“Potential sperm donor,” I reminded her.
“Either way. He’s very family oriented. I don’t know if you’ve seen him with his nieces, but he spoils those little girls. My kids all love him, too. Just because he hasn’t found the right one yet to settle down with, it doesn’t mean he’s destined for a life of bachelorhood.”
“I don’t doubt that he’s incredible with kids,” I sighed. “I’m worried my current situation will be too much—for us both.”
“I promise he’ll understand and accommodate your OB appointments. You can always offer to make up the time you’d be missing, maybe offer to come in on the weekend.”
“Good call.” Bartering time off could work in my favour, especially if I dangled a Saturday morning sleep in for Noah. Not that he seemed to be the type that slept in. He was always at the resort before I arrived and stayed after I left. From what I’d gathered, he was there more and longer than either of his brothers.
“He works hard, and he should take more time off. It’s difficult when your family runs it, though.” Tabitha remarked as she put the creamer back in the refrigerator. She sounded as if she was speaking from experience. “My family owns Stonewood Farm; there’s really no such thing as days off. I’m the only one of my siblings with kids, so I’ve taken a bit of a step back, but even I go in sometimes to help when they’re overwhelmed.”
“Oh yeah, I remember Noah telling me that when he was explaining the winter and March Break programs. I guess you guys outsource your horsedrawn carriage rides to the resort?”
“Yup,” Tabitha smiled.
The front door opened and closed, and Sage called out. “Sorry for running late! I hope I didn’t miss the fashion show!”
“We’re still getting ready!” Daphne yelled back from somewhere upstairs.
“Excellent,” Sage said as she came into the kitchen. She didn’t seem surprised at all to see me sitting at the island. “Hello, hello! Oh boy, what a day. Seemed like everyone in town came into the hardware store.”
“Everyone must be starting their New Year’s projects,” Tabitha said, fixing her coffee. “I made a tea for you, it’s that herbal blend I was telling you about.”
“Perfect! You are an angel,” Sage sank down in the stool beside me and turned to face me. “How’d it go today?”
“It went. Everything looks good, but Dr. Kramer wants me to come in every week.”
Sage put a comforting hand on my arm. “That means you’ll get to hear the baby’s heartbeat more frequently than the average expectant mother,” she winked. “How’s your pain been?” she added, referring to my endometriosis. She’d offered to come with me to my appointments, but Sage had her own life, and I hadn’t wanted to lean too heavily on her. It was something I felt I needed to do myself.
“Not as bad as usual,” I replied. With the absence of my monthly, my pelvic pain wasn’t as severe as it usually was during my period. I still experienced some discomfort and pain, but it was manageable with the occasional Tylenol and a heat pack.
“That’s good. By my calculations, we’re officially at the twelve-week mark. When are you going to tell Noah?”
“I have no clue,” I replied. My stomach twisted a little at her words. I knew I had to tell him soon, and I would. But I was scared, and it wasn’t only the fear of losing my new job holding me back.
“He seemed pretty bummed out when you took off at New Year’s,” Sage said, taking a sip of her tea.
“He really was,” Tabitha confirmed with a smirk. “He left not long after you did.”
“Really?” I asked, surprised to hear that.
“Why did you run off? And don’t feed me that ‘I was tired’ bull. I’ve never seen you move that fast.”
“He, uh…” I started, staring intently at my mug. “We almost kissed. I think, anyway. But I called him Boss, and then he told me he wished all my dreams would come true. And I panicked.”
“Him wishing your dreams would come true made you panic?” Tabitha asked.
I swallowed hard. “Yeah, because my dreams involve having a baby that might be his. And he looked like he wanted to kiss me.”
“He probably did want to kiss you. He wants you; we all saw the way he was looking at you,” Sage chuckled.
“He’s just a flirt, that’s all.” I frowned.
“You’re right, he is a big flirt, but I noticed he was into you that night in the park. New Year’s Eve solidified it. I haven’t seen him pay this much attention to anyone since…well, since his high school girlfriend. His first—and last, I might add—serious relationship.” Tabitha said.
“What happened?” I asked Tabitha, unable to help myself. I was curious.
“Like most high school relationships, it ended,” Tabitha shrugged. “She moved away for college and dumped him. He decided he’d rather play the field than let himself be vulnerable to that kind of heartbreak again.”
