Julie looked over her shoulder. When she saw Misty falling apart, she rushed to her and put her arms around her. “It’s gonna be all right. It’s okay to cry. I’ll be here for you no matter what happens. Okay?”
Misty swallowed the rest of her tears. “I know. Thank you.”
Julie was sweet but not who she really wanted. Then she remembered someone else she had to tell.
“Oh, crap.”
Julie leaned back and gazed at her. “What is it?”
“Parker. I’ll have to tell Parker too.”
She took a few more deep breaths and pulled her jeans up as far as she could before standing. When she rose and tried to pull them up the rest of the way, she wobbled and grabbed Julie’s arm.
Misty burst into tears. “Oh, I can’t do this. I just can’t.”
“Relax. I’ve got you,” Julie said. She held her shoulders steady while Misty zipped up her jeans. “You see? We can do this together. We can do anything together. We’re women, dammit! Hear us roar!”
Misty appreciated the feminist leanings of her friend but doubted her own at that moment.
There was a knock at the door, and it opened partway without her sayingCome in.
Sandra peeked around it. “Are you decent?”
Misty gave her a halfhearted smile. “Depends on what you mean by decent.”
Sandra entered and shut the door behind her. She strode over and enveloped Misty in a warm, tight hug. “I want you to know I won’t tell anybody anything. Not even Miguel. I won’t even say you came in today.”
Misty exhaled a deep breath. “Thank you. I appreciate your telling me that.”
Sandra stepped back and rubbed Misty’s arms. “How are you holding up?”
Misty dropped her gaze to the floor. Tears threatened to spill again.
“Oh, honey. I know how you’re feeling, but it’ll be all right.”
Misty glared at Gabe’s sister-in-law. “What do you know about how I feel?”
Sandra smiled, albeit sadly. “I imagine you’re overwhelmed, scared, and feeling alone. I’ve seen this before, Misty.”
She sagged. That’s exactly how she felt. Misty nodded. “You forgot feeling sorry for myself, but other than that, you nailed it.”
“I know one person who won’t be sorry.”
“Ha. If you say Gabe, you’re dead wrong.”
Sandra tilted her head. “I was going to say Gabriella. She wants a grandchild so badly, she’s bugging all her younger sons to get married and have kids. The older married ones have already said they won’t be providing her with grandchildren.”
“Well, she’ll be disappointed on that front with Gabe. He has no intention of getting married. Ever.”
Sandra lifted her chin as if sure of something. “He’ll do the right thing.”
“I want him to do the right thingfor him. Forallof us. That doesn’t mean marrying me out of pity. He’ll resent me for it. He might even resent the baby too.”
Sandra’s lips thinned. “Okay. I can’t predict the future, but there’s one thing I know about the Fierro men. When the chips are down, they’ll come through. Only an asshole would walk away from your situation. These guys arenotassholes.”
Misty nodded sadly. “I know that. I’m afraid of that, actually.”
Sandra tipped her head and gazed at Misty for a moment. “Don’t be. I can’t divulge the details of the conversation I had with Gabe recently. But I think you may be surprised by his reaction.”
Misty’s brows shot up. Had Gabe had a change of heart?Oh Lord, I hope so.
