Lone Wolf (Wilde Brothers Ranch #6)- Scarlett Grove Page 0,19
“Exactly.”
The doctor took off her rubber gloves, looking Annie straight in the eyes. “From everything that I've ever learned about shifters and the women who become their mates, they make excellent husbands and fathers. Some of the most devoted men I've ever seen. Most women would consider themselves lucky to have a man like that. If he wasn't dangerous or abusive, then why wouldn't you want to be with him?”
“This isn't about him. It's about me.” She wiped a tear away from her eye.
“Okay, Annie. I just want what's best for you and the baby. Maybe you should talk to someone about this. A friend or relative. If you don't have anyone to talk to, I know someone who could help.” She rifled through some files on her desk and handed Annie a business card.
“If you have issues from your past, Dr. Zimmer is one of the best counselors in the area. She works with a lot of expectant mothers who are having difficulty with the transition into motherhood. I'm sure she could help you too.”
Thanks,” Annie said, reluctantly taking the card. She didn't have any intention of calling Dr. Zimmer. She climbed down from the bed and grabbed her purse.
“We should see you again in another six weeks. At seven and a half months, we’ll start seeing you every other week. You can make your appointment with Janice on the way out.”
“Thank you, doctor.” Annie slung her purse over her shoulder and headed out of the offices and to the reception desk, where she made her next appointment.
All the while, she felt like the world was pressing down on her like the heavy winter sky. She hurried out to her car, and as she sat down, her pants felt tight around the waist. She wasn't going to be able to keep wearing her regular clothes for much longer.
She growled and rolled her eyes. She had work to do for her clients, but instead of heading back home to get back to work, she drove over to the local mall. Inside, she smelled the scent of cinnamon and stopped at a concession for a treat.
She was ravenously hungry most of the time and had been gaining weight at what her doctor said was a normal rate. But it still didn't make the changes any easier. When she was done with her cinnamon bun, she started over to the clothing store she usually shopped at. But as soon as she walked inside and saw all the young girls with slim waists perusing the tight dresses and jeans, she knew she could not shop in the store for quite some time, maybe ever.
She let out a deep sigh and turned around, heading down the concourse toward the maternity shop she'd passed a thousand times but had never considered shopping at. She stood in the doorway, staring at the other pregnant women. She felt as if her life were flashing before her eyes.
Annie had not been able to go through with the procedure. She told herself a thousand times it was the best choice to just end it all and get it over with. She'd re-scheduled the appointment three times but had never gone. Once she’d passed the first trimester mark, it was too late for her to make that decision. Now she was five months pregnant, and there was no way that she would go through with that procedure. She felt the baby moving and kicking inside her every day and knew that it was alive and growing. She knew that adoption was the only realistic option.
She took a deep breath and walked into the maternity store. There were women in much later stages of their pregnancies going through the clothes. They glowed and smiled with excitement. A few of them were even huddled close to their husbands, who seemed so proud and protective.
Annie went down the aisles, looking for something that wouldn't make her feel like a beached whale. Her pants rubbed on her stomach, and just even eating the cinnamon bun made her feel like she'd gained five pounds. As she picked up a loose winter dress and held it up, the couple in the next aisle over were smiling and speaking in low tones. The way the man looked at his wife sent chills down Annie’s spine.
She grabbed a few things and went to the checkout to pay for them without even trying them on. As soon as she started dressing like a pregnant woman, there was no way