Noah followed her to the door. “Are you all right?”
“You can always stay with us, Kizzie dear,” added Victoria, rising from her seat.
Kizzie pressed on a smile. “That's awful kind of you, but it's my shop day tomorrow.” She looked from Victoria to Noah. “If you need me, let me know.”
Kizzie walked to the foyer, and Taylor presented her with her and Charlie's coats. She wrangled Charlie's little arms into his and then Noah assisted her with hers. Then he walked her outside.
“Are you certain you're all right?” He searched her face as they stopped at the buggy.
“I think I'm tired.” Which wasn't a lie. Her soul felt too tired to believe what might be true.
“Of course.” He smiled his beautiful smile and bathed her in a tender look. “It's been an unexpected day.” He shrugged a shoulder. “And certainly not all bad.”
She lost her worries in the adoration on his face, and with a quick dip of his head, he pressed a kiss to her lips. And then, at Charlie's giggle, he added another kiss to the little boy's head.
The flutter came again. Stronger.
Impossible, wasn't it?
But memories of feeling the same flutter over the past few weeks came to mind, and episodes she'd discounted as indigestion or nerves. Nothing serious.
But she knew this feeling. She'd had it once before.
And only once.
Her gaze dropped to Charlie.
“Here, let me take this little man while you mount.” Noah plucked Charlie from her arms and offered his free hand to her as she climbed to the seat of the buggy. She looked down at him, all smiles and kindness, with her little boy in his arms.
Emotions rose into her throat, gnawing at her breath.
Noah would make a wonderful father.
Husband.
But … what if …
“Be careful.” Noah patted the side of the buggy. “I'll stop in at the shop tomorrow afternoon so we can talk.”
She held his gaze, thankful for the shadows of dusk to hide the growing sting in her eyes. “I'll see you then.”
He nodded and handed Charlie back up to her. She edged the horse forward.
Her mind raced. Her heart pounded in her head.
Was it possible? But even as she asked the question, her past flew into the present.
She'd only been with Charles twice since Charlie's birth, maybe three times, and Nella said it was unlikely for women to get pregnant so soon after having a child.
And if she was pregnant? The cool air hit her damp face as she calculated the possibility. Around five months ago.
Five.
She pinched her eyes closed.
No wonder she'd been overtired and her skirts were tighter.
It explained her morning and nighttime nausea too.
