“You should have been.”
“It’s daylight, which means now we have rules.” She tottered out the door, hauling her pole after her.
“I’m changing those rules.”
“Hey, Dr. Hika, you’re back.”
“And good morning to you too, Saria. You look as bright as a button, and if you’re up to getting dressed, that’s a good sign.” The doctor patted the bed and Saria eased onto it. He checked her vitals then smiled. “Great. I’m happy to take the IV out and switch you over to oral antibiotics to finish the course if you’d like.”
“I’d like that very much. It’s time to get back to my sister. She needs me.”
“Then let’s do this.” The doctor nodded at him. “If you don’t mind, I’ll need you to wait outside while I finish this examination.”
“I’m not leaving her.” He crossed his arms and stood his ground.
“It’s okay, Ben. It’s not like I can go anywhere.” Saria swished her fingers toward the door, ushering him to leave. “Go. This won’t take long. It’s just an IV, and then he’ll tell me what I can and can’t do.”
“Which I need to know about.”
“I promise to relay all of it to you.”
“All right.” Out of arguments, he shuffled out.
“Why the privacy, Dr. Hika? I didn’t request it.” Saria eased her feet onto the white linoleum floor and stretched her hand out so he could remove her IV.
“When Ben brought you in, I took some of your blood. I had it choppered to the mainland on the last flight out and fast tracked for testing.” Carefully, he removed the needle from her wrist then stuck a plaster over the puncture. “The lab found no trace of any unusual chemicals, which I was concerned about with the kidnapping and how long you’d been unconscious. It appears chloroform must have been all that was used.”
“So what’s worrying you?”
“The lab results did show something interesting that you need to be aware of.” He sat on the stool, hands on his knees. “You have a high level of hCG. The result is positive for pregnancy.”
“Huh?” She clutched her chest and dragged in a deep, deep breath. “Are you sure?”
“During your appointment, I mentioned the possibility of conceiving was slim, but it still existed.”
“Yes, six percent. That still gave me ninety-four precious percent in the other direction.” The thought of pregnancy had been miles from her mind. “I’m only a few days overdue, maybe a week. Sometimes I’m late. It happens.”
“It’s still a positive test result.” He grabbed a cup of chilled water from the dispenser and passed it to her. “Do you need any further information?”
“No, I’ll see my doctor when I get home.” She sipped then spread her hand over her belly. She was going to have Ben’s child, only having a family was the last thing Ben wanted. She’d promised him no relationship. Oh goodness. How on earth would she honor her word when she was having his baby? She’d have to figure something out.
A knock sounded on the connecting door and Ben strode in, raking one hand through his tousled blond hair. His determined gaze zeroed in on her. “Is everything all right?”
Her throat clogged up and her lips went numb. “Ah, yes, everything’s fine.”
“The patient is also free to go,” Dr. Hika added as he grabbed a bottle of pills from the countertop and passed it to her. “I had a prescription for these antibiotics filled earlier since I didn’t want you to have to return to the pharmacy. Take one tablet, three times a day, until finished. Return at any time though if you need to see me.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll grab your things.” Ben walked into the bathroom and returned with the gift shop bag holding her old clothes. He shook the doctor’s hand and thanked him for all he’d done.
Without any delay, Ben snuck her out the side entrance with Tyler leading the way.
They made the journey back in silence as Tyler sped them toward the ship. Ben sat next to her on the center seat, a set of binoculars hiding his eyes as he scanned the shoreline.
Ahead, sunshine bathed the cove’s deserted beach and the ship remained moored well out from the bay. Tyler pulled up alongside the stern.
Ben tossed the rope to a crewmember and gave her a hand as she climbed on board.
A piercing squeal rang in her ears as Lydia bounded across the deck and smothered her in her arms. “You’re back. I missed you, missed you, missed you.”
“I missed you too.” She hugged her precious sister while Brigs and Tyler’s brothers and nephew crowded the doorway.
“Are you hungry?” Lydia pulled back, looked her in the eyes. “We delayed breakfast until you arrived. Tyler sent a message and said you were on your way.”
“Yes, but I’ll have to take it slowly with it being my first solid meal and all.”