Page 280 of Love in Riverbend
“We decided that it wasn’t a good idea.” I shrug. “Nothing more and nothing less.”
Devan shakes her head. “I love you, Marilyn, but I don’t believe you.”
I swallow the lump forming in my throat. “You don’t need to worry about it. Your plate is a little full. Tell me how Justin is doing.”
Devan goes on to talk about his ups and downs. There were concerns about blood clots, and the medicine they had him on didn’t agree with his blood pressure. Despite his leg being immobilized, they’ve begun physical therapy. After he is released from the hospital, he is supposed to go to a rehab facility.
“Of course,” she says, “he doesn’t want to do that. He wants to be out on the farm. He said if he can’t do the physical labor, at least he can do the business side.”
“I’m sure it’s in good hands with Ricky.” I inwardly cringe as I say his name.
“Didn’t I tell you? It isn’t just Ricky. He and Dax have been working together, and…” She shakes her head. “They have been a godsend. Dax has arranged to move his clients around. Unless he has a closing at his title company, he is spending two full days a week devoted to the farm. Dad and Randy Sheers are pitching in wherever they can. And that will let Ricky spend three days a week in Indy.”
My heart aches.
“I didn’t know he was going to do that.”
Devan’s eyes grow wide. “He said he didn’t get the job, but something happened last week. I don’t understand it all…you probably would. From what Rick said, Parker and Stevens is interested in creating a new something or other…”
I nod, knowing what she means. It’s an agricultural wealth perspective proposal.
“And since it is new,” Devan goes on, “they agreed to lengthen the timeline and allow Rick to work part time while still spending time here.”
Swallowing, I feign a smile. “It sounds like things are working out.”
“Justin’s friends are pledging their time and energy. I know it makes Justin uncomfortable. We talked about it. If the positions were reversed, Justin said he’d do all he could to help. I told him to suck it up and accept the help of others.” She looks down at her salad and back up. “I’m going back to school next week. I hate to leave Justin, but I’m not a lot of help, and I think space would be good.”
My eyebrow shoots up. “Are you two okay?”
Devan nods fast. “We will be. It’s not easy with him injured and me feeling sick.”
“Are you sick? Maybe it’s just the stress.”
“I thought the same thing. When I told Mom to pack a few things, I asked her to pack tampons and other things I thought I’d need.”
“Oh shit.” I cover my lips with my fingertips. “You’re pregnant.”
She presses her lips together and nods. Suddenly, her eyes are glossy.
I jump from my chair, hurry to her side of the table, and wrap her in a hug. “I love you.”
“Love you too,” she says, her words muffled against my shoulder.
Pushing her shoulders back, I look her in the eye. “This is good, right? I mean, I know Jill never wants children, but you…”
“It’s good. The timing is terrible. I tried to keep it from Justin—just for a little while—but it’s hard to hide that I’m puking up my breakfast before I’ve even eaten it. I swear, the nausea started before I was even late.”
“You’ve taken a test?”
“I have. The nurses got one for me. I guess there’s nothing more official than a hospital pregnancy test.” She blinks away her tears. “I wish Justin were more excited. He was the one talking about children.”
“Wow,” I say, concentrating on my friend. “You two know how to keep things exciting. Have you told Jill?”
“Not yet. Please don’t say anything. Other than Justin and my parents, no one knows. I’m still very early…you understand?”
“Of course,” I say, concentrating on the most positive news in a long time. “I know if it’s a girl, you’ll want to name her after me. But I need to warn you, Marilyn is an old name, and you know those cute license plates kids get for bicycles?” I shake my head. “She won’t be able to have one. If she does, it will have stick-on letters, and that isn’t the same.”
“Thanks for the warning,” Devan says. She pushes away the salad container. “Believe me, extra hormones aren’t what I need right now.”
