Read Online Megan's Hero (The Callahans of Texas Book #3): A Novel by Sharon Gillenwater - Free Book Online Page B

areas to check.” She patted Megan’s hand. “So far, so good. But it takes a while to cover every area thoroughly. We also take measurements to make sure the baby is growing properly. Hang in there just a little longer, then we’ll swing the screen around so you can see too. I like to have it turned this way so I can see it more clearly. I don’t want to miss anything important.”
    After what seemed like forever, but the clock on the wall said was only fifteen minutes, the doctor stepped around to the other side of the bed and nodded to the technician. She turned the monitor around to where Megan could see it. “It appears that you’re going to have a little girl,” Dr. Cindy said, resting her hand on her patient’s shoulder. “A healthy little girl.”
    Megan stared at the screen in awe. Unlike the fuzzy black and white picture a co-worker had shown her when she was pregnant, this was almost like watching a movie. Her little baby looked like a real person!
    “Oh, my goodness! She’s sucking her thumb!” She watched Sweet Baby blink her eyes and even turn her head slightly, as if she heard Megan’s voice. “Her eyes are open,” she added in hushed amazement.
    “Yes. She can sense light changes now. And she can hear pretty well too, so be sure and talk to her.”
    “I already do.” Mainly because Sweet Baby had been about the only person around to talk to.
    “Good. Keep doing it often. Read to her. Sing to her, play music. She’s very aware of sounds now and recognizes your voice.”
    All the more reason to always speak lovingly to her child. “The tornado was so loud. Do you think it scared her?”
    Dr. Cindy tipped her head thoughtfully. “Maybe not. I’m guessing the increase in noise was gradual?” When Megan nodded, she continued. “When I was about this far along in my pregnancy, Misty would kick at a sudden noise.” She chuckled quietly. “Although she might have moved because I jumped. But I never detected any agitation when I was in a generally noisy situation. Do you see her heart beating?”
    “It’s supposed to be fast like that, isn’t it?”
    “Yes. Theirs goes faster than ours.”
    Megan studied the picture. Sweet Baby had popped her thumb out of her mouth and opened and closed her hand. It was amazing.
    The doctor laughed. “She’s practicing grasping things so she can grab hold of your finger after she’s born.”
    The thought of the baby holding her hand sent even more joy spiraling through her.
    The top of her baby’s head was dark. “Does she already have hair?”
    “Yes. Looks like she’s going to start off as a brunette, but that could change after she’s born.”
    Megan hoped she stayed a brunette. She’d worried that her little one might be blonde like her father, which for some weird reason would be a constant reminder of her foolishness. Most people would consider the baby the reminder, but she didn’t think of it that way. Sweet Baby might have been conceived by mistake, but she was a precious gift.
    Thank you, God , she thought. Her heart was full of love for this tiny child. “Can I keep a picture?”
    “Of course. We’ll print one out for you. I need to check on another patient, but I’ll drop by your room in a few minutes. We can go over your lab results.”
    The technician put the wand away, cleaned the gel off Megan’s stomach, helped her off the bed, and directed her to the bathroom in the hallway. When Megan came out, she was waiting with the wheelchair. Once Megan was seated, she handed her two pictures of Sweet Baby. “I did an extra one for fun.”
    “Thank you.” Megan smiled all the way back to her room.
    A few minutes after she was settled back into bed, she heard Will’s footsteps in the hallway. Odd how she could pick out his from everyone who went up and down the hall.
    He tapped lightly on the door and peeked around it. “Safe to come in?”
    “Sure.”
    He walked into the room, met her gaze, and grinned. “Well?”
    “Sweetie