Page 10 of Baby Me

“To the left. She said she had an errand to run but that she’d stop bylater.”

She’d betternot.

“Is this someone I should know about?” Kateasked.

Definitely not. Not yet at least. When I left for Arizona, I had hoped that Evie would give up on me. My brother’s ex-wife had a thing for us both. It only made sense that since my brother, Brook, had a new woman in his life, Evie would once again try her luck with me. I took in a deep breath before releasing it, saying a silent prayer that she wouldn’t bring too much trouble our way. Evie was like that tropical depression that unexpectedly turns into a hurricane and becomes completelyunpredictable.

“Of course not. If it’s who I think it is, she won’t stay long. Evie can’t handle theoutdoors.”

“Good. Did you see this?” Kate pointed to the sign in front of the diner that listed tomorrow’s soup of theday.

“Picklesoup?”

“I want to try it. Can we trytomorrow?”

For the first time in weeks, Kate’s excitement reached new levels. It was as if she’d received a fresh breath of air and wanted to get back tolife.

“Yes, of course we can. How’s yourmom?”

“I couldn’t reach her. I’ll try againlater.”

The sound of giggles resonated from inside the diner, and Kate froze for the second time thatday.

“How are you feeling, Kate? Do you want to go home?” I asked withconcern.

“I think I do, but not yet.” Instead of the sorrow I expected, her eyes held a new sparkle of hope. The flash of energy that coursed through her body reminded me of when Kate was needy. Wasshe?

“Aw, come here.” I helped her stand up and took her into my arms, whispering, “Even this shall pass. You’ll heal, and we’ll be able to make new plans when you’re ready.” I kissed her, tucking in the stray lock of hair behind herear.

“No, Cameron. I’m fine. Ipromise.”

“What is it,then?”

“I think we should make ababy.”

Chapter 4

Kate

Cameron’s expressionwas priceless and everything I could have ever hoped it to be. Would he agree? What if he didn’t? That would break my heart, but I didn’t want him to agree because of pity. I needed him to want a baby as much as I did. I wasn’t sure where my suggestion came from. I wasn’t even sure whether I was truly ready, but I did know that I wanted to be ready. I didn’t want to grieve daily for the rest of my life. I wanted to put the past behind me and make space in my heart for a happyfuture.

“Is this because you saw Mrs. Lockheart’s grandson?” heasked.

“I knew you’d ask that, but I don’t think that’s it. I’m not hormonal, Ipromise.”

Maybe I was a little because seeing those puffy cheeks and cute heart-shaped lips seemed to have turned on all of my maternalsensors.

“Kate, you just suffered a miscarriage two months ago. I don’t want you rushing into anything you’re not readyfor.”

“Cameron, that child… our child… I would have loved him or her with my whole heart. I didn’t want it todie.”

“None of us did, and I know that he or she would have been so lucky to have you as a mother. Kate, this isn’t your fault; you knowthat.”

“Of course I do, but I really think that I’m ready to move forward. I’m ready to take control of my life. So much has been stolen from me the past year… Two months ago, I wasn’t even sure whether I could get anything back. I didn’t know that I wanted life back, but I do. I want to feel like me again. This decision doesn’t even feel like a decision. It feels…right.”

“I’ll be honest with you, the idea of taking you back home right now and spending days and nights with my arms around you sounds like the best thing I could have wished for, but after what you’ve been through… I just think we need moretime.”

“You don’t wantto?”

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