Page 66 of Summer Love

"I don't think it's sunk in yet. I just learned about the possibility, and I want to be there for Dalton."

Grams nodded. "I bet your mother will be thrilled."

"I don't think she knows about it yet."

I raised a brow. It would be impossible to keep that a secret if they were already talking about it at the senior center.

Talk turned to what to plant in the flower boxes. It sparked an actual argument over the best flowers to plant. And we excused ourselves to continue our work outside.

On the way outside, I said, "I didn't realize that Dalton's girlfriend was expecting."

Hudson sighed. "We just found out. It's new, and I don't think they've decided what they'll do."

"Is Dalton happy about it, or is it more of a shock?"

"A shock, I think. From everything I've heard, he was planning on breaking up with her. Then he heard about the pregnancy."

"Thatisa shock."

"He's not sure what to do yet. But I know he'll do the right thing."

I frowned. "And what would that be?"

"For Dalton, I suspect he'll ask her to marry him."

"But he was planning on breaking up with her?" I asked, confused.

"He'll want to spend as much time with the child as possible, and he'll want to be involved in the pregnancy too. He's a good man."

"I can understand that." But I wasn't so sure it was a good plan. I couldn't believe he was willing to marry someone just because she was pregnant. It seemed like an outdated way to handle the situation. But I could understand why he wanted to be as involved as he could be.

"I'll be there for him, no matter what he decides to do."

"Your whole family will." I was positive of that.

"Mom will be happy about it. She'll offer to help in any way she can too. And Dad will be thrilled too."

I smiled. "A baby. What an amazing addition to your family."

"It might not have been planned, but we'll do whatever we can to help Dalton and his baby."

"That's wonderful." We put aside the news of his brother's baby and got back to work.

After our box was built and the flower bed prepped for planting, we stepped back to admire our work. Three beds were constructed in all, and Shep had even done a few window boxes for the windows by the front door.

"It will look lovely when you plant the flowers," I said to him.

"We'll do that next. But not today. I need a break.”

"You want to go to the beach?" I asked Hudson.

He cleaned up his tools. "Actually, my parents have a pool, if you'd rather do that."

"If they wouldn't mind, that sounds perfect."

Shep appeared in front of us. "Are you going swimming?"

"Yeah. Did you tell Mom and Dad?" Hudson asked as if this was a regular occurrence when they were done with outside work.

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