“We’re pregnant,” Julia said, her wide smile putting them all at ease.
“That’s great!” Susan said.
“Congratulations,” Christina added.
“I’m so pleased for you,” Maggie said.
“The doctor said she’s healthy as a horse,” Ryan said.
Susan glanced at Caleb and noticed his grin. “You knew,” she said, her tone slightly accusing.
“Julia let Ryan tell me because he was bursting with excitement,” Caleb said.
“It’s perfect timing because we’re home for a while to work on some more songs,” Ryan said.
The whistle blew and the people standing on the other side of the field jumped up and down.
“Oops,” Maggie said. “We’ve missed a try. Who scored? Please tell me it wasn’t Connor.”
“Matthews scores a try for the Panthers,” the announcer said over the loud speaker. A blast from a classic rock tune about champions rose above the clapping and sideline celebrations.
“You’re safe,” Susan said. “So am I. We’d never hear the end of it if we missed a try.”
“Excuse me,” someone said from behind them.
They turned to face a group of teenage girls.
“It is. It’s Susan fromFarmer Seeks a Wife,” a spotty-faced brunette squeaked. “Could we have your autograph?”
“Go on,” Ryan said with a broad grin. “Sign for the girls.”
Susan found paper and pen thrust at her. “What’s your name?”
“Carol,” the girl said.
Ryan bent close to whisper in her ear, and Susan nodded. She wrote,Life is an adventureand signed her name. More pieces of paper were handed over and she was so busy with autographs she missed the next try too.
“Thanks, girls. I’d better watch the rest of the game now.”
“Well done,” Caleb said. “You have to be firm or they walk all over you.”
“It was fun. I didn’t realize the show would be so popular,” she said.
Caleb pulled a face. “It’s gets old fast. I don’t mind if the fans are genuine, but some people think because you’re a public figure they own you.”
“I don’t aspire to those heights,” Susan said.
“If you go further with the show, you might not have an option,” he warned, speaking softly so no one would overhear.
“Nolan isn’t interested in me. At least I don’t get that vibe. If he showed any interest, I wouldn’t have agreed to meet Tyler. I doubt I’ll go much further.”
“My three chosen dates are Lucy, Jasmine and Susan,” Nolan told Hailee.
Famous last words.
Susan stared at Nolan, shock striking her with the force of a misdirected rugby ball. An ache dug into her chest, rippled down into her belly, and she realized she needed to breathe. She sucked in once, twice, but panic jellified her knees.
Cherry, the woman standing beside Susan, nudged her none too gently in the ribs. “It’s you,” she gritted out.
