She nodded.
“You okay with the others knowing?”
“Sure, they’ll find out anyway.”
She sipped her tea while they talked to Jake and Branna. Mikey played with Rose, drawing her pictures. Was her baby a little girl or boy? She turned and caught Newman’s eyes, and knew he was thinking the same thoughts. His smile was gentle.
“I’m sorry about this, Hope. Especially after what happened with your job, and that idiot Jay.”
Jake McBride was talking, and he looked genuinely pissed off on her behalf. It was always a shock when someone sided with her, because she’d always done everything solo, and never really inspired great friendship in people. And then the nausea came, so quickly, it caught her off guard. She usually had warning and got a cracker out of her bag to nibble.
“Could I use your bathroom?” Hope got to her feet quickly, so quickly she stumbled. Newman grabbed her, steadying her.
“Sure, I’ll take you.” Branna took her arm and led the way.
Hope inhaled through her nose, willing the nausea away, praying no one realized what the hell was going on.
“Mikey, you go on inside and get that soda for yourself,” Jake said.
Newman knew the boy had been sent away because his friend wanted to say something in private. They stayed silent until both Mikey and Rose had disappeared.
So, when’s the baby due?”
“What?” Newman nearly choked on the word.
“Hope just went green, and unless she’s got a stomach upset, which I don’t think she has, she’s pregnant.”
Only he and Cubby had heard the words.
“What?” Newman said again to buy himself some more time. “Because her stomach’s upset, she’s suddenly pregnant?”
“Doctor, bud. Call it instinct. So am I right?”
“I’m adopted.” He went for that instead of answering. It had worked with Buster, after all. And now that he had told two of his friends, the rest needed to know.
“Yeah?”
He nodded.
“Okay, so that explains a few things. So, about Hope. What’s the deal?”
“My parents are not my real parents, Jake.”
“Always thought there was something odd there. I mean, both your parents are dark-haired, and there’s you with those blond, girly curls.”
“They’re not girly, they’re manly.”
“So about Hope?” Jake had always been persistent.
“There is no about Hope. And I’ve been thinking, Cub. You know how she was dismissed. Do you think she should start proceedings for wrongful dismissal? Would that put the heat back on Wildlife?”
“Sure, could do. But has nothing to do with this side of things. This is criminal, and without evidence I can’t charge Hope.”
“Are we just going to ignore the fact that Hope is carrying Newman’s child?” Jake said.
“Why do you think she’s carrying my child?”
Jake snorted. “You can’t keep your eyes off each other. Then there’s that kiss Tex saw happening in the Roar.”
