Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 55760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
“Two months. Oh…oh.” I guided Stacy to the nearest table and scooted a second chair to sit next to her, stroking her hand soothingly. “Tell me everything. What did the doctor say?”
Stacy hiccupped, dabbing the corners of her eyes with a tissue she’d rescued from her pocket. She gave me a brief rundown of what was supposed to be a routine appointment and had instead turned into a stress-inducing nightmare.
“My blood pressure is too high, and the doctor doesn’t like that I’m on my feet all day,” she sniffed. “It’s messing with my circulation or something, and it’s not good for the baby.”
“Then we have to fix that. Does Dave know?”
She shook her head unhappily. “No, I was on my way home and I saw the lights on here and—oh, Ive, what are we gonna do? It’s the holidays and we’re busy. You need me.”
“Your son needs you, Stace.” I touched her belly reverently and offered a wan smile. “I’ll figure it out.”
“How? Maybe we should hire another student. We have money in the bank for—”
“Don’t worry about that now,” I assured her. “C’mon, dry your tears. It’s going to be okay.”
“You’re right, you’re right. I’m so glad you were here, Ive. I need to calm down a bit before I tell Dave. He’s going to be worried and I—” She froze mid nose-rub and narrowed her gaze. “What are you doing here?”
“Just finishing up the day,” I replied breezily.
“Why was Court here?”
“Well…uh. He brought over a couple of maple cookies and we paired them with cinnamon tea and…they’re a great combo,” I finished with more enthusiasm than necessary.
Stacy’s no-nonsense stare was on point. “You like him.”
“Big time,” I conceded with a sigh.
“I want to hear all about it.”
“Later. We need to make sure my godson and my sister from another mister are healthy and well rested. Top priority. Let’s get you home, queue up a Sex in the City marathon with a side of chocolate-covered almonds and a Kindle full of romance novels.”
She smiled wanly. “Nice deflection.”
This woman knew me well. She sensed dirt, and she expected me to deliver. But you know…this was mine. Nothing would come of a short fling with Court and I knew it. However, I fully intended to enjoy the hell out of whatever he was willing to give. No apologies, no excuses. Just a little holiday fun.
“Who, me?”
Stacy dried her eyes, regarding me thoughtfully. “Remember our first Christmas in the city? We recreated scenes from Elf, laughing till we almost puked. Hopping busy crosswalks, snowball fights behind boulders in the park, and taking photos in front of the biggest trees we could find.”
“We were dorks.” I chuckled, tugging her to her feet.
“Totally. We got drunk on spiked eggnog one night and you said you wanted a big adventure. A chance to make it in the city. When we got tired of the grind, we told ourselves that coming home and bringing a taste of the city with us was enough. And for me, it is.” She cradled her stomach lovingly. “I think this kid is my new adventure. I worry that I’m not going to be able to keep my half of the bargain. I don’t want to fuck up your dream, Ive.”
“Stacy…”
“I’m serious. It’s happening right now. Look at me,” she sniffed. “The doctor says I can’t work and once the baby comes…I don’t know what will happen. Instead of expanding or partnering with the Hendersons…maybe we should think about selling. You could have another adventure. Maybe go back to the city.”
“I don’t want to go back to the city,” I replied numbly. I didn’t want to sell either.
Not yet. The timing was all wrong. And damn it, we had something special here. I’d thought she’d felt the same way.
“Okay, maybe not New York. Maybe something else or—I don’t know.” Stacy shrugged unhappily. “I’m just tired.”
“Then lean on me.” I kissed her cheek and set a protective hand on her belly. “The dream hasn’t changed, honey. It might look a little different, but that’s life. And the only thing that matters right now is this little guy.”
Her eyes welled with tears. “God, I love you, Ivan. You’re the best friend and the best person I know.”
“Ditto. C’mon. Off to bed for you.”
The following morning, I woke up at the ass crack of dawn and speed walked the four blocks from my house to Rise and Grind on Main Street in the dark. It took less time to hoof it than to wait for my car to defrost and since it was basically my only form of exercise, I didn’t mind the chill. I wrapped my scarf around my neck, buttoned my long wool coat, and hustled into town, my boots echoing on eerily quiet streets.
The thirty minutes between five thirty and six a.m. that I’d allotted to make coffee and rev up the heavy-duty machinery were my calm before the storm. Fine by me. I needed less time with my thoughts at the moment. I didn’t want to think about Stacy or her sudden desire to sell the shop, and I was afraid to think about Court. One represented change and possible failure and the other…