Oliver was still at Cathy’s house, having gone home with her boys yesterday after school to spend the night, making this the best time to get this over and done with.Now that it was officially Christmas break, her nephew would be around all the time, giving her very little time to herself, and this was too important to put off for a more convenient time.
As she made the final turn that would lead her to her destination, one horrible thought after another struck her.What if Darren wasn’t there?What ifKyliewas?What if Jed came back to the clubhouse yesterday and said something in a pissed off rant about her being pregnant before she could tell Darren?Would that affect how Darren dealt with her?Great, her stomach was acting up again.
After Jed stormed out of her apartment yesterday, slamming the door behind him, she’d allowed herself one good cry.The way he treated her and the mean, hurtful things he said broke her heart and drove home the fact that anything she thought might have been growing between them had withered and died.Fine.Good riddance.It was better to find out what kind of man he was now than later.Her life was a mess, and she didn’t have time to coddle anyone’s feelings.
She had splashed cold water on her face, then took a seat at the kitchen table, where she opened her laptop.She found a notebook and started making a list of things she needed to do and things she needed to research.The first thing she wrote on her list was that she needed to tell Darren the news.
The first thing she needed to research was different places to live in the surrounding towns.There was no way she was staying in Redemption.The last thing she needed was the aggravation of being a target for either Jed or Kylie.The thought of uprooting her nephew again so soon left a bad taste in her mouth.He’d already been through so much.
She turned to a blank page and started another list.She searched different places to rent in neighboring towns that she could afford.She also started another list of possible houses she could buy if her money from the sale of her house in Taos came through.She made a note to contact Race to see how things were going with the sale of her house.She hated to do it, but at this point, she’d be willing to consider a cut in price if it meant she could leave Redemption faster.If it didn’t sell by the time she wanted to move, she would have to dip into her savings to cover the cost.
Also on the list, she added, look for a new job in whatever town she moved to.She contemplated staying at Big Dick’s, but didn’t think it would be a good idea because there was always the chance that she might run into someone from the Sons.Although who was going to hire a pregnant woman?Maybe she could stay at Big Dick’s right up until she had the baby, then after a couple of months, she could look for something else.Shit.She’d have to find a new babysitter for Oliver and the baby.She’d have to change Oliver’s school, too.
Damn, the number of things she needed to do was giving her a headache.
As for how she was going to pay for the pregnancy and delivery, she supposed she could apply for public assistance.She wasn’t happy about the idea and never saw herself needing it, but she wasn’t left with a lot of options.She took a deep breath and jotted down the county health department's phone number and address.
As she pulled up to the gate to deal with the first thing on her list, she swore.“Shit.”She was here.Miles immediately stepped out of the little guard shack as she approached.She’d met him before, but didn’t know him as well as Cutter.Not that she knew Cutter all that well.What the hell?Even her thoughts were rambling.She rolled down her window and smiled.
“Hey, Sadie.How’s it going?”His smile was friendly as he shoved his hands in his pockets.
“Good.”How lame, Sadie?“I, uh, was wondering if Darren was here?”
Miles’s brow dipped."Yeah, he’s here.”
“Could I please speak to him for just a minute?”Part of her almost hoped he denied her entry.The other part just wanted to get this the hell over with so she could see how things played out and plan accordingly.
He buzzed the gate open and waved for her to proceed.
She parked as close to the building as she was able, just in case she needed to make a quick getaway.Who knew how things might play out?
Sadie shut off her car and sat there for a moment to gather her courage.What the hell was she doing here?Once she told him the news, both their worlds were going to change forever.She had no desire to destroy his relationship with Kylie.The news that she was pregnant was going to wreck the other woman.She placed a hand on her stomach, praying her nausea would go away.She supposed she should feel fortunate that she didn’t have the stomach bug after all.
Shit.She needed to pull it together.
Fuck.Fuck.Fuck.“Come on.Come on.You can do this.”The mini pep talk did nothing to calm her nerves.In fact, just reaching for the door handle made her stomach roll.
“Okay.Here we go.”She exited her vehicle and rubbed her hands up and down her legs nervously a couple of times.She took a deep breath and exhaled with a heavy whoosh before heading for the door.It was like an out-of-body experience the way she watched her hand reach for the door handle and pull it open.Fuck, she was getting dizzy.Breathe, you idiot!Breathe!The last thing she needed was to pass out in front of everyone.
She stepped inside and scanned the room, hoping to find Darren right away.Race and Dagger sat at the bar drinking a cup of coffee while Cutter stood behind it, leaning his butt against the counter with his arms crossed over his chest.All three men offered a friendly smile.How quickly would that change once they found out why she was there?
“Hey, Sadie.How’s it going?”Race asked.
“Good.”
Race glanced behind her and frowned.“You come here by yourself?”
“Oh.Um.Yes.I did.”Why would he ask that?
Race’s mouth formed a thin line as he exchanged a similar look with Dagger.When he turned back to face her, his expression had cleared.“Did you need something, Sadie?”
“I, um, was wondering if I could talk to Darren for a minute.”She realized she was clasping her hands so tightly she was losing feeling in them.She immediately dropped them to her sides and prayed Race didn’t start asking more questions.
“Sure thing, doll.”Dagger got up and disappeared down the hall.When he came back, Darren was following behind him.Dagger resumed his seat at the bar, and Darren continued toward her.
He came within a few feet of her before stopping.“Sadie?How’s it going?Everything all right at your place?”
She craned her neck back to look at him.“Everything at the apartment is good.”
