Tempest Torn

by Nicole Andrews Moore

  “Eh, we’ll fix it.” Marti was standing at the bottom of the steps, waiting for him. “It’s muddy and slick,” she shared, by way of explanation. Then she held out a hand for Joey to help her.

  Together, they struggled through the mud until they reached the vehicles, then Marti started to pull him toward her minivan while Joey yanked her toward his truck. “Hey!” she laughed. “This isn’t going to work.”

  “I’ll drive. We’ll take the truck,” he assured her.

  “Yes, but my minivan handles better on slick roads,” she reminded him.

  Nodding, he agreed. “This is true, but in an hour or so, it won’t matter. The roads will be dry.” He held her hand tightly in the crook of his arm. Joey must have seen something in her eyes because without saying another word, he picked her up and carried her to the passenger side of his vehicle. When he set her down inside, after expertly maneuvering the door, she scowled at him.

  “Why do you always have to get your way?” The controlling side of him sometimes bothered her. Blaine’s way was law and she would never live that life again. When Joey outmuscled her, it struck a chord.

  His face clouded with confusion and concern. Instead of shutting the door and walking away like she half expected, he held her hand a moment. “I don’t. If I had my way, things would be a lot different between us. I just want you safe. I feel very protective of you.” He sighed and looked up into her eyes. “Forgive me?”

  Her head dropped to the side as she considered the truth of his words. “That’s it? You just want me safe?”

  With a grin, Joey added, “And I hoped to avoid an argument by being playful. I didn’t mean anything by it.”

  Inhaling deeply, she squeezed his hand. “Okay. Let’s go eat. I’m starving.” Then she set her drink in the cup holder and hooked her seatbelt while she waited for him to come around his side.

  When he sat down and started the truck, he looked at her seriously. “Are we good? I just want us to be good for more than twenty minutes. If we were doing things my way, we’d be happy all the time.” He winked at her.

  “We’re good. Let’s go get a cupcake.” Her eyes were trained on the road. She all but bounced in her seat as she anticipated the food she was about to devour. With the pending doctor appointment and Joey joining her, Marti couldn’t imagine facing the day without one of Laurel’s treats.

  Luck was on their side. An open parking spot right in front of the cafe had Marti dancing and giddy. “I’m gonna have a Triple Chocolate Threat!” As soon as Joey removed the key from the ignition, she hopped out without waiting for him.

  Smiling widely, he held the cafe door open for her. “Little hungry this morning, sassy pants?” he teased.

  “Starving!” She blew past him and headed straight for the counter.

  Laurel stood just behind the counter wiping her hands on her apron. “I’ve been expecting you,” she announced. There was a gleam in her eyes which made Marti just a little nervous.

  Turning to the display case, Marti gasped. “What’s this?” Her hand flew to her chest. Her eyes scanned the cupcakes in disbelief. “Are you out of the Triple Chocolate Threat already?” She was actually in a panic at the thought of going through a day without one.

  Leaning on the counter, Laurel smirked. “I’m onto you. If you’re going to order cupcakes every morning, I’m going to make them healthy. This morning’s options are French Toast Cupcakes with Maple Buttercream Frosting, Cinnamon Roll Cupcakes with Icing, and Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes. What’ll you have?”

  “A Triple Chocolate Threat,” Marti announced as she crossed her arms over her chest. Laurel shook her head. “I’ll settle for a Boston Cream.” The cafe owner raised an eyebrow and shook her head again.

  “I can do this all morning. Try again.” Her eyes narrowed at Marti in challenge.

  Looking back at her, Marti wondered if Joey had slipped. Whipping around, she glared at him. “What did you tell her?”

  “Nothing. Nothing at all,” he stammered, eyes wide in fear.

  “It’s true. All he said when he was in here without you was that you were craving cupcakes.” Standing up as tall as her five-foot frame would allow, she crossed her arms over her chest. “Checkmate. Go sit and I’ll bring you some food. I’m thinking a ham and cheese omelet and a Lemon Blueberry Cupcake. It has cream cheese frosting. You’ll love it.”

  Shoulders hunched, feeling completely defeated, Marti walked over to their table and sat down. Laurel had essentially guessed. She didn’t say it in so many words, but if she knew, the rest of the town would soon enough.

  A moment later, Joey joined her at the table. “She has promised to pack us a couple of cupcakes for the road. I promised I wouldn’t let you have one until lunchtime. She says you need to watch your blood sugar.” He ducked his head a little before adding, “And your weight.”

  Sitting suddenly ramrod straight in her seat, Marti whipped around and glared toward the counter. Laurel had disappeared into the kitchen. “Now I’m fat?”

  Shaking his head vehemently, Joey mumbled, “No. You’re not. Not even a little bit. You could never be fat.” He looked like he was really struggling to make her happy.

  Softening, Marti sighed. “It’s fine. She’s right. I don’t need a cupcake for breakfast. I just want one…so bad.”

  A few minutes of silence passed before Laurel came through the kitchen with loaded arms. “Here. This should help soften the blow. I make the best hot chocolate in the whole wide world. I’m just looking out for you.” She patted Marti’s shoulder after setting the food down on the table.

  Calmer, Marti took a sip of the cocoa. It was just as good as Laurel claimed. Her breakfast was healthy. For a moment, she felt much better. Then she looked across the table and realized Joey was eating chicken fingers and French fries. For breakfast. Once more, she was upset and outraged. “How come he gets to eat that?” she asked Laurel, completely exasperated.

  “Simple. He’s not pregnant.” Then Laurel sauntered back to the kitchen.

  Swallowing hard, Marti looked across the table at him. For a moment, she just cupped the drink in her hands and willed the warmth to soothe her. It was all over. Dammit. So much for keeping it between them for the first trimester or so. Now she was just another one of Joey’s sluts. Maybe the worst one because she was pregnant with his child.

  Picking at her omelet, she took little bites while staring out the window. Agonizing over what to do, she finally just stood up and marched her happy butt right into the kitchen. As soon as she opened the door, Laurel snapped at her.

  “You can’t be back here!” Her hands were on her hips.

  “Don’t say anything.” Marti stood just inside the door, arms crossed over her chest, chin jutted out.

  “What do you mean?” Laurel’s eyes widened and her face reddened. “Did you just tell me to shut up?”

  “No, I’m telling you not to say anything. Don’t. Tell. Anyone. That’s what I’m saying.” Marti stood and tried to look as calm and resolute as possible. Inside, she was shaking. She couldn’t afford to be pissing people off, especially Laurel, but this woman wasn’t exactly known for her ability to keep secrets.

  Laurel shrugged. “Oh, is that all.”

  “No, it’s everything. You have no idea. Okay?” Marti stared at her while she waited for an answer.

  Giving her the once over, Laurel nodded. “Okay.”

  Without saying another word, Marti turned, opened the door, and headed back to the table. “Let’s go,” she murmured to Joey.

  Still eating, he looked at her, looked down at his food, then stared up at her face. His mouth was full as he struggled to swallow it and speak. “I’m still eating. You have barely touched your food.” He gestured to her virtually untouched meal. “Come on. Just relax and sit for a few minutes. Trust me on this.”

  Reaching over, she grabbed her cupcake, then headed for the door. “I’ll meet you at the truck.” Without saying another word, she walked out the door. When s
he reached the truck, she dropped the tailgate, knowing the doors were locked. With some effort, she managed to hop up without destroying her treat. Sitting there, she opened the colorful paper and started eating it. If Laurel decided she was angry, then Marti was really going to miss these cupcakes. And she’d have to take up serious baking, not just the box mix stuff.

  To her surprise, Keely pulled up next and parked in the vacant spot beside the truck. Her smile faded as she stepped out of the vehicle. “Ut oh. You’re with Joey but you’re sitting out here instead of in there? What’s going on?” Keely walked closer and leaned on the tailgate while she waited for an answer.

  Marti opened her mouth to speak, but all that came out was a hiccup. Then the tears started. This was the last straw. She was completely broken. “I just snapped on Laurel. She won’t let me have my cupcakes. And she made these new cupcakes. And I’m tired of everyone deciding what’s good for me. And and and…” She swiped at her eyes with the cuff of her sweater then sniffled loudly.

  Reaching into her purse, Keely pulled out a tissue and passed it to Marti. “Just how far along are you?” she asked gently.

  A wail escaped Marti’s lips. “And why does everyone think I’m pregnant?”

  “Oh, let’s see.” Keely began while grinning at her. “I’ve known you close to two months and you’ve suddenly turned into a big ball of oozing emotions. That screams pregnant. Am I wrong?”

 

  “Wrong about what?” Joey asked as he neared the truck. From the window, he had seen Keely pull up. Guilt was already gnawing at him because he had stayed to eat. At the moment, he felt like she was overreacting. Sure, she was within her rights. This pregnancy was a bit much to take at the moment. Riding the waves of her emotions wore him out. Usually when girls were this emotional, he dumped them.

  By the time he reached the tailgate, Marti was looking at him in relief while she wiped at her eyes and Keely had this knowing grin on her face. No one had bothered to answer his question, so he simply changed the subject. “It’s nice seeing you, Keely. What brings you here? Shouldn’t you be serving your own breakfast at Hope House?”

  Laughing, Keely remarked, “Well, the new breakfast cupcakes were incredibly popular. I have no idea what inspired Laurel, but she has a hit on her hands. People seem to prefer them to the croissants and Danishes. I had to come back for more!”

  Marti shrank even lower on the tailgate. “I’ll never get another decadent dessert cupcake for breakfast again,” she sighed sadly.

  Remembering the bag he was carrying, Joey held it out for her inspection. “Laurel sent these for you, with apologies. I have no idea what you said to her, but I can tell you I have never heard her use the word apology unless she was expecting one.”

  She brightened some as she snatched the bag from his hand. Joey watched as she peeked inside and squealed in delight. He had already looked and knew her two favorite cupcakes were in it. Bouncing off the back of the truck, she raced to the door of the Carolina Cafe, leaned in and shouted a ‘thank you’ to Laurel.

  Turning on her heels, Marti calmly walked back to the truck with the Boston Cream Cupcake in hand. “Oh my God. I love these things. It’s like heaven in a pretty paper wrapper.” Then she took a huge bite, closed her eyes, and moaned in pleasure while she chewed.

  “Um, yeah. So I guess we should go now,” Joey murmured uncomfortably. He looked over at Keely and held out his hand. “It was nice seeing you again.”

  “You put that hand down, Joey Masters,” she ordered with a smile. “We hug.” She closed the distance and wrapped her arms around him. While they were locked in the embrace, she whispered in his ear. “You’re going to need this.” Then she giggled.

  As they pulled apart, he looked at her curiously. Keely nodded toward Marti. For his part, he smiled while sighing inwardly. Marti was busy giving away her own secret. Finn may have called him huggybear, but these days, Marti was his bi-polar bear. Still, he wouldn’t have it any other way.

  “Come on, sassy pants,” he urged as he watched her polish off the cupcake. “Let’s go. We’re on a time schedule.”

  Her eyes widened for a moment. Joey was sure she feared he’d give away their destination, but he kept his mouth closed. At some point in time, she’d have to tell everyone. He frowned as he climbed into the cab and started the truck. They were on their way using the directions Marti had given him earlier before she finally spoke.

  “What are you thinking?” she asked. “You look unhappy. Is it my fault?”

  Reaching over, he grabbed her thigh and gave it a quick squeeze to reassure her. “Nope. Just wondering why you’re ashamed of me.” He winked to make it seem like it mattered less than it really did.

  “What do you mean?” she asked. Her face was scrunched up in confusion.

  With a sigh, he broke down and told her. In his mind, he was already prepared to drown in a sea of her tears. “Well, you don’t want anyone to know you’re pregnant. I can only guess it’s because I’m the father.” He shrugged. “It just kinda hurts my feelings. That’s all.” Then Joey focused his eyes on the road and tried to avoid looking at her at all.

  Her hand was suddenly on his arm, tugging at him. “Wait. Is that what you think? Really?”

  Pretending to be more interested in cleaning off the dash while he was driving than looking at her, he nodded slightly. “Yeah.” He wiped at a bit of dust on the vents now.

  Sniffling, Marti spoke. “It’s not you, it’s me.”

  His laugh was hollow. “Babe, I invented the ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ thing. Don’t give me that.”

  “Stop,” Marti grumbled. “It really is me. I’m afraid of telling everyone too soon and having a miscarriage. Then everyone will feel sorry for me. I can’t stand that. And every time I see them, there will be pity in their eyes. You can’t imagine that kind of pain.”

  Instantly, Joey remembered what it was like after his father died, the way everyone handled him with kid gloves when he just wanted to be treated normal. He recalled how the mood would change when he entered a room, how people watched what they said, all the apologies, the avoidance. Yeah, he could understand it from her perspective. “No, not like that, but I have an idea. My dad, remember?” He glanced her way and saw her nod.

  “I forgot about that. Before my time and all.” From the corner of his eye, he watched her head drop to her chest. “You’ll make a wonderful father. You already have that protective thing down. Our daughter will be very lucky,” she teased.

  “I think you mean our son.” Taking her hand in his, he drew her closer, tucking her arm against him. Then he pulled her hand up and kissed her knuckles. This time when his heart was beating wildly in his chest, there was no pain involved. This time there was no panic, just pure, unadulterated joy. He was going to be a father.

  Soon they were at the doctor. After being assured all was well with the pregnancy, the doctor asked if there were any other questions or concerns. Joey and Marti looked at each other.

  “Well doctor...sir, actually, I wanted to take Marti away for a weekend. Is it safe to fly?” he rubbed his palms together nervously while he waited for the response.

  The older man smiled at him. “Feel free to call me Duke. Everyone does. No one can pronounce my last name.” He laughed, then continued. “As for flying, it’s perfectly safe in the first trimester. The only concern would be her comfort. How’s the morning sickness, Marti,” Duke asked her.

  Shaking her head, she frowned. “Non-existent, really. I start my day with tea and I’m fine in an hour. No puking, if that’s what you mean.” She shrugged, unsure of what else to say.

  “In that case, flying should be fine.” He glanced at her chart one more time. “Anything else.”

  Joey raised his hand nervously.

  Rolling her eyes, Marti looked at him. “This isn’t school and we’re the only ones in here. If you have a question, just ask it!”

  “So, what about sex?” he wondered. Then he ducked. They h
adn’t had sex in forever. She had barely forgiven him, and his question might be a tad presumptuous, but if he could get her away from all the stressors, he thought they just might have a chance. During that chance, he didn’t want to worry he was hurting Marti or their child.

  Eyes wide, Marti scowled. “I cannot believe you just asked him that.”

  Duke covered his mouth with the file for a moment, then after exerting some effort managed a straight face. “It’s a very good question. We’re not talking about hanging from the ceiling or whips and chains, right? I think a little vanilla sex, the kids call it, would be not only safe, but healthy...for all of you.”