“Thanks, Colt. I appreciate all you and your family did after I was shot.”
“It’s nothing. Ma likes organizing community drives, and we knew everyone from Montgomery Defense wouldn’t want to be thinking about cooking meals and all that nonsense while you were laid up at the hospital.”
“The meals were all really yummy. I’m working on thank you cards for everyone who participated in the meal train,” Mae shared.
“That’s really nice, but I don’t think anyone expects a thanks. It’s just neighbors looking out for neighbors.”
“The best part of living in a small town,” Stone said. “But speaking of that, has anyone come forward with any leads from that night?”
Colt looked down at his basket. “No, I’m sorry. It’s basically dead end after dead end.”
“Let’s not use that word,” Mae cringed as a shudder rolled through her body.
“I wish there was something more I could be doing. My damn head…”
“We’ll find something that will tip the scales in our favor. We aren’t giving up yet,” Colt said.
“And neither am—” Stone’s voice dropped away, Mae’s head whipping over her shoulder to make sure he was okay. She turned, watching the color fade from his face. “Sorry… one second.”
His eyes were glued to the end of the aisle where someone had just turned the corner.
“Everything okay?” Colt called out after him, but Stone just kept walking. He stood at the end of the aisle for a minute before walking back towards Mae.
“What was that about? Are you okay?” she asked.
“Yeah. That was so strange. I thought I saw someone I knew… but it couldn’t have been him. Probably my mind just playing tricks on me.”
He wrapped his arm around Mae’s shoulder, holding his free hand out to Colt who promptly shook it.
“Good luck with the cookies, man. I’ll let you know if I remember anything.”
Without another word, Stone took the shopping cart with Mae still tucked by his side, confused as hell over what just happened.
Eleven
“If you aren’t feeling okay, we don’t have to do this today.”
Mae smiled as Stone’s hands landed on her hips, steadying her as she grabbed the fruit salad from the fridge and placed it on the counter. “Why would you think I’m not feeling good?”
She turned, her back now pressed against the counter as Stone’s body framed her in place while she waited for his answer. His eyes dropped to her lips, then back up to her eyes. “I heard you getting sick.”
Mae’s stomach dropped. She hadn’t been nauseous since the morning before Stone woke up. There had barely been any dizziness, and there was no more getting sick. Aside from feeling a little bloated, Mae just figured the baby got the memo about keeping their presence on the down low until she was ready to tell Stone. But brushing her teeth that morning made her randomly gag, and there was no coming back from that.
“God, I’m sorry you heard that. I feel fine. I have no idea what that was even about this morning.”
His fingers reached up to brush her cheek. Thetender act was so sweet she felt the familiar sting of tears welling behind her eyes.
“Mae. What’s going on?”
She ducked under his arm, walking towards the sink to wash her hands. There was still so much work to do to get things ready for the cookout. “I promise… I’m fine. Just feeling emotional about us all being together for the first time since you came home.” She shut off the water, drying her hands before turning, her hip resting against the edge of the sink. “Everyone’s going to be here in a few minutes. Let’s just talk tonight, okay?”
“That sounds bad. Just tell me now.”
Could she? There was no doubt that it was becoming harder to keep the news to herself. Stone deserved to know about the little life growing inside of her. She didn’t miss the way her belly was softer that morning as she looked in the mirror. She was able to hide it easily enough, but their baby wasn’t something she wanted to hide from Stone anymore.
“Mae?”
“I just?—”
