“We can talk about where we’re gonna raise our family, what job you want to do. I can update you on the board meeting, and you can show me photos of the event. We can chat about all of that, but nothing changes how I feel about you, us, and our future.”
I had no idea what my future career was anymore, but for the first time in my entire adult life, I didn’t give a shit. The board meeting taught me that I really didn’t want that stress and negativity in my life. It wasn’t worth it. I missed an emergency call from my wife because of political bullshit, and I was done.
While Laney rested, I looked into the town more and its struggling businesses. I didn’t have a full concept yet, but I used my notes app to create a proposal. If they wanted someone to get this place back on the map, I could be that guy. It was wild how life worked out. A month ago, you couldn’t have paid me to leave my job. It defined me.
Now though? Maybe everything needed to break for us to rebuild and be stronger. It sucked, but I only felt hope at this moment. We’d be fine either way.
Her bottom lip trembled as she closed her eyes. “You should be mad at me.”
“Baby, I missed your calls. I wasn’t with you when I should’ve been. I missed the signs of how sick you felt. You should be mad at me.”
“No, you were fighting at the board meeting, trying to change things at your job because I needed it. That’s on me.”
“You’re wrong. I was promoting Petra and standing up for myself, for me, not just you.” I laughed and set my hand over her heart. “We’re financially okay, so no matter what happens after last night’s meeting, we’ll be safe. I promise you. I’ll take care of you and our baby.”
“I know you will.” She sighed and leaned her face closer to me. Her lips were cracked, and her eyes had a darker hue to them, but she was still beautiful.
“Hey,” she whispered.
“Hmm?” I fought a grin. The entire car ride here, I had thought the worst. Would I ever see her cute dimple again? Hear her sigh? Watch her eyes light up from happiness? It almost didn’t seem fair that I had gotten another chance with her.
“Can we get the soup to go? I just want to be alone with you.”
The knot in my chest loosened the final knot. “Of course.”
The next hour flew by, with us chatting about what we should buy everyone for Christmas. It was in three days—somehow the month had gone fast and slow at the same time. I knew that Laney was thoughtful with gifts, where I took the most convenient route. I didn’t love that about myself.
“What if we only purchased gifts at the rest of the festival?” I suggested as I led us outside.
“What do you mean?” She gripped my arm as we walked outside in the cold. Petra had arranged a car for us and got a ride home with Matt. Despite the fact that Petra’s presence in my life once hurt Laney, she had been helpful and supportive the last week. My chest ached with the thought of the board meeting and the way Dennis had spoken about her, but the vote was in. She’d be our new COO. That was worth the fight because she deserved it.
Me? I couldn’t be sure. I’d stormed out. Almost blackmailed a board member. Cut off my dad. And missed calls from my wife before she passed out. If it weren’t for learning I was gonna be a dad, yesterday could have been the worst day of my life.
“You spend so much time thinking of gifts to buy, and since I don’t want you to carry that burden alone anymore, we can walk the festival tonight and pick out gifts.”
“Oh. The photos. I need to call Becky.”
“I’m sure your mom took care of it already, but I’m happy to be your assistant and take all the photos you need.”
She smiled as I opened the passenger door for her. “Connor, I can buckle myself.”
“Of course you can.” I leaned in, kissed her neck, and buckled her in anyway. “Humor me. I spent forty minutes yesterday losing my fucking mind, so yeah, if I want to buckle my wife in and ensure she’s safe, I’m going to.”
“Oh lord,” she said, but humor was in her tone.
We drove to the café and ordered two homemade chicken noodle soups to go with two hot chocolates before driving backto her parents’ house. I parked in the driveway and ordered her to stay put.
“I’m opening your door for you.”
“That’s silly.”
“I don’t care. Now, stay.”
Her eyes lit up, and she giggled. “Kinda hot when you’re bossy.”
Shit. The rasp in her words had my blood going south, but it was not the time. She was healing. Pregnant. Oh God. Could I sleep with my wife? Would that be weird?
I froze halfway to her side when her door opened, snapping me into gear. “What did I say, lady?”
