Page 51 of Isla by Any Other Name

Kech looked once more at her file. His brow furrowed. “Siobhan, we haven’t talked much about your personal life and I don’t mean to pry, but as your doctor, whatever you tell me is strictly confidential. Is the baby’s father in the picture?”

Tears filled her eyes as she told him, “He’s not in the picture and he won’t be. I’m doing this on my own.”

Kech put a hand on her shoulder. Warm and steady. “Siobhan, I’m here for you. We’re here for you. If you need anything at all, you just need to ask.”

Life fell into a routine. Isla went to work, visited her parents twice a week, and prepared the baby’s room.

She had a sonogram before her next appointment. Kech assured her all was well. The little bean didn’t give them the view they needed to see if it was a boy or a girl, but she was fine with that. It didn’t matter to her. She just wanted to hold her baby in her arms and dream of the man that held her heart. There were times when the tears came, and she wouldn’t deny them. Her hormones were all over the board, anyway. But she missed Mitch so much.

Kech and Leslie had become somewhat like family to her. She had told Leslie about her pregnancy after her sonogram. Leslie had given her a sly smile and said, “Don’t think I didn’t know long before now. I can spot a pregnant woman a mile away no matter how far along she is. I’ve been in this business since before you were born. When is the precious bundle due?”

Isla laughed. “My bundle is due in late August. That’s only five months away. I hope I’m ready by then.”

“You’ll be ready, you needn’t worry. We’ll get you all set up. Now about a babysitter…” Isla smiled at Leslie—she knew the woman would have the answer to her problem. “My sister Dawn—that’s Kech’s mother—can babysit for you. She loves babies and, at the moment, she’s baby-free. We’ll talk to her this weekend. I’ll have the two of you over for tea on Saturday night and we can get that settled so it’s one less thing you have to worry about.”

Isla felt her shoulders drop with relief. “Leslie, can I ask you a question about Kech?”

“Sure, honey.”

“Why hasn’t Kech ever married?”

“He was engaged once. Her name was Sunrise. She lived on the reservation. They went to school together. When he moved to the city to go to college, she followed. When he decided to come home to practice, she dumped him like a hot potato. She wanted the glamour of being a doctor’s wife and that wasn’t going to happen if he came back here. He’s had a few girlfriends since then, but nothing that stuck. I’m still hoping that there’s someone out there for him. I don’t want to see him alone for the rest of his life. He’d make a great husband and dad, for the right girl.”

“He is a good guy. I hope he finds that special someone. No one should be alone in this world.”

“What about you, sweetie?” Leslie asked. “You haven’t mentioned anyone since I’ve known you and I don’t think you did this on your own.”

“I had someone special, yes,” Isla said, looking down. She couldn’t meet Leslie’s kind eyes. “He’s the love of my life. But circumstances beyond our control…He doesn’t know about the baby. It wouldn’t be fair to him if he knew.”

“Siobhan, if you ever need to talk, I’m here for you,” said Leslie. “I’m not going to pry. I’m sure you have your reasons. I’m not here to judge you.”

Isla knew that was true. Leslie was a true friend—and if there’s one thing Isla knew about, it was stitching a family together out of colorful patches.

Before she knew it, August had arrived. The baby’s room was complete. Isla’s son should be here within the next few weeks.

Isla felt as big as a house. She wanted to work up until she had the baby. Kech and Leslie were following her around like lost puppies at work. Kech wanted her to take off some time, but she wanted to work as long as she could so that she could spend more time with the baby. She did stop working at the hospital in Billings. She didn’t want to go into labor on the road.

Kech thought she would be able to work full-time after the baby was here, at the clinic. He said she was indispensable. She knew the real reason—he needed her so he could have a life of his own. He’d been seeing the new teacher in town on a regular basis. Isla and Leslie agreed that she could be the one. So Kech’s mom, Dawn, would watch the baby during the day.

Isla’s parents stayed with her pretty much every weekend. On their last visit, they had decided to move to Hardin to be close to her. They had put their name on the waiting list at the senior apartment complex in town, and an apartment would be available soon.

Isla couldn’t help but feel her family circle was almost complete. Almost. As complete as it would ever be.

Ciara and Steve were waiting in the driveway when Isla got home from work. Surprised, she pulled alongside their car and pried herself out of the driver’s seat. Ciara’s chin nearly hit the floor when she saw Isla waddle toward the car.

“Oh my God, Siobhan,” Ciara gasped. “When were you going to tell us? I’ve called you every week for the last six months and you haven’t said a word. I’m glad we stopped to see how you were doing. We had business in Billings and thought we’d come for a visit.”

“It’s good to see you both,” Isla said. She’d tried to hide this from the authorities, but she knew now that she’d just have to tell the truth. There was nothing more she could lose. As for Mitch—she was sure Ciara and Steve wouldn’t report it. Her time with them assured her that they were information-as-needed people. “As you can tell, I’m fine. Ready to burst, but fine. Come on in. I’ll fill you in on the details over tea.”

After telling Ciara and Steve her story, she made them promise to keep it to themselves. She didn’t want Mitch to find out what was happening. If he found out, he’d be there in a second and she couldn’t have him taking that chance. He’d be all tangled up in her mess, losing his livelihood and even putting his own life in danger. She wouldn’t be able to live with herself.

Ciara and Steve exchanged a long look. They said if Mitch knew, they could include him in the witness protection program as well. Isla violently shook her head. No, his life and his work were too important for him to just walk away from. She knew what it was like to have to start over. She didn’t want that for him.

“Siobhan, if we can do anything to make this easier for you, don’t hesitate to ask. Really, are you okay with all this?” Ciara asked.

“I’m fine,” said Isla. “I’ve got a good life here. I love my work and I’ve made some really good friends. I will always love Mitch—that’s not going to change. But he needs to live his life and I need to live mine. Our son will be enough for me. I’ll build a good life for him here.” Tears flooded her eyes.

Ciara and Steve stayed for a little while longer before saying their goodbyes. “Call us when you have the baby and remember, anything, we’re here for you,” Steve smiled down at her. Isla remembered her first impression of him: so serious and by the book. Now he held her greatest secret in his hands, and she trusted him with it.