by Cindy Kirk
“That fits with my due date.” Though the air was calm and the day unseasonably warm, it was still September in northern Wisconsin. Lindsay wished her jacket was warmer.
“You said late March. When exactly is the baby due?”
“March twenty-seventh.”
Owen gave a jerky nod, then stopped to open a gilded black wrought-iron gate.
He motioned to her, and Lindsay stepped inside the perfectly manicured downtown park. The bushes, sculpted by expert gardening hands into the shapes of mythical creatures, usually made her smile.
Today, she simply moved to the bench by the bush in the shape of a dragon. She sat, fingering the smooth, green leaves, and waited.
Taking a seat beside her, Owen’s gaze searched her face. “Finding out you’re pregnant had to be a shock.”
His tone remained reasonable. Lindsay allowed herself to hope this wouldn’t be as difficult as she’d imagined.
She decided to start at the beginning. “When I missed my period in July, I told myself it was simply due to the stress I was under at the time.”
His brows pulled together in puzzlement. “Why were you stressed?”
“You and I had just cut ties, and Shirley was acting weird.” Lindsay shrugged. “I told myself that once things settled down, my system would get back to normal.”
“It didn’t.”
“No.” Lindsay let go of the branch she’d been toying with and realized she’d plucked off all the leaves. “When I missed another month, I began to be concerned.”
“You took a pregnancy test,” he offered when the silence lengthened.
Lindsay gave a little laugh. “That’s probably what I should have done. Instead, I kept my head in the sand a little while longer.”
She remembered the exact moment it hit her she might be pregnant. The flower shop had been crazy busy, and Shirley’s daughters had been bickering. She’d tried to block out their squabbling by focusing on a centerpiece she was putting together for a baby shower.
Out of the blue, a chill had swept over her. She hadn’t been consciously thinking about her situation, but it had struck her then that pregnancy was a real possibility.
“When did you finally decide to do the test?” Owen’s voice remained calm.
She jerked her gaze to him, reassured by his placid expression.
Why had she worried he’d initially explode when he heard the news? Probably because that was what Bernie Fishback, her mother’s second husband, would have done. While Bernie was a nice enough guy, he was easily riled. When he was riled, he yelled. And he—
“Lindsay?”
“I made an appointment with my doctor. I wanted a definitive answer. I knew over-the-counter tests aren’t always accurate, but—”
“But…” he prompted.
“I couldn’t wait.” Lindsay chewed on her bottom lip. “I wanted to be prepared, so I took the test last Friday, right before my appointment.”
“It was positive.”
“The word ‘pregnant’ leapt out at me.” She tried a smile, but it wobbled, so she gave up on the attempt. “The doctor confirmed it.”
His hazel eyes were as serious as she’d ever seen them, his expression guarded. “I’m sorry you had to go to that visit alone.”
Not, I wish I’d been there to share the moment.
Pregnancy confirmations were usually an exciting time, one followed by joyous celebrations with friends and family. Lindsay thought of Marigold and her husband, Cade. If Marigold had been the one who’d gotten pregnant, Cade would have been with her at that first appointment.
She pictured the two grinning at each other as their baby’s heartbeat filled the room. As much as Lindsay felt sorry for herself, she felt sorrier for her baby.
Every child deserved the joy.
She clenched her hands into fists to still the tremors. “I’ll text you updates after each appointment. Once the baby is born, we can discuss visitation.”
“This is my baby, too, Lin.” His steady gaze never left hers. “Texting and visitation won’t cut it.”
Owen wasn’t surprised at the swarm of emotion that flooded Lindsay’s eyes. She was a warm, passionate woman who wore her heart on her sleeve.
He couldn’t believe he hadn’t seen this coming. Or that he hadn’t given a thought to the fact that there could be consequences to not using a condom that night.
“It isn’t necessary for us to decide anything right now.” Lindsay’s voice cut through his thoughts.
“It is necessary. From this moment forward, I want to share in every aspect of my child’s life.” His voice cracked, then broke. Owen cleared his throat. “The only logical solution is for us to marry.”
Lindsay snapped off a branch of the bush next to her. He watched as her fingers began breaking it into tiny sections. She kept her gaze averted and shook her head.
“You told me you’d never be a single mother.” He recalled the conversation vividly. The subject of her sister had come up one evening. Lindsay had been adamant that she would never go down that path.
Her lips twisted in a humorless smile. “Sometimes, life takes us in a direction we wouldn’t choose to go.”
“This pregnancy may not have been planned”—Owen chose his words carefully—“but that doesn’t mean you have to do this alone. I want to be a father to our child. You don’t want to be a single mother. Marriage makes sense.”
Lindsay cocked her head. “You’re telling me that, in order to have the child fully in your life, you’re willing to have me as your wife?”
In one way, he was awed—and excited—about the new life he and Lindsay had created. At the same time, he found himself wanting to run ninety miles an hour in the opposite direction. He wouldn’t. He took responsibility for his actions. “Being married to you wouldn’t be horrible.”
She flinched as if he’d slapped her.
“Sorry. That came out wrong.” He lifted his hands. “You and I get along. We can have a good marriage.”
The branch in Lindsay’s hands snapped. “How?”
“How what?”
“How can we have a good marriage, Owen? You don’t love me. You broke up with me. You didn’t even want to continue to date. Now you want to marry me? Live under the same roof? Raise a child together?” She shook her head. “Not happening.”
Owen fought to hide his surprise. He’d thought he’d made a good case for the two of them marrying, but he might have been too blunt. “I like you, Lindsay. We have fun together.”
When her eyes flashed, he realized that instead of digging himself out, the hole had just gotten a whole lot deeper.
Damn it all to hell.
Owen raked a hand through his hair. Nothing was coming out right. He’d never been a smooth talker, but Lindsay had told him she liked that he spoke the truth without a lot of fluff.
“Liking each other and having fun together is nice when you’re dating. It’s not enough for a marriage.”
When she paused, he jumped in. “What about a baby? Isn’t that enough?”
The look of sadness that skittered across her face had him wanting to pull her close and comfort her. He knew the tough exterior she was showing him right now wasn’t natural.
He wished he knew why she was being so stubborn.
Just when he’d given up on her responding, she spoke. “No. A baby isn’t enough of a reason.”
His hands clenched. “Is it Ethan?”
Her head swiveled. “Ethan?”
“Will you continue to date him?” Owen spoke haltingly.
“I won’t be seeing him again.”
Owen nodded, experiencing a surge of relief.
“I think a baby is a pretty good reason for marrying,” he repeated.
“I disagree.”
Owen fought an urge to press the issue. The determined glint in her eyes said the effort would be pointless. Worse yet, an argument might only succeed in putting more distance between them at a time when they needed to be drawing cl
oser.
“Are you moving out of town?”
“What makes you ask that?”
He noticed she hadn’t answered his question. “You quit your job.”
“I’m going into business for myself.” Her hand floated aimlessly in the air. “It was time.”
“Are you starting this business in Good Hope?”
“Yes.”
Owen let out the breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. “Okay.”
“Okay?”
“We’ll table the marriage discussion for now.” Owen met her gaze. “But I will be a part of this pregnancy.”
Lindsay hesitated. “I suppose if you want, you can come to my doctor’s appointments with me.”
She tossed the invitation out there as if it was nothing, when in fact he knew it was a huge concession.
“I have an ultrasound scheduled for tomorrow,” she added.
Mondays were busy at the garage, and with one man still recovering from shoulder surgery, they were already shorthanded. “I’ll be there. What time?”
“Four thirty.” She rattled off the doctor’s name and the office address. “If you can’t get away, just text me.”
“I’ll be there.” His gaze never left hers. If he had to go back and work until midnight, he wasn’t going to miss this appointment. “Count on it.”
Seven
The meetings of the Women’s Events League, the group commonly referred to as the Cherries, were always on a Monday. Lindsay’s conversation with Owen yesterday had left her feeling out of sorts. She’d have skipped the meeting, but she was the point person on the booths that would be set up in the town square for the Harvest Festival.
Lindsay opened the gate leading up to Hill House, then quickened her step. To say Eliza didn’t like members arriving late would be an understatement.
Now that she didn’t have a job, there was no reason Lindsay couldn’t be on time. Other than dread.
Her mother would be attending today’s meeting. So far, Lindsay had managed to dodge her texts and e-mails, all of which centered around Ethan Shaw.
The heavy wooden door leading into the Victorian home that was now used for civic events was unlocked. Lindsay pushed it open and winced at the loud creak.
Stepping inside, Lindsay pushed it closed, then padded as quietly as she could through the foyer to the front parlor.
As expected, wooden folding chairs were arranged in a semicircle. Eliza stood at a podium in the front, giving a report.
Lindsay scanned the chairs for an empty one. She’d hoped for something close, one she could slip into without creating too much notice.
“Over here.” Gladys’s booming voice filled the air as she waved to Lindsay, pointing to a chair next to her on the far side of the room.
Eliza paused and fixed her gray eyes on Lindsay.
The fact that they were friends didn’t stop the executive director of the Cherries from giving Lindsay a disapproving glance. “May I remind you the meeting starts promptly at one?”
“Sorry.” Lindsay slipped around the back of the chairs to where Gladys sat and took the empty seat next to her.
The older woman winked and gave Lindsay’s arm a reassuring squeeze.
Lindsay kept her gaze focused straight ahead.
“You didn’t miss anything.” Gladys spoke in what could only be described as a stage whisper.
Lindsay didn’t shift her attention from Eliza. After arriving late, there was no way she was going to give her friend a reason to come down on her for talking.
“Katie Ruth.” Eliza’s gaze shifted to the perky blonde. “Please update the membership on what you’ve learned.”
Lindsay studied the pretty blonde with the cornflower-blue eyes. The woman had held a variety of jobs since returning to Good Hope after college. Currently, she served as the youth activity coordinator for the YMCA.
Replacing Eliza at the podium, Katie Ruth flashed her trademark smile. “As you know, the Harvest Festival will be early this year. We are incorporating the special homecoming activities planned by the high school into our normal festival events.”
“I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again.” Anita’s voice rang out in the silent room from the front row. “I’m not in favor of combining the two events.”
Unlike her daughter, who’d gone for comfort in black leggings and a leopard-print tunic, Anita looked ready for a Fifth Avenue board meeting in a boxy, gold-tweed suit.
As if conscious that all eyes were on her, Anita smoothed back a wayward lock of hair before turning in her seat. Her gaze swept the room. “I feel that—"
“Anita.” The second of preening had given Eliza time to reclaim the podium. The tight set to her mouth showed her displeasure at the interruption. “Please allow Katie Ruth the courtesy of completing her report. Then, if you have a question, raise your hand and you will be acknowledged.”
The executive director, stylish in a black cashmere dress, stepped back and gestured for Katie Ruth to continue.
There weren’t many people who could put Anita Fishback in her place, but Eliza Kendrick did it without breaking a sweat. The way her mother’s lips pressed together told Lindsay she was holding on to control by a thread.
Katie Ruth smiled, and her gaze drifted around the room. “I anticipate the details in my report will answer any of your questions. But, like Eliza said, if I’ve missed something or not explained it clearly, I’m certainly open to questions.”
Eliza glanced at the grandfather clock. “We’re behind schedule.”
Everyone in the room knew what that statement meant. Katie Ruth needed to speed up her report.
“My contact at the high school confirmed Krew Slattery will return to Good Hope. He will be on the field when his jersey is retired.” Katie Ruth clapped her hands. “Yay.”
Eliza’s throat-clearing had the blonde continuing. “The fact that Krew was the NFL’s MVP last season will make the parade and the ceremony a huge tourist draw. He’s also—”
Katie Rose paused, and Gladys made a drum roll sound that had most everyone in the room smiling, including Eliza. “He’s also agreed to direct a one-day football camp while he’s here, with the money raised from registration going into the Giving Tree coffers.”
The Giving Tree wasn’t a charity, but rather a neighbor-helping-neighbor fund with money raised going to help residents who’d fallen on hard times.
As Katie Ruth continued to speak about the homecoming weekend, Lindsay stole a look at her mother. Though her mom gave no indication of inner turmoil—other than maybe a jaw clenched a little too tightly—Lindsay knew the mention of Krew had reminded her of his past with Lindsay’s older sister.
Cassie had once been a bookish, straight-A student. She’d also been very close to her father. When Richard Lohmeier died of a heart attack when Cassie was twelve, she’d had difficulty coping. The fact that she and her mother had an oil-and-water relationship had made middle school a difficult time for Cassie.
By the time she’d reached her freshman year in high school, they had a stepfather to deal with as well.
Co-captain of the Good Hope High football team, Krew had been a senior, a good-looking, popular boy from one of the most dysfunctional families in Good Hope. When Cassie had shown up pregnant after a beach party where she’d been seen kissing Krew Slattery, Anita had made the leap that he was the father.
Cassie had admitted kissing him, but denied having sex with him.
That fall, Krew had headed off to Ohio State on a football scholarship. The next spring, Cassie had given birth to Dakota. Though she eventually got her GED, Cassie’s downward spiral had begun.
“To say I’m excited would be an understatement.” Katie’s glee-filled voice broke through Lindsay’s thoughts, and she lifted her head just in time to see Katie Ruth sweep the air with one hand. “This is going to be the best Harvest Festival and homecoming ever.”
For a second, Lindsay expected Katie Ruth to pull out a couple of pompons fr
om behind the podium and lead the group in a cheer. The image made her smile.
Applause filled the room.
“Fabulous work, Katie Ruth.”
Eliza’s words brought two bright spots of color to Katie Ruth’s cheeks. The executive director was not one to be effusive with her praise.
Buoyed by her success, Katie Ruth glanced at Anita. “Did I answer your questions, Anita?”
Lindsay’s heart froze. She knew Anita’s objections didn’t have a thing to do with combining the Cherries’ events with homecoming.
“You answered them.” Anita waved a dismissive hand. “It was a clear and concise report.”
Lindsay wasn’t surprised that her mother had taken a step back, once she’d had time to reconsider. Cassie had denied she slept with Krew that night, hadn’t mentioned him since, and Anita’s suspicions were simply suspicions. Moreover, the man she’d once accused without proof was now a hometown hero.
“Lindsay.” Eliza’s tone held a firm edge.
She jerked her head up.
Gladys leaned close, her voice barely above a whisper. “It’s time for your report.”
Lindsay scrambled to her feet. Knowing time was tight, she began speaking before she reached the podium. “All your favorite booths will be back in the town square, along with a few new fun activities. In addition to a cow-milking competition for kids, various high school clubs will be putting up homecoming displays in the square.”
Once she reached the podium, she relaxed. “The public will be encouraged to vote for their favorite display. To bring together the homecoming theme with the Harvest Festival, the creative use of a hand-crafted scarecrow is to be included in each display. Any questions?”
In the back row, Gladys’s hand shot up.
Lindsay inclined her head.
“What’s the purpose of the voting?”
“Good question.” Lindsay couldn’t believe she’d left that out. “Everyone who votes will be entered into a drawing to win a football signed by Krew and his Green Bay teammates. Also, I failed to mention that club members who worked on the winning display will receive tickets for free early admission to this year’s Halloween haunted house.”
