“I am,” she replied. “Back when I was stationed in Anchorage with the Air Force, I came to visit Willow Brook a couple of times and absolutely loved it. I’m not really a city girl,” she added. “And Anchorage is…”
“Definitely a city,” I finished with a smile.
“Exactly! Most people don’t realize how big it is, especially those who live out of state.”
“I know,” I said. “It’s even bigger now.”
She laughed softly. “That it is. Kincaid tells me you work at Fireweed Winery?”
Considering I was pregnant, and I knew she knew, it was kind of funny to tiptoe around that, but sometimes chatting about the mundane smoothed the way. “I do. I actually love it. I know waiting tables isn’t anything spectacular, but I enjoy it.” I rolled my eyes. “I went to college and got a degree in communication studies. Not exactly sure what I’m doing with it.”
She shrugged. “You’ll figure it out. A college degree isn’t the end-all be-all.”
“True,” I said. “A friend who works with Fireweed Industries since they own the winery, and she mentioned there are opportunities for advancement. The guy who manages our location used to run the flagship restaurant in Fireweed Harbor. I might be able to take over his position when he transitions out.”
“Sounds like you’re building something,” she said with a nod. “I’m all about doing what you enjoy.”
Kincaid stepped away to use the restroom, so it was just the two of us for a moment. Janet came by our table and smiled between us. “How are you ladies doing?” she asked brightly.
Kincaid’s mom beamed up at her. “We’re good. Very good.”
When Janet moved along, Claudia studied me for a beat before saying, “I’m thrilled for you and Kincaid.”
Her words were soft, but clear, and I blinked away the tears that rose with the rush of emotion inside. “Thank you. It’s unexpected, but we’re excited.”
A few minutes later, my mom came walking in, and we pulled over another chair so she could join us. I wasn’t entirely sure how I felt about them meeting. It wasn’t that I didn’t want them to—it just made things feel real with Kincaid. Ever since I’d stumbled through telling him about being pregnant, I felt as if I was trying surf through wave after wave of uncertainty, which made me even more unsure of myself.
Later that afternoon, my mom called me about some mail she’d picked up in our shared post office box. “So, you met Kincaid’s mother,” she said casually.
“Yeah. You were there, Mom,” I replied dryly.
“I know,” she replied, and I could hear the grin in her voice. “But what does it mean about you and him?”
“Mom!” I sputtered. “We’re having a baby!”
Her laugh came through the line like a breeze. “I know, I know. Just putting it out there that you could admit you love him out loud.”
“I appreciate your feedback. I’ll be by to pick up the mail later,” I murmured before I ended the call to the sound of her laughter.
Epilogue
Tori
Over a month later
My foot bounced where my legs were crossed, tapping out an uneven rhythm that betrayed just how nervous I felt. Kincaid’s hand slid over my thigh just before he caught mine, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
“Are you nervous?” he asked softly.
I slid my gaze to his, offering a sheepish smile as I lifted my other hand and held my thumb and forefinger apart with a tiny gap. “A little.”
Just then, there was a light knock on the office door where we were waiting for the doctor. A familiar voice called, “Come in.”
A moment later, the doctor stepped inside. “How are we doing? Feeling okay?” she asked, wheeling her stool over to sit across from us.
“I’m nervous,” I blurted out before I could stop myself.
She offered a warm smile. “Of course. That’s understandable. Pregnancy is such a common event that it’s easy to make light of it, but growing an entire human in your body is kind of a big deal.”
