Chapter 45: Dolores in Trouble

Zach put a hand on her thigh. “It’s okay.”

His warmth infused her and the vision of them and children sprang other mind like a screen coming up before her. She wanted to smile at the happiness she saw in the picture.

“You’ve done so much, Grace. How did you come to be there?”

“I was out running. I couldn’t sleep. Ended up on her doorstep, I guess to check on her.”

“Did you know something was wrong?”

She could lie and tell him she did, but she wanted him to trust her. “No, I didn’t. At least not consciously.”

“I’m glad you were there,” he said, his voice hollow.

A nurse appeared in the doorway. “Mr. Holten?”

Zach stood as if braced to hear whatever news she brought.

***

The baby that didn’t make it wasn’t his. Dolores was okay, but the baby, a twelve week fetus, was not his. He didn’t know which emotion to feel first, relief or disappointment.

He knew at that moment, he couldn’t ever trust Dolores again. He was done making excuses for her lies.