Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 91286 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91286 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
“Oh, gosh, I can’t remember the brand. They’re basic prenatal vitamins. You can get them anywhere. Miles got them for me. That’s Henry’s assistant.” Abbi leans back in her chair. “I didn’t even have the blood work results back yet, and Henry sent him out to stock our cupboards with those and decaf coffee. That one, I nearly killed him for.”
“You’re not supposed to have coffee,” I say out loud. That one, I knew, but I had forgotten.
“My doctor said one cup a day would be fine.”
Shit. I drink three to four. I guess I need to stop doing that too.
“My husband can be so controlling sometimes, but he means well.”
Until he’s trying to buy you out of your home because he wants your land.
I steal a glance toward the restroom doors, where Henry just disappeared. Connor is strolling across the room, but Ronan is nowhere to be seen. “How much grief is Henry going to give Ronan for bringing me here tonight?”
“Probably a lot, but don’t worry about it. Ronan has no trouble standing up to my husband. He’s one of the few people who gets away with it.”
“Why is that?”
“Because Ronan saved Henry’s life, for one. There was this collapsed mine shaft in Alaska that Henry went into.” She shudders.
“Oh, I read about that.” It was all over the news. “That was Ronan who went in to get him?”
“And Connor. They found some other way. They were so crazy for doing it, but I can never thank them enough. Henry might not be here if they hadn’t.” Her lips purse. “They’re close friends of mine, and Henry respects that.”
“Fresh one for ya.” Jeremy appears then with another rose-and-strawberry mocktail, along with a second that he sets in front of Abbi. “And I thought you might like one too.”
“Oh, thank you.” Abbi hesitates, frowning at the glass. “What is it?”
“Don’t worry, Mrs. Wolf. No alcohol in that.” He flashes a megawatt smile.
“This is Jeremy,” I introduce. “He’s one of my sea captains at the Sea Witch, who works here part-time now too. Actually, he’s my only sea captain at the moment, unless I count Frank.”
“Do not count Frank. We need to keep him far away from the tiki cruises. How are you feeling? Are you good? Do you need anything?” He peers down at me in earnest.
“All good.”
“I got you, boss.” With a squeeze against my shoulder and a wink, Jeremy swiftly disappears as quickly as he came.
Abbi is still frowning at our drinks.
“There’s definitely no alcohol in them.”
“Oh my God,” she mumbles, and when she looks at me, there’s awareness there. “You’re pregnant, aren’t you?”
“What?” It comes out in a squeak. She caught me off guard.
“You didn’t drink any wine. Not even a sip during the toast. You brought it to your lips, but you didn’t drink.”
I falter on my excuse. “I’m not a wine drinker.” She noticed that?
“And you ordered everything I’ve ordered, exactly how I’ve ordered it. And all these questions you’ve been asking, about what I can’t eat, and vitamins, and doctor appointments.”
“I was just making conversation.” But even I hear how weak that sounds. My shoulders slump in defeat. “It was not planned. I found out yesterday, and I don’t know what I’m doing yet.”
“Does Ronan know?” Her eyes widen. “Wait, it is Ronan’s, right?”
“Yes, of course!” A nervous laugh escapes me and, with it, a bubble of tension. There’s relief in not holding this secret so tightly. Except … “He doesn’t know yet. You can’t tell him. Please.”
Abbi leans in, placing her hand over mine. “I won’t say a word.”
For some reason, I believe her, even if she doesn’t owe me anything.
But given how quickly she and Jeremy figured it out, how long before Ronan does? Maybe that’d be a blessing. He’ll stop calling and showing up and making me fall harder for him.
I sigh heavily. “What do you think he’s going to say?”
“Honestly? I have no idea. This is huge.”
“Life-altering.”
“Yes.” She nods in agreement. “And Ronan hasn’t given off family man vibes. He certainly hasn’t lived a life my mama would approve of. Then again, neither have I, by her standards,” she mutters dryly.
“I have a good idea about Ronan’s lifestyle. I mean, there’s Connor.” I give her a knowing look. “And I met Katie and Rachel on the weekend.”
“Oh, yeah. Their history with Ronan is something. I’ve seen it up close and personal once. Unintentionally.” She holds her hands up in surrender. “But from what I know, a lot of the things he and Connor used to get up to aren’t happening anymore. Not with Ronan, anyway. He’s looking for something more serious.” She hesitates before smiling. “I know he’s crazy about you. He told me this morning.”
My chest swells with warmth. It’s followed quickly by panic. “Will he still feel that way after he finds out?” My voice is thick with doubt.