I whispered a few top-tier swears.
“She asked me not to tell you,” he said. “But you’re there now, and I’m not. Promise me you’ll take care of her tonight.”
A wave of nausea swept through me, strong and hot. I thought I’d be sick in my car. “Okay.”
“I’ll be there in time for breakfast,” he said.
I disconnected and went shopping. I dialed Mom while I filled a basket with hot chocolate toppings. She and Dad were equally relieved to know Annie was okay.
Jeffrey had gone to them in search of Annie as soon as he’d realized she left home. Dad had patrolled the parking lots of her favorite stores, salon, and spa, looking for signs of her car. Mom had kept a pot of soup warm in case Annie appeared on the doorstep.
They’d all sleep better tonight knowing she was okay.
I called Cecily on my way back to the manor and filled her in on the night’s Rini-family commotion. Then I asked her to share everything she knew about preeclampsia.
“It’s not rare, especially in a first pregnancy,” Cecily said. “It sounds like her doctors are monitoring her condition, which is good. She’s probably struggling with swelling and headaches. She’ll need to rest and to go home with Jeffrey tomorrow so she’s close to her hospital and medical team. Delivery of the baby is the only cure for preeclampsia.”
I turned onto the main road toward the manor, making good time without traffic and suddenly in a major hurry to be back. “Jeffrey saidshe has a C-section scheduled for next week.” Six days from now, and I was scheduled to leave Amherst in five. “The day after I get home.”
Had she planned it that way? Waiting for my return?
I pulled onto the gravel lane and breathed a little easier to be home.
“Cesarean births sound scary, and they are a major surgery, don’t get me wrong. But in Annie’s situation, it’s for the best. She’s in good hands, and delivering this way will put her doctors in control while reducing stress on mom and baby.”
I’d come to Amherst because I’d wanted to quit searching for a big, epic love. But I already had all that in front of me. And it was growing. One little niece or nephew at a time.
Chapter Thirty-One
Jeffrey arrived early as promised, a large bouquet of dahlias, Annie’s favorite, in one arm and a bagged spread of breakfast foods in the other. I sent him to her room with the flowers while I set up breakfast on the patio.
They made up instantly, both too desperately in love to imagine another night apart.
After our meal, we spent the day together, laughing and exploring the town where they’d met and fallen in love. Eventually, Jeffrey suggested they get a room at an inn downtown for some much-needed alone time and for Annie to stay off her feet and rest.
I hugged Annie tightly and vowed to be present in her life and her baby’s. She wouldn’t lose me to books or busyness ever again.
It was hard to believe that five short days from now, Annie and Jeffrey would be parents.
I would be an aunt.
I slept soundly that night, in the knowledge my little sister was in good hands and an addition to the family was on the way. I dreamed of the kick-ass shop for book-loving people and their pets my sister and I planned.
All in all, my future was shaping up beautifully.
Thoughts of Davis followed me the next few days as I puttered around the manor, soaking in the last of my stay. I wrote letters to Forever Yours that I didn’t send, and a few to myself, reminding me of all the new things I’d experienced in Amherst. The hikes and friends. Embroidery and baking. Bunnies and pilot lights. Every day delivered something new here. I resolved to keep the magic going long after I returned home.
I deleted half-finished texts to Davis before bed each night, always overthinking the content. My heart splintered between forgiveness and frustration. Why had I made such a big deal of things? Why hadn’t I texted the moment Jeffrey took Annie to the inn?
Then I recalled the pain of wanting a man who couldn’t tell me how he felt. Or that he was my longtime online bestie.
Then again, maybe his feelings weren’t what I thought.
The more time passed, the harder it became to reach out, and before I knew it, my bags were packed for the trip home.
On my final evening in Amherst, I went to letter-writing class.
Daisy and Grace stood close together, whispering excitedly when I arrived.
