Page 15 of The Hermit on the Hill

"Thanks." He sounded as calm and laid-back as he always did. It could literally start raining cats and dogs and Jared would launch into a calm and rational discussion of the importance of spaying and neutering pets. "How did it go on your end? How is the new obstetrician you found there?"

"I don't have an appointment with her until Thursday."

"Jenna. Today's Friday."

My cheeks heated, and my heart pounded. "Please tell me you're kidding."

"It's Friday, honey. You missed your appointment?"

I slapped my forehead and groaned. "I'm going to be a mother, Jared. How can I still be this scatterbrained?"

"What happened?"

"What? Nothing? I just got lost in all this parenting research and—"

"You only bury yourself in research to this degree when something happens. What happened?"

"I saw him." I'd seen him after months of trying to convince myself I'd imagined how handsome he was and the intensity of his gaze. Men as good-looking and confident as Sam Oakley didn't approach me out of a crowd and listen attentively as I talked about my passion for the study of the history of folklore.

Learning he'd stolen from me had almost been a relief. It had made sense. The night hadn't been magical, it had been a seduction perpetuated by a con man who was fantastic in bed. And not only had I gotten a magical night and the best sex of my life out of the deal, I'd gotten a baby.

But then Sam had looked at me in his office with that same intensity, which I could so easily mistake for lust instead of sharp interrogation. Sam Oakley was way out of my league. Grumpy or not, he was hot enough to attract beautiful women who were good at make-up and hair and style, who didn't sometimes forget to shower because they'd gotten so caught up in research.

"I thought you were waiting until—"

"Cody and Noah and George Gregory decided Sam needed to be taught a lesson. For seeing me naked, I assume. I interceded. I also might have broken into Sam's house."

Jared laughed, a warm, comforting rumble of a sound, so different from my exuberant, throaty, donkey bray of a laugh. "You're still alive, so I assume he didn't shoot you on sight."

"No." I smiled at the memory. "He thought I was a bobcat, but he didn't shoot."

"He thought you were a wh—?"

"I didn't tell him about the baby, Jared. I didn't get a chance and I just… You know I'm no good at thinking on the spot. I broke into his house, insulted his bedroom skills, and had to break up a near fight between him and my brothers."

"Uh, Jenna, can we agree to end all mention of bedroom skills involving-"

"I think he knows, anyway." I couldn't focus on Jared's words. My blood was going cold and then hot, my temples warming at the memory of Sam's eyes when he'd seen my belly, my wet shirt molded to it. There'd been no shock or fear, only a fierce emotion that might have been anger or hatred or something else I'd never understand, because men had always been a mystery to me. "I should probably go and talk to him, but I don't have my car. His tree fell on it and—"

My phone buzzed and vibrated in my hand. I pulled it away from my ear to see a text from May. "Damn it, I've got lunch reservations with the sisters. I've got to go, Jared. I'm sorry."

"Don't worry, Jenna. I'll be there this weekend. I'll help you sort this out."

"Jared, no, you don't—"

"I do. Now, go to your lunch and have fun. Maybe tell them about the baby."

My stomach flipped. I ended the call and raced around the apartment. There was no time for make-up or a shower. I pulled on a skirt, but it only took one glance in the mirror to remember it had been three days since I'd shaved my legs. I sniffed my pits to confirm I smelled okay. I was ninety-eight percent sure I'd showered that morning.

Digging through boxes of winter clothes, I found a pair of jeans. I threw on a cute, blousy tank, pulled my long hair up into a messy bun, slipped on a pair of comfy flats, and raced out of my apartment.

I was halfway across the parking lot when I remembered I didn't have a car. The restaurant was on the other side of town and public transportation was decent in Catalpa Creek because of the university, but there was no way it would get me to the restaurant in five minutes.

I stuck a hand into my hair, only to hit bun, cursed, and spun in a circle. As though I possessed magical powers, my car appeared on the other side of the lot, parked under a shade tree.

It couldn't be mine. Baby brain must be making me hallucinate.

I raced across the parking lot and there my car sat, right down to the sunflower decal on the rear bumper. It was my car, except it didn't appear to have a scratch on it. Somehow, it looked better than it had before a tree fell on it.

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