Page 8 of Under the Island Moon
This baby would be a much different experience for everyone. More joy and excitement without the trepidation about managing parenthood by herself.
She continued working, assembly line style, placing the rose petals. “How would you tell Boone if you were pregnant again?” she asked without looking at her boss. “I need to tell him before I see Sharon again.”
“Sharon can keep a secret.”
Molly sighed. “Of course she can, but I just feel like it’s cheating Miles if he’s not first.”
“But he’s not first.” Nina spread her arms wide. “I’m right here.”
“Good point,” Molly allowed. Maybe she should ask Sharon to help her come up with a plan. Her aunt’s creativity extended well beyond her famous paintings. Molly didn’t need it to be too elaborate, just extra special for Miles.
“Whatever you do, stop putting all this pressure on yourself,” Nina advised. “He’ll be thrilled no matter how you tell him.”
Caught, Molly felt her face going hot. “It’s that obvious?”
“Only to someone who works with you every day and loves you like a sister.”
“Thanks.” The warm and unconditional support already made this pregnancy a vast improvement over the first.
Feeling a little shaky as emotions swamped her, she turned back to her workstation and got busy.
Chapter 2
Miles couldn’t shake his concern for Molly. There was so much going on as the town got set for the Fall Festival events on top of the normal day to day with Bryce. Between prep for school, the drop off and pick up, school itself, followed by homework—he didn’t remember doing so much homework in second grade—and an increasing list of after-school activities, the days never seemed to end.
Lately, Molly had been falling asleep on the couch. Sometimes mid-conversation. He wanted to talk to her about it but he wasn’t sure how to bring it up.
She didn’thaveto work anymore. They’d had that discussion early in their marriage and she’d been clear how much she loved managing the Island Bloomers shop. He couldn’t fault her for it. The job had kept her going as a single mom, giving her the perfect hours to keep up with her young son. He just didn’t want her continuing the pattern out of loyalty alone.
They were a family of three now. He often wished she’d lean on him more—for the emotionalandfinancial support he brought to the marriage. Then he got all tangled up in that sense of being needed, wondering what that said about him. As muchas he loved caring for her and supporting the family, he admired her independence and her individual goals.
He encouraged her to take time with her decision about what she might want to do—as a career or as a hobby. He’d back her one hundred percent if she wanted to start taking classes or explore other opportunities. So far, she didn’t. She told him repeatedly she was content with being a wife, mom, and florist shop manager.
He supposed that was plenty of change already. Remarkable, fantastic changes that had given him a new outlook on life. Loving Molly and Bryce was such a privilege and he marveled at how much joy the three of them could pack into every single day.
Even the days that got turned upside down. His mind dragged him back to last year and the day Bryce had fallen off his bike and split open his chin.
Miles’s heart stuttered, as it always did when he recalled the shrill scream, the bloody mess, and the flash of bone he hoped never to see again. Not to mention the stitches—going in and coming out. Molly had been calm and steady through it all. Only crashing into his arms and letting loose a wave of tears once Bryce was in bed.
And still, they’d decided to try for another baby. No luck yet. Maybe that was for the best. Days like that one reminded him of the steep demands of parenthood. Although, whether they had another dozen children or only ever had Bryce, their family would be amazing and perfect.
He was all in for whatever life tossed at them—as long as she was with him.
“Hey man, where’d you go?”
Miles turned to find Boone, Nina’s husband, staring at him. “Sorry. I’m here.”
“Physically, maybe. What’s on your mind?”
“Molly,” Miles admitted. “She just seems a little run down right now. I’m starting to worry. A little.”
“A little,” Boone echoed. “Uh-huh. If you’re that concerned maybe…” His voice trailed off.
“Maybe what?” Miles pressed.
“Nothing.” Boone shook his head. “Why not talk to her? Take her out on a date?”
“She’s falling asleep on the couch almost before we get Bryce to bed,” he protested.
