Page 104 of River Wild

Carrie

River is driving us into the city, so I can go shopping for a stroller. I could have come alone, but he said he’d like to come with me. I think he worries about me driving the more pregnant I get.

I’m seven months pregnant now. Olive is the size of a cabbage. I made a slaw with the one River brought me. He, of course, refused to eat it.

He’s so weird.

It’s been seven weeks since River kissed me. And nothing.

He hasn’t talked about it or made any move to do the same.

And neither have I.

But I still go to sleep every night with the feel of his lips on mine.

I’m not sure why he hasn’t kissed me again. I can still feel the attraction there between us, and it’s only gotten stronger since the kiss.

It’s hard to keep my feelings in check at times when I’m around him as much as I am and as hormonal as I currently am.

But he’s choosing to ignore what’s happening between us. Or not, as the case might be. That means I’m doing the same.

I think it’s because I’m pregnant. Why he hasn’t kissed me again.

And I can understand that.

I’m carrying another man’s child. A man who River has no clue about.

Of course he doesn’t want to get into any form of romantic entanglement with me.

Because it’s not just me he’d be getting tangled up with.

It’d be the baby as well.

No, it’s better that we’re just friends.

I need to focus on becoming a mom, which is fast approaching. Hence the stroller shopping.

“You okay, Red?” River’s deep voice carries across the inside of the truck. “You’re quiet over there. And you’re never quiet.”

I smile at him. “Just a little tired. The diner was busy today.”

“The diner’s always busy. You shouldn’t be working up to the birth.”

“I only get six weeks paid maternity leave, so that’s all I can afford to take.” And that’s really good because most places don’t pay maternity leave at all, but thankfully, I have an awesome boss. “And I want to spend those six weeks with the baby before I have to go back to work.” And put Olive in daycare. But I’m choosing not to think about that just yet.

River huffs but says nothing more on the subject.

He parks the car into a parking spot close to the baby store, and we both climb out of his truck.

I have a fairly good idea of what I want after looking at strollers online, so we shouldn’t be in here too long. I know how much men dislike shopping, and I figure River is no different.

Once the stroller is purchased, I’ll ask River if he fancies getting dinner out. I’m hungry, and I could really go for pizza right now.

River holds the door to the store open for me, and I walk inside.

Holy strollers! There are loads of them.

“Please tell me you know exactly which stroller you want,” River says close to my ear.