Anna Sugden - A Perfect Trade

* * *

“YOU HAVEN’T LISTENED to a word I’ve said, missy.”

Harry’s good-natured grumble made Jenny blink and turn her head from staring unseeing out of the car window. The bright morning sunshine reflected her giddy happiness.

“I’m sorry. I just can’t believe it. Everything’s happened so quickly. Last night, when we had dinner, I was plain old me.” She paused, then said softly, “Now I have a live embryo inside me. I’m sort of a mother-in-waiting.”

“You’ve never been a plain old anything. And you make a lovely mother-in-waiting. Do you feel any different?”

“It’s too early to have any symptoms.” Jenny giggled. “I won’t even know if the embryo implanted properly until I take the pregnancy test in two weeks.”

“I didn’t mean morning sickness. Do you feel any different in yourself?”

Jenny thought about it for a few moments. “Actually, I do. It’ll sound silly, but I feel almost serene.”

“My Alice felt the same each time she was pregnant. She’d laugh and say it was the only time in her life she’d ever be described as Madonna-like—the religious one, not the pop star.”

“That’s a perfect description. Though I wouldn’t mind a dash of the other Madonna, too.”

Harry laughed. “You could give the Material Girl a run for her money any day.”

“Thanks, but you’re a teensy bit biased.”

“Never. I’m a cynical, heartless bastard. Ask my kids.”

Jenny rolled her eyes. “They take your money.”

“Dollars spend easily, no matter who they come from.”

The lack of appreciation Harry’s children had for their father annoyed Jenny.

He had supported her through every step of the IVF process, with as much interest as if he were the grandfather-to-be. From helping her choose the sperm donor to taking her for ultrasounds. After yesterday’s egg-removal, he’d taken her to dinner, to distract her while she waited nervously to hear if her sole embryo was viable.

Naturally, this morning, Harry had accompanied her to the clinic for the implantation and would doubtless wait on tenterhooks to see if the procedure had been successful.

As if a cloud passed in front of the sun, her happiness dimmed a little. She knew the odds of success were lower than normal because she’d only been able to produce one embryo. Plus, her internal scarring might prevent her carrying a baby to term. “What if it fails?”

Harry frowned at the tremor in her voice. “Then you’ll try again. We discussed this.”

“But it’s so expensive. I can’t...”

“Don’t you dare say you can’t afford it. We have an agreement.”

“I know, but it’s a huge amount of money for one round of IVF, let alone three.”

“Then it’s a good thing I’m a wealthy man. I still don’t understand why you won’t take the money in a lump sum, instead of separate payments for each attempt.”

“Because there would be too many zeros involved. I’m already worried it’ll take years to repay what you’ve lent me so far.”

“Lizzie’s education is your priority. Once she finishes college, we’ll talk again about a repayment schedule.” Harry patted his breast pocket. “Besides, I have your signed IOU tucked safely in here, in case you ever think of welching on the loan.”

Jenny smiled. She’d scrawled their money arrangement on a crumpled cocktail napkin, in pink Chanel lipstick, at dinner last night, when he’d tried once again to give her the money as a gift. “I promise not to leave the country.”

Harry chuckled. “Have you told Lizzie?”

She shook her head. “I haven’t told anyone.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t want to say anything until I know for sure the procedure’s worked.”

“Understandable. But this is a stressful time and you’re not giving anyone the chance to support you. I thought you might have told Maggie, at least. She’s your closest friend.”

Guilt twinged her stomach. Although Maggie had shared a lot about her past, Jenny had been reluctant to reciprocate. Jenny told herself it was for sound reasons, but she knew she wasn’t being fair to her friend.

“Maggie and Jake have been trying to get pregnant for the past year. I’m not sure how to tell her what I’m doing.” She sighed. “I’m scared of upsetting her.”

“Maybe, but she’d be there for you regardless. Having another woman to share this with, especially someone who’s also trying to get pregnant, might be helpful to you both.”

“I’ll think about it.”

As Harry pulled into the CVS parking lot, Jenny’s phone rang. She glanced at the caller display, pursing her lips as she declined the call.

“Damn lawyer won’t take no for an answer.”

“I thought you’d already told Connor Smith you wanted nothing to do with your uncle’s will.” Harry parked in an empty slot and turned off the ignition. “Why is he still hassling you?”

“He wants me to sign some documents to say I accept that the proceeds of his estate will go to charity and won’t make a future claim against the estate. I told him to mail the papers, but he’s insisting I go to his office.”

“Do you want me to set Barrett on him?”

Much as she’d love Harry’s high-priced barracuda to deal with the slippery lawyer, she didn’t want the fuss. “Not yet, but thanks.”

“Well, holler if you need him.” Harry unclipped his seat belt. “Now, have you got that list the IVF nurse gave you? I want to make sure I get the right prenatal vitamins, since the ones your doctor prescribed made you so sick.”

“I can get them.” She smiled. “I’m supposed to behave normally. Walking around a drugstore won’t do any harm.”

“But I can be in and out in ten minutes.” Harry’s jaw set. “Besides, I thought you didn’t want anyone to know about the procedure yet. Won’t people be curious if they see you looking at pregnancy vitamins?”

Harry had a point. She could avoid unnecessary gossip if he fetched the vitamins for her.

“We’ll go in together. You can get these.” She handed him the nurse’s note. “While I get some other things I need, like cotton balls and nail polish remover.”

“Okay. But the sooner you’re home with your feet up, the better I’ll feel.”

She patted his arm. “This is really all about your delicate feelings, isn’t it?”

Harry laughed. “Isn’t it always about me?”

The long line at the prescription counter made the drugstore more crowded than usual. As they walked past the small, seated waiting area, she heard someone calling her.

“Coo-ee, Jenny!”

Tru’s mother, Karina, waved her over.

Harry squeezed Jenny’s arm, then wandered off toward the vitamins aisle. He’d probably rub it in all the way home that they’d bumped into one of the last people Jenny would want to discuss a potential pregnancy with. Not because she didn’t like Karina—she was very fond of her—but because of the woman’s son.

Jenny glanced over at the counter. Her heart gave a little jolt as she saw Tru chatting with the pharmacist.

Why did he have to look so good? A faded red Ice Cats T-shirt stretched across Tru’s broad chest, showing off his toned arms and flat stomach. Blue jeans, worn almost white in parts—all the right parts—molded to his powerful legs and his fine backside. Her pulse fluttered; she’d always been one for great legs.

Stop! She dragged her gaze away, giving herself a stern talking-to. What was wrong with her? The fertility hormones had to be messing with her brain.

“Hi, Karina.” She hugged the older woman. “How are you?”

“I’m fine. I had to get my blood pressure medicine refilled. One of the good things about my boys not being in the play-offs is they can help me run errands.” She winked.