Lined With Silver (12 page)

“Um, yeah. I didn’t think of that.” Suddenly,
Sondra wondered if he had this whole move-together thing worked out
before she embarrassed herself by snoring at the Christmas party.
She narrowed her eyes and stared at him, trying to figure him out.
His look of innocence was almost convincing, but she didn’t pick
her career because she was the trusting sort.

She stepped over to the porch.

“Look at this.” Zack switched off the lights.
The condo had a view of the slopes, and the moon turned the ski
runs into glittering silver rivers running down the mountains.

“How beautiful,” she whispered.

“It is. I love it here.”

She turned to him as he flipped on the
lights. “What made you move to San Jose when your heart is
here?”

He shrugged. “That’s where the job is. I
think I’ll settle here someday.”

“Are you sure you can spend the next few
months in Utah?”

“I’ll probably have to spend
some
time
in San Jose, but I’m sure we can work out the details later.”

“That’s a really big sacrifice to help out
someone you don’t even know.”

“I know you. Isn’t that enough?”

“Yes, but this isn’t really for me.”

“You’re the one sacrificing nine months and
donating your body to your sister’s children. That’s a lot bigger
sacrifice than the one I’m contemplating. Not many single women
would do that.”

Sondra furrowed her brows and stared at him a
moment. “Still, this is for my sister. Your sacrifice is for
someone you don’t even know.”

“It’s for someone I married. That’s pretty
much family last I heard. Besides, this is for my grandma, too.
Don’t forget that.”

Sondra sighed. Him spending time driving her
around in Utah had nothing to do with his grandmother, but she was
too tired to argue.

“You look dead on your feet.” Zack said.

“Thanks for that kind observation.”

“That’s me. The bastion of kindness.” He
directed her back to the guest room. “If you don’t lie down, I’ll
put you to bed myself.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“Try me.”

The glint in his eye meant business. Sondra
wasn’t sure what exactly that business meant, so she hurried to the
bed and pulled down the covers. “I’m sure I’ll feel better
tomorrow. Probably you won’t even need to drive me.”

Zack didn’t argue. Instead, he shut the door
behind him.

Sondra would have protested, but her eyes
closed the minute her head hit the pillow.

* * *

Sondra’s agonized scream brought Zack running
to the door.

“What’s wrong?”

“My leg,” she panted, “it hurts.”

“I’ll be right back.”

Sondra tried moving her foot, stretching the
muscles, but the searing pain wouldn’t stop. Zack ran back, liquid
sloshing out of the glass he carried. “Here. Drink some of
this.”

She gulped the water and continued to twist
her foot to ease the cramping. She tried to stand but dropped right
back on the bed. Zack knelt down and gently kneaded the tense
muscle.

As the spasm eased, she asked, “How did you
know I needed water?”

“Jade.”

“Jade.” She answered her own question as he
spurted out his answer.

“Did you see her go through this?”

He nodded. “We went camping once while she
was expecting Julie. Stan knew exactly what to do. I’ll never
forget how quickly she went from agonizing cramps back to
normal.”

Sondra turned her foot with some relief.
“Thanks. I’ll have to keep water close.”

“Good idea.”

“Speaking of water―or not….I think I need a
bathroom run.” Sondra disappeared.

Zack was mopping up splashed water when she
returned. “Are you alright?”

Sondra nodded. “I’m fine. It’s a good thing
your sister has been through all this. I’m clueless.”

“I always thought Jade was exaggerating.”

Sondra rubbed the bridge of her nose with her
thumb and forefinger. “Unfortunately, I’m not feeling any
exaggeration.” She looked at the clock. It was three twenty-eight.
“Is there any chance we’ll be able to get some sleep?”

“If you’re feeling better, I’ll leave you
alone.”

“I’m fine.” After Zack left, Sondra stared at
the ceiling. The fertility doctor had said she wouldn’t notice any
differences for at least two weeks. He was obviously wrong.
What
else is he going to be wrong about?

As much as her pregnancy was mirroring that
of her sister-in-law, she could have been a blood relative. She
didn’t remember Nikki having any similar symptoms.
I’d rather be
sick than lose the babies.
With that thought on her mind, she
rolled over and went back to sleep.

* * *

Weak winter light was shining through her
room when Sondra finally woke up. The smell of bacon and eggs
should have been appetizing. Sondra groaned. She didn’t want
anything more than a ginger ale and some saltine crackers.

She pulled on the robe she had tossed at the
foot of her bed the night before and made her way to the
kitchen.

“Welcome to the land of the living.” Zack was
cheerful. She wanted to throw something at him.

He turned around and caught the direction of
her gaze. “No you don’t. That’s an antique flat iron. A pioneer
ancestor brought it across the plains. And it’s heavy.”

“I didn’t say a word.”

“You didn’t have to. Would you like some
breakfast?”

“Toast. No butter. Any ginger ale? And how
did you know what I was thinking?”

“I’ve seen that same look on Jade’s face too
many times.”

She dropped to the couch and thrust out her
bottom lip. “You’re no fun.”

“Yeah, well, I just recovered from one black
eye. I didn’t want another.”

“I wasn’t planning on aiming at your
face.”

“Ha. I’ve heard that one before.”

Sondra’s curiosity was piqued. “Did you and
Jade fight a lot?”

“Like cats and dogs when we were kids. When I
got big enough to pin her, she quit fighting me.”

“You’re telling me it was all her fault?”

Zack rubbed the back of his neck. “Well, I’d
have to accept partial blame.” He brought over a plate with two
pieces of plain toast and a steaming cup. Sondra took the plate and
peered in the cup, then she looked at him with raised brows.

“It’s a ginger-cinnamon blend. I thought it
would help with your nausea.”

“You’d think you were a nurse, not a software
engineer.”

“I was a medic in Afghanistan.”

“A medic? How did you learn to fight so well
then?”

“When you’re in a war zone, everyone needs to
fight. The enemy doesn’t stop just because you’re wearing a medic’s
badge.” He grabbed a plate full of food and settled at the
table.

“What led you to engineering after
Afghanistan? You seem to have a talent for nursing.”

“I’m not very good at all the red tape
involved in the medical field.”

Sondra nodded. “I had a good friend who quit
nursing because it became more about making sure the paperwork was
done right than caring for the patient.”

“I also wanted a job where I wasn’t on call
24/7. Engineering is something you can walk away from at the end of
the day—if you had someone you wanted to walk to.” Zack said.

“It would make a more family-friendly career,
but I don’t fault those who choose to take care of our health.”

“Neither do I. I just didn’t want to spend my
life with patients.”

“How come you never got married?”

Zack stared at his plate a moment and then
met her gaze. “I know you heard about Hannah from Dad.”

“Who was she?” Sondra was burning with
curiosity. She hoped it didn’t show in her face.

“She grew up in the same ward I did. We were
expected to marry, and we just kind of let the world around us
decide. When she met Doug, it was like I didn’t even exist. It
didn’t take me long to break it off, and it took her even less time
to run off and marry him.”

“That must’ve hurt.”

“What surprised me is that it didn’t. Maybe
she was like Scott. Her mannerisms didn’t endear me. I had just
grown accustomed to her over the years. It was more the idea she
would pick someone over me. That stung.” He met her eyes again.
“Why didn’t you marry?”

“Well, Scott was the only prospect, and he
wasn’t a thrilling one.”

“I understand that, but haven’t you been
attending the single’s activities?”

She shuddered. “Have you been to any Utah
events lately?”

He shook his head.

“Think meat market.”

“That bad?” Zack asked.

“Worse.”

He watched her nibble on her dry toast and
then turned to inhale his own breakfast. He washed their plates and
then returned to sit next to Sondra. “Is there anything you wanted
to do today?”

“Dewk is probably missing me.”

“I think he’ll survive a while longer. You
work every day.”

“You’re right. I don’t really have anything
on my plate other than some grocery shopping.” She stared out the
window and then she brightened. “Aren’t there some outlet stores
here?”

“I believe there are. I just haven’t
been.”

“I’d like to shop.”

“Your enthusiasm scares me.” Zack said.

She grinned at him. “It should.”

“Are you sure you’re up to this?”

“Absolutely.”

Sondra was pleasantly surprised that her
nausea seemed to fade as the morning moved to afternoon, and she
spent an hour trying on maternity outfits at one of the stores.
Zack’s enthusiasm was obviously feigned, but Sondra appreciated his
willingness to tolerate a shopping trip. None of her clothes were
going to fit. Her slender figure wasn’t going to last—especially
with twins.

As she paid for her purchases, she turned to
Zack. “I’m famished.”

“Me, too. This is the most time I’ve spent in
a maternity store since—”

Sondra laughed. “Okay. Not your idea of a fun
morning. I get it. Any ideas for lunch?”

“Act-u-ally,” Zack drew out the word, “I did
have something in mind.”

He drove her to a restaurant where he was met
by a valet.

“Valet parking in Park City?” Sondra
asked.

“It happens.” Zack grinned.

They were led to a private table and enjoyed
lunch with a beautiful view. Colorful skiers seemed to float down
the slopes. “I never had an interest in skiing, but I’d like to try
sometime.” Sondra said.

“I think we’ll have to wait until next
season.”

With a pang, Sondra realized he was right.
Probably a strenuous run down a mountain wouldn’t be a good idea.
The fact that Nikki lost her babies so easily was a clear
warning.

“There’s a matinee I wanted to see.” Zack
suggested.

“I could probably handle that, as long as you
won’t be mad if I fall asleep.”

Zack’s lips twitched. “You’ve set a
precedent.”

Sondra smiled. “I guess it started in the
plane, didn’t it?” She couldn’t help wondering if his shoulder was
as comfortable in bed as it had been in the plane. Steering her
thoughts in a different direction, she asked, “What movie is
playing?”

“There are a couple at the theater. Let’s
head over. You can pick.”

A film she’d wanted to see was featured, so
they joined the short line. Sondra refused the popcorn, nervous
about so much salt with the fresh memory of her leg cramp. It
wasn’t something she wanted to repeat.

She surprised herself by staying awake. It
helped that the movie was fast-paced and interesting.

Zack stopped at the condo to grab their
things. Shortly after they started down the canyon, Sondra fell
asleep. She didn’t wake when they stopped. Zack shook her gently.
“Do you have a list? I’ll do the shopping.”

Sondra sat up groggily. “I don’t have
anything written, and I’d like to do the shopping.”

“Are you sure you’re up to it?”

“Women do this all the time. I’m tired. Not
dead. I think I can handle this.” The words came out harsher than
she intended. She softened them by reaching out to touch his arm.
“Thanks for all you’re doing. I know this is a sacrifice. This is
new to me. I’d like to keep my routine as close to normal as I
can.”

“I understand.”

She studied his face a moment, trying to see
if he’d been hurt by her speech, but he was wearing a poker face.
She couldn’t read him.

He helped her step out of the Humvee. Sondra
grabbed a shopping cart to lean on, trying for some independence.
She walked through every aisle, picking up basic items for the
week. Unaccustomed to shopping for two, she wasn’t sure of
quantities.

As they loaded the Hummer, Zack asked, “Are
you expecting company?”

“Well, you’re going to be there.”

“That looks like enough for a garrison.”

“Garri-what?”

He chuckled. “An army.”

“I was basing it on Brad and Dad.” A shadow
ran over her features. “Although Brad doesn’t eat much these
days.”

“What is the prognosis?” Zack asked as he
finished loading the groceries.

“Not good. The cancer has spread to his
bones.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I know. It’s hard.”

“Has Nikki thought about the challenges of
being a single mother?” Zack helped Sondra into the Humvee as he
talked.

“It’s probably crossed her mind, but she’ll
have Mom and Dad and me to help her out. I’m sure she’ll do fine.
Other women do it all the time.”

“It’s not easy.” Zack answered as he climbed
behind the wheel.

“It’s easier with help.”

“That’s true. Does she live close?” He
checked over his shoulder as he backed out and then merged into
traffic.

“She lives in Sandy about ten minutes from my
place.”

“Where do your parents live?”

“They’re in South Jordan normally. They’re in
Norway right now. Serving a mission.”

“When do they get back?” Zack pulled into the
neighborhood.

“Just before Christmas next year.”