the nausea would all go away soon, but the fatigue never left her. She gazed longingly at the bed, but shook her head and proceeded to wash and dress for the day. Careful not to wake the girls, she tiptoed out of the bedroom and closed the door.
Silhouettes in the kitchen became familiar objects as she lit lamps around the room. She stopped taking ingredients out of the pantry when a light tap on the back door startled her. Who else would be up this early?
Holding a heavy pan, she eased the door open. Her heart lurched at the dark shadow leaning against the doorframe. The figure moved. Broad shoulders and a confident walk relieved her, although her relief was short-lived at the determined look on Jesse’s face.
“Good morning, Miss Henderson.”
She stepped back to let him enter. Now that he’d entered the lit room, the tense set of his jaw and the glint in his eyes as they traveled over her body worried her. His gaze settled near her waist.
Feeling naked, she tossed her head back. “What are you doing here?”
“You seem to ask that question a lot, ma’am. Is there any particular reason you don’t wish to see me?”
“What do you want, Jesse? I’m busy.” She headed to the pantry, and stopped abruptly when Jesse grabbed her arm.
He attempted to smile, but didn’t quite make it. “So how’s your stomach this morning?”
This conversation wasn’t doing too much for it. “It’s fine, thank you.”
He let go of her arm and began walking in circles, tapping his mouth with his index fingers. “What do you figure the problem is?” He stopped and regarded her. “Ah, stomach flu maybe?” He resumed pacing.
She shrugged her shoulders, eyeing him carefully. “Could be.”
“Well, let’s see.” He stopped again and settled his hands on his hips. “It could be stomach flu, true, or something you ate, or drank. Or it may be something else entirely.”
The blood drained from her face and she grasped her waist. Jesse’s eyes followed the movement and he smirked.
He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll go with you to the doctor today so we can determine exactly what is causing your stomach upset, and tiredness.” He snapped his fingers. “Oh, in case you’re wondering, Michael mentioned the sleepiness.”
“Michael has a big mouth,” she grumbled.
“Maybe so, but if you’re tired all the time and your stomach’s been acting up, you need to see a doctor. You have a lot of people depending on you, honey. We need to make sure you’re okay.”
“I may or may not go to the doctor. But if I do, I certainly don’t need you, Jesse Cochran, to parade me down there.”
He pushed away from the wall and walked toward her, his long legs eating up the space too quickly. He put his hands on her shoulders and pulled her close. “Yes, I do need to be there. I’m the father
of that child you’re carrying.”
Even though she suspected Jesse knew, hearing the words spoken out loud made it all so real and much more frightening. Covering her face, she groaned.
Jesse put his hand under her chin. “How long do you think you could have kept it from me? It’s not the kind of thing that remains a secret.”
She laid her head on his warm chest. “I know. I’m trying to figure out what to do, that’s all.”
“This isn’t something that you, alone, decide what to do. I know exactly what we’re going to do. Today you’ll get out your best dress, make sure all the kids are scrubbed and dressed in their finery, and we’re heading to Pastor Dave to get married.”
“Married!” Tori pulled back. “I’m not getting married.”
Jesse’s jaw tightened. “What did you think you were going to do? Have a baby without a husband? You’re a teacher. What do you suppose the school board would say?”
He inhaled a huge breath and ran his fingers through his hair. “Listen, Tori. You have no idea what you’re talking about.”