Page 64 of All in with the Maverick Montana

“Amy. Nice to meet you.”

“So, babies,” the doctor said, grabbing a seat in a swivel chair.

“Babies,” Amy repeated.

“Your first?”

“Yes.”

“And are we happy about that?” There was no judgment in her voice, and Amy suspected the doctor asked most of her patients this question. Their answer likely determined the direction of the conversation.

“It was definitely unexpected, and I’m not going to say I wasn’t shocked, but yes… I’m happy.”

“Okay, then. I’d like to do an ultrasound. Just to see where we’re starting off since this is your first visit with me.”

“We’re gonna see the baby?”

Dr. Rangely nodded. “You bet.” Amy reclined back on a table, her heart pounding, as the doctor rubbed cold jelly on her stomach. She tried to imagine what this would have been like if Tru had decided to play parent. Would he be standing here next to her, holding her hand? She couldn’t picture it, but she could picture Josh and her chest ached. Dr. Rangely adjusted some equipment, pulling a monitor into focus as she moved the ultrasound wand over Amy’s skin. Amy watched the screen, trying to make sense of the unrecognizable blurs.

Suddenly a swooshing sound filled the room.

“Is that—”

“The heartbeat,” Dr. Rangely said.

“The heartbeat,” Amy replied softly. The swoosh raced faster than Amy expected. “Is that…good?”

“That’s normal. It’s a very strong heartbeat.”

Amy wanted to burst into tears. And she did. “I’m sorry,” she muttered as she was handed a box of tissues. Everything was just so uncertain. She didn’t know where she stood with Josh or how to fix this situation or if there was any chance she might get him back, but the baby’s heart was strong. How could everything be so wrong and so right at the same time? “I guess I just wanted to make sure everything was okay. After not knowing for so long, and not doing the things I was supposed to do—”

“Everything looks really good, Amy,” Dr. Rangely said. “I promise. Nothing out of the ordinary for this far along.”

“I was reading some things on the internet and it said you weren’t supposed to be horseback riding. But then some other websites said you could. And I did. Go horseback riding, that is. But that’s before I knew about the baby.”

Dr. Rangely rubbed the back of Amy’s hand where it rested on her stomach. “It can be a risky activity, especially for people who aren’t used to it. But your file said you worked the rodeo circuit, right?” Amy nodded. “Well, seeing as you do it regularly, I’d say you were probably okay.”

Amy let out a sigh of relief.

The doctor removed her gloves. “You and the baby look healthy. But I’d like you to hold off on the horseback riding going forward. You’re into the second trimester now, and you’re technically high-risk because of your age. You’re fit but we want to be as careful as we can.”

“I can do that,” Amy said.

Dr. Rangely sat down at a desk, making notes on a laptop. “We’ll get you scheduled for the anatomy scan next. We’ll be able to tell you the sex at that appointment if you want to know.”

“When’s that?”

“Between eighteen and twenty-two weeks.”

Amy felt her breath leave her. At the next scan she’d learn if she was having a little boy or a little girl. This was all becoming more real by the second, and she couldn’t help wishing for Josh. Wishing that he’d been here with her, listening to this baby’s heartbeat, the baby they might raise together if any part of him still wanted her. But could he ever want her enough now to make that work? Emotion filled her chest and it was hard to breathe.

Dr. Rangely turned to her. “Now, do you have any questions for me?”

“Oh, so many,” Amy said. “Is it true the baby is the size of an avocado?”

***

“A baby!” Elizabeth said as they crowded into a booth. “I can’t believe it. Congratulations again. I’m going to keep saying that. I’m so happy for you. I know you’ve wanted this for a while.”