“Why are you always so nice to me?” she asked.

“I’m a doctor, it’s my job.”

She laughed. “You’re a good doctor.”

“I try my best. Now, would you like to—”

The door opened, and she hoped it was Bishop only to find Preacher sticking his head around the door.

It was strange, but she wasn’t disappointed. “Did I miss anything?”

“Not a thing. I’m just getting set up, and I don’t have any gel. I’ll be back soon.”

Randall left as Preacher took a seat.

“Where’s Bishop?”

“Left. He couldn’t handle it.”

“That fucking boy of mine. I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault.”

“I didn’t want you doing this alone.”

“You’re not. We’re both here. I guess it’s kind of fitting. We’re the parents, not … Bishop.”

Preacher took her hand.

It was the first time he’d touched her since that night. She expected to feel scared, terrified, pity, but she stared at their joined hands and all she could feel was acceptance. This was between the two of them.

“I’m here. I’ll be at every single one of these from now on. In fact, I’m not going to ask Bishop to take my place.”

“But O’Klaren…”

“Can suck on my dick. My son is not up to this task. He’s a fool. Whatever he says to you, ignore it.”

“He’s still your son.”

“Which is why I know he’s a grade-A asshole.” He stroked a curl out of her eyes, and he smiled. “You’re not alone with this. I know I’m busy, but I don’t mean to push you aside. Far from it.”

Staring into his blue eyes, she was suddenly struck by how beautiful they were.

This man had killed people, and yet, he had the most beautiful eyes she’d ever seen. Bishop had slightly duller eyes, not as bright. They didn’t strike her to the spot.

“I’ve got it. Sorry about the delay,” Randall said, entering the room and breaking any spell that had started.

As she sat up in the bed, Randall took the chair opposite her. “Lift your shirt up, sweetheart.”

She lifted her shirt to beneath her breasts and let out a little gasp as he squirted some gel on her stomach.

“Sorry, it’s cold.”

Preacher didn’t let go of her hand.

“Now, we may not find out the sex of the baby today, but we will get a nice good look at what is going on in there. All of your blood work came back normal. You’re a healthy young woman, Robin. I’ll write you up a prescription for some folic acid, and we’ll get things moving on as they should.”

She nodded, not really hearing anything.

He put the ultrasound probe onto her stomach, and she tensed up.