Visually, the space turned out better than I thought it would. But a brick sat on my stomach. I couldn’t give Miranda her birthday present. Not when she seemed so distant and sad. I had to figure out what was wrong first.
I swallowed hard as I led her down the dock. I hated dealing with this sort of stuff. Was seriously considering calling it a night and taking her home.
Miranda soaked everything in. “You did all this for my birthday?”
“Yes ma’am, I did.”
I sat on the pallet of blankets and pulled her down beside me. She snuggled beneath my arm. We sat in silence, watching the lake waves as my anxiety ramped. When I couldn’t handle my beating heart anymore, I popped open the cooler. “We have some Chardonnay. Can I pour you a glass?”
Her chest shuddered with a deep breath and she looked at her hands in her lap. “No, thank you.”
I leaned down and kissed the top of her head, squeezing her into my side. “Miranda, you said you’re fine, but you aren’t fine. You barely ate, you didn’t drink anything.” I fingered her gorgeous blonde hair, twisting a lock around my finger. “You haven’t evensmiled.”
She turned her face from me and her shoulders shook once. My insides ached.
No, no, no. Please don’t cry.
“Miranda, talk to me.” My hand came to her cheek, and I gently guided her face to mine. “Please.” She didn’t look me in the eyes, and a tear trailed down her cheek. I swiped it away with my thumb then placed a kiss on her forehead.
Her brown eyes slowly lifted to meet mine. Her voice was breathy, scared. “I’m—I’m pregnant.”
My world spun.
Pregnant?
Did I hear right? The word felt foreign in my mouth. “Pregnant?”
She nodded as she bit her bottom lip.
“Wait, wait, wait. You’re—you’re having a baby?” Energy drained from my body and shock radiated through my limbs.
She nodded again.
“I’m going to be a dad?”
“Yes,” the word slipped out with a sob.
Brand new emotions flew through my chest.
We are having a baby?
Heat pricked the back of my eyes and I blinked the feeling away, taking a shallow breath that left me feeling lightheaded.
My smile finally broke through the shock and a laugh came right behind. I gripped her face with both hands. “Miranda, you’re telling me we’re having a baby?”
Her eyes frantically searched my face, and her jaw quivered against my palms. “I found out today.”
“And you’re sure?”
She nodded, pressing her lips together. My gaze roamed her beautiful face as I processed the fact she was going to be the mother of my child.
My child.
It was the last thing I expected tonight, but my heart beat with a fullness I never knew. Pesky heat pricked my eyes again.
“Jack, I’ve been worried sick all day you’d be upset or angry.” She sniffed. “Please say something.”
My thumbs moved to dry her cheeks. “Angry? Are you kidding me?”
