Chapter 11
The examination was taking too long, Bryson thought dazedly as he watched the doctor run the instrument over Julianne's stomach.
Apparently, he was not the only one worried.
She was gripping his hand with hers in a death grip as they both watched the monitor.
They were getting married in two days, hopefully.
He did not want anything to go wrong. He kept expecting something to come up, something to do with the ranch, that he could handle, but not if anything was wrong with her.
He also was ashamed that he kept expecting her to change her mind.
He had brought her a stunning square-cut diamond, which she was wearing on her ring finger.
She kept reassuring him that she was committed, but past experience still had him looking around corners and expecting her to leave. He was terrified of her leaving.
"Well?" Unable to bear the silence anymore, he blurted it out.
"Strong heartbeat," Dr. Hawthorne informed them with a pleased smile. "Everything looks normal. No signs of spotting, which is very good. I still want you to take it easy, but you don't have to spend all your time lying in bed. In fact, I recommend some light exercises. Walking is best."
Julianne let out a gusty sigh of relief and loosened her grip on Bryson's hand.
"We're getting married on Saturday."
"I'm aware," the doctor replied with a slight smile at Bryson. "I received my invitation and my wife and I are looking forward to being there. I haven't been to a barn dance in ages."
"So you foresee no problems for Saturday?" Bryson persisted. He wanted to make sure that they were cleared for Saturday.
"None whatsoever. I would not recommend flying anywhere though. I suggest you keep the honeymoon local for now."
"And sex?"
Both men stared at her in surprise at the question.
"What?" Julianne asked, giving her fiancé a pointed look. "You were thinking it. I consider it prudent to ask. Well, doc? Will we be able to celebrate the wedding day with a wedding night?"
Liking her spunk and her direct manner, Dr. Hawthorne flashed her a grin. "You will be."
"Thank you."
"You're most welcome." His smile faded. "I'm going to be writing scripts for some iron supplements and some more anti-nausea pills.
You're a little anemic, nothing to worry about.
" He hastened to assure them as they both stared at him.
"Just a precaution. You're almost three months pregnant and after the scare we had, we're taking every step to ensure there isn't another. "
"Brian!" she squealed as soon as they arrived back at the ranch. He was just hopping out of a rental, a red and blue sports jacket slung casually over his left shoulder. The wind had tousled his hair into artful disarray, and his eyes were sparkling as he came forward and lifted her off the ground.
"Darling, you look positively fabulous." Putting her down, he held her away from him so he could study her face.
Tamping down the unexpected spurt of jealousy at the other man's familiarity with his fiancée, Bryson stepped back and allowed them their space.
He had to remind himself that the man was gay.
The first time he had met her, they had arrived at the function together.
Julianne had to spend some time convincing him that Brian was her friend, just her friend and nothing more.
Now seeing them together did something to him. He was getting paranoid and jealous and it did not sit well with him.
"Welcome to our home." His voice was scrupulously polite as he interrupted the man's thorough examination of his woman.
"It's a delightful place." Brian firmly tucked Julianne's arm through his, instinctively realizing that the rangy and completely hot cowboy did not like it one bit.
"All this land that stretches for miles.
Now, if you don't mind, I would love to have a minute alone with this exquisite woman. How was the doctor's visit?"
Bryson was somewhat mollified when Julianne disengaged herself from the annoying bastard and came over to kiss him goodbye.
"See you for supper?"
"I'll try." He held her a moment longer, his gaze possessive. "I still have some things to take care of." He shot Brian a cool warning look. "She needs rest."
"I'll make sure she gets more than enough of it," Brian told him airily, not in the least bit perturbed by the man's intimidating stance.
Ignoring him, Bryson pulled her into his arms and gave her a kiss, steamy enough to raise her blood pressure. With one last smug look at Brian, he turned on his heels and walked towards the barn.
"Well, that certainly showed me." With a laugh, Brian snagged her hand and proceeded towards the wide wraparound porch with the towering columns.
"What?"
"Your man made his position clear. That kiss was for my benefit."
Julianne eyed him wryly. "You were baiting him."
"And had so much fun doing so." He kissed her cheek. "Now let's see this mansion of yours and you can introduce me to the wicked witch who inhabits its four walls."
"Please behave."
"Oh, darling, I'll be on my best behavior."
And he was. To her amused surprise, he charmed Barbara, exclaiming over the décor and the stunning artworks on the walls.
He made a further impression by admiring the delicate glassware she had spent years collecting.
She was so pleased with him; she made a point of asking if there was anything special he wanted for supper.
"I've instructed one of the maids to unpack your things and put them away. There's also a tray ready to be taken up to your room."
"Barbara, darling, what a treasure you are."
Julianne watched as the woman pinkened, her smile coming readily.
"Thank you. We've put you in the coral suite. If it's not to your liking, please let me know."
Taking her hands, Brian pressed them gently. "I'm sure it's perfect. The place is stunning."
"I will see you at supper," she told him with a pleased smile.
"You're good," Julianne murmured as they made their way up the spiral staircase.
"The best," he cheerfully concurred. "Why don't you step into my coral suite and check out the dress?"
With a laugh, Julianne realized how much she had missed his sharp wit and how happy she was that he had come.
"God! Just looking at him makes me exhausted.
Doesn't he slow down?" Even though he had been slightly derisive about the airs his hostess had been putting on, the room was indeed a delight.
And it was aptly named. The coral was a lovely splash of color inside the impressive room.
Deep-cushioned chairs faced the bed, with the closet doors thrown wide open to reveal shelves.
The bathroom was of particular delight, and he promised himself that as soon as he was able, he would take advantage of the quaint and charming claw-footed bath.
"Not if he can help it." Julianne wandered over to the window to gaze out at the magnificent sight of her man handling a very spirited mare.
He had tied his hair back into a stubby ponytail and had removed his denim jacket.
He was sweating, the long-sleeved plaid clinging to his chest and broad shoulders.
With a sigh, Brian shook his head. "I don't need to ask about the sex. That man seems able to handle anything. Look at the ass on him."
"Watch it!" Julianne warned, poking him in the ribs. "I'm the only one who's supposed to be admiring that part of him."
"Honey, with a man who looks like that, you'd better be prepared to have men and women admiring the package." He grinned at the look she cast him. "He's gorgeous."
"And all mine."
"Yes, he is." He took another pleasurable minute admiring Bryson before dragging Julianne towards the padded sofa.
"Now tell me everything that's been happening since you got here.
" Pulling the tray towards them, he offered her iced tea while he chose a very yummy-looking pink and white heart-shaped pastry and bit into it with delight.
"Lord, this is sinful. How do you eat the food and still look like a scarecrow? "
"You're forgetting that I'm pregnant and my eating habits are contrary." She chose a tiny crustless cucumber sandwich and bit into it.
"I keep forgetting that you're knocked up. You're still not showing."
"Which is a blessing, considering the dress is so form-fitting. A little more room would have been helpful," she complained.
"And spoil the shape of that exquisite dress? Not likely. Now dish."
Dinner was a delightful affair with Brian carrying on most of the conversation. Bryson had called to apologize that he would not be able to make it back in time.
"But I'm sure I won't be missed," he said half-teasingly. "You and your friend have a lot of catching up to do."
"We do, actually. But that does not mean I won't miss seeing your darling face at the table."
"I'll make it up to you later," he promised.
Brian had several outrageously funny stories that he paraded out to keep them entertained.
He commented on the excellent cuisine and admired Barbara for running a very efficient household.
To Julianne's further surprise, she realized the woman had dressed with special care for supper and primped and preened when Brian admired her winter green pantsuit.
Beside her, wearing a simple blue-and-white striped dress, Julianne could not help but feel slightly frumpy.
They lingered over dessert and coffee, with Julianne having tea. When she excused herself, expecting that Brian would do the same, she was told to go on up without him.
"I'm sure Barbara would not mind my company for a bit longer," he said with a charming smile at the woman.
"Of course not." Barbara beamed. "Go on up, my dear. I'm sure you're exhausted."
With a lifted brow at Brian, she left the room and went upstairs.
She was creaming her skin an hour later when Bryson came in.
"Hi." Coming up behind her, he kissed the back of her neck in greeting. "How was dinner?"