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Heath kissed Joan loudly on the cheek. “This woman kept me alive when we were starting Bimini,” he said to A
“He’s exaggerating,” Joan said.
“Not by much.”
Joe appeared, bearing drinks, and the two men retired to the den just off the hall. A
“You okay, hon?” Joan said to her as she turned from the oven with a tray.
“Sure. Why do you ask?”
“Well, you’ve been blooming the last couple of months and I’ve been relieved to see it. Right around Christmas I was really worried about you.”
“Oh, my brother’s legal trouble, you know. It was always on my mind.”
“Of course. As I said, Joe and I were thrilled to see you so much happier lately. But tonight you seem...I don’t know, preoccupied. Has there been a bad turn in Tim’s case?”
“No, everything is fine. I think I’ve just been working too hard on my book. I went to see Heath’s doctor today and he gave me a clean bill of health.”
“Dr. Langley?” Joan said.
“Yes.”
“I hear he’s good. Joe doesn’t trust anybody who hasn’t been in the Keys since the Seminoles, and Langley’s fairly new so I’ve never seen him. We see Dr. Rappaport on Big Palm.”
“Rappaport was my father’s doctor.”
“Do many people co
“Not that many, you’d be surprised. People forget fast and a lot of the old guard has changed. But, of course, with Tim’s name in the news, there’s some recognition.”
“Does anybody give you a hard time about it?”
“A few veiled remarks, nothing major. Maybe some people would say more, but I think they’re afraid of Heath.”
“Afraid he’ll sue them?” Joan said.
“Or punch them in the mouth. He’s quite capable of either course of action.”
Joan chuckled. “I remember him when he was a kid. Very tough. He hasn’t changed much in that regard.”
“Did you know him when he first came to work for Joe?” A
“Sure did. All sinew, that glossy hair, huge dark eyes. He was something to see.”
“I know. I saw him.”
Something about the wistful note in her voice touched the older woman and Joan patted her arm. “I’m sorry it took so long for you two to get back together,” she said.
“It was a misunderstanding.”
“So I gathered. But I know Heath can be pretty unforgiving. It’s the opposite face of his generosity. He’s a great friend but a formidable enemy.”
A
Joan brightened. “Enough of this serious talk. Let’s bring this food in to the men before they get restless,” she said.
A
* * * *
The rest of the evening went smoothly and A
“You feel nice and warm,” he said. “Aren’t anemics supposed to be cold all the time?”
“Heath, forget about that. I’m not anemic. I just took the test to satisfy Langley.”
“What was the test?”
“A blood sample.”
“When will the results be in?”
“Early next week.”
“If you’re not anemic then why are you dizzy?”
“Langley thought I might be pregnant,” A
He froze; she could feel his body stiffen against hers. “Did he examine you?”
“Not internally. He just thought that explanation might fit my symptoms.”
“What symptoms?”
“The dizziness, the irregular periods.”
“You said that was from stress.”
“I’m not a doctor, Heath. I was just guessing. Anyway, Langley gave me a referral to an OB/GYN
in his building. I called and I have an appointment next week.”
Heath got out of bed and turned to face her, putting on his robe. “You can’t be pregnant,” he said flatly.
“I think I am, Heath. I took one of those home tests and it was positive.”
His face closed completely and A
“Then the child ca
Chapter 11
A
“Just what I said. You’re not pregnant by me.” There was an air of unreality about the exchange that made A
“I don’t know how else this could have happened,” he said tightly, his arms folded.
“Don’t be ridiculous. You know how it happened.”
“No I don’t. I had a vasectomy while I was in the Navy. If you’re having a baby it isn’t mine.”
A
“You know why. I didn’t want to produce any more congenital drunks.”
“So you knew you couldn’t have children when we were first married?” A
“Of course. In the kind of marriage we were pla
“But what about after Christmas when things changed? Just when, exactly, were you going to share this piece of information with me?”
“Don’t try to turn the tables here—the discussion at hand concerns your mysterious pregnancy. Who’s the father?”
“You’re the father, you idiot, and I’m livid that you could even imply otherwise,” A
“What are you doing?” he asked, following her.
“Isn’t it obvious? I’m leaving.” She rapidly folded an assortment of sweaters and slacks and tossed them haphazardly into a canvas flight bag.
“In the middle of the night?”
“I see no reason to stay any longer.”
“You’re leaving me?” he said in a bewildered tone, as if unable to believe it.
“Of course. Do you think I’m going to stay here and listen to any more of this garbage? I’ve been as understanding and patient as I know how to be. I forgave you for the way you treated me when we first got back together. I made every excuse I could think of for your abominable behavior and overlooked all of it in order to have the future with you that I so desperately wanted. But this is the last straw, Heath. If you actually think that I have been sleeping with somebody else during the past couple of months when we’ve been so happy together, then I don’t even know what to say to you.”
“It may have happened before Christmas,” he said flatly, his gaze level.
“Oh, I see. While you were torturing me on a daily basis, I was taking comfort in some other man’s arms?”
“Why not? According to you, I gave you sufficient reason. How pregnant are you?”
“I don’t know. I’d have to have a sonogram to date the conception. But no matter when this baby was conceived it is yours, and I will undergo DNA testing to prove it. I’ll send you the results in the mail.” She tore off her nightgown furiously and then pulled a sweater over her head.