Page 37 of The Hermit on the Hill

He'd taken a seat on a stool three down from mine and was eating scrambled eggs and toast with his bacon.

"You should get to have input on how I take care of myself during pregnancy, but you have to be reasonable. I've done a lot of research, and I'm very careful. I'm not taking unnecessary risks with our child."

"You were living on danishes and cupcakes until I moved you in here."

"Not a perfect diet, maybe, but not the end of the world. When I get caught up in researching something, I forget to eat sometimes and I grab whatever's convenient."

"Which is why I moved you in here and am cooking for you. Eat your fruit."

"If I eat my fruit, can I have coffee?"

"If you say one cup of coffee is safe, I believe you." He got up from his seat, even though he hadn't finished eating, and fixed me a mug of coffee. "I'm gonna go out on a limb here and guess you like a ton of sugar and milk."

He didn't even wait for me to answer before he placed a carton of milk and a glass container of sugar in front of me, along with a spoon and the full mug. "Thank you."

He grunted and returned to his seat. His own coffee was far from black, but I didn't point it out.

We ate in silence, but it wasn't uncomfortable. I didn't feel the need to make unnecessary conversation with Sam.

"I'm dressed because I'm going out," I said when I'd finished eating. "I need new clothes, and I have a doctor's appointment. Would you like to meet me there? I'm having an ultrasound today, so you'll be able to see the baby and hear his heartbeat."

He dropped his fork on his plate with a clatter and shifted to face me. "If there's a doctor's appointment for anything related to our baby, just assume I want to be there. You have insurance?"

"I'm on the university's insurance until the end of the year. I'm hoping to have a job with a health plan before then."

"There a chance of the university in town changing their minds and hiring you on?"

I hated the tightness in my chest at the thought. I smiled bigger. "Unless one of their young history professors retires early or makes a career change, it's unlikely."

"Don't do that." His eyes flared, his gaze so intense I had to look away.

"Don't do what?"

"You don't have to put on a show for me. You're worried, be worried. I'll worry with you, and we'll figure something out together."

"My employment isn't your problem." It took actual effort to stop smiling and I couldn't help worrying that he'd look away, that he'd suddenly find somewhere else he'd rather be. Which made no sense, because I didn't need him. I didn't even like him. Why did I care if he didn't like me?Because you need everyone to like you, my interior voice whispered. "I'll figure it out."

"You're carrying my son, you're family," Sam said, his voice gruff and firm. "I don't turn my back on family."

"I'm not asking you to take care of me. I don't need to be taken care of."

"Made that clear enough. Doesn't change anything." He stood and reached for my mostly empty plate. "You done?"

"Um, yes. I can wash up. You cooked."

"What time's your appointment?"

"It's not until two. I have plenty of time to wash the dishes."

"We'll get them later," he said. "It's better if we head out now. It'll give us time to get you the clothes you need and have lunch before your appointment."

I glanced at the clock on the stove, surprised to see it was nearly ten. "You don't need to go clothes shopping with me. I'm just going to grab a couple pairs of pants that fit over the bump."

He scowled and carried the plates into the kitchen. I followed with the syrup, sugar, and milk, and put them away as best I could without being entirely familiar with the kitchen.

"You need more than a couple pairs of pants," Sam said. "I'm going with you, and I'm buying you whatever you need."

I crossed my arms over my chest. "I don't need you buying clothes for me."

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