Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 107803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“I’m not saying that at all,” my mother began, even as my father nodded his head.
“I’m saying it. What if he dates?” he asked.
“What?” This conversation was getting off track, fast.
“He’s a young, good-looking man. What if he decides to start dating someone while you’re pregnant with his baby?”
“Liam,” my mother retorted. “I hardly think the boy’s going to date while Lilibeth is expecting his child.”
I blew out a breath, suddenly feeling overwhelmed. “None of this matters right now. I’m only eight weeks pregnant and anything could happen.”
My mother frowned. “Lilibeth, you’re always so positive. Why are you even saying that?”
“Because I’m also a realist, Mother, and I know how many of my friends have lost their babies in the first few months! So I’m not letting you buy a house, I’m not moving in with Caden yet. I’m not doing anything right now except leaving to go bring some bread to Mrs. Harper.”
I turned away from my parents and started for the front door.
“Honey, I didn’t mean to upset you,” my father said, as he walked practically on my heels. “I think we’re all just a bit surprised. And we don’t have to figure out every solution right here and now.”
I stopped to face him with a sigh. “I love you and Mom more than life itself. But these are my decisions to make, and you don’t get to tell me what I can and cannot do.”
“I just think your own house is the way to go, so you’re not relying on Caden.”
“But it’s okay to rely on you and Mom?”
“That’s not how it would be, Lilibeth,” my mother added. “You just broke down in tears regarding your feelings for Caden, and yet you want us to let you move in with a man who’s breaking your heart?”
I drew back as if she’d slapped me. “I had a moment, Mom. Yes, my feelings and emotions are all over the place, but I found out I was pregnant just a few days ago! That doesn’t mean I need the two of you to come swinging in to save me—and he is not breaking my heart. He never promised me anything. I knew that going in.”
Taking my coat down from the hanger, I slipped it on, then my hat and gloves. I went to open the door when my mother spoke again.
“I think we should at least look at the house.”
Closing my eyes, I steadied my breath, opened the door, and walked out, softly closing it behind me. “Well, that didn’t go as planned.”
Fifteen minutes later, I was pulling into Mrs. Harper’s. I grabbed the bag of bread and stepped out of the car onto a driveway that had been shoveled and completely cleared of snow. It was nice to know someone thought enough of her to come clean off her drive.
I walked up and rang the doorbell. It didn’t take her long to get to the door and answer.
“Lilibeth! What in the world are you doing here this morning?”
Holding up the bag, I said, “I made some bread last night and wanted to bring it by before I headed into the shop. I was hoping maybe you had some of your plum preserves to go along with it.”
A wide grin appeared on her face. “I made a fresh batch just yesterday, so this is perfect timing. Come on in, sweetheart.”
I followed her in, took off my jacket, and hung it on the coat rack. I stuffed my hat and gloves into the pockets and followed her through the house and to the kitchen. The smell of bacon filled the air—and I immediately put a hand over my mouth. Why is everyone eating bacon today?
“Caden came by earlier to shovel my driveway, so I made him breakfast.”
Surprised, I asked, “Caden was here? At what time?”
Mrs. Harper winked. “He knows I get up with the crows. He was here right at sunrise, so he could get the drive done and get back to the ranch. I was still able to talk him into breakfast, though. He would have loved your bread with the preserves.”
“Caden was here early this morning?” I clarified again.
With a quizzical expression, she asked, “Why does that surprise you?”
I shrugged. “He told me that he was going out to get drunk last night.”
She tossed her head back and laughed. “Well, he was clear-eyed this morning. Said his brother had a poker game at his place last night, with him and a few of the ranch hands.”
“Maybe the snow changed his mind.”
It was her turn to shrug. “He seemed to have a lot on his mind, though.”
I let out a humorless laugh. “He’s not the only one.”
She moved the pan of bacon grease off the stove and onto the island, right near me. The wave of sickness hit me so fast, I hardly had time to get to the bathroom.