Page 97 of Tumbleweed Temptation
“Dr. Driscoll,” Austin said, stepping forward and offering his hand. The woman didn't take it. “Listen, I know you’re busy and have a lot on your plate, but I’m really concerned about her state of mind. She doesn’t seem like herself today.”
“Really. What do you think she should be like?” the woman snapped.
“She’s medicated, isn’t she? Is someone monitoring those meds? I just—I would hate to see her miscalculate their use, while she’s trying to hide her pain.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “You think we’re not thinking about that ourselves? Do you know how badly she wanted this baby?”
“I do.” Austin tucked his hands together in front of him, and held the other woman’s gaze.
“When Dr. Fredrick told her that the chances of the child surviving were slim, that didn't stop her from hoping that this would be the one. When the doctor told her she might only have hours to know her child, that didn't stop her from planning. No, she’s not acting like herself. Her dreams are shattered, being buried in that box, and I’m doing everything I can to hold the two of them together, so if you’ll excuse me.”
The woman pivoted, and Ginny sank to the seat, her knees weak.
Austin sat beside her and took her hand in his.
“You know what this means?” she asked.
“Not here,” he said with a shake of his head. “Let’s go.”
“She knew,” Ginny said as soon as he closed the door of the Jeep. “She knew she was going to lose the baby. She didn't tell you.”
“Don't be upset with her, Gin. I know why she did it. You can’t blame her.”
“She made you feel like it was your fault.”
“She didn't know I’d feel that way, and she wanted to feel like she was having a normal pregnancy. God, Gin, you see how she’s suffering. Think of how she was holding it in, putting on her best face. How did she do that?”
Her mouth tightened. She wanted to be mad on his behalf, but he was right. How much had she suffered in private, grieved before the birth? She was stronger than Ginny had given her credit for.
Still, Austin had really beat himself up over this, and Ginny was finding it hard to let that idea go.
“I still think that we need to talk to the council about getting an ultrasound machine. It would help prevent this in the future, and it would be used for more than pregnancies, you know, but it would stop something like this from happening.” He lowered his head to the steering wheel and took a deep breath, then sat up and turned on the engine, then joined the procession for the drive to the cemetery.
They held back from the rest of the crowd, and at once Ginny thought he was going to pull away to approach the grieving couple. She could feel the tension in his whole body. But he held himself back. She wondered what he wanted to say, but he kept it to himself.
After the funeral, they drove to the Italian restaurant in silence.
Austin tapped his menu on the table. “I need to, you know, after this, I need to do something cheerful.”
“Oh yeah.” She smiled at the suggestion. “I think that would be wonderful.”
“Like what though?”
She tensed a little, at the idea that came to her. “Do you trust me?”
He lifted an eyebrow at her. “Why?”
“Do. You. Trust. Me?”
“Yeah. Yeah, I trust you more than anyone.”
That response took her aback. She hadn’t expected that. “I hope I earn it.”
*****
AUSTIN LOOKED UP ATthe steep hill in the fading light of dusk. All he could see was shadows of scrub brush and boulders. And she wanted to take him to the top? He glanced back down the dirt road they’d just driven up. The dust still swirled around them.
“Are you sure we’re not on someone’s property?” Just what today needed—him to get shot full of buckshot for trespassing.
