Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 100661 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100661 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
My oldest brother had fourteen-year-old twins—my niece Adelaide and nephew Owen—who were the result of a California vacation fling. Since their mother hadn’t been ready for children, Austin had offered to raise them on his own back in Cherry Tree Harbor. For a while, the three of them lived with my dad and me in the house where we’d all grown up.
Later, I’d been his summer nanny while I was home from college. But then, of course, there was the summer I’d been invited to work on a prestigious dig back east and Veronica had taken over my position . . . and they were now living happily ever after.
“You do have a great example in your dad and your brother,” Ari said.
“I’ve been thinking about them both so much. About how my brother stepped up, even though he was only twenty-five and not ready to be a father, let alone a single dad. About what our dad taught us about love and family and showing up for one another, even when the worst possible things happen.”
“Your family has been through a lot. It’s made you all stronger. And so close.”
“We didn’t often say ‘I love you’ out loud. But I grew up knowing I was loved.” I placed a hand on my belly. “I knew it just as surely as I know I’m supposed to love this baby with all my heart.”
“Oh God, Mabel.” Ari sniffled as she rose to her feet. “You can’t do this to me. My postpartum emotions can’t handle it.” After placing Truman in the crib, she dropped onto the floor with me and lay back at my side. Took my other hand and clasped it in hers. “But I love your decision.”
“You do?” Turning one cheek to the rug, I looked at her. “You don’t think I’m crazy?”
“Not at all. And I’m here for you. We will all be here for you. This baby could not have chosen a better mom or a more wonderful, loving family.”
I swallowed against the lump in my throat. “Thanks. I’m dreading telling my brothers.”
“Take your time,” she said. “My lips are sealed for now.”
“Thanks. I’ll do it soon, I just—” I swallowed again, but that lump refused to dissipate. “I need to tell Joe first.”
“Do you know how to get in touch with him?”
“Nope.”
“I could have Dash ask Gianni.”
I shook my head vehemently. “No way. I don’t want them speculating about why I need to get ahold of him. I’ll figure out a way.”
“Okay.” She squeezed my hand. “Are you scared?”
“Yes,” I said honestly. “I don’t think he’ll be a jerk about it, but honestly, I don’t know him all that well. In fact, I barely know anything about him! Not his middle name or what college he went to or what he majored in or even what number he is on his hockey team.” Just what he looks like naked and sounds like in the dark.
“Yeah, well, you guys didn’t have a whole lot of time together. But from what I’ve heard about his family, I don’t think he’ll be a jerk. He’ll probably want to do the right thing.”
“I don’t want that, either,” I said, sitting up. “I don’t want him to feel like he’ll be forced to take care of me or something. I don’t want to be anyone’s obligation.”
Ari sat up too. “But he’ll want to take care of the baby, if he’s a good guy.”
“Maybe, but the one thing I do know about him is that his career is his priority. I don’t plan to stand in his way. This pregnancy will not hold him back.”
“Having a baby isn’t easy,” Ari said gently. “You’re going to need support.”
“I’ve got it,” I insisted. “I have my family.”
“You do have your family.” She covered my hand with hers. “I’m just saying, if he offers to help you, don’t be stubborn. He is the dad.”
“I know.” Softening, I rested my head onto her shoulder. “I think I’m just preparing myself for whatever the reaction might be. I’m putting up walls so I don’t get hurt.”
“Babe, you’ve got four older brothers who are going to lose their minds on this guy for getting you pregnant. If he does wrong by you on top of that, I don’t care what kind of athlete he is, that guy’s dead.”
I laughed, even as tears slipped down my cheeks. “I don’t want him dead. I just wish things were different. I wish we’d met in some romantic place, and he’d asked if he could see me again, and then we got to know each other and fell head over heels, and then he realized he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me, and then he got down on one knee and proposed, and then we had a beautiful wedding attended by everyone we love and I wouldn’t even care if it rained that day because I knew we were meant to be, and then we’d move into our dream house right around the corner from you guys, and then we’d have a baby.” I wiped my cheeks. “But that didn’t happen. It was a meaningless one-night stand—not even a full night, because he drove me home after a few hours, since he doesn’t like to share a bed.”