A smirk appears on Hannah’s lips. “I made an impulse decision while you were gone. I hope you approve.”
Birdie pinches off a bite of cornbread. “My days of judging you are over. Whatever you did, whether or not I approve, I’ll support you.”
“I called Jeff Brandon, my contact at the company in California. I told him I’m not taking the job.”
Birdie’s jaw falls open. “What’d he say?”
“He was very professional and understanding. I didn’t tell him about the baby, but I admitted our family has been through a recent crisis, meaning Dad’s disappearance, and I felt like I needed to stay closer to home.”
“That’s wonderful news, honey. But are you sure?”
“I’m absolutely positive. I’ve been having doubts about this job all summer. And not just about the logistics of living in California. I think cyber security would bore me to tears. My web design business is booming. I really want to see where that takes me.”
Tears fill Birdie’s eyes. “You have no idea how happy you’ve just made me.”
“I’m happy too, Mom. We still have some issues to work through, though. I can’t have you drinking around the baby.”
“I understand, sweetheart. I’ll do my best.”
“And that’s good enough for me.” Hannah sets her tray on the coffee table and rises slowly off the sofa. “I’m gonna get some more tea. Do you want some?”
Birdie smiles up at her daughter. “I’m fine. But thank you.”
Hannah takes a step toward the stairs and doubles over with a hand pressed against her abdomen. “Oh, God. I think my water just broke.”
Birdie looks down at the small puddle at Hannah’s feet. “Let’s get you to the hospital.” She jumps up and carries their trays to the kitchenette.
“Mom!” Hannah shrieks. “I feel like I need to push.”
“That’s the baby bearing down on your cervix. You have hours before it’s time to push.”
Birdie grabs her purse and Hannah’s small overnight bag, and they head off to the hospital. The storm is raging, and she’s forced to drive slowly in order to see the road through the driving rain. Hannah’s contractions are closer together, the pain intensifying with each one.
“Mom! It hurts so bad. Am I dying?”
“No, honey. You’re having a baby. Hang in there. We’re almost at the hospital.”
In the parking lot, Birdie finds a space close to the entrance and they hurry inside the emergency room. While filling out the paperwork, Hannah says, “I’m scared, Mom. Please don’t leave me.”
Birdie cups her daughter’s cheek. “I’m not going anywhere.”
As with most first babies, Hannah’s labor is long, and Hannah pushes for what seems like hours before giving birth to a healthy baby boy.
Hannah’s eyes glaze over. “A boy,” she repeats as she falls back against the pillows. The nurse swaddles the baby and places the bundle in Hannah’s arms. “Meet your son.”
After Dr. Pendleton delivers the placenta, she says, “We’ll give you a minute alone,” and exists the room, taking the nurses with her.
Birdie pulls the blanket away from the baby’s face to get a better look. “He’s beautiful, Hannah. Does he have a name?”
With tears on her cheeks, Hannah says, “I’m going to name him Augustus. Gus for short.”
This surprises Birdie. The name sounds so old-fashioned. “Augustus is a fine name, a strong and dignified name.” A family name, she thinks but doesn’t say out loud.
“Augustus is his father’s middle name.”
Birdie’s heart skips a beat. “You mean, you know who the father is?”
“Duh, Mom. I’m not the kinda girl who sleeps around. We were in a relationship. We broke up after he cheated on me. He doesn’t know about the baby, and I have no intention of telling him.” Hannah kisses the top of the baby’s bald head. “This baby is mine. Promise me, you won’t tell anyone.”
Birdie eases down to the edge of the bed. “I’ll keep your secret, honey, but I urge you to reconsider. Whether it’s five, ten, or fifteen years down the road, this decision will one day come back to haunt you.”
Preorder the Next in Series
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Also By Ashley Farley
Hope Springs Series
Dream Big, Stella!
Show Me the Way
Mistletoe and Wedding Bells
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Stand Alone
Tangled in Ivy
Lies that Bind
Life on Loan
Only One Life
Home for Wounded Hearts
Nell and Lady
Sweet Tea Tuesdays
Saving Ben
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Sweeney Sisters Series
Saturdays at Sweeney’s
Tangle of Strings
Boots and Bedlam
Lowcountry Stranger
Her Sister’s Shoes
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Magnolia Series
Beyond the Garden
Magnolia Nights
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Scottie’s Adventures
Breaking the Story
Merry Mary
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Acknowledgments
I’m grateful to many people for helping make this novel possible. Foremost, to my editor, Patricia Peters, for her patience and advice and for making my work stronger without changing my voice. A great big heartfelt thank-you to my trusted beta readers—Alison Fauls, Kathy Sinclair, Anne Wolters, Laura Glenn, Kate Rock, Jan Klein, Lisa Hudson, and Lori Walton. And to my behind-the-scenes go-to girl, Kate Rock, for all the many things you do to manage my social media so effectively.
I am blessed to have many supportive people in my life who offer the encouragement I need to continue the pursuit of my writing career. I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to my advanced review team, the lovely ladies of Georgia’s Porch, for their enthusiasm for and commitment to my work. To Leslie Rising at Levy’s for being my local bookshop. Love and thanks to my family—my mother, Joanne; my husband, Ted; and the best children in the world, Cameron and Ned.
Most of all, I’m grateful to my wonderful readers for their love of women’s fiction. I love hearing from you. Feel free to shoot me an email at [email protected] or stop by my website at ashleyfarley.com for more information about my characters and upcoming releases. Don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter. Your subscription will grant you exclusive content, sneak previews, and special giveaways.
About the Author
Ashley Farley writes books about women for women. Her characters are mothers, daughters, sisters, and wives facing real-life issues. Her bestselling Sweeney Sisters series has touched the lives of many.
Ashley is a wife and mother of two young adult children. While she's lived in Richmond, Virginia for the past 21 years, a piece of her heart remains in the salty marshes of the South Carolina Lowcountry, where she still calls home. Through the eyes of her characters, she captures the moss-draped trees, delectable cuisine, and kindhearted folk with lazy drawls that make the area so unique.
Ashley loves to hear from her readers. Visit Ashley’s Website @ashleyfarley.com
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