Page 29 of Sparrow

"Have you talked to Gina or anybody?"

"No, I have a message from her, but I haven't listened yet. Why?"

"She's pregnant."

"You're kidding. August is gonna be a dad?" Owen asked, smiling at the thought of his friend.

"Yes, and that's not all."

"What? Natalie, too?"

"How'd you know?"

"I didn't. I was just guessing. Are you serious? Am I right?"

"Yes," Shep said.

"You and August are both going to be dads?"

"Yes. They're supposed to be born a month apart."

"Who's due first?"

"Natalie and me. We're three months along. We didn't want to tell anybody. Then Gina called a little while ago to tell us, and so we told her about us."

"That's insane. By this time next year, you'll have a baby. Before I know it, I'm gonna be watching them on stage at the Blackbird."

"What in the world is the matter with you?"

"What do you mean?"

"You said the right words like you're excited about my kid, but your voice sounds like a robot. Are you okay?"

"Yes, no, I am. And I'm happy for you guys. I'm with my buddy in a truck. I've been working all day, and I've got stuff on my mind now."

"What stuff?"

"Stuff you don't need to hear about with your good news. I really am excited for you guys. Do you know what the baby is yet? A boy or a girl?"

"Not yet. Natalie has an appointment this week. We know it's just one. It's not twins or anything."

"Are August and Gina having twins?"

"No, not that I know of. Tell me what's on your mind. What's up with you? Is the movie going okay?"

"Yeah, no I really like the movie. We are still in Montana. We have another week or so here before going back to California. It's not the movie that's on my mind. It's a woman."

"Uh-oh, I knew it. I could hear it in your voice. Love zombie. Owen's checking out a lady. Who is she? Someone in the movie? A little Hollywood honey?"

"No."

"Who is she?"

"She's from here. I met her at the… she lives out in the woods, close to where I'm filming. But she has a jewelry store in this little town where we come get supplies."

"And you met her at the jewelry store?"

"Yes. I'm headed back to that town now, even though the jewelry store is closed. My buddy, Paul, his wife owns a salon, and I'm hoping she can get me some more information. She kind of disappeared."

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