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)
“You know those guys at the counter?”
She glanced over her shoulder. “Oh,” she said. “Yes. Those are friends of my dad’s. Gus and Larry.”
“They’re giving me the stink eye.”
She set down her spoon and picked up her iced tea. “Just probably wondering who you are, since they know everyone in this town. I’ve known them all my life. Larry’s a barber—and the town grump—and Gus is a retired mail carrier.”
“Is it possible they’ve heard about . . .”
She looked dubious. “I doubt it. I just told my family on Monday, but then again, this is a very small town. News spreads fast.”
“They’re definitely looking at me like I’ve done something offensive.”
She laughed. “Ignore them. They’re harmless.” Patting her stomach, she said, “I think that’s all I have room for. Let’s get the check. You probably want to get on the road, huh?”
“I should.” But in all honesty, I didn’t really want to. I wished I had more time with her. I’d ask to see the house where she grew up and where she worked and maybe where our kid might attend school. Was there an ice rink around?
“I’ll be right back,” she said. “I need to use the bathroom.”
While she was gone, I paid the bill and tipped the server. When she returned to the table, she looked surprised. “Hey, I was going to treat you, since you cooked last time.”
“Too late.” I slid out from the booth. “Ready to go?”
“Yes. Thanks for dinner.”
“You’re welcome.” I kept my head down as we went outside, avoiding the scrutiny of Gus and Larry. I could stare down any menacing six-foot-plus forward at a face-off, but for some reason, I could not bring myself to make eye contact with those two old geezers.
Outside, we walked down the block toward my car. We’d dropped hers off at her house on the way over. “If you like ice cream, that’s the best place to get it,” she said, pointing to an old-fashioned storefront with a sign that said The Sweet Shoppe. “That’s probably where I’ll be eating my pickles and salted caramel vanilla.”
I laughed. “That sounds terrible.”
She pointed a finger at me. “Don’t judge.”
We passed a coffee shop she said she frequented, a gift boutique owned by an aunt, and a wine bar called Lush, which she looked at and sighed. “That is where I used to sip sparkling rosé on the patio, but those days are gone for a while.”
Again, it hit me that she was required to make all the physical sacrifices and bear all the weight—literally and figuratively—of this pregnancy. “Mabel,” I said as we started walking again. “I wish there was more I could do for you.”
She glanced at me in surprise. “Like what?”
“I don’t know. I’m going to send you some money right away, and then set up monthly payments, but I feel so guilty I can’t do more.”
“Don’t,” she said, looking straight ahead again. “I’m grateful for the financial help, but other than that, I’m fine, Joe. I’m even getting excited. When I saw that little heartbeat today, it just reinforced my decision. I want this baby, and I’ll be a good mom.”
“I know you will,” I said quickly. “I wish I felt the same way about myself as a dad.”
“I have confidence in you.”
“You do?”
“Sure. Look how you rose to the challenge of putting the puck in the net,” she pointed out, elbowing me in the side. “Nailed it. You’re obviously an overachiever.”
“Very funny,” I said as she laughed at me. “I wish my parents would see it that way, but I have a feeling they won’t.”
“Are you really nervous about telling them?” she asked as we reached my rented SUV.
“A little,” I confessed. “I’m a grown man, but I still care what my mom and dad think of me. I’ve always looked up to my dad, and I hate the thought that this will lower his opinion of me. And my mom is going to cry, I guarantee it.”
“Because she’ll be upset?”
“Because she’ll think this baby will not be in her life.”
Mabel thought for a moment, chewing on her bottom lip. “What if I came with you to tell them?”
I blinked. “You’d do that?”
“I could, if you thought it would help. Maybe we can sort of reassure them that this was no one’s fault and we’re going to co-parent the best we can. And I will make it clear they are welcome to be part of this baby’s life—in fact, I’d love that.”
“They’d love that too.” Impulsively, I threw my arms around her, lifting her right off her feet. “Thank you.”
“Of course.” She seemed a little flustered as I set her down. “The only problem is, I have to be at work tomorrow, and you have to be on an early flight. So why don’t I follow you down to Traverse City in my own car? That way you don’t have to drive me back.”