A Better Man (The Heartbreak Brothers #3) - Carrie Elks Page 0,40

though. Sooner rather than later. And beneath that swell would be his child.

His throat tightened again, as the technician started to move the wand over Courtney’s lower abdomen, her eyes on the screen in front of her. “Well the good news is there’s only one.”

Courtney’s eyes met his. He grinned in relief.

“And the baby’s the perfect size for ten weeks. Measuring about as big as a strawberry.”

That was so damn tiny, it almost didn’t feel real. But then the technician turned the monitor around and pointed at the image on the screen and his whole world shrunk to the size of a pin.

There was a baby, no doubt about it. Tiny limbs moved around as the technician tried to point out the head, the body, the pumping heart. But her words were just noise, a buzzing in his ear, because his baby was there.

His breath caught in his throat. Slowly he managed to tear his gaze away, lifting it to Courtney. She was staring right back at him, her eyes wide and shiny. And damn if his weren’t feeling wet, too.

“You okay?” he managed to get out, his voice tight.

She nodded.

“Everything is perfect,” the technician told them. “I’ll print out a couple of photographs for you to keep and leave them at the front desk.” She passed a wad of tissues to Courtney so she could wipe her stomach. “And I’ll be seeing you again in a few months for your next ultrasound.”

Courtney sat up on the bed, fastening her jeans as the technician left the room. “We’re only having one,” she said softly.

“I guess that’s good news.”

Her mouth twitched. “Good for me. I only have to push one out.”

He immediately felt guilty, because that was another thing she’d have to do because of him.

And yet there was a warmth in him too, because that baby was his. And he knew for certain that no matter what happened he’d protect them both. Mother and baby. The thought was like a fire scorching over his body, making his muscles tight and his breath shallow.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Courtney asked, slipping her shoes back on. “You feel far away.”

“I’m just…” He shook his head. “It’s our baby, you know?”

She blew out a mouthful of air. “Yeah,” she said. “I know.”

“He or she is perfect. Those little legs and arms.” He smiled at her. “Did you see them?”

“I did.” She grinned back, her shoulders loosening up. “And they weren’t still at all, were they? I guess he or she doesn’t have much of a chance with being calm. Not with two workaholics for parents.”

They went out through the door, stopping at the front desk for Courtney to make her next appointment. The receptionist held out the ultrasound photographs, and Courtney took one. She glanced at Logan. “Would you like the other one?” she asked tentatively.

“Is that okay?”

“Of course.”

He took it, opening his wallet and carefully sliding it inside. Baby Roberts was written in white print at the top, and for a moment he felt dismay at the words.

He wanted it to be Baby Hartson. His. And that fiery feeling of protection washed over him again.

Yeah, well that was a discussion for another day.

“You ready to go?” he asked her. “I need to head to the airport to catch my flight.”

“Will you be okay with two flights in one day?” She looked concerned.

“Yeah.” His brows knitted together. “It was hard to even take a day off. Things are crazy with opening a new restaurant right now.”

“Oh.” She pressed her lips together. “I didn’t know you were opening something new.”

He felt like a dick again, because there was so much she didn’t know about him. And if it wasn’t for the little strawberry sized life growing inside her, she probably never would know those things. “Maybe you can come and see my restaurants some time,” he said, feeling exposed. “Since the baby will spend some of his or her time in Boston with me.”

Courtney swallowed. The smile had disappeared from her lips and he was already missing it. “Of course. That would be good. Maybe once I’m in the second trimester.”

He nodded. “Let’s check our calendars and work on something.” He pulled his keys from his pocket and held the door open for her. “Come on, let’s get you home.”

Courtney swallowed hard as they walked out of the doctor’s office, trying to stop the tears that were threatening to form. She was so aware of Logan standing next to her, his hand pressed lightly