Page 65 of Worth the Rush
“Of course.” Something catches his eye over my shoulder. Iturn and see Florence, followed by Rhett and Winnie. When they get to us, I’m enveloped in a mass hug.
“We’re here,” Winnie tells me and holds me tight. This may be the only time in the history of knowing her that she hugs me, and Rhett doesn’t drag her off me. I hear a door swing shut and crane my head around to see Mare coming toward us. I spin with Winnie still holding my arm and Rhett with a hand on my shoulder.
“Is she okay?” I practically beg. She nods at us.
“She broke her arm in two places, but it’s set for now. We’ll cast it tomorrow. She’s okay though. She wants to see you,” she tells me, smiling. I grin and start for the doors. “Room 202!” she calls to me, but I don’t slow down until I reach her door. I knock.
“Come in.” I hear her raspy voice say, and when I see her it’s like my whole world clicks back into focus. Everything I’ve ever wanted, things I’m only just beginning to dream about, is right in front of me.
“Hey, Lover Boy.”
“You’re pregnant.”
The words seem to float above my head. Like I could reach up and touch them. I’m lying down in a hospital bed with my arm in a sling, having just survived being hit by an actual avalanche, and yet this news definitely hits harder. After a basic assessment was complete, an abdominal scan was ordered as a precaution to rule out any internal bleeding. Now, I’m lying flat on my back, getting an abdominal ultrasound.
“I’m sorry, what?” I ask in a bit of a daze.
“You’re pregnant. About two months along it looks like,” Mare informs me, staring at a screen and running a little doppler over my still flat belly.
“How? I…” I think back to the first night I was in town, and the very long and extremely pleasant time I spent with Alder all those nights ago. I hadn’t confirmed protection. I’ve been reckless with him in that regard. “Shit,” I whisper. This isn’t at all how I planned the rest of my life to start, but I can’t stop the laugh that bubbles out of me. Shock gives way to something new. Something I'm only just now, after years of suppressing, beginning to feel. I’m—happy. I don’t know how Alder will feel about this new information, but I want this baby.
“Are you alright?” Mare asks me, and I realize I haven’t spoken to her.
“Yes.” There’s water in my eyes, and I’m sure I’m sporting an unhinged smile. “I’m great.” Then happiness is tinged in fear. “Is the baby, okay?” I ask, snapping my eyes to my belly.
“Baby is doing just fine. Strong heartbeat. Do you want to hear?” she asks, and I nod frantically. Then she presses a button on the machine, and I hear it. The strange but beautiful sound of my baby’s heartbeat. My eyes well. Is this real? Then fear tries to grip me.
“I…I’ve miscarried before, I…” I start to feel the panic.
“Ivy. Look at me,” Mare says calmly. I lift my face to see her.
“This baby and its mother are both healthy, and we’re going to do everything we can to make sure it stays that way. Okay? Now breathe with me. In through your nose…” I do as she says. “Out through your mouth. A few more times.” I complete the circuit, and at the end, I feel a bit better.
“Good. If you want a specialist, I can send someone from OB in here.” Mare offers, and I nod.
“Can I see Alder first? You can tell him I’m fine and about my arm, but please let me tell him about...” I request, wiping my eyes, and Mare smiles at me.
“I’m your doctor, Ivy. Whatever happens here is confidential. I won’t share any of your personal medical information with anyone,” she assures me. “As your friend, though, becauseI’m really hoping we’re friends…” she hedges. “Congratulations.” She’s smiling at me with such warmth.
I nod and say, “Thank you, Mare. I feel the same way.” She smiles at me and wipes my stomach clean from the jelly. Then she removes her gloves and stands.
“Alright, I’m going to go give Alder and your fan club the all clear now.”
“My fan club?” I ask, puzzled.
“Oh yeah, all the Holloway siblings will be out there by now,” she reports, and I grin.
“That’s ridiculous. They barely know me.” I snort.
“Alder does, and he cares for you very much. That’s enough. You’re in the family now, and I don’t just mean that because you’re having a baby Holloway.” She winks and then leaves the room. I place my hand over my belly. A baby Holloway. I chuckle at that. I’ve already made my decision to stay in Silverthorne, but I do need to iron out some details of my staying with Alder. Like, do I have a job? If he meant what he said, if he wants me to help him run the resort where I can be a part of something there, I might really want that. I’m still mad at him for not telling me about the deals he made with my father sooner. I’m hurt that he wouldn’t tell me that he owns The Edgemont, but I made peace with that when I decided to wait for him at the top of a mountain.
I’m smiling at the absurd turn of events when I hear a knock on the door.
“Come in.” It’s him. He’s here, and any worries I have about the future melt away when he grins back at me. Not because they’re gone but because I know he’ll be there to help me. He’s part of my team. He’smine.“Hey, Lover Boy.”
“I love you.” He declares it, and I gasp. That’s one way tostart this conversation. “I love you, and that’s why I want you to stay. I should have told you that then, but I want to make sure you’re fully aware now. I love you, Ivy. I’m in love with you, and I want you here with me. The Edgemont is yours;I’myours if you’ll have me.” A sob tears out of me at his words. The way they echo what I already know deep inside. I drag air into my mouth. I’m sure I look awful, and now my face will be red and splotchy. “You don’t have to say?—”
“Shut up! I love you too,” I confess, and he’s on me in the next second. He slides his hand around the back of my head, burying it into my tangled hair and tilting my head back. He kisses me like he wants to devour me, like he’s been starved for me. I kiss him deeply, throwing myself into him. My broken arm protests, and I whimper. He pulls back, and I whimper again at the loss of his lips on mine.
