Page 49 of The Backdraft
“Darcy,” Jack chided cautiously, like a father who knew the exact limits of his daughter’s temper.
“I’m trying to understand, sweetheart. I thought you didn’t want children,” Shelby said.
Darcy shrugged. “I changed my mind.”
Shelby looked at her other daughter. “How long have you known?”
Linnea glanced at Darcy, unsure of what the correct answer was. “Well, I—”
“Since before she was supposed to,” Darcy interrupted.
“When were you going to tell us?” Her father sounded hurt, but the whole situation had started to feel more like an interrogation than a pregnancy announcement. It felt like we were teenagers messing around instead of grown adults.
Darcy’s eyes were back on Linnea. “The plan was to tell you tonight, after dinner.”
“I’m sorry, Darse,” Linnea said, dropping her head.
Shelby returned her attention to Darcy. “How far along are you?”
“Twenty weeks.”
From the expression on her mom’s face, you’d swear she had reached across the table and slapped her. “You’re twenty weeks pregnant and only telling us now?”
My gaze snagged on Cory as she slowly knocked back the contents of her wine glass, her tattooed hand reaching for Garrett’s, who still hadn’t stopped glaring at me. I didn’t blame her. The air was tense, but more than that, it felt combustible.
“Correct.” Her response was sharp, and I moved my fingers up to her wrist, her pulse thrumming aggressively.
“But why? Why wouldn’t you—” Shelby’s eyes were brimming with tears.
Darcy scoffed. “Why wouldn’t I tell you?” She pulled her hand out of my grasp. “Do you realize you haven’t even congratulated me yet? All you’ve done is question me like one of Garrett’s arrestees!” Her voice broke over her words, the hurt, frustration, and anger she felt slipping past her mask of indifference.
“We’re sorry, Darcy girl. I think we’re just a little surprised is all,” Jack said, sharing a look with Shelby that I didn’t have time to dissect before Darcy pushed back from the table.
“As are most people whenever someone tells them they’re pregnant.” She stood, throwing her napkin on the chair behind her. “Excuse me.”
“Wait, Darcy. Where are you going?” Shelby asked, but I barely heard her.
Reaching out, I grabbed hold of her hand. “Darcy?”
Hazel eyes met mine, and I could see the unshed tears swimming in them. Her voice was barely a whisper, but it was enough for me to hear her. “I need a couple of minutes alone. Come find me in a bit, okay?”
If anyone could understand needing some space, it was me, so while it was the last thing I wanted to do, I released her and watched her walk into the living room. A couple of seconds passed before the sound of the front door opening and closing echoed through the house.
“You’re the dad, I presume?” Jack’s question brought my attention back to the table.
I nodded. “Yes, sir.”
Shelby wiped at the tears that had spilled down her cheeks. “You must think we’re terrible people.”
“No, I don’t. I know terrible people, and you’re the furthest thing from that. I think it’s a lot to digest on the spot.” I offered her a small smile, then stood. Darcy had said she needed a couple of minutes, but it was cold and snowing, and I couldn’t sit here comforting her family when they weren’t the ones who needed it. Plus, I’d never been all that good at following directions. “I’m going to go get her. We’ll be back.”
I was in the living room, putting my coat on when Garrett walked around the corner. He didn’t say anything, but then he tossed something at me, and I snatched it out of the air before it hit me in the face. Keys.
“Take my truck,” he grumbled. “She’s a fast walker—you’ll get to her faster.”
I nodded. “Thanks.” I’m sure there would be a conversation between the two of us to follow all of this up, but I didn’t have time for that now. Right now, I needed to go find Darcy.
TWENTY TWO
