“I’m okay,” I reply, unsure of what is happening.
“How’s that new tire holding up?” My eyes quickly fly to Theo.
“Still rolling, so I guess it’s fine.” Theo is about to say something when Sage cuts in.
“Dad, I’m going to go in the back and tell Everleigh we’re here.”
“Okay,” he says and then turns back to us. “This is a lot of food for just the two of you.” There are untouched pieces of cake, pie, cupcakes, and lemon squares spread across the table.
“Everleigh said we had to try them.” Theo chuckles. “What’s up with you?”
“Not much.” He shakes his head. “I just got off the phone with my guy for the crane part you guys were waiting for.” He picks up a square and pops it in his mouth. “It’ll be here tomorrow. I’m assuming you guys aren’t going to be working at the barn until then.”
“No.” Theo shakes his head. “Caleb was the one who was taking care of that, so it’s going to be on hold until he comes back. I spoke to Charlie this morning about it.” Charlie owns Mustang Creek Ranch, and he specializes in equestrian therapy.
“Cool.” Brock pushes away from the table. “I’m going to go and see my wife.”
“See you later,” Theo says. Brock nods at me, gives me a smile, and turns to walk away.
“Wait, you work here?” I ask Theo.
“Yeah, I just moved here.” It’s all starting to make sense to me.
“What do you do?”
“I work with Caleb Walker at CW Construction.” I know the company. They rebuilt this bakery after a terrible fire. “About what you were saying before . . .” He puts his elbows on the table and leans forward.
“Yeah, about that,” I titter nervously. I know my time here is running out. I’m going to have to leave soon, and I need to get this over with before I lose the courage and don’t tell him. That would be horrible of me, and regardless of what people think of me, I’m not that person.
“That night,” I start, tucking hair behind my ear, “that was the first time I did anything like that.”
He smirks as if he just won something. “You don’t say?—”
“Yeah, anyway,” I quickly interrupt him, “I’ve never really done the one-night stand thing before, so that was new for me.” I look at my fingers. “I’m assuming you’re a pro at them.”
“I wouldn’t say that.”
“You literally snuck out in the middle of the night. If that doesn’t scream fuckboy, I don’t know what does.” I close my eyes tightly. “I’m sorry, it’s more than okay if that’s the life you want to lead. I’m not going to judge you for it.”
“But you just did,” he points out.
“Is it judging someone if they are pointing out the obvious? I mean, are you going to sit there and tell me you don’t do one-night stands often?” He stares at me, and his silence is deafening. “Exactly. Anyway, that’s neither here nor there.” I exhale. “Something happened that night, and well, I didn’t know you lived here since I’d never seen you before that night, or after?—”
“I went to help my sister,” he tells me, “a couple of days after.”
“Right. Um, I’m going to tell you something right now, and you aren’t going to like it.”
“Oh my god.” He puts his hand on his mouth. “You have a boyfriend?”
“What?” I shriek louder than I want to, and now everyone’s looking at us. I look down, embarrassed that I caused a scene. I wait a couple of seconds before I hiss at him, “Are you out of your mind?”
“What else could you possibly tell me that I’m not going to like?”
“It isn’t that.” I swallow. “It’s?—”
“Well, what is it?” he prompts, impatient.
“I’m pregnant,” I blurt the words in one go, like ripping off a Band-Aid.
