Page 36 of Knocked up By the Mountain Man

Tears stream down my cheeks as I struggle to find the words.

“Life was so messy back then. I was planning to go to college, and I didn’t know what Beau would think. And then...” I pause, taking a shaky breath. “My uncle found the pregnancy test. He kicked me out before I could make any decisions. He basically made me leave before he told Wyatt. And I couldn’t stand Wyatt finding out.”

Abby’s eyes widen in disbelief. “Oh, Clara. I had no idea it was that bad.”

“I was scared and alone,” I continue, my voice a soft murmur. “I thought leaving was the only option. I didn’t want to burden Beau with an unwanted pregnancy. I thought I was protecting everyone. I didn’t even get the chance to tell you…or say goodbye.”

“But now?” Abby asks gently, reaching out to squeeze my hand, forgiving me.

“Now I realize I’ve been living with this guilt,” I confess, my voice cracking. “Thomas deserves to know his father. And Beau... he deserves to know he has a son. I just don’t know how to tell him.”

We both look over at Thomas, worried he may have heard. But with his focus on the TV he’s blissfully unaware that we’re discussing his father. It hits me suddenly that he’s never asked about his dad or expressed any curiosity about him, not even during Father’s Day. He simply seems to accept that he doesn’t have a father. But that won’t be the case forever. One day he’ll want to know, and what will I say to him then? There’s no way this whole story isn’t going to get messy. Being in Silver Ridge has brought all of that to the surface.

“I’m surprised he hasn’t picked up on it yet,” Abby comments idly. “Thomas looks so much like him. I’m shocked I didn’t guess either. But what about Wyatt?”

I’m stumped, my mind racing with conflicting thoughts.

I take a moment to collect myself before responding.

“I... I don’t know what to do about Wyatt. I never know what to do about Wyatt…”

Knock, knock.

I look at Abby in surprise. “Are you expecting anyone?”

Abby shakes her head, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. “No, I’m not. I wonder who that could be.”

I can feel my heart pounding as Abby heads for the door. As the door swings open, my breath catches in my throat.

It’s Beau.

He stands there, looking agitated and upset, his eyes look beyond Abby, searching the room before circling back to land on Abby.

“Is Clara here?” he demands, his voice rough with emotion.

Abby steps across the doorway, shielding me from view, her protective instincts kicking in. “Beau, what are you doing here?”

“I need to speak to Clara. It’s important.”

Abby glances back at me, silently asking if I want to let him in. I swallow hard and nod, stepping forward.

“It’s okay, Abby. I’ll talk to him.”

Abby steps aside reluctantly, and Beau enters, his eyes locking on mine. “Clara, we need to talk. Now. Come with me.”

“I can’t go with you, Beau. I need to take care of Thomas,” I say, my voice trembling.

Abby places a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “Go, Clara. I’ll look after Thomas tonight. He’ll be fine.”

I hesitate, glancing over at Thomas who is still engrossed in his cartoon, unaware of the tension in the room.

Finally, I nod. “Okay.”

I guess we’re doing this then.

16

BEAU

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