“No you’re not.” Jeb laughs, but the sound is tight and strained. “You can’t be pregnant. We used condoms.”
“And one of them broke, remember?” I remind him of the incident I will never forget. “I am for sure pregnant.”
All the charm and smoothness bleeds out of him in an instant. “Are you trying to say it’s mine?” He scoffs, taking his own step back. “I don’t know who else you’ve been fucking. It could be anybody in Moss Creek’s, for all I know.”
I didn’t think Jeb would jump at the opportunity to be tied down and financially responsible, but I sure wasn’t expecting him to insinuate I’m boning the entirety of Moss Creek. Especially when nothing could be farther from the truth. He’s actually the first guy I’ve slept with since moving here. I was on one heck of a self-imposed dry spell when he managed to wiggle his way into my pants. And boy am I regretting giving up that streak now.
“Okay.” I’m not going to fight with him. I know firsthand all the damage a shitty dad can do, and there’s no way in hell I’m going to force one onto my child. “I just thought you should know.”
It was an obligation I shouldn’t have bothered with. It felt shitty to let him walk around not knowing he had a kid out there. But now, considering how resistant he was to the idea of protection, I’m thinking that’s probably already the case.
“I don’t need to know shit.” Jeb slams his hat back onto his head, shooting me a glare as he backs toward my door. “You’re not going to trap me with some other prick's mistake. No way am I going to be on the hook for a problem that’s not mine.”
The door slams behind him, and I sigh, crossing the room to flop down on my couch as an already familiar bout of nausea tries to send me running for the bathroom. Leaning back against the cushions, I close my eyes, pulling in a deep—hopefully calming—breath as I rest a hand on my still flattish stomach. “Don’t listen to that asshole, Peanut. You’re not a mistake.”
My baby isn’t a problem either, even though their unexpected appearance has caused a few.
I’m not in a great position to be a single mother. My apartment isn’t bad, but housing in this area is hard to come by,making it kind of expensive. My income as the chef of The Inn at Red Cedar Ranch isn’t terrible, but I’m not sure it will cover daycareandrentandgroceriesandpossibly formula.
And then there’s facing everyone and explaining what’s happened. Lots of people warned me off the ranch hands who come to town for a few months during the busy seasons, but I didn’t listen. I guess I still haven’t figured out that life would be easier if I could just learn from other people’s lessons. If I could see reality instead of looking at everything through the rose-colored glasses I obviously refuse to take off.
I nearly jump out of my skin when the door to my apartment flings open. I can’t imagine Jeb’s had a change of heart.
And he hasn’t.
It’s not that shitty excuse for a human walking into my apartment, but my friend Janie. And she’s got a weird look on her face. One I’ve seen before. She’s scheming, and wants to drag me into it. It’s not unusual, but considering how my day’s going so far, I’m not really feeling like joining in.
“I have an idea.” Janie comes straight to where I sit on the couch and drops down beside me. “And for the record, I fucking hate this idea, but I love you, so I’m torn.”
Now I’m even less interested in whatever plan she’s working up, but I can’t stop myself from asking, “What’s your idea?”
“Remember that job I was going to take before I decided to stay here?”
“The one in Wyoming?” So much has happened since my friend contrived her plan to leave me behind while she ran away from her feelings for a man she believed she didn’t deserve. I have a vague recollection of the details—the primary one being the astronomical salary—but that’s about it.
Janie nods, reaching out to grip my hands. “What if you take it?”
“You want me to move to Wyoming?” Moving to Moss Creek was terrifying enough, and that was just me on my own. I can’t imagine moving to a whole new state in my current situation.
“No, I don’t want you to move to Wyoming.” Janie squeezes my hands. “But I think it’s worth considering.” Her eyes drop to my belly. “Considering.”
Is it though? I might not have the greatest and most extensive support system here, but I have Janie. My boss Maryann, though I doubt she’ll be lining up to babysit or thrilled over finding someone to cover my position when I go on maternity leave. In Wyoming I’ll have no one.
Janie presses a piece of paper into my hand. “Just think about it.” She stands, shooting me a grin as she leaves. “I’ve gotta go. Devon’s waiting in the car. Olivia’s got a cheer competition.”
I wave as she leaves, sitting with the warmth brought on by the knowledge that my friend has finally found what she deserves—a man who loves her crazy self just the way she is.
My eyes fall to the paper she gave me. A name and phone number is scrawled across it. My brows lift as I discover my friend held back some pretty relevant information about the job in Wyoming. Because I absolutely would have remembered if she told me Deidre Bradshaw—lifestyle guru extraordinaire—was going to be her boss.
But maybe now she could be my boss instead.
To be honest, if what’s on this paper is right, I would be stupid to pass up this opportunity. It offers a salary that makes my eyes water. An insurance package I’m definitely going to be needing. Room and board in a space that looks way nicer than what I’ve got now.
And a fresh start.
For me and Peanut.
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