Total pages in book: 296
Estimated words: 284055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1420(@200wpm)___ 1136(@250wpm)___ 947(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 284055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1420(@200wpm)___ 1136(@250wpm)___ 947(@300wpm)
“I’m scared, Alex. I’m worried about this pregnancy. I’ve witnessed so much working at the children’s hospital, seeing babies suffer, watching their parents cry and fall to pieces. Hell, I saw it with my own eyes with my sister, Rylie, and what it did to my parents. Everything’s going to change, and all I can think about is what if this baby is sick or worse. The thoughts are so overwhelming and now being here with you…” I pause, inhaling a much-needed deep breath. “It’s all so much.”
Grabbing my hand, Alex turns me toward him and tilts my chin up. Staring into his blue eyes, I notice how they’re the same color as the sky above us. “I’m here, darlin’. There are going to be plenty of what-if and scary moments, but all you need to know is that I’m here. We’ll do this together, and everything’s gonna be all right.”
He kisses me softly, and I melt into him. My body relaxes, and I believe every word he says. Maybe if we’re together, everything really will be okay.
We spent too much time at the pond, so instead of going straight back to the B&B, Alex drives us to his parents’ house using a different trail. The property is so large that I’m lost and turned around because all the trails seem to connect to each other. My nerves are on fire again as we drive past another barn and he parks the side by side close to the back steps of a large country home. It’s got a wraparound porch just like the B&B. When we walk inside, even though my heart is racing, it feels and smells just like home—a home I always wished I had.
“Mama,” Alex yells out as soon as we walk in.
“In the kitchen,” she responds. I stop and take a quick breath, preparing myself for the possible outcomes. My stomach starts to twist in knots, and I know it’s not from the pregnancy this time.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
ALEX
By the look on River’s face, I can tell she’s nervous. Before we walk into the kitchen, I stop and hold her sweet face in my hands.
“You have nothing to worry about.” I try to offer her some sort of comfort even though I’ve been pushing my own nerves below the surface. “Trust me, okay?”
She nods. “I trust you.”
I grab her hand and lead her down the hallway toward the kitchen. Mama pulls sugar cookies from the oven and sets the hot baking sheet on top of the stove. She wipes her hands on a dish towel and turns around with a smile on her face that immediately fades when she sees River standing next to me.
Fuck. I know what that look means.
“Hey, Mama.” I walk up to her, giving her a kiss on the cheek, then turning to River.
“This is River. River, this is my mama, Rose,” I say, introducing them with a big smile on my face, hoping it spreads like wildfire. I almost introduced her as my girlfriend, because it sounds right, but I didn’t want to cross the line or make the situation more awkward than it needs to be. Mama’s never seen me bring a girl home, and I now realize this is going to be a lot harder than I expected.
“Hello,” Mama says, looking her up and down before smiling.
“Hi,” River says sweetly. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
Mama nods and turns back to her cookies, placing each one on the cooling rack so they don’t continue cooking on the tray. Just as I’m about to say something, Dad walks through the back door, placing his cowboy hat on the table.
“I’m starving,” he says, pulling out a chair and sitting.
“River, this is my dad, Scott.” I grab his attention to us.
“Hi,” River says to him.
“Howdy, River.” He stands and holds his hand out to shake hers.
“Alex didn’t tell us he was bringing a guest, so let me grab you a place setting.” Mama gives me a sideways glance, and I know she suspects something.
“Sorry, Mama,” I apologize, knowing she doesn’t like surprises. Oh well. She’ll find out soon enough now.
We take our seats at the table across from my parents, and I try to make small talk, but the tension in the room is steadily growing. Mama serves baked potato soup in big bowls with tons of cheese and bacon on top.
River and I thank her, and once she sits down at the table with us, we hold hands and say grace. I look over at River who flashes a nervous smile, but she has nothing to worry about. I’ll be with her through it all.
“This is the best soup I’ve ever eaten,” River compliments after a few bites, and Mama offers a soft thank you.
“So you want to tell us what’s goin’ on?” Mama directs her question at me, and Dad pops his head up, wanting to know too.