After scrutinizing them briefly, she closed the file and left the room. “I'm really sorry, Logan.” Kristen gingerly took his hand and inspected it.
Despite how ashen and worn out he looked, she knew in the back of her mind what she did was justifiable. She held her head high, determined not to show too much sympathy.
A hint of amusement flickered in his eyes. “Don't worry about it. I'm keeping a tab, and you can pay me back after the baby.”
* * *
When they headed to the car an hour later her eyes were dulled by despair that worsened as it came into view. “You want me to drive?”
“I still have one good hand!” Logan smirked, settling in on the driver’s side without bothering to check if she needed help. With a deep sigh, she opened the passenger side and collapsed onto the seat. His eyes locked on the road in front of him, but he couldn't hide the coldness in his face.
Kristen reflected on the doctor’s stern warning as they drove silently back home. One more incident like this one and an emergency C-section would be imminent. The fact that her pregnancy could be in jeopardy because of all of the turmoil, was terrifying. And the resurgence of her violent streak made it even more worrisome. She continued to be in a losing battle to control her emotions with no end in sight.
If only I could turn back time, if Jake never left or, if I had gone with him to Oregon, I wouldn’t be back in this doomed relationship with Logan. I wouldn’t have to worry about if he really killed Ray, or what he might do next. I could relax and wait for the baby to come. Everything would be safe and peaceful.
It was a futile fantasy and impossible now. For the remainder of the pregnancy at least, she had to force all doubt, resentment, and suspicions about Logan from her mind. No matter what it took. With a deep sigh, she cracked the window open and stared listlessly at the long row of palm trees quickly fading into the background.
TUESDAY
KRISTEN/LOGAN
“You know, we should start thinking about some names, don't you think?” They lounged on the balcony. Her question broke the heavy silence that hung over them.
Logan’s impassive gaze stayed aimed at the beach. After two days on the antibiotics, his hand still looked infected and hurt like hell. Baby names were the farthest thing from his mind.
“I think this isn't getting better,” he muttered, holding his palm up with a disgusted expression on his face.
Kristen gave him an annoyed look. For two days she had been taking care of him, applying antibiotics, cleaning it, following the discharge notes.
“What the hell do you want me to do, Logan? Go to the doctor.” She finished her coffee but continued to eye the cup, desperate for another. This one cup a day rule was torture, making her grouchy and irritable. And Logan’s constant preoccupation with himself instead of worrying about the baby unnerved her even more.
He stared at her, stunned by her indifference. “It's your fault I'm suffering. I told Nick I'd go with him to check out a bar he wants to buy tomorrow, and this fucking thing looks like crap.”
Kristen shook her head. She got up to bring her plate and cup inside, trying to avoid further discussion and an argument. It was only 11:00 a.m., but the sun was already burning without mercy on her sensitive skin.
“Where are you going now?” Logan called after her, getting up to follow her in.
Before she knew it, he was behind her, pulling her back to him. “Remember you owe me, right? It's been two days with nothing!”
As he started nibbling her neck, she snickered to herself, wondering why it had taken him so long. That hand must really hurt. Breaking free, she turned to face him, planning to come back with a snide remark. Instead, the look of sadness in his eyes melted her heart.
“Poor baby.” She smiled pushing his straggly hair back out of his eyes. “Let me see it.”
“Let you see what?” He grinned, trailing his fingers along her arms.
Her eyes gleamed mischievously. “Your hand, please.”
“It's busy right now.” He laughed as his hand moved along her back.
“Well, I guess it’s not that bad then, is it?” She pulled his hair into a short pony tail, then yanked it back, enjoying the surprise in his eyes. Somehow she sensed it was going to be very difficult to heed the doctor’s warning about refraining from sex.
“No, but I am,” he teased, his gentle kisses progressing to long, passionate ones. “Let’s go to bed.”
“Okay, but don't forget.” Overcome with desire, she took his hand, her eyes searching his.
“To destroy you? Never!” He waited for her reaction, then started to laugh at the fear in her eyes.
“It's not funny, Logan. No sex this time. I do not want to end up at the hospital again!” Maintaining a serious face, she knew no matter how aroused she got, or how much he used his sexual expertise to seduce her, she had to remain firm.
“Baby, trust me, neither do I.” He picked her up with exaggerated loud grunts and groans as he trudged to the bed.
JAKE
Business was booming at both galleries, and Jake was building up quite a following. Since dumping Tia, his creative juices were flowing again. He was on a roll, having produced two paintings and on his third. It only served to confirm he made the right decision. Women were just a bad distraction in his life.
When he received the phone call from his mother, she laughed, insisting that his comment only related to bad women, not all women.
That remained to be seen. He was happy his mother was back to work and feeling stronger. She was happy that he was painting, but sad he was alone.
“Don't worry, Mom, I'm fine. This way I can visit you more often. No strings attached.” He tried to convince himself, painfully aware he was failing.
Rosa took a deep breath, not convinced. “I still want a couple of grandkids someday, Jake, so don't give up.” Laughter rang in her voice, but she had never been more serious.
I doubt that. He tried to humor her. “Maybe you'll get lucky with Zora!”
“Zora? You know your sister isn't interested in kids. It would be such an inconvenience.” She laughed, mimicking Zora’s voice. After a pause, “But you—I always thought you'd make a wonderful father.”
Rolling his eyes, “Sorry, Mom, I don't think I'm daddy material.”
“Don't say that, Jake!”
He was silent at first, contemplating the idea. “Well, if it'll make you happy, I'll see what I can do.”
“Good boy! I'm very happy the gallery is working out for you.”
“Thanks, Mom. I'll try to get up there again soon.”
For the first time in a long time, he felt strangely comforted when he hung up the phone. He'd always thought he'd have a wife and a couple of kids someday. Now he wasn’t so sure. Then again, maybe she was right about him and being a father. He had two setbacks, but that didn't mean the game was over—not yet anyway.
CHAPTER 7
FRIDAY, WEEK 8
KRISTEN/LOGAN
Logan had to get back to work. His hand was healing, he was getting antsy, and Nick was on his back. The past few days he had ignored Nick’s constant texts, but Nick wouldn't let up. They just finished barbecuing steaks and were sitting down for dinner when the doorbell rang. Kristen didn’t respond, so he reluctantly went to look through the peephole.