Cameron, Paige - Commando Cowboys Desire Their Queen [Wyoming Warriors 8] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) (15 page)

As she undressed, she thought more about Rex and Gala. Her gut told her she was missing something.

The nurse drew her blood work, and Dr. Jack finished with his exam. “Meet me in my office when you’re dressed.” He and his nurse left the room.

Cassie dressed quickly and soon joined Jack. He smiled at her.

“I’m really surprised none of you figured out the culprit upsetting your stomach.”

“What do you mean?”

“Cassie, you’re pregnant.”

Her hand went to her stomach, and happiness radiated through her. “I am? How wonderful. But I’ve been using the new pills you gave me.”

“I got a bulletin yesterday from our scientists. They’ve had another unexpected pregnancy from someone on the same medicine. They’re recalling the drug until they find out what’s causing it. I gave a list of patient’s names to my secretary to call today. You may have a message on your phone when you get home. I’m telling everyone to stop the pills and use other means of birth control.”

“I’m happy with the news. We’d been talking about having another child. Lang and Nick will be tickled. I’m sure they’ll think the pill didn’t work because their sperm is so potent.” She grinned at Jack. “I may let them believe that for a while.”

“You are bad, Cassie,” Jack said with a smile on his face.

“I know. We love to tease each other. This is too good a chance to pass up.”

“I’ll have my secretary set up an appointment for you with your gynecologist. But, Cassie, be careful. Don’t ignore any symptoms. We don’t know where this crazy person will strike again. For now your blood work is excellent.”

“Thanks. I’ll be vigilant.”

Cassie left the office. She called Nick and told him she was fine. She’d leave the good news until they were all three together. “I’m going to see my nurse friend and hopefully have lunch with her. I’ll call when I’m finished. Yes, Dr. Jack said my blood work was all good. It was nothing serious.” She clicked off the phone and walked over to the hospital where she took the elevator to the neurology floor. Her friend, Annie, waved at Cassie when she got off the elevator.

“What brings you to the hospital?” Annie asked.

“I saw Dr. Jack. Do you have time to talk?”

“I’m scheduled to take my lunch break in fifteen minutes.”

“I’ll wait in one of the visitor chairs at the end of the hall.”

“Great. We haven’t had a chance to visit lately.”

Cassie sat in the large, comfortable chair and watched the elevator. As she hoped, in a few minutes, Dr. Rexford got of the elevator. He went behind the desk and stood looking at a chart. He certainly looked like the man in the car that day. But Cassie had gotten a bad feeling about the man from snippets of words she’d overheard, and her gut feeling was usually right on target.

She watched as Rex went into several rooms checking patients. He was intense, cool, showed little emotion, and yet she got no bad vibes from him. He glanced around at her and walked in her direction. Oh dear, she’d been staring. He’d probably give her a set-down. He wasn’t known for his friendly demeanor.

“You’re Cassie, Lang and Nick’s wife, right?”

“Yes, I’m waiting for my friend Annie to go to lunch with me. I’m sorry I was staring at you, but you look like someone I saw in town recently.”

“It couldn’t have been me. I haven’t gone into town in several months.”

“The man had black hair pulled back like yours, but I got an uncomfortable feeling regarding him.”

“A number of the men on the ranch wear their hair this way. I have no idea who the person might have been.”

“He was with a woman. I think it was Gala. And they didn’t seem to be friends.”

“You must have watched them for a while.”

She felt her cheeks flush. “I’m not usually so nosey, but few people park in back behind my shop and the bank. The man was early and waited for the woman. It aroused my curiosity.”

“Are you fairly certain the woman was Gala?”

“Yes.”

“I can’t help you. I never knew her personally. The reason I came to speak to you is I’ve heard of your reputation for making beautiful, one-of-a-kind jewelry. I’d like to order a special wedding ring.”

“Oh, I’d be happy to design one for you. Do you have an idea of what you want?”

“Yes, did you see Kira when she shifted into her bird?”

“I did. She’s magnificent.”

“I want our ring to resemble her bird. Don’t spare any cost. Use the best jewels you have.”

“Why, Dr. Rexford, I’d heard your heart was made of stone and you’d never fall in love.”

“I thought the same. I guess we all have our Achilles’ heel. But don’t tell anyone. She hasn’t said yes to Hakan and me yet.” He turned and walked to the elevator. “Call me when it’s ready,” he said as he got on.

Annie joined her. “Ready? What are you smiling about?”

“I may be mistaken, but I’d swear Dr. Rexford just smiled.”

“You have to be wrong. We’ve all agreed his face will crack the first time he tries.” They took the elevator to the ground floor and got in the cafeteria line.

“What did Dr. Jack say was wrong with you? You look healthy to me,” Annie asked.

“What I have wrong with me will clear up in about eight months.”

“You’re pregnant.”

“Good guess, but keep your voice low or everyone will know before Nick and Lang.”

* * * *

Rex’s phone rang as he got off the elevator. “Hi, Mom.”

“How are you, dear?”

“I’m all right.” He heard the hesitancy in her voice. “Can I help you?”

“I know you’re busy, but I wanted to invite you and Hakan to dinner tomorrow night. Pearce has a serious girlfriend, and she’ll be here. I’d like her to meet you.”

“Sure, Hakan and I will come if we can bring the woman we’re serious about.”

“Oh…ah, I didn’t know you all were seeing anyone.”

“Yes, just recently, but she’s already important to us.”

“Wonderful. But maybe we should let Pearce have the spotlight this time and have another dinner for us to introduce your lady.”

Her words brought the familiar twinge of pain that he usually ignored, but not this time. He started to speak when he heard his dad’s voice in the background.

“Your dad said to bring her, the more the merrier.”

“Good, because otherwise, neither I nor Hakan would come. What time tomorrow night?”

“Seven, we’ll see you then.” She hung up.

Hmmm, which meant Pearce and his friend would be there at six. Mom had a way of arranging things to suit herself. So Hakan, Kira, and he would arrive at six thirty, a compromise. But as he walked toward the doctor’s lounge, he rubbed his chest. For years he’d denied anyone hurt him. Today, his heart ached, and it wasn’t physical. Damn, would loving Kira make him weak?

He sat on the old, tan-leather sofa in the doctor’s lounge. Maintenance had tried to throw it out, but there had been such an outcry that they gave up. It was the most comfortable piece of furniture in the room. He and many others had spent the night on it when a patient was critical.

Rex leaned back and dialed Kira’s number. “Hello, where are you?”

“What a greeting. I’m home. Hakan dropped me off.”

“I wanted to catch you before you made plans for tomorrow night. My mother is having a dinner party. I’d like for you to go with Hakan and me.”

“Will your brother be there?”

“Oh, yes. He’s bringing his lady friend to meet my parents. Why do you ask?”

“I’m not sure if I told you, but he was my flight attendant when I flew home. I hate to say it, but I didn’t like him. He gave me an uneasy feeling. I can’t explain it. He just did.”

“He affects me the same way. Don’t worry about it. Will you go with us?”

“I suppose your parents will see me as
your
lady friend.”

“I told them Hakan and I were serious about you.”

“Wow, for someone who’s usually close-mouthed, you said a lot.”

She heard that tiny chuckle on the other end of the line. “It’s your fault.” He hung up.

“What brought such a huge smile to your face?” her mother asked as she came in the front door. “Here’re your truck keys.”

“The smile is courtesy of Dr. Rexford.” She laughed at her mother’s surprised expression. “And thanks so much for getting up at an ungodly hour to get my truck.”

“It’s a lovely morning. Your dad and I had a cozy visit on the drive there, and I enjoyed the scenery on the way home. You look much better. Do I credit Dr. Rexford for that change, too?”

“He and Hakan both get the credit. Lonato invited me to meet his family tomorrow night.”

“Are you going?”

“Yes, it will be quite interesting. I’m anxious to see if I have the same feelings around his brother that I did on the plane. And I want to get to know his parents.”

Her mom headed toward the kitchen. “Maybe there’s hope for him yet.”

Chapter Ten

Pearce picked Cindy up at her house. “You look lovely. I like the tailored dress and sweater. My mother will approve. But you’re pale. Put a small amount of color on your cheeks.”

“I haven’t felt good the last few days. My head feels full of buzzing noises. I can’t think straight.”

He frowned. “Did you work today?”

“No. I took the day off. One of the newer staff filled in for me.”

“What did you tell Cassie?”

“I did as you said. I told her I was meeting my new friend’s parents tonight. She knows I’ve fallen for someone, but I didn’t say your name.”

“Good girl.” He pulled her close and put his hands on the sides of her head. “Look right into my eyes.” At first, she resisted but then did as he said. She wasn’t as pliable as he’d hoped. The spell should have been much stronger by now.

He concentrated on redoing the spell to put her completely under his control.
There.
It would last through the dinner party, and he’d work on her more tonight. “Go put some blush on your cheeks. We don’t want to be late.”