Something clicked as he opened the console between us and rustled through, pulling out a thick pack of beef jerky.
“Oh my gosh. Is that military standard, or something? My dad totally had a secret stash of jerky.”
“Maybe.” He passed the pack to me.
I pulled out a strip, the smoky scent taking me straight back to hot days just like this one. When it was just me, and Dad, and nature.
Before I discovered nail polish, and makeup, and boys . . .
My heart sank as I took a bite.
“Not sure if it’s military standard, but I always keep some on me. There’s two gallons of water behind my seat and a sleeping bag and first aid kit behind yours—because you never know.”
He went silent, and his lips pressed into a thin line, his fingers whitening around the wheel.
“Nothing like being prepared,” I said. “I’m lucky if I have a stick of gum in my car. I always stop at the gas station before a big trip.”
“That’s one way to do it.” He drew a strip of jerky out and took a bite. “Where’re we headed after the mountain, again?”
“The Valley Health Center.” I glanced back out the window, my nerves firing the longer I thought about it. “Take me to the ER.”
“Sure you don’t want to turn back and see if the nurse at camp can help? Shorter wait. Probably free.”
“I’m sure.”
I didn’t want to be doing any of this, but I needed to. If I could slip through the ER and head straight to the OB, I could keep my secret from Carter and find out for sure if I was pregnant, or not. If Mom asked questions later, I’d tell her I went in for my annual PAP. Or something.
“You should try and get some shut-eye while we drive, then.” He slid his arm behind my seat, pulling a small pillow out, the same nautical scent he wore fishing wafting through the air as he handed it to me. “I’d offer a blanket too, but it’s probably a bad idea with the heat.”
Wow. Was he serious?
I took the pillow, trying not to swoon too hard. Kellie would kill me if I started crushing on a new guy right now. And I would kill me. I couldn’t afford to swoon. I couldn’t afford to do anything except get an emergency appointment with an OB. “Sure you don’t mind?” I asked, as I pulled out my cell. Still no service.
“Go for it, cowgirl.”
-CARTER-
I pulled into the Valley Health Center parking lot, scanning the row of bright white cement buildings before glancing over at Lauren’s sleeping form. She didn’t hesitate when I’d told her to rest, and aside from one whispery phone call to make an appointment with her doctor, she’d been out for the past two hours.
“Lauren,” I whispered, but she didn’t move. “Hey, Lauren. We’re at the hospital.” Nothing. I gave her arm a gentle squeeze, my thumb skimming her smooth bronze skin.
She stirred, taking a deep breath as she got her bearings. She rubbed her eyes and cleared her throat, pulling her dark hair out of its hold. It swirled around her shoulders in soft waves. Waves I could touch so easily.
But, I wouldn’t.
She swept her bright orange fingernails through a few times, releasing the scent of fruity shampoo.
My breath caught in my throat.
What was my deal? I inhaled and turned back to the windshield, covering my nose with my hand.
A pregnant woman walked out of the building, looking like she was ready to pop. She pulled her sunglasses off her head and pulled them down over her eyes. Aviators, like Megs used to wear.
Something rattled beside me as Lauren dug through her purse, pulling out her fancy phone the size of Texas.
“Dang, girl.” I chuckled. “How much does that thing cost? Looks like it belongs in a palace.”
“Hardy har har. I should probably get your number.”
After she tapped it into her massive smartphone, my own phone in the dash compartment rang with the loud bell sound.
I pulled my military-rated phone out of the compartment and waved it beneath Lauren’s nose. She snorted with laughter as I flipped it open. Eleven missed call notifications popped up. All from Matty. My stomach twisted, and I punched the cancel button, until Lauren was the only thing on the line.
I held it to my ear. “Hello? Is this Lauren?” She cocked her head, raising a thick brow at me. “Sorry. Can’t hear you through all that glitz.”
Lauren held hers up to her ear too. “Carter, the 90s called and they want their phone back.”
“Hardy har har.”
She grinned and opened her door. “See you in an hour.”
“Sure you’re good going alone?” I couldn’t say what it was, but something about Lauren triggered my protective side.
She held the door long enough to give me a confident nod. “You should get yourself some lunch. Actually, here . . .” She pulled her wallet out and fished around, coming up with a twenty.
“Nice try.” I shook my head as I put the truck in reverse. “See you when you’re done.”
She frowned. “You drove me all the way down here. I’m not letting you do it for free.”
“Friends don’t let friends drive dizzy.”
She shook her head, dimples pinching before she relented. “See you.”
Help her in there, God, I prayed, surprising myself.
That popped out of nowhere—but I used to pray for Megs every time she disappeared behind hospital doors for her fertility treatment. Swallowing down the lump in my throat, I opened my phone again and scrolled through Matty’s texts.
He’d texted me some photos of our favorite restaurant and hiking trails from back when we used to hang out together with Megs—saying it just wasn’t the same anymore. I smiled, relishing the good memories. But, then, the next text was Matty asking me for money. And the next. And the next.
Dang. He was back at it with his gambling problem.
I grunted and pulled his number up, placing a call
