Page 30 of Hawk's Cry

Once again the thought hits me. Is he out there breaking them even now?

Suddenly I pick up my purse. If I stay here, all these thoughts will just keep whirring. Being constantly upset isn’t doing the baby any good. I have to go out, somewhere. Just… not back to the compound, not yet. I fear if I went, I’d stay.

I go out to my car with no real purpose. I usually do my grocery shopping on Fridays, it’s Wednesday now, but at least restocking my cupboards will be something I can do without much thought.

With a destination and purpose in mind, I leave the house that I still find hard to call home, and direct myself to the store I normally use. It’s easy to find a parking spot, and soon I’m pushing a shopping cart around, trying to think of Eli’s favourite foods to tempt his appetite. Then I berate myself, that all I seem to do is think about him and his needs, while he doesn’t seem to give a damn about mine.

I’m just reaching over to get a box of cereal down, when someone slams into me from behind.

“Oh my God, I’m sorry. I wasn’t looking where I was going. Are you okay?” A concerned male voice reaches me.

Automatically my hands have gone protectively to my stomach which had been knocked into the handle of the cart. In truth, it hadn’t been that hard, just a shock.

“I’m fine.” I swing around, my mouth dropping open.

“I can’t apologise enough—”

“It’s you,” I interrupt him. “What the hell are you doing here?”

He shrugs. “I live close by. I always shop here for the necessities.”

It’s a valid excuse, I suppose. Coincidences do happen after all. If he lives around here, maybe that’s why I saw him the other day.

“Hey, I really am sorry. I don’t normally run women down.” As he winks at me, I study him, realising I was right the first time I met him, Gabe is a handsome man. Sparkling blue eyes seem to draw me in, as he offers, “Look, can I buy you a coffee to say sorry?”

“There’s no need.”

His smile drops away. “I’d like to make sure you’re alright. I did knock into you after all.” His brow furrows. “Are you in pain?”

“I’m fine,” I tell him. “I’m not hurt at all. Now, I’ve got shopping to do, and I don’t drink caffeine anymore.”

“A hot chocolate, or soda then? I’ve got nothing to do so I’m fine with waiting around. There’s a great coffee shop just up the road. Please? It might do you good to get the weight off your feet for a moment.”

I know the coffee shop, it’s the place I met up with Mom and Sam, and sitting down sounds attractive. But he’s a man. I feel it’s only fair to warn him. “I’m married.”

He chuckles and points to my very rounded stomach. “Kind of guessed there’d be a partner around.” He raises his hands. “I’m not hitting on you, if that’s what you’re worried about, but I haven’t been in town long. I’d love nothing more than to sit for a few minutes and chew the fat for a while. And seeing as I keep bumping into you,” his mouth quirks, “I suppose, quite literally this time, it seems like fate that we become friends.”

As long as he accepts friendship is all that’s on offer. Oh, who am I kidding? I’m seven and a half months pregnant—even my husband doesn’t get horny for me now. There’s little to no risk that a perfect stranger will want to jump my bones.

I don’t accept. I can’t. Even if it’s just an innocent conversation over a drink in the middle of the day, I know Eli wouldn’t like me being around a strange man. I open my mouth to turn him down, then a burst of anger hits me. Fuck Eli. If I’m right, he could be with another woman right now.

It’s that thought which decides me. “If you don’t mind waiting while I pick up a few more things, I’ll meet you in the coffee shop.” I make the decision to abandon any chilled or frozen items, and just stick to produce that can safely be left in the car.

Gabe smiles, my answer pleasing him. “What do you want? I can go ahead and order.”

Telling him just a soda, I watch him go off, presumably to complete his own shopping. When he disappears to the next aisle, I pick up the last few items I need. As I’m paying, I’m rethinking my hasty decision, then convince myself it will do no harm. Truth is, I don’t want to go home right now, and learning about someone new might take my mind off my own problems.

Having paid and packed my bags, I place them in my car, then drive the short block to the coffee shop he’d named. I park, then go inside. He’s got a table by the window, and stands as I approach, pulling out a chair politely so I can sit down. Nice manners.

“You know my name, I still don’t know yours,” he states, pushing my soda toward me.

That’s true. “Olivia,” I relent at last.

His brilliant blue eyes stare at me. “It’s a lovely name. It suits you. So, Olivia.” He voices my name like a caress. “Would you like anything to eat? This place does some delicious pastries.”

I’m feeling guilty about even just sitting opposite him and don’t want to do anything that might commit me to staying longer, so I shake my head and politely decline, even though the cakes do indeed look tempting.

“You say you’ve only recently moved to Tucson? Where are you from?” I ask, as the silence lasts a little too long.

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