Outside, we heard the two fawns begging for theirbreakfast.
“I’ll be out there in five minutes,” I said under my nose, as if they could actually hear or understand me. Animals had a sixth sense about food, just like Evie did about chores. They knew when to appear and when to make themselves invisible. I once tried to find them in the bushes at the back when I went to check for holes in the fence, but they’d camouflaged themselves so well that I couldn’t find them until it wasdinnertime.
“Maybe this baby thing is not a good idea. Maybe we should wait until Cortez isfound.”
“Baby, you’re panicking. Cortez can’t get here. There’s noway.”
“Evie got here. I’m sure Cortez can aswell.”
“Evie’s family, but she’s not listed as such. It would take a lot of digging for him to associate her with theMaddens.”
“You’re wrong, Cameron. As much as I don’t want you to be, you are wrong. She shares a child withBrook.”
“It’s not as simple as youthink.”
A sudden noise drew my attention to the outside. Cameron stood up and off the floor and peeked out the window. “They’re at the porchalready.”
“Silvia says they need to start feeding on more hay, but they really love thebottle.”
“The fence looks like it’s holding up for now.” I saw him concentrate his gaze as he focused on thebackyard.
“It’s like they know that’s their way to freedom, don’tthey?”
Cameron sat down on the tub. His gaze shifted to the counter where the pregnancy test wasresting.
“Thirty more seconds.” I smiled, feeling a new glint of hope sparkle in my heart. He was right. I wanted this baby more thananything.
“You’ve been overworking yourself, Kate. I think you need morerest.”
“No, I’m really enjoying this place. Time goes by more quickly, you know. Is there any news on Cortez or myfather?”
He shook his head, and I wondered how long it would take before we could return to our normal life back in New York. Did I really wantthat?
“On the bright side, the cabin is almost done. Two more days and we’ll be able to move back. I hope Evie hasn’t been giving you too muchtrouble.”
“Actually, she’s been verynice.”
“Aha.”
“I know she’s been coming up to the cabin to be withyou.”
He stilled. Each time Cameron went to work on the cabin, Evie found an excuse to leave aswell.
“And you haven’t saidanything?”
“I trust you. Besides, she’s not your type. I’m not quite sure how you two even dated in thepast.”
“I wouldn’t call it dating… she was just a warm body I needed at thetime.”
“Not exactly what I wanted tohear.”
“I’m sorry. She’s the past. You’re my present and myfuture.”
I checked my watch and my head flew up with a gasp. “It’stime.”
Cameron grasped my wrist before I had a chance to lift the piece of paper covering the pregnancytest.
“Kate, please remember that sometimes it takes a few tries. I will never complain aboutthat.”