“No thanks.” I stayed on the porch. Laura was lovely and kind and had known me all my life. If I went inside and started talking with her, then the truth would spill out. I needed Jake to be theone to hear it first. “I just need a minute with Jake,” I insisted. “I’ll wait here for him. It’s such a nice night to be outside.”
“If you’re sure?” Laura asked, studying me.
“I am.” I almost wondered what Laura could read on my face because she looked like she was tempted to say something more.
“Can I get you anything to drink while you wait?”
I wasn’t sure I would be able to hold a glass without my hand shaking. “No, thank you, I’m fine.”
“Make yourself at home, then.” Laura disappeared back into the house, and I sat in a rocking chair to wait. It really was a nice night to be outside. When the weather was warm like this and the stars were twinkling, anything felt possible. Even raising a child.
A few minutes later, headlights swept across the entrance to the ranch and I heard the rumble of a truck approaching down the long driveway. My stomach kicked over in anticipation as I stood. I’d tried to rehearse the right words, but I didn’t know what those were or how he’d react. For myself, I was excited about what was to come, but I knew it could change the tenuous friendship I felt I’d built with Jake.
Jake parked and got out of the truck, a smile on his face at the sight of me. Okay, that made this a little easier.
“Howdy,” he said, coming onto the porch. “Everything okay? You look worried.”
“I’m fine. I mean…” I trailed off. Maybe I should have waited, taken more time to figure out what I wanted to say, but it was too late to consider that now.
“What is it, sweetheart?” His voice was gentle.
“Something unexpected occurred,” I said, feeling my way through the words. “That night in the cabin I know I said that I couldn’t get pregnant, and I thought that was true. It’s what I’d been told, but…I did. I’m going to have a baby in about seven months.”
Jake’s face went completely blank. I really needed him to say something, but he seemed knocked speechless, so I went on.
“It didn’t seem possible since the odds of this happening to me are so small, but I took three pregnancy tests. I don’t think there can be any doubt.” I paused again, hoping for some kind of reaction, but got nothing.
“I know it’s a shock, but I want you to know that I plan to keep the baby. I’m really excited to be a mom. How muchyouwant to be involved, though, is entirely up to you. I won’t expect anything if you choose not to. I’d understand. I’m sure it’s as much of a shock for you as it was for me.”
I still couldn’t tell what he was thinking, so when he wrapped me in a huge hug and lifted me off my feet I was surprised and happy and overwhelmed.
“Congratulations,” he said as he put me on my feet, keeping his arms around me. “Congratulations to both of us. Wow. A baby. I’m going to be a dad. That’s…I never thought.”
“So you’re okay with this?” I asked.
“Hell, yes,” he said. “And just to be clear, I want to be part of our baby’s life. The idea of having a child right now, when we weren’t expecting it, is scary, but exciting. Where do we start gettingready? Do we shop for baby stuff? Brian and Caitlin could give us some pointers there. Did you make a doctor’s appointment yet?”
He started rattling off questions faster than I could keep up and I pressed my fingers to his lips to stop him.
“I’ve only just found out and I haven’t made any appointments yet. I’m just glad that you’re glad.” I was shocked at how easily he’d accepted what I’d told him. The hope that everything would be okay was starting to sprout inside me.
“Why wouldn’t I be? Kids are awesome. Henry is going to be over the moon when he finds out he’s going to have another cousin.” He was still smiling, which made my heart lighter. “Should we go tell my mom? And then I’ll call Brian and Cal and Amy. Did you talk to your mom yet?”
“No,” I said, wanting to stop him from rushing ahead. “I only told Sofia, and that’s just because we were supposed to get together tonight. I needed to explain to her why I’d be coming here instead. But she can keep a secret.”
He tipped his head to the side, his eyes searching mine. “Why is it a secret?”
Well, partly because I wasn’t sure if he’d want anyone to know. But even with that concern laid to rest, there were other issues at hand. “To be honest, I’m reluctant to tell anyone until after the first trimester. The first three months are when most miscarriages happen, and with my condition, I’m at higher risk,” I explained.
I’d done some research before coming over and had the facts. Frankly, I wasn’t sure I could emotionally handle all the congratulations if there was a chance I’d lose the baby before term. “Please, let’s hold off for a few more weeks.”
“If that’s what you want,” he said, but I could tell he wasn’t thrilled about it.
“You tell Brian everything, don’t you?” I guessed. I knew the bond between them was tight.
“Pretty much, but he can wait if you don’t want anyone to know yet,” he said, and I felt a little guilty because I had confided in my closest friend. “We can talk about it more later. For now, we should celebrate.”
“No champagne for me,” I said with a laugh.
