Deeper than the Night - By Amanda Ashley Page 0,104
the only way . . ."
"No!"
"Kara . . ."
"No, Alex. I won't even consider it."
A soft sound at the doorway drew Alexander's attention. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Gail standing there, an overnight bag in each hand, her cheeks wet with tears.
Rising to his feet, Alex crossed the room and took the bags from her hands. "Why don't you order us some dinner?"
Gail went to sit beside her sister. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine. Call the restaurant and order something to eat." She forced a smile as she placed her hand over her stomach. "I'm eating for two now, you know?"
Mouth set in a grim line, Alex removed Kara's sweater and set about cleaning and disinfecting the wound. When that was done, Kara went into the bathroom to wash up and change into her nightgown.
Gail sat on the edge of the other twin bed, fidgeting with a corner of the bedspread. "Why do you want Kara to get an abortion?"
"What'd you order for dinner?"
"Is it because you're from outer space?"
"Did Kara tell you that?"
Gail nodded. "You don't have to worry. I won't tell anyone."
Alex swore softly, then shook his head. Maybe it was better that Gail knew. It would certainly make things easier.
"It's true," Alex said, sitting down beside her. "I'm from another planet, and I'm worried that it might be dangerous for Kara to have my baby. Do you understand?"
"Of course."
The sound of the water running in the bathroom drew his gaze toward the door. Closing his eyes, he searched Kara's thoughts, needing to be certain she was all right. She was angry with him. Afraid for him, and for the child.
And then her mind closed against his, shutting him out as effectively as if she'd slammed a door between them.
Kara emerged from the bathroom a few minutes later, and Alex thought she'd never looked lovelier. Her face was flushed, her hair fell down her back, a few tendrils curling around her face.
She walked across the room slowly, carefully sat down on the bed.
Alex watched her, feeling the pain of her wound as if it were his own.
Five minutes later, there was a knock at the door.
Withdrawing his pistol and holding it out of sight behind his back, he motioned for Gail to open the door.
"I've got an order here for Mr. Jones."
Alex looked the young man over. Placing the gun on top of the dresser, he withdrew some money from his pocket. "How much?"
"Eighteen-fifty."
Alex paid him for the food, then closed and locked the door.
He stood near the window, looking out from time to time, while Gail and Kara ate breakfast.
"Alex, are you sure you don't want anything?" Kara asked.
"I'm sure." Needing some time alone, time to think, he went into the bathroom to shower. She was pregnant. The thought pounded at his brain as the water pummeled his flesh. Pregnant. Pregnant. How far along was she? A month? Two? Pregnant.
He dressed quickly, then stepped into the main room. Gail and Kara were asleep in each other's arms.
A wave of tenderness swept through Alex as he drew a blanket over the two of them. He checked the lock, slipped his gun under the pillow of the other bed, and stretched out on the mattress.
She was here.
She was pregnant.
It was his last thought before sleep claimed him.
Chapter Twenty-nine
They left the motel at dusk. Kara's wound, though sore, seemed to be healing nicely, and Alex was certain it was because he'd given her his blood. His own wounds had always healed swiftly, leaving no scar.
Kara glanced at Alex. She should have been weak, suffering from the blood she'd lost, but when Alex had checked her this morning, the gunshot wound had appeared to be no more serious than a scratch. Certainly it was far less painful than the awkward silence between her and Alex.
She glanced at him now, thinking how handsome he was, how much she loved him. But she loved his baby, too, and she wasn't going to get rid of it.
"I think we should drop Gail off at the Ralstons'," Kara said.
Alex glanced at her. It was the first time she'd spoken directly to him since last night. "All right."
"No, Kara!" Gail leaned over the seat. "I want to stay with you."
Kara shook her head. "I don't think that's a good idea."
"Why not?"
"Because we might still be in danger from Barrett," Kara said. She turned in the seat so she could face Gail. "It'll only be for a little while, sweetie."