26. Chapter 26
Chapter twenty-six
Isla’s appointment was Monday afternoon.
She’d booked it for her lunch hour. Kech looked amused when she walked in the room as a patient, since she’d just been there as his nurse twenty minutes ago.
“So, Siobhan, what brings you in to see me today? I’ve just had the chance to look over your medical file. Everything looks good.”
Isla smiled shyly. The fact that she was his employee added a whole layer to this patient-doctor relationship. “Well, now that I’m here, I wanted to get set up with a GP in the area—and that’s you. There won’t be a problem, will there?”
“Well, Leslie didn’t seem to think so when she made the appointment,” Kech said, laughing. “I mean, of course not.”
Isla bit her lip. “Kech, before we even get started, I need to tell you…that I’m pregnant. I took a pregnancy test three weeks ago and it was positive.”
Kech’s eyes softened as he took in the information. He said warmly, “Well, let’s get you up on the table and have a look. Do you know how far along you are?”
“Three months,” she said, lying back on the exam table.
Kech rubbed his hands together to warm them, then touched her belly as she answered him. “How have you been feeling? Any cramping? How’s the morning sickness? Dizziness, anything like that?”
“As far as I can tell, I’m textbook. I was pregnant once before when I was twenty.
I had a miscarriage in my first trimester, but my OB/GYN wasn’t too concerned at the time about my chances to carry a healthy pregnancy in the future,” Isla said.
Her heart still ached for the baby she’d lost back then, but she had a feeling this baby was sticking around.
“I was dizzy a few times in the beginning, but that’s gone away.
I was getting morning sickness every day up until last week and now it’s sporadic. I only got sick twice last week.”
“That would explain the club crackers for lunch,” Kech chuckled.
He motioned for her to sit up. “Well, you’re definitely about twelve weeks along, let’s get you set up with prenatal vitamins, and I’d like to do bloodwork.
The next time you come in, we’ll do a sonogram and we’ll see how the little one is doing. ”
“Thanks, Kech,” Isla said, smiling. “I’d appreciate it if we kept this quiet for a few weeks. I’ll let everyone know after we do the sonogram.”
“That won’t be a problem. If you think something isn’t right, you let me know. Don’t hesitate.”
“I will, I promise,” she said.
Kech looked once more at her file. His brow furrowed. “Siobhan, we haven’t talked much about your personal life and I don’t mean to pry, but as your doctor, whatever you tell me is strictly confidential. Is the baby’s father in the picture?”
Tears filled her eyes as she told him, “He’s not in the picture and he won’t be. I’m doing this on my own.”
Kech put a hand on her shoulder. Warm and steady. “Siobhan, I’m here for you. We’re here for you. If you need anything at all, you just need to ask.”
Life fell into a routine. Isla went to work, visited her parents twice a week, and prepared the baby’s room.
She had a sonogram before her next appointment.
Kech assured her all was well. The little bean didn’t give them the view they needed to see if it was a boy or a girl, but she was fine with that.
It didn’t matter to her. She just wanted to hold her baby in her arms and dream of the man that held her heart.
There were times when the tears came, and she wouldn’t deny them.
Her hormones were all over the board, anyway. But she missed Mitch so much.
Kech and Leslie had become somewhat like family to her.
She had told Leslie about her pregnancy after her sonogram.
Leslie had given her a sly smile and said, “Don’t think I didn’t know long before now.
I can spot a pregnant woman a mile away no matter how far along she is.
I’ve been in this business since before you were born. When is the precious bundle due?”
Isla laughed. “My bundle is due in late August. That’s only five months away. I hope I’m ready by then.”
“You’ll be ready, you needn’t worry. We’ll get you all set up.
Now about a babysitter…” Isla smiled at Leslie—she knew the woman would have the answer to her problem.
“My sister Dawn—that’s Kech’s mother—can babysit for you.
She loves babies and, at the moment, she’s baby-free.
We’ll talk to her this weekend. I’ll have the two of you over for tea on Saturday night and we can get that settled so it’s one less thing you have to worry about. ”
Isla felt her shoulders drop with relief. “Leslie, can I ask you a question about Kech?”
“Sure, honey.”
“Why hasn’t Kech ever married?”
“He was engaged once. Her name was Sunrise. She lived on the reservation. They went to school together. When he moved to the city to go to college, she followed. When he decided to come home to practice, she dumped him like a hot potato. She wanted the glamour of being a doctor’s wife and that wasn’t going to happen if he came back here.
He’s had a few girlfriends since then, but nothing that stuck.
I’m still hoping that there’s someone out there for him.
I don’t want to see him alone for the rest of his life.
He’d make a great husband and dad, for the right girl. ”
“He is a good guy. I hope he finds that special someone. No one should be alone in this world.”
“What about you, sweetie?” Leslie asked. “You haven’t mentioned anyone since I’ve known you and I don’t think you did this on your own.”
“I had someone special, yes,” Isla said, looking down. She couldn’t meet Leslie’s kind eyes. “He’s the love of my life. But circumstances beyond our control…He doesn’t know about the baby. It wouldn’t be fair to him if he knew.”
“Siobhan, if you ever need to talk, I’m here for you,” said Leslie. “I’m not going to pry. I’m sure you have your reasons. I’m not here to judge you.”
Isla knew that was true. Leslie was a true friend—and if there’s one thing Isla knew about, it was stitching a family together out of colorful patches.
Before she knew it, August had arrived. The baby’s room was complete. Isla’s son should be here within the next few weeks.
Isla felt as big as a house. She wanted to work up until she had the baby.
Kech and Leslie were following her around like lost puppies at work.
Kech wanted her to take off some time, but she wanted to work as long as she could so that she could spend more time with the baby.
She did stop working at the hospital in Billings.
She didn’t want to go into labor on the road.
Kech thought she would be able to work full-time after the baby was here, at the clinic.
He said she was indispensable. She knew the real reason—he needed her so he could have a life of his own.
He’d been seeing the new teacher in town on a regular basis.
Isla and Leslie agreed that she could be the one.
So Kech’s mom, Dawn, would watch the baby during the day.
Isla’s parents stayed with her pretty much every weekend. On their last visit, they had decided to move to Hardin to be close to her. They had put their name on the waiting list at the senior apartment complex in town, and an apartment would be available soon.
Isla couldn’t help but feel her family circle was almost complete. Almost. As complete as it would ever be.
Ciara and Steve were waiting in the driveway when Isla got home from work. Surprised, she pulled alongside their car and pried herself out of the driver’s seat. Ciara’s chin nearly hit the floor when she saw Isla waddle toward the car.
“Oh my God, Siobhan,” Ciara gasped. “When were you going to tell us? I’ve called you every week for the last six months and you haven’t said a word. I’m glad we stopped to see how you were doing. We had business in Billings and thought we’d come for a visit.”
“It’s good to see you both,” Isla said. She’d tried to hide this from the authorities, but she knew now that she’d just have to tell the truth.
There was nothing more she could lose. As for Mitch—she was sure Ciara and Steve wouldn’t report it.
Her time with them assured her that they were information-as-needed people.
“As you can tell, I’m fine. Ready to burst, but fine.
Come on in. I’ll fill you in on the details over tea. ”
After telling Ciara and Steve her story, she made them promise to keep it to themselves.
She didn’t want Mitch to find out what was happening.
If he found out, he’d be there in a second and she couldn’t have him taking that chance.
He’d be all tangled up in her mess, losing his livelihood and even putting his own life in danger.
She wouldn’t be able to live with herself.
Ciara and Steve exchanged a long look. They said if Mitch knew, they could include him in the witness protection program as well.
Isla violently shook her head. No, his life and his work were too important for him to just walk away from.
She knew what it was like to have to start over. She didn’t want that for him.
“Siobhan, if we can do anything to make this easier for you, don’t hesitate to ask. Really, are you okay with all this?” Ciara asked.
“I’m fine,” said Isla. “I’ve got a good life here.
I love my work and I’ve made some really good friends.
I will always love Mitch—that’s not going to change.
But he needs to live his life and I need to live mine.
Our son will be enough for me. I’ll build a good life for him here. ” Tears flooded her eyes.
Ciara and Steve stayed for a little while longer before saying their goodbyes.
“Call us when you have the baby and remember, anything, we’re here for you,” Steve smiled down at her.
Isla remembered her first impression of him: so serious and by the book.
Now he held her greatest secret in his hands, and she trusted him with it.
“I know you are and I’m grateful,” Isla said, waving her goodbye to them.
Closing the door behind them, she leaned against it, tears filling her eyes. How she missed Mitch. The hole in her heart would never heal. She would repeat the word fine for the rest of her life, even as she ached. Isla rubbed her hand over her belly and sighed.
“We’ll be fine, baby,” she said to her wiggling son within her. “With you in my life, I can survive anything. I’ll protect you always.”
Isla went to work at the clinic the next day. She worked until lunch, but she’d felt funny since she’d woken up that morning. She was sure that was to be expected. Her body was getting ready to deliver a baby. So feeling weird was probably nothing to be concerned about.
She’d just finished stocking the cabinet in one of the exam rooms when a sharp cramp had her doubling over. Water ran down her legs and puddled around her feet.
Kech entered the room. He guided her to a chair. “Well, it looks like we’re having a baby today. How are you feeling?”
Isla stared at the puddle in fear. “Kech, I’m not due for another two weeks. I’m scared.”
“You’re fine,” Kech said easily. “This boy just wants out, that’s all.
He’ll be fine, he’s already a good size.
There’s nothing to concern yourself about.
Let’s get you comfortable—we could be in for a long ride.
We usually are with first babies. I’ll go get Leslie.
You’re not alone here, Siobhan. I’m here for you as well. After all, he is my nephew.”
His smile reassured her. She and her baby were in good hands, the best. And she wasn’t alone anymore.
Thirteen hours later, Jesse Mitchell O’Grady came screaming into the world. The name Jesse meant “gift”—that’s exactly what he was. She gazed down at her miracle.
Tears fell as Isla felt the loss of Mitch more acutely than she had ever felt it before.
Alone in the room with her precious boy, she voiced aloud her love for him.
“Mitch, he’s beautiful. I think he looks like you.
I promise I’ll love him enough for both of us and I’ll protect him with my life.
I wish you were here to hold him and love him. I will never stop loving you.”
As she held her baby, she thought, This is the person I’d die to live for.
Isla’s parents were at the cottage as Kech helped her out of the car. He grabbed the car seat and her overnight bag. She couldn’t have asked for a better friend. He’d been there every step of the way.
“Abigail said she’s bringing dinner over this evening,” Kech said as he put the baby seat on the porch step. She could see the way he blushed just saying his girlfriend’s name.
“She didn’t have to do that,” Isla smiled.
“She wanted to. She said it would give her an excuse to see Jesse.”
“She’s probably so busy with the start of school next week. She’s a sweetheart.”
“That she is. She’s special,” Kech smiled, giving her his arm to lean on.
“Is she now? Is she the one, Kech?” Isla asked with a knowing look.
“I think she is. It’s a little too soon for me to hope that it is. But every time I see her, I think that she’s everything I could ever hope for.”
“Don’t wait too long, Kech,” she giggled.
“You’ve been in my mother’s company too often these past few days!” said Kech.
Isla shook her head. “I just want you to be happy. You mean so much to me and if you think she’s special, I say go for it. What do you have to lose?”
“My heart?” he said quietly as they stood by the door. Isla thought about how she’d given her heart, and how it had been broken. And how she didn’t regret any of it, because it brought her here—to the doorstep of her own cottage with her beautiful son.
“She isn’t Sunrise, Kech. Don’t do that to yourself. If she didn’t want to be here, she wouldn’t. Take the chance. True love only happens once in a lifetime if you’re lucky. Don’t let it slip through your fingers.”
Kech nodded his head. He’d heard her. “Well, let’s get this little boy home, shall we?”
And they opened the door to the newest chapter of Isla’s life.