“Okay, okay.” He chuckled at my impatience. “Since you don’t have to stand on your feet all day at that store anymore, I thought it would be nice and relaxing for you to go spend some time at a spa. I’ll drop you off there tomorrow morning.” I tried not to let the disappointment show too much on my face as he continued. Was he trying to get rid of me? “It’s a special retreat that caters to pregnant women. They’ll buff and puff you, and you can be sure that any treatments you have there are safe for Peaches.”

He smiled broadly at me, obviously completely proud of himself. I tried to smile back, but must not have been overly convincing because he continued raving about the place. “You can do pregnancy yoga, go on nature walks, and get a massage. It will be so relaxing that you’ll come back a new woman.”

I didn’t want to come back a new woman. I didn’t see anything wrong with the woman that I was now. Did he? It sounded to me like I was being shipped off to who-knows-where to be coddled, pampered, and shoved away for safekeeping while the rest of the world went on without me.

How long will I have to go without Sam’s touch? The question was all that I really cared about, so I altered it slightly and voiced it. “How long will I be there?”

“Just a couple of days, but I’m going to miss you like crazy.” His reassurance made me feel a little better. “We had better make love a couple of more times before you go. I’ll need that to tide me over until you get back.” He trailed kisses softly down my neck. “I’ll be counting the hours until I get to see you again,” he whispered with hot breath in my ear.

The thought of us being apart for even a couple of days made me frantic for him. We spent the entire night naked, entwined, trying to get enough of each other to last for a while. Morning came too soon. I wanted to cling to him, but forced myself to be strong.

I knew that he believed that he was doing this as a kindness for me, likely trying to help me forget that I no longer have a job. I really didn’t have any desire to go to pregnancy boot camp, but I forced myself to drum up some enthusiasm. After all, he had gone to all the trouble of planning the trip for me.

He helped me throw a few things in my travel bag, before kissing me long and hard. “Will you miss me?” His question showed the first hint I’d ever seen him display of any insecurity.