“Me either.” I tried for a smile. “I usually love eggs, but apparently not while pregnant.”
“I’ll remember that,” he said. “Can I get you something else? Some toast? Water? My mom gave me some different teas for you to try. I think there’s ginger and peppermint.”
“Nothing yet.” I ran one hand over my stomach. “Maybe in a few minutes.” Peppermint tea sounded good but I’d never been a huge fan of ginger and wasn’t sure how that would go down.
“Stay here and rest. I’m going to take the food downstairs and get rid of it. Don’t try to move until I come back.” He kissed my forehead and left the bathroom.
I heard him enter the bedroom before heading back downstairs. Feeling a little better, I sat on the rim of the tub. Despite his warning, I was considering standing up when I heard his phone ring and his muffled voice speaking. His steps became more determined as he came back to me.
“You need to leave,” I guessed as soon as I saw the look on his face. Clearly the station had called, and he was itching to be at work.
“Only if you’re okay,” he said. I believed that he’d stay if I insisted, but it would kill him to hang back when there was obviously a problem at work.
“I think I’ll go back to bed for an hour.” I had time for a nap before getting ready for work.
“I’ll help you get settled in.” He came closer to me.
“Not necessary.” I waved him off when he reached for my arm as I stood. “I’m fine. Really.”
He hesitated while I moved across the bathroom to the sink and reached for my toothbrush.
“I’ll see you later then.” He came to me and brushed his lips against my cheek. Then he was gone.
I shook my head as I caught my reflection in the mirror. That was twice in twenty-four hours that he’d dashed off like something was on fire. Could the town not function without his constant vigilance? Apparently not.
Maybe the universe was trying to send me a sign that readYou will always be second in his life.
After a nap and a slice of dry toast, I felt better and headed for work. I arrived in the midst of the morning breakfast rush and jumped in to help Aurora. Fortunately, the smell of the food didn’t bother me now, so I was able to work my tables without rushing to the bathroom.
“We heard the good news about the baby.” An older woman, who came in twice a week with her husband, said while I was refilling her coffee. “Congratulations!”
“Um…thanks,” I responded. Did everyone know? I supposed they did because nothing was ever a secret for long in this town. Between our shopping trip yesterday and Aurora buying a pregnancy test at the drugstore, word must have spread.
“Make sure you don’t stay on your feet too long, and get plenty of rest,” the woman said with a smile.
“I’ll do that,” I replied before moving on to the next table.
In the next half hour, three more people congratulated me. A woman offered advice about which infant car seat was best, and another suggested a book I might want to read. All of them seemed genuinely nice and concerned for me without the slightest bit of judgment. That wasn’t what I’d expected. I was single and pregnant in a town that valued family and tradition. And what surprised me even more was that no one made it about Brian. They focused on me as though they cared aboutme.
“Mitch Alistair wanted me to give this to you. He wouldn’t leave it on the table because he was too concerned that his brother, Charles, would take it.” Aurora handed me a folded twenty-dollar bill when we were prepping for lunch. “He said it was for the baby and it was from him only.”
“He never tips.” I was shocked. Neither of them did. I’d waited on the perpetually grouchy twin brothers since I first worked here in high school, and neither of them ever left me even a quarter.
“People can be kind when you least expect it.” Aurora smiled. “And everyone loves a baby. Enjoy it.”
“I will.” I tucked the cash in my apron pocket, feeling surprisingly good about humanity and the citizens of Poplar Springs. Maybe I’d misjudged this town.
“Uh oh,” Aurora said with a glance behind me. “Your mom just showed up.”
“Crap,” I whispered, and then decided that my mom wasn’t going to rain on my parade. I spun around and went to greet her with a smile on my face. “Mother, I wasn’t expecting you in today.”
“I was hoping we could talk.” My mother’s smile held more warmth than I had ever seen directed at me. “Any chance you’re free for a few minutes?”
“Take a break and sit down with your mom,” Aurora said as she came up behind me. “We’ve got some time before the serious lunch rush.”
“Thanks. Do you want coffee, Mom?” I offered.
“That would be nice.”
