Page 36 of Bryson

He also was ashamed that he kept expecting her to change her mind. He had brought her a stunning square-cut diamond, which she was wearing on her ring finger. She kept reassuring him that she was committed, but past experience still had him looking around corners and expecting her to leave. He was terrified of her leaving.

"Well?" Unable to bear the silence anymore, he blurted it out.

"Strong heartbeat," Dr. Hawthorne informed them with a pleased smile. "Everything looks normal. No signs of spotting, which is very good. I still want you to take it easy, but you don't have to spend all your time lying in bed. In fact, I recommend some light exercises. Walking is best."

Julianne let out a gusty sigh of relief and loosened her grip on Bryson's hand.

"We're getting married on Saturday."

"I'm aware," the doctor replied with a slight smile at Bryson. "I received my invitation and my wife and I are looking forward to being there. I haven't been to a barn dance in ages."

"So you foresee no problems for Saturday?" Bryson persisted. He wanted to make sure that they were cleared for Saturday.

"None whatsoever. I would not recommend flying anywhere though. I suggest you keep the honeymoon local for now."

"And sex?"

Both men stared at her in surprise at the question.

"What?" Julianne asked, giving her fiancé a pointed look. "You were thinking it. I consider it prudent to ask. Well, doc? Will we be able to celebrate the wedding day with a wedding night?"

Liking her spunk and her direct manner, Dr. Hawthorne flashed her a grin. "You will be."

"Thank you."

"You're most welcome." His smile faded. "I'm going to be writing scripts for some iron supplements and some more anti-nausea pills. You're a little anemic, nothing to worry about." He hastened to assure them as they both stared at him. "Just a precaution. You're almost three months pregnant and after the scare we had, we're taking every step to ensure there isn't another."

"Brian!" she squealed as soon as they arrived back at the ranch. He was just hopping out of a rental, a red and blue sports jacket slung casually over his left shoulder. The wind had tousled his hair into artful disarray, and his eyes were sparkling as he came forward and lifted her off the ground.

"Darling, you look positively fabulous." Putting her down, he held her away from him so he could study her face.

Tamping down the unexpected spurt of jealousy at the other man's familiarity with his fiancée, Bryson stepped back and allowed them their space. He had to remind himself that the man was gay. The first time he had met her, they had arrived at the function together. Julianne had to spend some time convincing him that Brian was her friend, just her friend and nothing more.

Now seeing them together did something to him. He was getting paranoid and jealous and it did not sit well with him.

"Welcome to our home." His voice was scrupulously polite as he interrupted the man's thorough examination of his woman.

"It's a delightful place." Brian firmly tucked Julianne's arm through his, instinctively realizing that the rangy and completely hot cowboy did not like it one bit. "All this land that stretches for miles. Now, if you don't mind, I would love to have a minute alone with this exquisite woman. How was the doctor's visit?"

Bryson was somewhat mollified when Julianne disengaged herself from the annoying bastard and came over to kiss him goodbye.

"See you for supper?"

"I'll try." He held her a moment longer, his gaze possessive. "I still have some things to take care of." He shot Brian a cool warning look. "She needs rest."

"I'll make sure she gets more than enough of it," Brian told him airily, not in the least bit perturbed by the man's intimidating stance.

Ignoring him, Bryson pulled her into his arms and gave her a kiss, steamy enough to raise her blood pressure. With one last smug look at Brian, he turned on his heels and walked towards the barn.

"Well, that certainly showed me." With a laugh, Brian snagged her hand and proceeded towards the wide wraparound porch with the towering columns.

"What?"

"Your man made his position clear. That kiss was for my benefit."

Julianne eyed him wryly. "You were baiting him."

"And had so much fun doing so." He kissed her cheek. "Now let's see this mansion of yours and you can introduce me to the wicked witch who inhabits its four walls."