Abby shrugged. “Nothing that would cause me to faint.”
“Your blood pressure is normal. That’s good.” She listened to Abby’s heart and asked some additional questions, checking her further. “I’d like to get a urine specimen, if you’re up to it. Can you stand on your own?”
“I’m fine, Dr. Hadley. I can pee in a cup, if that’s what you mean.”
“Call if you need assistance.”
Abby rolled her eyes. Dr. Hadley helped her off the table.
“We’ll have the preliminary results back in a short while. So, after you leave the sample, just relax here until I come back with some news. You’ll have to call my office at the end of the week for the rest of the results.”
Dr. Hadley looked at Abby. “Is it possible you’re pregnant?”
Abby laughed. “Not likely. You know my history, Dr. Hadley. I’ve been trying to get pregnant for too many years to count and nothing ever happened. So, no.”
“Just had to check, since those symptoms you’re describing lead to that conclusion, and there doesn’t seem to be anything else wrong with you.”
“I’m just run down. Maybe I’m anemic. I’ll leave the sample in the bathroom.”
Dr. Hadley left the examining room.
Thirty minutes later, Dr. Hadley swept back in.
“Problem solved,” she related happily. “It’s just what I thought. You’re pregnant, Abby. I was fairly sure that was it. You exhibited the classic symptoms.”
Abby, already dressed and sitting in the chair in the corner of the room, bolted upright. “That’s impossible.”
Dr. Hadley put her hand out to keep Abby seated.
“Are you saying you haven’t had intercourse?”
“No, that’s not what I’m saying. It’s just that, like I said, Louis and I tried so hard to have a baby, really tried, and I couldn’t get pregnant.”
“Well, both the urine test and the blood test came out positive. You are pregnant. I’m going to give you a prescription for prenatal vitamins, and I want you to be sure to schedule a follow-up visit with the receptionist on your way out. And congratulations.”
Abby stared straight ahead. The very thing she’d been praying would happen for so long had finally come to pass, but it was too late. What was she going to do?
Abby went out to the waiting room. Jane, Victoria, and Natalie rushed to her side.
“Are you all right?” they asked in unison.
Abby breathed in. “I’m fine. Let me settle my bill. I’ll meet you all outside.”
As Abby walked out into the sunshine, the day suddenly took on a brilliant hue. The grass seemed greener, the sky bluer, the clouds whiter and wispier. She detected the strong scent of the ocean. Nothing would ever be the same again.
“Could we just make a quick stop at the drugstore?” Abby asked.
“For what?” Natalie said.
“Just a prescription.”
Aidan pulled into the drugstore parking lot, and Natalie went into the store with her.
When Abby handed the pharmacist her prescription, Natalie snatched it away.
“Prenatal vitamins? What’s going on?”
“What do you think’s going on?”
Abby looked around to make sure no one was listening and whispered, “I’m pregnant.”
“What?”
“You heard what I said. Let’s not talk about this until we get home.”
Abby gave the pharmacist her credit card, took the package, and dropped it into her purse.
When they got to the car, Natalie joined Abby in the backseat.
“Okay, what did the doctor say?” Aidan asked.
“Nothing,” Abby answered. “I’m perfectly fine.”
“Then why did you need a prescription? Natalie, someone needs to tell me what’s going on.”
“Abby’s pregnant.”
“Natalie, you have no right to say anything. Aidan, I don’t want anyone else to know. No one else. Not Tack—especially not Tack. No one. Do you understand?”
Aidan started the car. “Tack has a right to know if he’s the father. He is the father, isn’t he?”
“I haven’t been with anyone else. But if I decide to tell Tack, that’s my business. Not yours. Promise me you won’t say a word.”
“I don’t like it.”
“Aidan, please respect my wishes,” Abby pleaded.
“Can I just say congratulations?” Natalie said. “I know how long you’ve been waiting for this.”
“It’s just not the right time or place. Not the right man.”
Natalie took her friend’s hand and squeezed it. “Just the same, I think it’s wonderful news.”
Aidan grumbled in the front seat. He drove through town and onto Hidden Cove Drive, squinting as the dappled sunlight peeked through the shade of the canopied drive, until they got to Longley House.
“Aidan, watch out for the horse-drawn carriages,” Natalie warned as one approached on the opposite side of the road.
“Honey, I’ve lived here all my life. I’ve gotten close, but I’ve never run over any of the tourists or horses.”
Abby got out of the car, went up to his front window, and leaned in.
“Aidan, thanks for taking me, and remember—not a word to Tack. Natalie, why don’t you and Aidan go out and celebrate your engagement? I’m really happy for the two of you. Have a nice day. I’m going to rest. I’m very tired. Just tell everyone to go on with their plans. Now we know there’s nothing wrong with me. I have a lot to think about.”
“I hate to leave you alone,” Natalie said.
“I’m pregnant, not an invalid.”
Abby let herself in the house. The message light was flashing. Tack had called twice, anxious to set up a “meeting.” She was so not ready to deal with Tack, not with this new complication. She walked slowly through the gallery and took the elevator up to her room. She removed her clothes and changed into her nightgown, got under the covers, and burst into tears. Were they tears of joy? She didn’t know exactly. She’d have to start eating. She was eating for two. But right now, she was bone tired. Too tired to talk. Too tired to think. About the baby. Or about Tack.
Chapter Sixteen
Sunlight crept through the sheer white floor-length curtains. How long had she been asleep? Abby checked her watch on the end table. An entire day. She’d slept the day away. Checking her cell phone, she noted that Tack had left three more messages, each one more frantic than the last. She would have to face him, but not until she was strong enough.
Then another thought occurred to her. Aidan must have told Tack about the pregnancy. She’d asked him to keep her secret, but Aidan was Tack’s best friend. That’s why he was desperately trying to reach her. He wanted to make this problem go away. Renata had tricked him into marriage with her pregnancy, and Tack thought she was pulling the same stunt. That’s something she’d never do.
Abby pushed back the covers, got out of bed, and stared out at the ocean. This town was so peaceful. Why hadn’t she realized that before? Why had she always tried to get away from Lobster Cove? Everything she needed was right here. Her friends were here. Her new gallery was here. She was starting a new life. Her hands flew to her stomach. A brand-new life. All the fertility tests, the shots, the doctors’ visits… And now she had her miracle. She pushed aside all thoughts of Tack. She’d have to tell him eventually or Aidan would, if he hadn’t already. Men were terrible about keeping secrets. And this town was so insular she’d be surprised if the news wasn’t already printed in the Lobster Cove Anchor. No, she’d have to tell Tack before he found out from someone else. That was the decent thing to do.
Abby stepped into the shower and enjoyed a luxurious soaking. She took the elevator downstairs. There they were. Her three best friends, standing in tandem, arms folded, looks of concern etched on their respective faces.
Victoria was the first to speak. “What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to have a baby,” Abby state
d.
“I mean about Tack,” said Victoria.
“I haven’t decided whether or not to tell him.”
“Abby, we’ve discussed it, and we all think you should.”
Abby laughed. “You all have decided what’s best for me?”
“You can’t have this baby alone.”
“I won’t be alone. I have you, and I don’t need Tack. Just because you three have found someone, doesn’t mean I have to settle for the first man who comes along.”
“Tack is a great guy. Everyone says so.”
“It looks like I’m outnumbered. But right now I’m starving. I haven’t eaten in a day. So what do we have?”
“A muffin basket with your choice of lemon poppy seed muffins, chocolate chip muffins, zucchini muffins, or blueberry muffins, all of your favorites. And orange juice, which you need to build up your strength. Maybe a glass of milk. We had Chef take away the bacon.”
“But I love bacon,” Abby protested.
“I know, but you have to think of the baby. Think healthy thoughts. We ate all the bacon before you got downstairs.”
“Thanks,” Abby said, sarcastically. She sat down at the table and took a blueberry muffin and a glass of orange juice.
“Are you feeling any morning sickness?” Natalie asked.
“Not this morning, but I’m going to carry a package of saltines in my purse, just in case.” Abby buttered the muffin and drank the glass of juice with her vitamins.
“So what’s on the agenda today?” Abby asked.
“Ethan and I are going to paint all day, up in the loft,” said Jane.
“You mean up in your bedroom?”
Jane swallowed a smile.
“Aidan and I are going to take a drive to Bar Harbor. He’s going to visit friends while I look for a wedding dress,” Natalie announced.
“Do you want some company?” Victoria wanted to know. “Shouldn’t your best friends go with you?”
“Right now I’m just going to browse and enjoy the moment. No, you spend some time with Joshua. I know he’s leaving tomorrow to deliver the painting. You two don’t have much time left together. You need to resolve your feelings.”
“I’ve already resolved them. I’ve fallen in love with the man. He’s so adorable and so formal and—I can’t explain it. He just does it for me. I don’t know what I’m going to do when he leaves. Emma’s flying out this morning to New York. Caleb is taking her to the airport. She had a great time on her date last night. Caleb, and Tack, also own a restaurant in New York, so he’s already made plans to visit her next week. I’m really going to miss her, and I’m going to miss Joshua. But I understand he does important work, and my life is here now. We’re geographically incompatible.”
“If you’re really in love, you can work those things out,” Abby assured her.
“I may be in love, but I don’t know how Joshua feels. We haven’t known each other that long.”
“Why don’t you spend the day with him and try to work things out?” Abby suggested.
“Meanwhile, what are you going to do, Abby?” Victoria asked.
“Well, the storefront gallery won’t open officially for another two weeks, and the gallery at Longley House won’t be open again until then, so we have time to regroup and relax for a change. I thought I might sit outside and smell the ocean, get some fresh air. It’s been awhile since I just soaked up the sun. Maybe I’ll read a book. Maybe I’ll go swimming.”
“Are you going to call Tack?” Natalie asked pointedly. “He’s already called twice this morning.”
“Yes, I guess I’ll have to face him sooner or later. I don’t know if I’ll tell him. I’ll decide when I hear what he has to say.”
Why did life have to be so complicated? If she hadn’t gotten pregnant, there would be no need to see Tack again. But Aidan was right. Tack did deserve to know he was going to be a father again. And, whether she wanted to admit it to herself or not, she wanted to see him.
Abby walked into the living room and plopped onto the couch. She picked up her cell phone and dialed Tack’s number. He was probably out on the boat and couldn’t get reception, or maybe he was already out with another woman…
He answered on the first ring, startling her. “Tack?”
“Abigail? I’ve been trying to reach you. Is everything okay?”
“Yes, I got your messages. Have you talked to Aidan?”
“About what? Aidan is otherwise occupied these days, with Natalie. So, no, I haven’t talked to him. Why?”
“No reason. I can meet with you today.”
“Great. I’ve got Isabella with me now. We’ve just come from visiting my father at the nursing home. It really lifted his spirits to see her. I’ll drop her off at home and then come over. Do you want to go somewhere?”
“I thought we could just stay here, outside by the ocean, and talk.”
“Okay. I’ll see you soon. And I wanted to tell you we got the portrait of Isabella. It’s wonderful. I’ve already hung it in the foyer.”
“I’m glad.”
****
Abby was reading a romance on the couch in the study, her feet propped up on a pillow, when Victoria burst in.
“He’s gone!” she cried.
“Who’s gone?”
“Joshua.”
“I thought you were going to discuss your future.”
“We tried, but Joshua says his work is too important, and he needs to do it in Europe. I explained that my work at the gallery is important to me and that I needed to stay in Lobster Cove.”
“Well, Vickie, I’m sure you could come to some sort of compromise, if you love each other.”
“That’s the problem. He doesn’t love me enough. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have boarded that plane. You know how uncompromising he is. It’s either black or white. I either love him enough to move to London or we’re through. He made his decision. I kept thinking he would turn back, but he didn’t even turn around at the gate. He just got on the plane and flew off.”
Vickie sat down on the couch next to Abby.
“I told him I couldn’t leave you now. I didn’t tell him about your baby. But if I go, who will take care of you? And this gallery means everything to me—you and Natalie and Jane mean everything to me.”
Abby put the book down on the coffee table and tried to console her friend.
“Vickie, love is more important. It’s a gift. When it comes along, you can’t squander it, because it might not come again. We of all people know that. When Joshua arrives home, you can call him and suggest a visit.”
“I am not going to make the first move. He left me, and if he cares enough, he’ll call me.”
****
Tack had been a tiger in a cage all the day before, confined to the house, prowling around, waiting for Abigail’s call. And when it finally came the following morning, his heart had stopped for a minute. Was she going to say goodbye forever? Or would she give him a second chance? He hadn’t been able to get in touch with Aidan to gauge her state of mind. He didn’t dare take out the boat, in case he missed her call. He was moody and hard to be around, he knew.
His mother told him to take a cold shower. “I’ve never seen you like this, son. If you love this girl, and I think you do, then tell her the truth. She deserves that. If she loves you back, she’ll forgive you. And if you don’t love her, then let her go.” She then took Isabella to a movie to get her out of the house so neither of them had to see him suffer.
Tack had hurried to shower and dress, staring at the phone whenever possible. It was like a watched pot that never boiled. And finally, the call came. Abigail had sounded tired, or was he just imagining that? She had sounded resigned, but resigned to what? He had been deceiving her since they met. How could he explain what he’d done?
She’d asked to meet at her house, which was a bad sign. She was on her own turf. She could easily cut him loose and not have to deal with the consequences: no fighting, no shouting, no begging, no throwing
things in a public place. She could just go quietly back to her own life. A life that didn’t include him.
Should he bring her flowers? A peace offering of some kind? How did you make up for the sin of attacking the woman you love, and in your car, no less? That was unforgiveable.
And that’s what she would say.
He could explain it away as a momentary lapse. But, truthfully, he wasn’t sorry he’d done it. He wanted her, and, at that moment, he hadn’t been able to help himself.
He had thought of nothing else since that night. Not only had he attacked her, but he’d been lying to her from the moment they’d met. He could keep second-guessing himself all day.
Or he could just go over there and face her.
Chapter Seventeen
Abby sat still and silent on one of the concrete benches beyond the sculpture garden, by the ocean. She could sit this way for hours watching the lighthouse, listening to the crash of the waves, watching the sea birds swoop and squawk and soar and the sunlight dancing on the water. Staring at the ocean was liberating. All thoughts just disappeared from her head. She had no idea what she was going to tell Tack, or whether she was going to tell him, or how she was going to tell him. How did you spring something like that on a man you barely knew? She’d just have to see where the conversation took them. She closed her eyes.
Someone was gently nudging her shoulder.
“Tack?” Her voice seemed to come from the bottom of a well.
“I think you fell asleep,” Tack said. “Thank you for agreeing to see me.”
“No problem. I must have dozed off. What is it you wanted to talk to me about?”
Tack took a seat next to Abby.
“Well, since you seem to be all business, I wanted to talk to you about your future. For instance, who is managing your money?”
What a strange question. “Now that Louis is gone, I leave the management of my money to my attorney, Brandon Fairbanks. He has hired a money manager who he guarantees is doing great things with the capital.”
“Is that so?” Tack’s eyes were bleary, and there was a faint shadow of red on the cheek where she had slapped him a few days before. “In the interest of full disclosure, I thought I’d let you know that I’m managing your money. And, in all modesty, I am doing great things with your capital.”
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