I’d heard about the verbal altercation with Josephine and Muriel and how Pastor Carter had stepped in. Even though her mother hadn’t attended the rodeo, she still managed to make things bad for Caitlin through her friends.
“If you think that’s best,” Mom said, but I caught the doubt in her voice and knew I had to be completely honest.
“I don’t want anything to happen that’ll make Caitlin decide she doesn’t want to stay here.”
“By ‘here’ you mean Poplar Springs.” She had always been perceptive. “You’re worried she’ll go back to Austin with the baby, aren’t you?”
“Yeah,” I admitted.
“And what will you do if that’s the choice she makes?” Damn, did my mom have to be such a straight shooter?
“I’m not sure,” I had to admit.
“If she has problems with her family being here, then that’s a powerful deterrent to her staying,” she said. “I don’t have to remind you that her brother lived with us that year because it was so bad at home for him, and then joined the Army to guarantee he got away. From what I observed, Caitlin’s experience might have been even worse. Hailey and Dave were always proud of Ethan for making all-state, but I can’t recall them ever saying a word of praise about Caitlin, no matter how many wonderful things she did.”
“She’s told me some, and it’s enough to know it caused her a lot of heartache.”
My mother leaned against the counter, studying me. “I don’t know all the details either, but I remember so well that day shestood in the rain waiting for her parents to pick her up after the art competition, and they never did. Her beautiful painting was ruined, and she was soaked to the skin. She didn’t cry, though, when I gave her a ride home. Any other girl would have, but she’s strong.”
I understood what she was saying. Caitlin was strong enough to leave and raise a baby on her own if she felt that she needed to. I wanted to make sure it didn’t come to that.
“I’ll convince her to stay,” I said after a minute. “Poplar Springs is a great place to live and raise a family.”
“Of course it is, for you and me,” Mom said. “We’ve found nothing but support and love here. For Caitlin there might be too many unhappy memories to overcome.”
Her argument made sense, but I had to believe that the good memories we would make together would outweigh the negative ones, if she’d only give the town and me a chance.
TWENTY-SIX
CAITLIN
Iwoke alone, but I could hear noises from the kitchen below me. Brian was up. I should be too, but Aurora had told me not to come in as early today. I snuggled under the blankets and looked around Brian’s room. Since we’d started sleeping together, I spent most nights here in bed with him, and I had to admit that I liked being in his space, smelling the scent of his aftershave on the pillow. Being close to him was appealing, even though our relationship wasn’t without its problems.
The day before hadn’t gone so well. It had hurt more than I’d expected to see my father for the first time in almost five years and discover that he couldn’t be bothered to put down his damn phone long enough to actually see me. The situation hadn’t been helped by Brian leaving and not coming back until that evening.
To keep myself from dwelling on my growing anxiety, I’d watched a favorite movie, sketched tattoo designs to add to my portfolio, and tried to nap. I’d been unable to rest, so I’d prowled around his house, worrying about our future. When he got home, he’d apologized for being away so long, and I thought that he genuinely meant it. But being sorry didn’t mean he actuallyintended to change his behavior. He would always go if he was needed. It was a trait I’d admire if it didn’t take him away from me so much.
“Breakfast,” he said and nudged the bedroom door open. “I thought you’d like to eat up here.” He carried a tray with orange juice, coffee, and a covered dish.
“That’s sweet of you.” I propped myself up against the headboard.
“Least I could do,” he said. “I’m still sorry about yesterday.”
“Stop worrying about it,” I said trying to smile. He’d told me about the baby shower that his mother planned to throw for me, and I had to admit that I was excited about it. “What’s under the lid? Something delicious?”
He put the tray on my lap and removed the cover. The smell of eggs hit me squarely in the face and my stomach turned over. Nausea like I’d never known rose in me.
“Oh, no,” I whispered, putting one hand over my mouth and shoving the tray aside with the other. I dove out of bed and rushed for the bathroom, making it to the toilet just in time. An instant later, Brian was with me. He knelt behind me, holding me and rubbing my back as I vomited. He talked to me continuously, soothing words that comforted me.
“I guess that’s morning sickness finally kicking in,” I said a few minutes later, leaning against the bathtub, the cool porcelain against my back.
“Seems so,” he said. “Close your eyes and take some deep breaths through your nose.”
I did as he said and felt a damp washcloth wipe over my face and down my neck. It felt refreshing on my overheated skin. My stomach started to calm.
“I’m sorry about ruining breakfast.” I could hardly think about the food.
“I’m the one who’s sorry.” He was rocked back on his heels in front of me, his expression worried. “I didn’t realize it would bother you.”
