“I shouldn’t, but I am anyway. Because my gut tells me I’m right.”
Indie’s lips curved. “I wish I had your faith.”
“You will.” Clara slipped some hair behind Indie’s ear. “I’m going to be the best auntie for this little baby.”
“You really are. You’re amazing.”
“Only because I have an amazing cousin who also happens to be my best friend. Now, when can I stick needles into you?”
Indie laughed, and they spent the next half hour talking about all things baby. Colt’s reaction. Her symptoms. Where she planned to put the nursery.
When it was time to go, they both headed outside, where Clara pulled her into another big bear hug. “I amsohappy foryou. You’re going to make the best mother. You deserve this pregnancy.”
“Pregnancy?”
Indie gasped—and turned to see Sylvia behind them, purse in her hands. “Sylvia, I didn’t see you.”
Sylvia stepped closer. “Indie? Are you pregnant?”
Crap. She’d wanted Colt to tell his mother when he was ready. Too late. “I am.”
Sylvia’s gaze lowered to Indie’s stomach before rising again, her expression shocked. “Congratulations, dear.”
Indie dipped her head. “Thank you.”
Sylvia offered a small smile before stepping around her into The Tea House.
Clara cringed. “I’m so sorry.”
Indie shook her head. “It’s not your fault. I didn’t see her either.”
They said goodbye and Indie headed down the street. She’d parked at the print shop because she’d picked up some photos she’d printed for a client before meeting Clara. They were gorgeous; she always loved seeing her photos in print. With the rise of the digital age, prints had become less and less common. But there was something so special about seeing the photos framed or in a book.
As she stepped into the parking lot, she texted Colt.
Indie: I have to tell you something.
His response was immediate.
Colt: Are you okay?
Indie: Yes, but your mom overheard me talking to Clara. She knows about the pregnancy. I’m sorry.
Colt: Why are you sorry?
Indie: Because you should have been able to tell her.
Indie unlocked her car door and climbed in. There’d been a delay on her new car, so she still had another week to go. Colt wasn’t happy.
She was actually a bit sad to say goodbye to this one. Since its trip to the mechanic, it had been a lot more reliable.
Colt: How’d she take it?
Indie was about to respond when a figure flashed in her rearview mirror from the back seat. All she saw was dark hair and eyes. She didn’t have time to scream before something wrapped around her neck and pulled tight. So tight she couldn’t breathe.
Panic clawed at her throat, her hands going to the rope and trying to rip it away, but she couldn’t get her fingers beneath it.
A mouth suddenly touched her ear, humid breath against her skin. Then a man’s unfamiliar voice. “Where is he?”
