Page 116 of Unexpected Redemption

Madeline and Boss Dad disappeared shortly after dropping off two large foil pans of baked ziti and meatballs. She came over and gave me a kiss on the top of my head, then grumbled something to Big Al before shesort ofstormed out.

The energy she gave off was a mix ofI don’t want to cause a sceneandI’m about to rage-kick someone in the crotch.

From everything I’ve seen and heard about Madeline, it’s unlike her to have an attitude. And the face my birth father made as he watched her leave was...something. Clearly, there’s trouble in paradise.

My guilty conscience hopes it’s not because of me, but the pasta is so damn tasty I soon forget what I felt bad for.

After popping a whole-ass meatball in her mouth like it’s no bigger than an M&M, Sammy leans over and whispers, “Does everyone in here know about your little bundle, or am I one of the lucky few?”

“Honestly, I’m not entirely sure who Tomer has told. I would imagine almost everyone in this room knows, except maybe Shep, Kri, and Valerie.”

Out of nowhere, a soft voice asks, “Everyone but us knows what?”

A trill of shock jolts my entire frame, and I jump an inch out of my seat. “Jiminy Christmas!” I yelp.

Cackling like a hyena at open mic night, Valerie grins at me with the smirkiest smirk I’ve likely ever seen, aside from Shep’s.

My hand lands on my chest as if bound and determined to keep my heart inside my body. “Lord, help me over the fence. Ya ’bout scared me clean out my skin, child.”

Laughter rings around the room, echoing off the tile floor.

“You can’t startle a woman in her condition,” Sawyer chides the precocious teen.

Sammy whacks him in the chest with the back of her hand. “Dammit, blabbermouth. That was supposed to be a secret.”

Closing my eyes, I brace my forehead on my fingertips.

Fan-freaking-tastic.

First, Tomer drops the pregnancy news on Boss Dad like a bomb as he storms out of his office a few days ago.Now, even more people know. I’ve been meaning to have a sit-down chat with Boss Dad about my growing family. Haven’t had the chance yet. I can only hope one of these yahoos doesn’t bring it up with him before I can clear the air.

Most women don’t tell many people they’re pregnant until after the first trimester, but the Redleg gossip train made that approach impossible.

“You’re pregnant?” Valerie squeaks.

In my periphery, Kri pushes her water to the other side of the table. “Keep that shit away from me.”

It strikes me as strange, so I quirk my brow at her in silent question.

Shep notices too.“What are you doing, baby girl? Does it taste funny?”

“I guess I’ll never know,” Kri snarks. “I amnotdrinking the water in this place. It’s clearly contaminated with fertility hormones.”

Shep takes a moment to process her quip while the rest of us laugh. Even me.

Unaware of the joke, Val picks up her water bottle for a swig. Before it reaches her lips, Shep swats it out of her hand, sending the bottle careening to the table.

“Hey!” Val hollers in protest while scooting her chair back to escape the cascading waterfall.

The muted laughter from Kri’s joke about something being in the water at Redleg has nothing on the hilarity caused by Shep’s overreaction.

Leo and Sawyer jump up to gather towels while everyone’s wisecracks and snide comments prolong the laughter.

Once everything settles, I drum my fingernails on the laminate table and journey my eyes past the faces of my dining companions. “Soeveryoneknows our little news, huh?”

“What’s one more pregnancy at this point? We’ll all raise our kids together.” Leo’s enormous hands turn out in front of him. “Congratulations, Lettie.”

Sue squints one eye at me, her mouth puckering awkwardly. “Sorry. I tried to keep it from him, but I’m a horrible liar.”

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