Defining Moments (A Moments In Time Love Story 2) Read Free Page B

be a coincidence.”
    “I guess.” Melisa felt foolish for even thinking the roses could be from Scott. “You’re right. Come on, let’s get back to the party.”
    Melisa managed to shake off any thoughts of Scott and enjoyed her party. She played dress-up with Daria, participated in games of Monopoly and charades, and laughed at silly jokes until her stomach hurt.
    At the end of the evening, she gave the roses to Josie Deare. They would brighten up the new offices of Silken Dreams, the wedding planning business she and her sisters had recently started up. No matter who had given her the flowers, Melisa knew she’d never be able to look at them without thinking about the past, which was a long way behind her now. There was no looking back for her, not even for a moment.

Chapter Four
    Melisa grasped Heat’s shoulder, and he roused long enough to curl his arms around her and pull her close to his warm body.
    She loved it when he did that. His solid muscles pressed against her made her feel safe. She basked in the whisper of his breath in her ear and against her cheek as he slept. Heat had an intoxicating effect on her senses, as if he were some kind of drug; often, all he needed to do was touch her or gaze at her with his dark, sleepy eyes and she would simply melt. There were occasions when, in the middle of the night, she’d have to wake him to release the sexual tension that he had helped build up inside of her. But tonight was different. She needed him for something else.
    She squeezed his arm again, her short nails digging into his firm flesh. “Honey, wake up.” She bit into her lip until it throbbed. She gazed at the window, watching the moonlight make the thin curtain glow. It was after midnight and she felt guilty for waking him. He worked long hours, and he needed his sleep on nights off like this one.
    Sitting up in bed, Heat blinked away sleep. “Are you okay, baby?”
    “I don’t know… I’m not sure.” Melisa tried to be brave, even though a thread of fear wound itself around her neck and started to squeeze her throat shut. “I think I’m having contractions. It’s too early.” It could be nothing, but she wasn’t about to take any chances. She already had to be extra careful because of the gestational diabetes. She would do anything to protect this baby.
    Heat threw back the covers and leaped out of bed. He pulled on a pair of jeans and a wrinkled T-shirt, grabbed the small bag they already had packed for her, and helped get her dressed. Without a word, he picked her up and carried her to their SUV, strapped her in, and got into the driver’s seat.

Chapter Five
    Heat might have looked confident and in control, but his heart was pounding hard as he got dressed and prepared to drive Melisa to Serendipity Memorial. Could this be the night he met his daughter? As exciting as the prospect was, he was scared that it was too early, and Melisa’s was a risky pregnancy. But he couldn’t let his wife see his fear. He had to be strong, for all three of them.
    Everything would turn out perfectly. Either they would return home in no time, laughing about the false alarm, or they would be holding their child before morning.
    He had never been an overly religious person, couldn’t even remember the last time he’d prayed. But now, he found himself sending up a silent prayer for the baby to be okay. He had to hold on to that thought. If anything happened to the baby, he couldn’t even start to imagine what it would do to Melisa.

Chapter Six
    Melisa caressed Heat’s cheek. She could see he was barely awake. “Sorry, baby. I didn’t want to wake you, but I think it’s best to go to the hospital. Just in case.”
    He shook his head. “Sleep can wait. You and the baby are my priority.”
    Melisa smiled weakly and closed her eyes as an invisible fist punched her hard in the stomach, driving bile up her throat. Her eyes flew open, but she only saw stars. She blinked several times and prayed softly. The