“Dad, I gave myself a heart attack.”
Connor laughed.“Son, anyone who works like that is going to give themselves a heart attack.You’re not supposed to be flooded with that much stress.”He sighed.“You deserve to have the life you want.What you can’t do is go back to what you were doing, because that will kill you.”
He dropped his head.“I don’t want to go back, and I feel guilty about that.”
“Why?”
“Because I set it up.I started it.”
“And you’re still going to work at it.”
“Actually, I’ve been talking to a couple of investors.They’re good guys, family guys, and they have come to me several times over the years, wanting to buy my company.I’ve always told them no.This time, I had a meeting with them.Just from the kitchen.We’ve been talking and I’ve spoken to my lawyer, and they want to buy my company.It’s a good deal and it keeps my employees.”
“Wow,” his dad said.“You’re sure that is what you want to do?”
“I don’t miss it.”He sighed.“As crazy as this sounds, I love being in Hope.I love getting up every day and walking through town, greeting everyone, and I never thought I would enjoy that, but I do.I like standing in line and having people tell me about their day.I love going to Palmer’s Gifts and seeing Katie smile, especially when she sees I waited in line for her favorite fall coffee.I love it all.I never thought I would say that.”
“But you did.”
“But I did, and I don’t want to lose that.I don’t want to lose any of it,” Hawk said.“I want to be a father and a husband, and I want to help out with these events and live my life.”
Connor moved toward him and placed a hand on his shoulder.“Then what are you waiting for?”
“What if Katie doesn’t feel the same way?”
“I bet she does.”
Hawk was so damn nervous.
He didn’t know the first thing about being a husband or a father.He did know how to work hard.
“You can do anything you put your mind to,” Connor said.“All you’ve got to do is believe in yourself.”
****
Katie glanced downat the stick, and that wave of sickness flooded her.
This was not good.Two pregnancy tests had read the same thing.
She was pregnant, expecting Hawk’s baby.She had promised herself that when the time came to have a baby or if she suspected she was pregnant, she would only need one test.It wouldn’t take two or a dozen.So far, she’d taken two tests, and now as she looked down at both of them, she doubted them.Would it hurt taking a third or a fourth?
Maybe she could go back to the pharmacy and get a couple more.She had to wonder how many people knew she’d purchased a pregnancy test.A small town meant that everyone knew your business.She was shocked her phone wasn’t ringing with her mother hearing the news.
Those tests could not be right.It was a stupid little stick.Then, there was the morning sickness that dry toast helped to alleviate.That was another warning sign.Not to mention the tender breasts, and when she pulled on her jeans this morning, for the first time in a long time, they wouldn’t fasten.Her waistline was thickening.
She shoved the pregnancy tests into the bucket, left the bathroom, and stepped out into the main floor of her shop.She quickly moved to the door and flicked the CLOSED sign to OPEN.Thankfully, she didn’t have to wait around for distractions, as people wandered through the door.
Several people just admired.She had learned to be polite, and to watch them without them knowing, just in case they wanted advice.She didn’t want to push anyone into a sale, but she also didn’t want to appear rude.It was hard work being a small business owner.
She stood behind the counter, sipping her tea, because coffee was suddenly not good.Unfortunately, Hawk kept bringing her favorite cup of coffee, only it was making her feel sick.She would take a sip and try not to gag on it.She couldn’t believe her life had come to this.Faking being happy with coffee.
She and Hawk hadn’t been able to spend much time together in the past week.The mayor wanted his input, and not just that, several shops wanted it as well.He was in much need as they approached the Halloween season, and she was not going to be greedy, because the town looked incredible.
Some kind of magazine had heard what was happening, and they wanted to do a small piece.She also knew Hawk was in the process of selling his company.He didn’t have to leave town, as his lawyer was helping with all the finer details.Everything was going so smoothly.
She was torn.
Pregnant.
