Jude started to decline her offer, but then he realized she might need the distraction. “Sure. Would you like to make some toast for us?”
“Definitely.” Angela came around the island to join him.
He showed her where the bread and toaster were.
For the next several minutes, they worked together to prepare the food. When it was all ready, Jude carried their plates to the table, and Angela followed with mugs of coffee.
As they sat down, Angela let out a sigh. “I know this wasn’t planned, but I really needed it. Thank you.”
Jude smiled at her as he laid his hand on the table, palm up. “It may have been unexpected, but it’s most welcome.”
When Angela placed her hand in his, Jude said a brief prayer of thanks for the food and also prayed for wisdom for Kiara and Julian.
It was nice to have her there to share a meal with him, and it reinforced the growing desire within him to share a future with her.
How soon was too soon to broach that discussion?
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Angela finished curling her hair, then turned off the curling iron. She’d already applied a little bit of makeup and had chosen her outfit for her date with Jude.
The plan wasn’t anything fancy, and her clothing choices reflected that. She’d chosen them with warmth and comfort in mind since this date involved picking up some food at the diner in Serenity and then going to a location that Jude promised would give her the best view of the sunset.
After the week she’d had, it sounded like the perfect evening.
She’d taken Jude’s advice to just leave the situation regarding Kiara’s pregnancy in Kiara and Julian’s hands. However, it hadn’t been easy because she’d wanted to encourage Kiara to tell Julian and Duncan so they could move to the next phase of the situation.
As long as Julian and Duncan didn’t know, Angela felt like they were living in limbo, and it was driving her nuts.
But in the end, it was Kiara’s decision, and Angela was trying her best to respect that.
She didn’t know how long Kiara would be able to keep her secret, though, because the pregnancy was really doing a number on her. Morning sickness wasn’t just happening in the morning.
Angela supported her as much as she could, but Kiara seemed to have withdrawn completely from her and everything else. She spent most of her days curled up in bed, reading. Some days she made an appearance for dinner, but most of the time, she ate in her room.
Even the self-defense training, shooting, and driving lessons had fallen by the wayside for her. Jude didn’t press, though Dawn expressed concern and frustration over Kiara suddenly not showing up for anything.
All Angela could do was explain that she wasn’t feeling well. Thankfully, that was true.
But now, she was going to put it all aside and focus on her time with Jude, and she couldn’t wait.
Once she was ready, Angela went to Kiara’s room. She poked her head in, unsurprised to find Kiara curled up on the loveseat near the window, a blanket wrapped around her and the tablet she’d recently purchased in her hand.
“How are you feeling, Kiki?” Angela asked as she approached her.
Kiara shrugged. “Managed to keep the sandwich I had at lunch down.”
“That’s good. Did you want me to get you anything? More ginger ale? Water?”
Kiara seemed to consider the options, then said, “I wouldn’t mind some ginger ale. Super cold.”
“No food?”
“I don’t know,” she said.
“Are you planning to go down for dinner?”
“Do you know if Julian is around?”
