Page 49 of Unexpected Forever
Once in the cabin of his oversized SUV, the scent of his cologne—which thank God doesn’t make me sick—plus the scent of coffee wafts around me. It’s oddly comforting.
Must be the pregnancy hormones.
“What’s on your agenda today?” he asks, maneuvering the large SUV through the town square traffic, which is busier than usual.
“After my appointment, I’m going to work. I don’t work this weekend, but the winery will be busy, so I’ll make sure there’s enough inventory set up and ready to go.”
“Think you’ll have some time to come see a house with me?”
I glance over at him, mesmerized by the way his muscular arms ripple as he grips the wheel. He looks relaxed and yet perfectly in control.
It does funny things to my lady parts.
“Uh, yeah. What time?”
“Four o’clock? Addison said she could meet me there.”
“Addison will be there?” Unease is slick in my stomach.
“Why…oh, yeah. She’s your sister-in-law, isn’t she?”
“Yep.” I look out the side window and sigh. “I’m sure she knows by now since Del knows. But I don’t like that my mom doesn’t know yet.”
Mom and I butt heads but there isn’t a woman in the world I respect more than Stella Reynolds.
“Well, what’s stopping you from telling her?”
“Well, I wanted you to know before anyone else found out.”
“And now I know.” He glances over at me. “What else?”
“I want the doctor to verify it for sure. Even though seven tests can’t be wrong.”
He parks and shuts off the engine before turning to me. “I have an idea.”
I settle back into the seat and meet his eyes. “I’m listening.”
“What if I go with you to tell your mom after work? And then we can look at the house tomorrow?”
I shake my head. “That’s sweet, but you don’t have to do that.”
He tilts his head. “Why not? Stella seemed to like me pretty well when we danced that night.”
“Yeah, well, you hadn’t impregnated her daughter yet.”
“Fair point. But don’t you think this will be easier if she sees we’re going to work together on this?”
I peer out the windshield, thinking over his words. Were we really going to do this together? It’s a nice thought and I’m sure his intentions are good, but what happens when the baby is here and it’s time for him to head back to Florida?
Rumor has it he’s first in line to manage his old team next year. At some point, he would head back home.
Still, if Mom sees we’re doing this together, it might soften the blow of good ol’ Charley screwing up once again.
And just when she was getting her life together.
I can hear the town grapevine now. And there’s no way I can let this news get farther before Mom knows.
“Let me think about it.”
