Page 42 of The Hermit on the Hill

The only sound in the room was the rustling of clothing.

"I want to go with you when you tell your mom about the baby," I said. "I want her to know I'm going to be here for you and for our baby."

"Okay. That would be nice. We could go right now."

"Right now?"

"We might already be too late. Anyone could have seen us in that maternity shop or here in the waiting room."

"We're an hour away from Catalpa Creek."

"Never underestimate the gossip train in Catalpa Creek."

"I'm free," I said, even though I'd had about ten missed calls, fifteen texts, and three emails before I'd finally turned off my phone two hours ago. This was more important. Jenna was more important.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Jenna

Brittany was waiting for us by Sam's truck outside the clinic. "How did it go?" she asked when we approached her.

"Great," Sam said, the pride in his voice warming me. "We have a healthy baby boy."

Brittany let out her breath in a whoosh and hugged me. "Congratulations." She pulled away and hugged Sam. "I'm so happy for you both."

"Everything okay with you?" Sam asked.

"Yeah. I'm sorry I ran out." She pressed a hand to her chest, her eyes going glassy. "That was intense. You three are going to be a family. My big brother is going to be a dad." She lifted her hands to the sides of her head and popped her fingers wide while she blew out a breath. "Mind blown." She patted her chest like her heart might be sore and smiled. "Where to next?"

I glanced at Sam, giving him the opportunity to back out, but he didn't hesitate. "We're heading to Mrs. Reynolds' Inn to tell her the news and show her the pictures. Not sure what kind of reception we're going to get, but you're welcome to join us."

Brittany's nose scrunched. "Yeah, I think I'll pass on the family drama. I'd say you should call Jared to help, but you know how he is about family stuff."

I stared, confused. How had I never known this about Jared? I considered him my very best friend, but I didn't talk to him about our mother because I didn't want to lie to him and I couldn't be honest with him about how I felt about her. Now that I thought about it, was it weird that Jared never wanted to talk about her either? Had I been selfish for never asking? Honestly, I'd been happy to avoid the topic. Maybe he had been, too.

Maybe it was time I asked him. Even if he didn't have issues with our family, though, he'd never want to be involved in this conversation. Drama of any kind was something he avoided fiercely.

"He definitely won't want to be involved," I said. "He's not working today, though, if you want us to drop you at the apartment."

"Thanks, but isn't he packing today to go back to Georgia first thing tomorrow? I'd just be in his way."

I snort-laughed. "He has one bag, and I don't think he ever completely unpacked. By now, he's probably pacing, bored and wishing he left yesterday."

The local large animal vet had requested that Jared stay a few more days. Apparently, the older man struggled with some of the harder cases, and he'd been grateful for Jared's help. As Jared had already cut back his hours in Georgia and found a very capable doctor to replace him there, it hadn't been a problem for him to stay. I hadn't realized how serious he was about making the move, but apparently all he really had left to do in Georgia was pack up his house and put it on the market.

Brittany looked unsure for the first time since I'd met her. "Maybe drop me at Sam's so I can take my car to Jared's? If he's as bored as you say, he might already be on his way back to Georgia."

The ride to Sam's house was silent. Sam turned on classic rock as soon as we were on the road, as though he could sense that Brittany and I didn't want to talk. Maybe he just didn't want to talk.

"Thanks for taking me with you," Brittany said as she hopped out of the truck with a wave.

"Is she okay?" I asked.

Brittany's blond hair bounced as she jogged straight to her car, got in, and tore out of there. Was she in a hurry to see my brother or to get away from us?

"I think so," Sam said. "She doesn't let it show, but she feels everything intensely. She's been worried lately that she's getting too old and will never have a child of her own."

"She's only in her early thirties, though, right?"

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