Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 102731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
“Hey.” She gave me a tight smile as I slid into the chair opposite her. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m actually feeling really good.”
“Nervous? I can’t imagine having a baby at our age.” Her tone suggested a hint of judgment.
“Twenty-five isn’t that young.”
“It’s kind of young, but you always were so mature for your age. Lewis too.”
I nodded. “How are you?”
“Busy. I’ve been so busy at the salon.”
“Good.”
An awkward pause hung in the air between us.
Carianne gave me a nervous smile. “Look, I feel like I’ve been avoiding you and I don’t want to avoid you … I just feel so bloody awkward that I asked Lewis out.”
At her wince, I smiled kindly. “Carianne, it’s okay.”
“No, it’s not. What was I thinking? I mean, like, I genuinely thought things were over between you and didn’t even realize how badly you’d take it until I pretended to be going on a date with him. And now that you’re pregnant and together again … it’s like … how weird have I made it?” She threw up her hands in despair.
I laughed, instantly relaxing at her honesty. “Carianne, we can get past it.”
She made a face. “Do you think?”
“Aye. I can. If you can.”
“I don’t want you to be constantly worried that I have a thing for your bloke, though.”
Now I grimaced. “I mean …”
“Oh, God, see!”
“But with time, I’ll forget,” I offered, hoping it was true.
“Really?” Carianne leaned forward, expression pleading. “Because I miss you and I don’t want to not be there when you have the baby. I want to be Aunt Carianne, you know.”
A pang lit my chest because I wanted that too. “Then it’s done. We’re on the road to forgetting all about it.”
“Good.” Carianne scooted even farther forward. “Because I’ve started seeing this guy from Inverness and I’m desperate to talk to someone who isn’t going to tell everyone and their nan about it.”
And just like that, me and Carianne were me and Carianne again.
“When does Lewis move into his new place?” Mum asked as we finished up dinner that evening. To be honest, I’d spent hardly any time at the cottage other than to sleep in it, and I think that suited my parents and Lewis just fine, considering I spent most of my time with them.
“He’s in.” I frowned. “Did I not tell you that?”
“No. My goodness. You mean, he’s living there?”
“Moved in last night.”
“Have you visited yet?”
I shook my head. “Haven’t had the chance. He’s working late tonight for that project in Tain, so we decided I’d go around tomorrow to see him.”
“Have you bought him a housewarming gift?”
I patted my tummy. “Cooking one up as we speak.”
Harry snorted, Dad smirked, and Mum rolled her eyes. “Be serious.”
“I bought him a Sander Patelski framed poster.”
“And what is a Sander Patelski?”
“An artist. He paints images of famous architecture.”
“Very nice. I bought him something. We’ll need to take it over.” She looked at Dad. “Right?”
Dad was expressionless as he replied, “I’ve already given him his housewarming gift.”
“You have?” Mum frowned. “When? What was it?”
“The gift of life when I didn’t kill him for knocking up my only daughter.”
I cackled, even though I knew he was being totally serious.
Later, Harry was in his bedroom, playing a video game before bed, and I was leaving to head back to the cottage. Mum and Dad were settling in to watch a movie while I grabbed my keys and shoes, but I heard the TV mute. Mum cleared her throat.
“Callie, I need to tell you something.”
Her tone stopped me slipping on my other trainer.
When I looked over at her, I somehow knew this was about Nathan. I hadn’t wanted to ask for any updates because I needed to bury my head in the sand about him. Now my heart was pounding a mile a minute.
“I didn’t want to say anything until it was over, but this morning was Nathan’s parole hearing.”
I waited, barely able to hear anything over the rushing blood in my ears.
“I appeared before the board via video call to give a statement.”
“Mum, you should have told me.” I’d never have known she’d been through something so harrowing today. “Did you see him?”
She shook her head. “I only spoke to the board. I told them that Nathan had already used his lawyer to harass you into making him look good for the parole board, and how until that moment, when it only suited him, he’d never reached out or shown any remorse toward you. I shared my fears that he’d look for revenge against us. And I reminded them of everything he put us through and the lasting effects of his actions.”
“Mum … I wish you’d told me. Didn’t they want a statement from me?”
“Yes, and I refused. I didn’t want to dredge all that up again for you.”
But she’d dredge it up for herself for me. “Mum.” I got up and squeezed myself between her and Dad, wrapping my arms around her. As we hugged, Dad smoothed a comforting hand over my back.