Hidden Shadows (The Shadow Series Book 1) (6 page)

The petite woman’s heart-shaped face was as adorable and kind as her voice. Blonde and fair-skinned with big dimples in each cheek when she smiled, she had a Reese Witherspoon look about her, but with deep hazel eyes.

As Jenna moved to Heidi’s chair, reached for her outstretched hand, it hit Jenna like a ton of bricks. Mr. Ben was here all right, here with a partner, here with a
wife
.

Underwhelmed by her recent meetings with men, and overwhelmed by Ben’s killer looks and the undeniable (if silly) electricity she’d felt when he’d wrapped his solid hand around hers on Sunday’s run-in, she’d let herself have a little fun over the weekend imagining what a fantasy date with the fantasy man would be like. (Celibacy did not mean one lacked imagination after all). She'd called Robin, let her friend know she’d found the world’s hottest man, had a good laugh, and thought little else of it.

Until he decided to sit in one of her rooms, become her patient, and bring his pregnant wife!

This is why she should not date.

This is exactly why she should, in fact, remain celibate.

You are a professional,
Jenna reminded herself.
Do what you’re supposed to do.

She tried to return Heidi’s warmth with a sincere smile and ignore the handsome man who, for whatever reason, was currently staring a hole through her. “Nice to meet you too, Heidi. And you can call me Jenna."

While Ben took the seat beside Heidi, Jenna edged quickly around her desk and sat to face the couple. Glancing down at her info again, she flipped to the page of check-in forms they’d filled out. Yep. Bennett Aston, Heidi Aston. Just making sure.

“So, Mr. and Mrs. Aston, what can I help you with today?” She glanced down at Heidi’s small mound of tummy and smiled.

In response, Heidi put a hand to her belly and casually rubbed as she spoke. “We—I, just wanted to come and talk with you. I’m hoping to get some insight for the remainder of the pregnancy, learn what to expect, talk about birth options. Basically just assurance that I’m doing all the right things to get this baby here safe and sound. Several of my friends recommended you. They said you’d done some great work with people . . . well, worse off than I am, I guess.”

She glanced down, laughed a little nervously. Picking at her nails, she eyed the paperwork in front of Jenna. “You’ve seen my history?”

Jenna had. Three previous pregnancies all ending in miscarriage. She nodded and Heidi continued.

“I’m in my second trimester, twentieth week actually. While I’m overwhelmed with relief and excitement getting past that thirteen week mark, I'm still apprehensive. I guess I’m just nervous and unsure what to expect since I’ve never made it this far. I feel delicate, fragile. I want to do normal things but I'm afraid. I don’t want to lose this one. I
can’t
lose those one." Heidi’s voice wavered and she glanced down, this time rubbing the curve of her belly with intentional, tender strokes.

“The truth is I just need someone to talk to. I want to talk about what’s happened in the past and the possibilities for this baby. It’s almost like my fear hasn’t let me focus or plan, or really even hope that this time will be different. But deep down, I know this is gonna work, this baby is going to be born.

“I want to be happy and healthy for my child. And I feel I may still have some things to learn, to talk through, before I’m there. Ben lends a wonderful ear,” Heidi gazed at him with gratefulness and what appeared to Jenna to be a hint of guilt, “but I know it gets hard listening to my struggles and mostly my ramblings.”

Isn’t that what he’s supposed to do?
Jenna thought. She knew how difficult a high-risk pregnancy and pregnancy loss could be on the partner of a woman. She’d seen it many times. But the least the guy could do was lend a listening ear. Maybe Ben Aston didn’t offer much more than his good looks.

Heidi smiled widely and plopped her hands in her lap. “So, that’s why I’m here. And that’s probably the longest answer you’ve ever gotten to that question. Sorry!”

Jenna laughed. “Don’t be. I’m happy you know why you’re here and what you hope to gain from your visits. Being able to pinpoint that and convey it to me helps me, too. Now, I’ll know what to focus on in the upcoming months. Dr. Blake did recommend Perinatal Services for your remaining four months of pregnancy plus two months postpartum, correct?” Jenna asked, again referencing Heidi’s file.

“Yes,” Heidi nodded.

“Good. Well, to highlight what I’m here for, in conjunction with your OB, I’ll be happy to answer any questions you have about your pregnancy or the upcoming birth. If you’re not feeling well or have concerns and Dr. Blake is unable to see you quickly, I can advise you as needed. I’ll, of course, be glad to listen all you want and will also be pointing you in the right direction with classes and education that will help you get through all your fears and feelings until the baby comes.

“While I know the focus of your visits is for this baby in particular,” Jenna gestured to Heidi’s stomach, "I’m in agreement with you that we can and should visit your past pregnancy losses. Especially if you feel it is hindering you in any way from moving forward positively—either physically or emotionally——with this pregnancy. How much you’d like to linger there, though, will be your choice. I’m primarily here to hold your hand. Be your guide. Think of me as the hand on the bicycle when you're first learning to ride. I don’t want to push you in a direction you don’t need to go. My goal is to be behind you until you don’t need me anymore. Then, I’ve done my job.

“Today though, I’ll start by giving you some options of classes you might want to attend.” Jenna paused and shuffled through the dozens of papers on her desk, pulling the appropriate information pages and pamphlets as she went. “There’s Care for Newborns, Breastfeeding Basics, Infant Safety and CPR, Lactation Consultation for after the baby’s born, even Foundations for Fatherhood, if you’d ever like to come alone, Ben.”

When Ben cleared his throat quite loudly, Jenna glanced up. Looking between him and Heidi, she noticed for the first time since entering the room, the awkwardness between the two of them.

Since Heidi had done the majority of the talking since the appointment began, it had been fairly easy for Jenna to avoid too much concentration on Ben—
thank you, Heidi
. But now Jenna noted the obvious blush against his tanned cheeks while Heidi avoided looking at him altogether.

“Adjustment to body changes and the idea of actually being a parent will come,” Jenna reassured. “Don't worry. These things can seem a bit uncomfortable, especially—”

“Not uncomfortable,” Ben interrupted, “but . . . well, uncomfortable,” he finally ended on an awkward laugh.

“I’m sorry. Did I say something that bothered you?” Jenna looked back and forth between them.

“No, no.” Ben said, waving a hand. “You’re fine, Ms. Gregor. We’re fine. We didn’t make it clear; Heidi and I aren’t married. Or together. We love each other," he smiled over at Heidi as she grinned back affectionately, “and she does live with me right now. But I’m here because my brainless brother is off doin' God knows what God knows where.”

“Now, Bennett Aston, you hush your mouth.” Heidi quipped sharply, her moments-earlier affection evaporating as quickly as her words. “You don't speak one ill word about Joseph. He’s your brother and my husband, and I won’t have it, understand?”

Enlightened by the information, Jenna was far more entertained by the look on Ben’s face. It was clear he’d rather swallow fire than keep quiet, but he remained so. Brother-in-law or not, he was quite devoted to Heidi. Or she was one determined woman, Jenna realized, stifling a chuckle at Heidi’s glare and Ben’s acquiescence.

Clearing her throat, she steered the conversation back on track. “You were right, Ben, I wasn’t clear on your situation—though I didn't mean to pry. I apologize.”

“None necessary.”

“On that note, I am glad you’re both here. It’s always helpful for the mother to have a good support system, so it's nice that you’re here too, Ben.” Jenna glanced his way, but only for a moment. Handsome, single, and a doting brother-in-law? Now those eyes and smile really were lethal.

Focus, Jenna. Focus.

Smiling at them, she moved her clipboard to the side and folded her hands on her desk. “I hope both of you find something you can take away from our time together. Now, Heidi, if you’re okay with it, why don't we begin with that past you said you wanted to get into? It’s often times the best place to start, so hopefully we can heal it, learn from it, and move on into your future.”

After the meeting, Heidi had run off to pee—her fifth time in two blasted hours—while Ben found himself lost in the maze of a clinic and conveniently wandering down the same hallway as the lovely Ms. Gregor.

She stood at the end of the long corridor, her back to him as she faced a duo of water fountains in a small cutout in the wall. He sauntered up behind her as she finished filling a bottle to its brim before taking a fast sip and, much to his enjoyment, quickly swiping her tongue over her lips to capture the remaining drops.

She spotted him out of the corner of her eye and jumped as he spoke casually. “It was nice to see you again today.”

She clumsily popped the lid closed on the bottle and brushed at her bangs. “Oh, hello. Yes, you as well. Coincidence, I guess. I had to place you at first.”

“You did? Shame.”

“Excuse me?”

He edged closer to her. “It’s a shame you had to place me. Funny thing? Ever since I saw you yesterday, you’ve been on my mind. So when you walked in, I knew just who you were.”

When she didn’t speak he grinned. “I appreciate your help today. I think this is going to be real good for Heidi. She needs someone like you.”

She visibly relaxed, obviously much more comfortable with this line of conversation. “Thank you. I enjoyed talking with her. With both of you.”

Ben inched his feet closer again and watched a beautiful peachy-pink bloom on her cheeks. “She enjoyed the talking, too, if you couldn’t tell,” he chuckled. "It was nice to have someone else be a sounding board for a change.”

“That’s what I’m here for,” she said politely, looking everywhere but his eyes.

With every step he’d taken forward, she’d edged back, and now he stood close enough that he could reach out and put a hand on the wall. He placed one above her head, leaned in a bit, and was charmed as the color on her face warmed even more.

“So now that you know my back story and all those personal details like marital status, how about leveling the playing field?”

Jenna finally met his eyes, and like her face, her gaze held heat, though Ben guessed it was fueled by a different kind of fire.

“This is hardly the time to discuss my personal life,” she said briskly. “And you are a patient. That information is not relevant, or necessary from me to you.”

“Not really a patient, ma’am. I’m a support system, remember?”

“I don’t even really know your marital status,” she continued over him, “only that it’s not to Heidi.”

Ah, so she did care, or at least had thought about it. Round one to Ben.

“And it’s not that I care anyway,” she huffed.

He raised his brows and slowly lifted his other hand against the wall, boxing her in. “You don’t?”

“Uh-uh.” She shook her head slowly, never taking her eyes off his.

“Well, I do care, so I will tell on myself first. I am single. Checkmark in the box that says unattached. Not Heidi, not anyone.”

When her phone let out a series of beeps, Jenna blinked, breaking that great stare they had going, before shaking her head and grabbing the phone from her coat pocket.

As she glanced at the screen, Ben straightened and wondered briefly what was causing him to be so uncharacteristically forward.

Maybe it was because he liked this side of her even better than the cute mom, or the intelligent, proper professional. Or it could be that exotic flowery smell—like a perfectly groomed gardenia—that seemed to be springing from her hair. Whatever it was, he was having fun.

And boy did she look good from this view. He had a good eight inches on her, meaning those beautiful blue eyes had to look up to make contact with his—which at the moment she wasn’t doing much of.

He wanted to change that.

With a quick move of his hand, he cupped her chin in his palm, lifted her face to meet his gaze.

“So which is it, Jenna Gregor? Which box does your checkmark go in?”

The blue eyes narrowed. “And suppose it’s in the box that says big, scary wrestler husband will beat you up for touching me like this?”

“Come on now, Jenna, I know that’s not true.”

“And just how would you know that?”

“If it were, those baby blues of yours wouldn’t be fixed on me right now, and the apples of your cheeks wouldn’t look like a rose on a hot summer's day. And,” he trailed his fingers slowly down, “I wouldn’t be able to feel this pulse pounding in your neck.”

She swallowed as the tips of his fingers revealed the truth at the pulsating veins.

“Plus,” he smiled widely, “your son is pretty talkative.”

“Well, I never . . .” Jenna yanked her hand up and swatted his touch away. “And if you think you know so much, yes, my box says unattached as well. But——and here’s something you obviously don’t know—I aim to keep it that way."