Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 67665 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67665 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
“Of course.” She wrote down my order, took Ryan’s, and disappeared into the kitchen.
“So,” Ryan said when we were alone again. “Lindsey’s pregnant.”
“And the whole town seems to know,” I said.
“Small town.”
“Takes some getting used to.” I sighed.
“What are your thoughts?”
“I’m gonna marry her,” I decided. “If she’ll have me.”
“Take her on a vacation,” Ryan suggested. “Get her out of town for a while.”
“I just got here,” I complained.
“You delivered two significant busts,” Ryan told me. “The hair salon, and now your ex. I’m sure the chief’ll give you some time off.”
“Lindsey said she wanted to visit Florida,” I mused.
“That’s a perfect solution,” Ryan agreed. “It’ll give you time to reconnect and get away from the gossip.”
We finished up our breakfast, talking about vacation spots, and I considered myself lucky to have found two such great friends in Dillon and Ryan. Starting a family in Singer’s Ridge would be perfect. I was just beginning to imagine a life with Lindsey and our young one in the cabin we shared in the mountains. All I needed to do was find Lindsey and apologize for my initial reaction. I was sure I could calm whatever storm was between us if I was just given the chance.
On the way home that night, I stopped at the grocery store for some flowers. I thought about buying chocolates as well, but I wasn’t sure if her stomach would be up for those. There would be plenty of time for romance later on, so I grabbed a bouquet of roses and headed back home.
Lindsey’s car wasn’t in the driveway. I wasn’t in full-blown panic mode, but alarm bells sounded in my mind. It was late, past dinner, and I had been expecting to find her waiting for me. That was foolish, I knew. She had her own life, and we weren’t married yet. I fought off the urge to text her as I climbed the porch stairs, flowers in hand. Maybe she was on her way. Maybe I could cook some soup or something to give us an intimate dinner while I explained my poor reaction.
Inside, I found another note saying that Lindsey was staying with Ava for the night. I cursed my own stupidity. She didn’t feel comfortable with me anymore. She was running away because she thought that I didn’t want her in my life. I had botched the opportunity to celebrate our child, and now my future hung in jeopardy. More than anything else, I wanted Lindsey in my arms, in my bed. Whatever our problems were, we could work them out, I was sure of it. All I had to do was correct my mistake, make her see that I loved her. The thought of spending another night alone was more than I could stomach.
28
LINDSEY
Ava had graciously offered to let me crash at her place for the night. We ordered pizza and sat in her kitchenette, watching reruns of old game shows. It was comfortable. There was no pressure. I had to figure out what I was doing with the rest of my life, how I was going to support my child and where to go from here. But for just one night, I could relax with my best friend and forget all about Jason.
I was hurt. I knew I should have told him much earlier, maybe as soon as I had learned of the positive pregnancy test. I should have given him the chance to digest the news without the trauma of gun violence. Things had just been moving so fast. There hadn’t seemed like a good time, and when the news had come out, there had been more important things to focus on.
I dreaded going back to the cabin and having a “discussion” with Jason. I knew that I had messed up, and I didn’t want to see that bone-deep disappointment in his eyes. We had made a mess of things. Our precious baby that hadn’t even been born yet would be starting life in chaos. I resolved to do the best I could for my child, whether that meant leaving Singer’s Ridge or finding my own place.
Ava had only one bed, so we shared it. I drifted off, wondering what my life would be like as a single parent. I woke to the sound of harsh banging on the door.
“What’s that?” Ava shot up out of bed, racing the six feet to the front door in a panic.
My first thought was Angie, that she had found me and would finish what she started at the cabin. My second thought was that somehow, Ava had run afoul of another man and that I had inadvertently inserted myself into another drama. Ava peeked through the door and relaxed, instantly placing one hand against her chest. She pulled the door open to reveal Jason, standing in the hallway with flowers. Ava took one look at him and sighed.