The timer in the kitchen beeped, so Jude squeezed Angela’s hands, then let them go. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
She nodded, then wrapped her hands in the wool blanket again.
Jude pulled the baking sheet with the bacon on it out of the oven and put it on the hot pads he’d set out on the counter.
His mind was reeling with the news Angela had just revealed. He was actually surprised that it had taken this long for Julian to get into this predicament, given the reckless way he lived his life.
Although, for all he knew, Julian did have other kids, and Duncan had just paid to keep that information under wraps.
Sighing, he returned to where Angela was and sat back down on the coffee table in front of her. “How did Julian react when Kiara told him?”
“She hasn’t told anyone,” Angela said. “And she probably wouldn’t have told me if I hadn’t found her throwing up in her bathroom a little while ago.”
“Is she sure she’s pregnant?”
“Yes. She had a positive pregnancy test.” She gave him a helpless look. “I don’t know what to do.”
“I’ll be honest, I’m not sure what to do either. This is a first for me,” Jude told her. “But I’m not sure we should do anything.”
“Really?” Angela asked.
“The thing is, this situation really only involves Kiara and Julian.”
Angela exhaled heavily. “I suppose that’s true.”
“For now, the best thing you can do is just be there to support Kiara. She’s going to need it.”
“Do you think Duncan will ask her to leave?”
“Definitely not,” Jude said. “Circumstances aside, this baby will be Duncan’s first grandchild. And if you haven’t figured it out yet, family is everything to Duncan. He won’t do anything that will drive Kiara out of his life with his grandchild.”
“He won’t try to take the baby from her, will he?”
“I think the only way he’d step in is if she didn’t want to raise the child herself. If she wants to give the baby up, he’ll make sure that it has a good home with him and Elizabeth.”
Angela’s eyes fluttered closed as she let out another sigh. When she opened them again, Jude could see the turmoil she was dealing with.
“I know you say I’m not, but I still feel responsible for what’s happened with Kiara. For how she’s been struggling here. If it weren’t for me, she wouldn’t be here.”
“Was she happier in Briar Hollow?”
Angela’s expression saddened. “It kind of seems like she was. She liked her job at the library, but she was always working and planning toward our getting out of Briar Hollow. It was our goal. Our purpose.”
Jude leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. The concern in Angela's eyes made his chest tighten.
“I know a purpose is important,” Jude said. “And I think she just needs to be patient. You haven’t been here all that long.”
"I found my place here more easily than she did," Angela said, tugging the blanket tighter around her shoulders. "I had you."
The simple statement warmed something in Jude. He reached for her hands again, threading his fingers through hers. "You would have found your way, regardless. You're stronger than you give yourself credit for."
Angela shook her head slightly. "I don't know about that."
"I do," Jude said firmly. “You’ve proven time and again that you’re willing to tackle the tough things.”
“I just never imagined that having money would make life more difficult.”
“Money makes certain things easier in life, but it can’t solve all problems.”
