Page 19 of The Bride's Desire

“I’ll drop you off and come back to get you. Will a half-hour be okay?”

She nodded.

He pulled up, and she was out before he could come around to help her. She saw his scowl but ignored it and walked into the store. She quickly went to the aisle she needed and read a few boxes.

There were more tests than she thought, so she just grabbed one. She found lotion she could use just in case he asked what she bought. The woman at the register studied her and then the test.

“You’re new around here.”

“Um, yes.”

“What’s your name, Honey?”

“It’s Naomi.”

“Where are you staying?”

She could see the interest in the woman’s eyes and knew if she told the truth, it would be all over town that she was pregnant.

“I’m staying with a friend right now. She’s going through a rough time. Her husband left her, and she thinks she’s pregnant.”

“Oh, my. That’s terrible. Who is it?”

“Oh, I don’t feel right telling you. She’s trying to keep it a secret as long as possible.”

“I understand. By the way, my name is Ginger.”

“It’s nice to meet you.” She handed over the money. “Thank you. Maybe I’ll see you again if my friend wants to stay.”

“It would be nice to see you again.”

Naomi smiled, waved, and made her way down the sidewalk and away from Ginger’s prying eyes.

Joe pulled up into an empty spot and got out. “How about some pie before we head back?”

She wanted to yell no but knew she couldn’t. She plastered a smile on her face. “Yes. That’s sounds wonderful.”

He opened the diner door for her and led her back to an open booth.

She looked around as everyone seemed to know Joe and waved or stopped by to talk to him. They all seemed curious about her, and when Joe was asked who she was, he called herhis housekeeper.

“Hey, Becky, we’d like some pie and coffee, please.”

Naomi swallowed a few times. “No coffee for me. Could I have a glass of milk?”

“Sure, Honey.” The waitress went through the different pies, and they picked one.

It only took a few minutes before their food was in front of them, and everyone had walked off, leaving them alone.

“This is really good.”

Joe smiled. “Yeah. They make the best around.”

She was sipping her milk when she caught Joe staring at her. “What?”

“This is like our first date.”

She set her fork down because her appetite died. “That’s cruel, Joe.”

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