“Penny, this is wonderful. Scary, sure, but wonderful.” She tucked my hair behind my ear. “No matter what happens with Archer, I’m here for you.”
“No, you’ll be happily married in Vegas. I’ll be right here, raising a child by myself, because Archer will probably want nothing to do with me, but he’ll want part custody, which means I will be stuck in New York for life. A single mother. Forever.”Goldie nudged in between us for attention as if to say she’d help anyway she could.
“Okay, first of all, you’re jumping a million steps ahead.” Her phone buzzed in her pocket. “That must be Westley. Here, go take the test so we’re positive you have a little bun in the oven.”
I sequestered myself in the bathroom. Five minutes later, the pink plus sign made it official. My hand caressed my lower tummy. Somewhere in there was a tiny sprout of human life. I’d always wanted kids, but never figured it’d happen like this. One tear fell, then two, and soon I had myself a good cry.
After I cleaned up, I went in search of Aunt Brier.
In the kitchen, she saw me and quickly got off the phone.
“How’s Westley?” I asked, reaching for Goldie’s treats. She’d definitely earned a few for all the loving care at my side.
“Oh, yeah, he’s good, yes. You know, with all the wedding planning, so much to talk about.” The kettle went off, and she poured hot water into two mugs, two decaf tea bags poised inside them.
I took our favorite cookies and a fresh box of tissues to the couch. A few minutes later, she and Goldie joined me there. I drew in a deep breath. My hands around the warm tea mug brought some calming to my stomach at least.
“I think Archer is going to lose his mind when you tell him—in a good way, of course. I wish you wouldn’t worry so much.”
“I miss him,” I admitted. “We’ve texted, but it’s all superficial. We haven’t dug back down into our conversation from the hospital. I’m scared to hope.”
She squeezed my hand. “You’re both being too stubborn for your own good, but if you love each other, then you have to be willing to face the good and the not so good together.”
“I love him, Brier. I know we’ve only been together a short time, but I developed feelings for him so fast.”
“Love has no timeline, sweetie. Come here.”
She let me take up more of the couch and lay my head in her lap until I cried myself to sleep.
Waking up a little while later, she stood over me, shaking my arm gently. “Sleepy little mama.”
“How long have I been out?” I rubbed my eyes.
“About two hours. I think the rest did you some good. You didn’t even move when I got up a little bit ago. How do you feel? Good enough to come with me to Golden Hour? I have to close up for my new employee, who had to leave early for a family gathering tonight.”
Goldie’s ears perked up, tail thumping.
“Whoopsie, got her all excited now. Must take her with us. Come on. Go freshen up and we’ll go.” She helped me up from the couch.
“I think I want to crawl into bed instead.” I passed her by.
“Please come with me. The walk, the air, the dogs will all make you feel so good—and the baby, too. We can come back here after I close up for the night and pig out on ice cream. But right now, I really want you to come with me. Please, pretty please?”
I couldn’t really resist either of them. Brier with her hopeful face, simply wanting to help me feel better, and Goldie with her tail wagging, jumping around by the front door.
By the time we left, I was grateful for the distraction at least, leaving my worries behind to deal with later.
At some point, I’d have to call and tell Archer. Or would this kind of news be better in person? Could we meet at Heart and Hearth and discuss it calmly like adults over a beverage? Or could I get Matt to give me Archer’s home address and surprise him there?
Hi, just happened to be in the neighborhood and thought I’d stop in to tell you I’m pregnant. We’re pregnant. It’s ours. What do you think?
As we strolled along, I imagined all kinds of responses he could give me. So much for leaving my worries behind.
When we arrived at Fetch on Fifth, Brier opened the door for me. I hadn’t met her new employee yet. A man in blue jeans and a tight tee stood at the playroom window with his back to us, observing the dogs. Although his ass looked nicely familiar.
“Archer?” He turned. My lungs came to a full stop.
His mouth widened into a sheepish grin, so handsome, with eyes crinkling at the corners for me. His hair was no longer Wall Street appropriate, more like messy and in need of a cut, perfect for my fingers to run through. And what of the thick growth of beard and mustache he sported?
