Page 71 of Missing Marcus

He returned to the cashier and paid for their items. When they left the store, the men changed positions. They entered the second store. Gabby circled the offerings and shook her head. He opened the door and walked to the third.

“I’m sorry, Marcus. I need to use the bathroom,” she whispered.

A sign leading to the employee’s back entrance said, ‘Employees only.’ He frowned. Bryanna’s bakery stood across the street. He took her by the arm and led her across the street. He didn’t stop to speak to the employees as he ushered her to the back, where he knew the location of the bathroom. She went in and emerged a few minutes later.

“Sorry. I can’t help it,” she said as she glanced at the floor.

“Hey.” Knight tilted her chin to meet her gaze. “You’re pregnant. I’ve noticed your frequency at the cabin.”

“Oh.” She moved through the bakery and opened the door with him right behind her.

They returned to the third store. Feeling much more relieved, Gabby caught her second wind. A neutral layette set, two sleepers, and something called a swaddle filled the basket. Teething rings, a stuffed animal, and a book for Nugget came next. Then she walked over to the women’s section and picked out two nursing gowns and a robe for Bryanna.

“I didn’t know we needed to purchase anything for Nugget or my sister. I thought you only brought a gift for the baby,” he said as he took out his wallet again and swiped his card.

“The baby gets a gift, of course. I don’t want Nugget to feel left out. After all, she’s gonna be a big sister. As for your sister, everyone fawns over the baby. The mama does all the work and deserves some credit. The gift will make her comfortable for all those long nights ahead.”

Knight took her comment to heart. “Are you getting hungry?”

“Do you even have to ask?” She tried to take the bags, but he waved her away.

He led her to the truck and placed the items behind the seat. She stood on the sidewalk and waited. He opened her door, and she shook her head. “It’s such a nice evening. Can we walk? After I eat, it helps me to walk or I feel stuffed,” she explained softly.

Knight scanned the area and spied the men, keeping watch. “Of course.”

They walked side by side. “I wonder if they have tacos?” she asked as they approached.

He chuckled. “Didn’t you get your fill before I came home?”

“Don’t mess with me and my tacos. I don’t even know why I crave them. I barely ate them before…” her voice drifted off as if the pain of their past engulfed her.

He held the restaurant’s door open and silently thanked Bryanna for recommending it. The ambiance appeared precisely what he wanted for the evening. The hostess settled them into a booth where Knight’s back stayed against the wall, and he got a clear view of anyone coming in and out.

Scanning the menu, he picked the fresh salmon, asparagus and a side salad. Gabby seemed engrossed in the selections. “What sounds good to you?” he asked when she hid her face behind the menu.

“They only have fish tacos,” she said dejectedly. “I’m leaning toward the parmesan-crusted chicken, asparagus and soup.”

“You don’t want fish?” He set his menu on the table and waited for her to respond.”

“The smell sometimes makes me sick. Plus, I can only eat it in small quantities,” she confessed. “What about you?”

Knowing she sacrificed for their child’s good, he responded, “I think I’ll order a steak. Saint mentioned the owner raises his own cattle and the food served here comes from there.”

“I like steak but can’t eat a ton of it. I’m debating on the chicken pasta dish or the first one.” Gabby watched as the waiter brought water and a loaf of warm bread with oil.

“How about you order the chicken dish, I’ll order the steak and we can share,” he suggested.

“Sure.” She put down her menu and watched him cut the loaf, handing her the end piece, which she preferred.

When the server returned, he placed their orders and smiled as she bit into the bread and closed her eyes.

Slicing another section for himself and the other end for her, he placed it on her plate. She licked the oil from her lips and didn’t hesitate to pick up the second slice and devour it.

“I swear if I keep eating like this, I’ll be a whale before I deliver. I’m starved and I ate two tacos before we left.” Gabby pushed the appetizer plate to the side and sipped her water.

“You’re eating for two. When do you have your next doctor’s appointment? I want to accompany you. Can we discover if it’s a boy or a girl?” he asked as he wiped his fingers with his napkin.

“My appointment’s next week on Wednesday,” she informed him as she kept her head down. “I’ve decided not to find out the gender.”

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