Page 55 of More Bite than Bark

“All right.I’ll try.You may have to remind me a time or two, I’m used to keeping my own council, but for you, I’ll try.”

“That’s all I ask.”She leaned against him, wrapping her arms around his waist and pressing her face against his chest and taking in the scent of him.Elizabeth stood that way for a moment, letting his strength and self-assurance fuel her.Then she turned and looked at Bones.“Where do you want to do this?”

Chapter Thirty-Three

“Consideringhowlongyouwere unconscious; I’m going to recommend a CT scan.”Bones kept his eyes on Elle as he spoke to her.“It’s mostly for precaution, as you’re not showing many other symptoms, other than the nausea.”After Elle had agree to let Bones look at her, they’d moved into the makeshift exam room they’d set up for him.It was handy to have a fully stocked room where the brothers could be treated if they found trouble, well, trouble that didn’t demand an emergency room and full staff.

“I’m not sure if the nausea is from getting hit.”Elle looked at Hex rather than Kevin when she spoke.“And I’m not sure a scan like that is the best idea.”

Bones lifted one brow.“Is there something I need to know?”He turned his gaze to Hex, as if that was where the answer would come from.

Elle took a deep breath and looked up at Hex.

“Is there any reason to hide it?We were just holding off telling our moms, but now that they know, are we still keeping things quiet?”

“Anything you say in here is under doctor patient confidentiality, so please, if it affects your care, tell me,” Bones put in.

Elle was still looking at him, as if waiting for him to tell her it was okay.

“No reason to keep it a secret anymore, sugar.tell him, and if you’re ready we can tell the whole club when we’re done here, or we can wait until you’re feeling better.Whatever works for you.”

She leaned over to kiss his cheek, then turned to face Bones.“I’m pregnant.I’ve only got a few weeks left in the first trimester and I’ve had some morning sickness, though it’s not always in the morning.”She gave him a wan smile.

“And you think the nausea was morning sickness, not the head blow?”

“It may be both, but I’m leaning more toward the morning sickness, yes.”

Hex watched the interaction between the two of them.He was glad Elle felt at home enough to trust Bones.These were his brothers.The last thing he wanted was for her to be afraid of them.Bones watched her for a moment, as if he was trying to judge how honest she was being with him.

“I don’t want anything to happen to me or to this little one.”She cupped her belly.“If you think it best that I get scanned, I will.”

“You swear the headache and nausea are less than they were?”Bones asked.

“I do.And most of the pain is just the knot where I was poking at it, then you were.”

“Will you tell me if it gets worse or changes at all except to go away?”

“I will, I don’t mind being seen or treated, but I do want to make sure whoever it is, is licensed.And I want to know why.”She turned and looked at Hex as if silently reprimanding him for trying to drag her in without explaining himself.

He squeezed her hand, hoping she would take that as his reassurance that he would communicate better.He wasn’t used to giving reasons or trying to convince someone to do what he wanted.He usually just gave orders, and his men did what they were told.

Sure, there were a few of the brothers who would talk back or question him, but they were men he’d known for years.Men he trusted to have his back and make sure he was being rational.

While he’d known Elle most of his life, there were a lot of things she hadn’t been there for, especially since high school.A lot of things he still couldn’t tell her, or anyone from when he’d joined the Army, and even since his separation.He would have to figure out what he could tell her and what she might need to know.

“Let’s keep an eye on you for a little while.I’m going to say lots of rest.I don’t want you up and cooking, cleaning, or anything else for at least a week.”

“Do I have to stay in bed?”Elle’s voice was little better than a whine.

“No.”Bones looked back and forth between him and Elle.“I’m afraid if I told you to stay in bed for the next week you wouldn’t be getting much rest.And since we’re being careful, I will say no sex, of any kind, for the same period.”

Elle opened her mouth to say something, despite her bright red face, but Bones stopped her.

“It’s blood pressure I’m concerned about.If you have a small bleed, it will likely resolve itself with no issues, but a blood pressure spike, say from orgasm, could loosen the clot and start a re-bleed.Better to be safe.”

A look of surprise crossed Elle’s face, then she nodded.

“I understand.”