Page 47 of Knocked up By the Mountain Man

As I head to the counter, I grab a couple of other items, some aspirin and a magazine, to make my purchase look less obvious. The cashier rings me up, chatting politely about the weather and how quiet the store has been lately. I nod along trying to maintain a calm, casual composure, but my mind is a whirlwind. I can’t do small talk while I’m in this mood.

The bell dings as I leave the store, and hurry back to my car, clutching the small paper bag to my side. The drive home feels longer than usual, every bump in the road making my nerves jangle. When I finally pull up outside the guest house, I sit for a moment, gathering my courage.

Am I really here doing this, again?

Why do I always end up with a pregnancy test in Silver Ridge?

I close my eyes and take a few deep breaths, trying to calm the storm raging inside me. I’m not ready for this. Not now. Not with everything else falling apart. But Ihaveto know. I grab the bag and head inside, thankful that nobody else is here.

In the bathroom, I sit on the edge of the bathtub, my heart pounding in my chest. I carefully unwrap the test, with shaky hands. The white plastic stick seems so innocent, but it holds the power to change everything. I take another deep breath, following the instructions methodically.

I set the test on the counter and glance at the clock. Three minutes. Just three minutes to wait, but it feels like an eternity. I pace the small bathroom, my mind racing with thoughts of what could happen next. What will I do if it’s positive? How will I tell Beau?

He doesn’t even know about Thomas yet.

How do I let him know that we’re having another child?

I force myself to sit back down and stare at the floor, willing the time to pass faster. My stomach churns, a mix of nausea and anxiety. Finally, I hear the soft chime of my phone, signaling that the three minutes are up. I hesitate, my hand hovering over the test, too afraid to look.

“Come on, Clara. You can do this,” I whisper to myself. I take one last deep breath and pick up the test, my eyes scanning the small screen.

Two lines.

Positive.

I stare at the result, my mind struggling to process the reality of it. I’m pregnant. The weight of the news crashes down on me, and I feel a mix of conflicting emotions. Fear, disbelief, a tiny spark of joy, and overwhelming anxiety.

What now?

22

BEAU

Idrive through town, my eyes scanning the streets for any sign of Wyatt. My truck’s engine hums steadily, but inside, my mind is a chaotic whirl. Wyatt’s been gone for days, and I’m desperate to find him. He’s always been a loose cannon, but this time, it feels different. More serious.

I’ve been everywhere I can think of. Millie’s Diner, Whispering Pines Inn, the park… it doesn’t help that I can’t even begin to imagine where he might be. He has to besomewhere,right?

I pull up outside the The Silver Spur Saloon. I guess if he’s drinking, then this is where I’ll find him. I just hope he isn’t too wasted, it would make it harder to reason with him.

Although the owner, Jake, doesn’t usually allow people to stay if they get too rowdy.

As I step out the car, the familiar sounds of laughter, music, and clinking glasses reach me even before I open the door. It sounds good in there, happy as always.

The rich aroma of grilled meat, fried onions, and whiskey greet me as I step inside. The warm, welcoming feel of the rustic wooden interior and the smooth polish of the bar top makeme feel momentarily nostalgic for simpler times. When me and Wyatt would be here together, having a good time. I weave through the crowd, nodding to a few familiar faces, and make my way to the bar.

“Jake, you seen Wyatt around?”

Jake looks up from polishing a glass, his expression turning serious. “Erm, he was here a few nights ago. But he left with that new girlfriend of his. Haven’t seen him since.”

I frown, taken aback. “Girlfriend? Since when does Wyatt have agirlfriend?”

I knew he was dating, but girlfriend… wow!

Jake shrugs. “Don’t know much about her. She’s new in town. They seemed pretty close, though.”

A pang of guilt hits me. How could I not know about Wyatt’s new girlfriend? We used to tell each other everything. Now, it feels like we’re living in two completely separate worlds. I thank Jake and head back to my truck, my mind racing.

As I drive away from the saloon, I think about how distant Wyatt and I have become. We grew up together, supporting each other through all the good and the bad. There’s nothing we didn’t know about each other, wellalmost. But lately, it’s felt like there’s a wall between us. He’s been spiraling, and I’ve been so caught up in my own problems that I haven’t been there for him.

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