After he pulled away, she said, “Even if there’s a high chance I’ll end up with another miscarriage?”
“We’ll do everything we can to prevent that,” he assured her. He began stroking her hair. “The last time you were pregnant, you were with Richard. Living with him must’ve been hellish, but things would be different with me.”
Paige clasped his fingers and finally smiled at him. “You’re right. The last time I took that pregnancy test, I cried for an hour because I knew I’d have to go at this alone. I like the idea about asking for another doctor’s opinion.”
“We’ll schedule an appointment at Grace Medical right away,” Gunner insisted. He kissed the top of her head and simply held her for the next few moments.
“So, what did you bring us for lunch?” Paige asked in a light-hearted voice.
“Burgers and fries, but I can get you something else.”
“Those sound divine.”
While they set out their food on the cashier table, Gunner had a brilliant thought. If Paige was going to bear him a son or daughter, then they might as well tie the knot. He’d known since he saw her after so many years that he’d never let her get away this time. Gunner knew he shouldn’t keep his hopes up about the baby, but his gut instinct told him Paige would be able to bring a healthy son or daughter to the world.
“Gunner?” Paige asked, touching his unshaven cheek.
He realized he had only taken a few bites of his burger, but she had finished hers. She was already working on her fries.
“Penny for your thoughts?” she asked him.
“I’m thinking,” Gunner said, placing his hand over hers, “that we should go all the way.”
“Allthe way?” Paige asked with a raise of her eyebrows.
“You’ll see,” Gunner said. He finished his lunch. Agatha had returned by then, and Paige was telling her about the good news. Paige’s boss seemed excited by the news.
“I’ll swing by later to pick you up once your shift has ended,” Gunner told Paige.
“You will? I thought we’d just meet back at the clubhouse. Don’t you have a meeting to go to with King?” Paige asked him.
“See you tonight, baby,” Gunner said, then blew her a kiss.
Then he left the bookstore in a hurry. King and he were meeting two bikers from the Chaos Riders MC, an allied club, at the local watering hole. When Gunner entered the bar, he saw King and two other bikers.
Gunner arrived just in time. He sat in on that meeting, but his mind drifted. He kept picturing Paige lying in a hospital bed, with a baby in her arms, urging him to hold their son or daughter.
That dream felt so real, so vivid.
The meeting ended before Gunner knew it. The members of the Chaos Riders MC had left. King finished his beer and asked, “What’s eating you? You were daydreaming the entire time.”
Gunner sipped his untouched beer and told King about Paige’s news, about the problems they might encounter in the future, and his plans to propose to her.
“Wow,” King finally said. “Fine, you can be excused for not paying attention during that meeting. I know the head of pediatrics at Grace Medical. I’ll give Dr. Foster a call. She’ll get you and Paige all sorted out.”
“How do you know this doctor?” Gunner asked curiously.
“Prudence and I are trying for a second kid,” King said.
“Ah, I see. King, I’ve got another favor to ask. Will you go ring shopping with me? I don’t want to wait,” Gunner said.
“I’m free right now. Come on,” King said, grinning. “Let’s get a ring on your lady’s finger.”
****
“Have a good evening,” Paige said after bagging a customer’s books.
The last customer of the evening, Paige thought. Agatha left half an hour ago for a church meeting, leaving Paige to lock up the store. She counted the cash for the day and did a quick inventory.
