22
Hollywood, 1952
Ruby balanced on the edge of the examination table at the doctor’s office. “Pregnant?” she repeated numbly. She’d pegged this as a stomach virus, but the nausea hadn’t gone away.
In two days, she was leaving for New Mexico to begin filming Diary of a Pioneer Woman. Stroking the half-heart pendant that dangled around her slim neck, Ruby thought about how she and Niccolò had tried to be careful.
Evidently, not careful enough.
“Morning sickness is common at about six weeks,” the kindly doctor said, making a note on her chart. “You’re young, but as long as you get plenty of rest and good food, you should be fine.” He glanced at her chart and frowned. “I don’t see your husband’s name here. Was that a mistake?”
Ruby shook her head. She hadn’t filled out the Husband line
