Snorting a laugh, I’m well aware where this is going. “I paused on the sidewalk because I wasn’t impressed, and it wasn’t even my car.”
“You decided to voice your thoughts and told me that I must be having a shitty day if that was my concern, then pointed out a teenager down the street had littered in case I felt the need to take my grumpy mood elsewhere.”
“You should have been so insulted by me, but instead, you just stood frozen in disbelief at my candor.”
My cheek rests against the pillow so I can watch his facial expressions which are nuanced. “I didn’t freeze because of your views.Youtook me off guard because of the way you grinned, and the flower in your hair drew me to your eyes.”
A firmness presses into my heart. “Funny that I think my entire body sank when you looked up at me. Because I didn’t realize how handsome you were.”
“Is that why you were insistent that you buy me a coffee?” He licks his lips and smiles.
“I could tell that you needed to loosen a bolt or something. It was a beautiful day and there you were writing miserable sheets of doom for people.”
He scoffs a chuckle. “So you bought me a coffee with almond milk and a cinnamon stick without even asking if that was what I drank. You said almond milk has more antioxidants and that I seemed like someone whose muscles told you that I care about my body.”
I poke him with my finger. “You are making it sound like I was coming on to you using compliments.” He squints his eyes at me. “Okay. Maybe I was, and it was successful because you took me for a picnic the next day. The rest is history.”
We both stall, and I feel right away that maybe I didn’t use the right words. History can’t be rewritten.
Pulling the blanket up closer to my chin, I do a cowardly thing. “Uhm, I should probably sleep.” He doesn’t say anything, only reaches to the side to turn the light off. The air feels tense, and I’m aware it’s my doing. “I’m sorry. I wish I had been more aware of where we each were in life then.”
His hand interlaces with mine on top of the blanket. “Me too, me too… but for once in my life, you taught me to live in the moment, and that was new and exciting and good. Reality just played a game with us in the end.”
“Our reality now is that we’re going to be parents.”
He squeezes my hand. “No, Rosie, our reality has finally made it clear that in this moment we are where we are supposed to be.”
I needed to hear that, and I’m quick to lift my body so I can kiss him firmly on the lips which he gladly accepts, his free hand gliding up my arm to cup my cheek. “Night, Carter,” I whisper.
“Night, Rosie.” We both shift until he is spooning me from behind.
And I sleep deeply because everything feels safe between us.
12
ROSIE
Glancing over my book, I’m slightly concerned the dog is possessed. He has been sitting in front of me with his tongue hanging out for a solid twenty minutes while I sat outside on the porch reading a pregnancy book.
“Don’t you have somewhere to be, Jet?” I ask as if he will respond. Shaking my head, I’m aware he’s here because he wanders and comes direct to the source of treats. Returning to my book, I continue to read about using a rebozo blanket for labor. “Apparently, it helps with gravity and pressure,” I say aloud, as though he is a human companion.
The last few days have been nothing unusual except for a flood of emotions and constant thoughts about my ex-husband. Truthfully, I never want to use that title again, but I should be responsible for once and take things slow.
My phone vibrates on the table, and I grab it to see that it’s my mom. Swiping the screen, I answer. “Hi.”
“Hey, I just wanted to check in since it’s been a few days since we last talked. Everything good with the baby?”
I snicker humorously. “Forever forward, the state of your grandchild will be priority, huh? In my stomach, and later, out of my stomach. If this kid so much as spits up on my shirt, you’ll want to know and will smile like it’s the best thing ever.”
“No…” I can hear her smile.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. How is everyone?”
“Good. You know, the Blisswoods are getting ready for pumpkin season then tree season. One of your cousins started dating one of the new guys working at Olive Owl, and your uncle Knox is going to need a while to calm down.”
I wince. “Eek. I’m relieved Carter was never submitted to the Blisswood interrogation tactics.”
She chuckles. “It’s entertaining. Also, there is a farm in the county over who had a new colt born and asked if Olive Owl has interest. I know you won’t be riding a horse anytime soon, but since Astro passed, I thought I would ask.”
