Page 55 of Muskoka Miracle

“You two okay in here?” Sam asked.

“Yep.” She let go of Dan, found a smile, and aimed it at his brother. “We’ll be out in a moment.”

His eyes narrowed slightly, then he nodded, and exited.

“Does he know?” she asked Dan.

“About the miscarriage?”

She nodded.

“I think so. Mom said she’d mention it to him.”

They gathered the ice cream and berries and took bowls and spoons out so people could serve themselves. But her steps paused, as the sound of a hushed argument came to their ears.

“—have you thought what it’s like for them to hear someone carrying on like that?” Sam swore. “I always knew you were self-absorbed, but man, can’t you have a bit of compassion?”

Oh no. She glanced between them, then at Dan.

Boyd’s face held shock. “Is what he said true?” he pointed at Sam.

“Depends on what he said.” Dan’s voice held a growl.

Boyd glanced at Sarah. “Did you have a miscarriage?”

She pressed her lips together. Nodded.

“Oh, man.” He looked at Dan. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Because we didn’t want people to know,” Dan gritted out.

“But… but I’m your friend.” Boyd’s face wore hurt. “Jo and I, we love you guys. I can’t believe we didn’t know.”

She ducked her head. Jo was her friend. And hurting others like this was one of the unfortunate consequences of not telling people about their loss.

“I can’t believe you didn’t tell us,” Boyd said again.

“Says the man who didn’t tell them his wife was pregnant until now,” Sam sniped.

“But—oh.” Boyd winced.

“Exactly.”

“Oh, man. Dan, Sarah, I’m sorry. I, uh, I feel really bad for going on about it all. If I’d known, I never would have said anything.”

“Don’t go making this about you again,” Sam warned.

“I’m not.”

“Can’t you see that they’re upset and too polite to tell you to stop? Good thing I’m not.”

That was for sure. “Sam,” she began.

“No, don’t tell me to shut up,” Sam said, eyes lasered on Boyd. “Mister Holier-than-thou, Mister I’m-such-a-great-Christian has the insensitivity of a bear. You really need to learn to read the room, buddy.”

Boyd’s face held chagrin. “I didn’t know.” He lifted his hands helplessly. “Dan, Sarah, I’m sorry.”

Dan shook his head. “I didn’t want people to know. I thought it was better to wait, rather than have to deal with all the sympathy if it didn’t work out.”

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