Chapter 20

CHAPTER TWENTY

A lexandra sat cross-legged on her bed, surrounded by her laptop and phone, both open to baby websites. "Look at this!" She turned the screen toward where Spreag lounged against the headboard. "They have these little headbands with bows that match every outfit. And tiny Mary Janes!"

"Aye, very sweet." His voice held an odd note she couldn't quite place.

"And look at these dresses." She scrolled through pages of ruffles and lace. "Though I suppose we should stick to practical things at first. Onesies and pajamas."

"Practical is good."

She closed the laptop and faced him. "It's a girl. Is that why you're quiet? Because you wanted a boy?"

"Of course not." He wouldn't quite meet her eyes. "I'm surprised is all. I never saw a boy, just a child, and a puppy... Assumed it was a laddie."

"A puppy?"

"Aye."

Alexandra's heart melted. "You saw her with a puppy? What else did you see?"

He shook his head. "The rest was vague. Like I said, I only assumed it was a laddie."

But she couldn't stop smiling. A daughter. Would she have his eyes? Her curls?

"We could name her Huntly Lorena Spreag--after you and my grandmother."

"A fine name." That odd note was back in his voice.

She closed the laptop. "What's wrong? And don't say nothing. I know that look."

He finally met her eyes. "Just...thinkin' about the future."

"Our future?"

"Yours." He stood and moved to the window. "And the babe's."

All the excitement of little girl clothes faded like a slowly dimming light, replaced by the dread of losing him again. While she'd been taking care of Callum it had been easy to push those thoughts aside. But now they were back. And this time, it wasn't morning sickness that made her eye that bathroom door.

He opened the window and Callum's voice drifted across the yard. He had his guitar now, and it sounded like his pain meds had kicked in.

"I should check on him," she said, then immediately regretted it when she noticed how Spreag stiffened.

"Nay." His voice was rough. "Let him sing himself to sleep."

She set the laptop aside. "Are you okay?"

He turned from the window, and the look on his face made her chest ache. "There is something I should tell ye."

Whatever it was, it couldn't be good. But she had to stop hiding from bad news.

"Alright. What is it?"

"When ye call to me..."

"Yeah?"

"It's becoming harder to hear ye. That's all."

The weight of heavy tears filled her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. "Harder to hear, like, because you don't want to hear me? Or because you think I don't want to be heard?"

He shook his head with a laugh. "I didnae bother to read anythin' into it. I just thought ye'd like me to be honest."

"Yes. You're right. I'm glad you told me."

"And Alexandra?"

"Yeah?"

"Ye're never alone, mind--"

"I know--"

"I mean to remind ye that there is a number on yer phone, for emergencies."

"You mean Wickham's sisters? They're in Scotland. A little too far to call if I have a flat tire or something."

"Aye. Still. Dinnae forget."

She nodded and started getting ready for bed, trying to hide the fresh wave of dread. Her husband, the Seer of Huntly, was warning her that something was coming.

The following morning, the weather had cooled, and the concrete felt cold to her bare feet as she scurried to Callum's back door. She knocked, and when he didn't answer right away, her chest tightened at the idea that he might have left without saying a word. She tried to hide the flood of her relief--from herself as well--when he finally came to the door. He wore his sweat pants with only a towel over his shoulders. Which meant he wasn't all dressed up for a long trip.

"Apologies. I was late gettin' oot the shower. It was nice to be usin' warm water again." He scowled. "Everything a' right?"

"Fine. Everything's fine." She smiled brightly. "I just found out I'm having a girl."

He opened the door wider. "Congratulations. Fine news indeed. But how is it they can tell so early?"

Gah! She hadn't considered he would think of such things! So she hedged. "Blood tests are amazing nowadays."

"Auch, I suppose they are. On the farm, we have to wait for such mysteries to be solved during lambin' season."

He assumed the position on the kitchen chair. His skin was a little wetter that morning than she would have liked, and she suggested he take fewer showers.

"Give it time to dry out a little. If you're drinking enough, it will still get what it needs. But infection likes a wet environment, remember."

When she was finished, she got around to apologizing for being so abrupt with him the day before. "I was mean, and I'm sorry."

He accepted it with a nod.

"And I'm afraid I didnae thank ye properly last evenin'."

Her gaze flew straight to his lips, remembering that kiss he'd almost landed. But he only smiled, obviously reading her mind.

"I should have asked ye to dinner. That is, I mean to ask ye." He growled at himself. "Alexandra, I'm askin' ye to dinner. I promise to wear my shirt through the entire meal. But I am hell bent on thankin’ ye properly."

She couldn't say no, especially with Spreag standing by the stove, nodding enthusiastically.

"That sounds lovely."