Chapter Twenty Two
Reid
My dad has a long road to recovery with these most recent health setbacks. I’ve taken some time off work to help him and my mom with getting him situated after being discharged from the hospital. We don’t have very many vets on staff and I feel bad about passing off my workload.
I’m helping my dad onto the couch when my phone starts vibrating in my back pocket.
I pull it out and see that it’s a call from an unknown number.
Starting to chalk it up as spam, I go to hit ignore, until I take note of the Chicago area code and remember my texts from the clinic.
To my absolute shock, it’s from Caroline and I nearly dropped my phone…
“Hello?” I answer, as calmly as I can, despite my racing heart.
“Reid? Hi, it’s Caroline.” My heart stops and restarts at her words. Why is she calling me?
“Hey, Cara—“ I clear my throat, “Caroline. What, uh, what can I do for you?”
She lets out a sigh. “I hate to ask you this—you just, you mentioned at the pharmacy that I could reach out if I needed anything—“
“I meant it. What’s up?” I pat my dad on the shoulder to grab his attention and gesture that I’m stepping out of the room. Walking into the kitchen, I lean back against the counter, pressing the phone tighter to my ear.
“This town is too small for Uber.” I huff a laugh and then she rushes out, “I promise I asked everyone else first, but my parents are at work and so is Kate and my car won’t start and—“
“Cara. Breathe. I take it you need a ride?”
She lets out a relieved exhale and I can almost picture the embarrassed pink tinge to her cheeks. “I have a doctor’s appointment in thirty minutes, yes. Is there any way you can drop me off?”
“Of course I can. I’m still on leave at my parent’s house,” I glance at my watch. “I can be over to pick you up in ten? Do you want me to help take a look at your car too?”
“Thanks, I really appreciate it!” She says exuberantly, “And I know nothing about cars, but you don’t need to worry about that.”
“I really don’t mind, but I will get ready to head to you.”
∞∞∞
Pulling up the rocky drive of Caroline’s pale ivory home is giving me flashbacks of the last time that I was here.
Memories of Mr. Baker coming down that sidewalk are still just as vivid as the day that the events occurred.
Pushing the flashbacks aside, I put the truck in park and hop out to open the passenger door for Caroline.
She is making her way down the driveway in a flowy pink floral dress and a thick white sweater cardigan over top.
“Oh, you don’t have to do that! Really I can get my own door,” she giggles.
“Who am I to make a pregnant woman climb into my truck unassisted? My momma taught me better than that.” I don’t take no for an answer. Taking her hand in mine to step up onto the runningboard, a jolt of heat goes through my chest at her touch.
“At least you showed up this time,” she mutters under her breath, so low I’m not sure if I imagined it entirely. The heat moves to my cheeks. She makes no further commentary and I have to presume it was in my head.
It’s only a ten minute drive to the office, but the first two minutes of awkward silence feel longer than that. Finally, I break the small talk barrier.
“So, how far along are you now?” Is that what you ask pregnant women? I don’t know how to do this.
“Twenty weeks. About half way there, though it feels like it’s been forever already.” Caroline responds, looking out the window.
“Oh, do you know the gender?” I ask, genuinely interested at this point.
“No, I’m not sure if I want to know.” She lifts a shoulder, “I guess I will find out today after this ultrasound. I have my anatomy scan to make sure he or she at least has ten fingers and toes.” She explains as we pull into the parking lot. I found a spot near the front and back my truck into it.
“Want me to come in with you?” I ask, unsure of where to go from here. Do I wait in the car?
“Oh, you don’t have to stay, I can find a ride home.” She says, like it’s nothing.
“Yeah, that’s not happening. I’m taking you home and then fixing your car.” I state, leaving no room for questions.
“Oh,” she looks down at the dashboard and I can see she’s biting the inside of her cheek, trying to hide her smile, “I mean, okay. I have no idea how long this one will take though—“
“I don’t mind—“ I cut her off.
Then she flashes me a grin and I swear in that moment, she could ask me to walk off the DuSable Bridge and I’d do so gladly.
“You should come sit in the lobby then so you’re not stuck in the car.”
“Say no more,” I say, hopping out of the truck to walk her in. I grab a seat in the waiting area while she goes up to the desk to check in and start scrolling emails on my phone. When our eyes meet, she flashes me a grin, finally accepting my help.