Page 17 of Broken Mountain Man

“When’s Kate coming up to visit?” Elias asked, nodding toward my phone on the porch railing. “I still haven’t thanked her for signing you up for that damn retreat.”

I grinned into my coffee. “She said she’s trying for next weekend. Made me promise to introduce her to some mountain men.”

Elias chuckled, pulling me close. “Just tell her to get lost in the woods. It worked out pretty well for you.”

I tilted my face up to him. “No one could get as lucky as me.”

Just as he was about to kiss me, my phone buzzed. I picked it up without checking the screen, assuming it was Kate calling to confirm her visit.

“Finally,” I said. “I was starting to think you’d forgotten about me.”

“Is this Brittany?”

The voice wasn’t Kate’s. It was calm. Professional. Unfamiliar.

“Yes, this is Brittany. Who is this?”

“This is Jennifer from Dr. Avery’s office. I’m calling with your test results.”

My stomach dipped. I’d gone in last week for a basic checkup—nothing major. Routine bloodwork. But something in her voice made my heart pick up speed.

“Is everything okay?”

“Everything’s fine. More than fine, actually. Congratulations—you’re pregnant.”

The world tilted.

“I’m... what?”

“Just a few weeks, based on your hormone levels. Dr. Avery would like to see you next week to confirm and discuss prenatal care.”

Pregnant. I was pregnant.

“Are you still there?”

“I—yes. Yes. Next week. I’ll call to schedule.”

“Wonderful. Congratulations again.”

The call ended. The phone slipped from my fingers and landed on my lap.

Pregnant.

I felt Elias’s arm tighten around me and looked at him.

“Hey. Is everything alright. Did something happen to Kate?”

I couldn’t answer as I stared at him, this man who had become my world. I felt panic and joy crash together like waves in my chest. “That was the doctor’s office.”

He stilled. “What’s wrong? Are you sick? Do we need to go to the hospital?”

“No,” I said quickly. “I’m not sick.” I stood up, legs wobbly, heart pounding. “Elias... I’m pregnant.”

The words sat there between us, suspended in the quiet morning air.

“Pregnant?” he echoed, stunned.

“Just a few weeks.” My throat tightened. “I know we haven’t really talked about kids, and I don’t know if you even—”

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