The waitress, a friendly woman named Dani, stopped at the table with a coffeepot. “Ready for your coffee now?”
Lana considered asking for the check instead and putting an end to the uncomfortable meeting. But she wanted a chance to end on a more upbeat note. She smiled. “That depends on Sophie. Do you want something else to drink?”
After a wistful gaze at the coffeepot, the girl sighed. “I want that, but I’m pregnant, and I’m not supposed to.”
“How about cocoa?” Dani asked. “We make ours homemade and it’s excellent.” Plus, you get one free refill.”
“Yeah, sure.”
“I’ll have that, too,” Lana said.
“Two cocoas it is.” For the first time, Dani really looked at Lana. “You’re the woman in the paper. Lana Carpenter.”
“That’s right.”
“It’s very nice to meet you.”
When Dani left, Sophie was grinning. “You’re kind of a celebrity.”
“Am I?” Lana laughed. “I never thought of myself that way.”
“You are. Because of your picture with that story, people know you.” Sophie fiddled with her napkin, then squinted slightly. “Can I ask you something?”
“Anything.”
They were both silent while Dani delivered the cocoa.
“This is good,” Sophie said.
“It really is,” Lana agreed. “You wanted to ask me something?”
“Do you ever wish you had a boyfriend?”
Her mind flashed to Sly. Now, there was a terrible choice to get involved with, as Amy and Sheila had pointed out. She hadn’t heard from him since he’d stopped by the daycare several days ago. Even worse, he was suing her cousin—unless there was another rancher with the same name. Doubtful but hopeful,she checked online for a rancher with the same name. His was the only one she found. Thinking about it, she felt cold and sick at heart. Angry, too. Cousin Tim wasn’t the nicest person, but killing Sly’s cattle? No way would he do that.
“Occasionally I get lonely,” she admitted. “But most of the time I’m fine by myself. Between the daycare and home projects, I keep pretty busy. Now I want to ask you something.” She cupped her hands around the cocoa mug and waited for Sophie’s nod. “How do you feel about a single woman raising your baby?”
“It’s no big deal,” she said with a shrug. “That’s how my mom raised me.”
And here she was, a junior in high school and pregnant. Lana silently vowed to closely supervise her child throughout his or her teen years—provided she got the chance to be a mother. “Do you ever see your dad?” she asked.
“No. My mom isn’t even sure who he is.”
Sophie seemed okay with that, but Lana was sad for her. She couldn’t imagine not knowing her own father.And what about my baby’s father?A question she’d already asked herself and answered—she’d count on her dad to help make up for that. Her parents weren’t supporting her decision right now, but she wasn’t going to lose hope. Once she had the baby, surely they’d rally. After all, she was family, and her baby would be, too.
“You should know that I’m planning to bring my child to work with me every day, and when he or she is old enough—let’s call the baby she for now—I’ll enroll her in my daycare. Then when she starts kindergarten, I’ll cut back my hours so I can be with her after school.”
“But if you do that, you’ll make less money. My mom has always worked ten hours a day.”
Such long hours. Lana nodded. “Money is important, but to me, being there for my child is even more so. I have savings that will allow me to work a little less.”
Sophie wore a thoughtful expression. “I would’ve liked for my mom to be around when I got home from school. I could tell you’d make a good mom when I read the article. It’s why I picked you and Mr. and Mrs. Anderson as my top two choices.”
“I’m not the only person you’re considering?” Lana said, her voice squeaking despite herself.
Should’ve guessed as much, had cautioned herself not to make any assumptions. But she’d been so excited, so certain today’s meeting would be perfect and that Sophie would like her, that the idea of other potential parents had never entered her mind.
Dani returned with fresh cocoa mugs. “Here are your free refills.”
