Page 35 of Accidentally Falling
Shuffling from foot to foot, he shoves his hands in the front pockets of his slacks. “Your mother called and said you were upset. Didn’t say why—just asked me to go over and check on you.” His gaze drifts to Deacon before returning to Arden. “Your security isbetterthan I remember.”
“And you were there because…” Arden asks Deacon, who lifts one massive shoulder and lets it drop.
“Making sure no one was messing around while you weren’t there.”
Opening her mouth, she frowns and then closes it before turning to look at me. “What’s happening?”
“I thought we could talk to your father together.”
“Do you want me to leave?” Deacon asks but Arden shakes her head. He nods and moves off to the side and props himself against the doorframe.
I watch as a myriad of emotions crosses her face. She’s tired but resolved, and when she takes a breath, I move around the counter to stand by her side.
“I’m dating Jude,” she starts and my heart squeezes in my chest, “and we just found out I’m pregnant.”
Evan’s mouth drops open as he looks from Arden to me and back, pure joy radiating from him as a smile stretches across his face.
“You’re pregnant? Oh my gosh.” He takes a step forward and stops. “Can I hug you?” he asks her, his body vibrating with excitement, like a little kid about to open presents on Christmas.
“Sure,” she says, getting off the chair and closing the distance between them.
“Congratulations, this is wonderful news.” He holds her tight before pulling back and wiping a tear from under one eye. “And congratulations to you,” he says, holding out his hand to me.
I shake it, relieved. “Thank you. We’re”—I slide my gaze to Arden—“figuring things out.”
“And happy,” she adds and I nod.
“And happy,” I agree.
“You told your mom today?” Evan asks carefully, his face falling along with Arden’s.
“She…” Arden’s voice trails off and I place my hands on her shoulders and gently knead the muscles.
“She didn’t have the reaction we hoped for,” I say diplomatically. I expect Evan to recoil, maybe be defensive, but instead, he reaches for his daughter’s hand and she lets him.
“You deserve to have your news be met with all the excitement and enthusiasm imaginable. I also know thatIam part of your mother’s problem and for that I am truly sorry. I don’t want to come between you and your mother. Our history is complicated and I can’t change that. But I want to be a part of your future.” He pauses and meets my eyes. “I want to be a part of the family you create, however that looks.”
“We want that,” Arden says, her voice shaky as she looks up at me and then back at her father. I squeeze her shoulders and release her when Arden pulls her father in for a hug. “I just can’t promise it’s going to be easy—thatI’mgoing to be easy.”
“As long as you’re willing to give this a chance, we’ll be all right,” Evan says, the sentiment echoing my own from a couple of days ago.
Arden sighs and leans back into me. “Seems like we’re all about chances these days.”
And thank God for that.
19
ARDEN
Knock. Knock.
I stare at the blank screen of my laptop and then my front door as the knocking starts again. It’s light with a little rhythm so it’s probably one of the girls. Throwing the blanket off my lap, I stand, stretching as I walk the short distance to the door and pull it open.
“Morning, Sunshine!” Bea says, her smile wide and infectious as she stares at me. She’s wearing leggings with little cartoon goats on them and a denim button-up. Her light hair is pulled up into a messy bun that makes her look effortlessly adorable.
Staring down at my oversized T-shirt and black leggings, I’m arguablynotcute this morning.
“Come in,” I tell her with a laugh as she practically bounces into the kitchen. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
