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 leaned back. “You’re right. I’m also surprised she didn’t find out sooner.”
“I think maybe she knew, and someone asked her to wait to print it.”
Confused, I regarded her. “You think she knew I was pregnant before this was taken?”
She nodded. “It’s a small town, Lilibeth. Janet and her family know everything that happens. The fact that your OB is in Granby means nothing. Janet has family and friends everywhere, and they keep her informed. Plus, add in Caden Wilde and…yeah. She knew, but for some reason sat on the information.”
Leaning forward, I asked, “Do you think Caden’s the reason she hasn’t posted until now?”
“I think either him or Vivianne.”
“Vivianne?” I said, with a disbelieving laugh.
“Think about it. You said Caden told you that people already knew he’d stayed with you on Christmas night. Nothing was ever said or written about it. Why do you think that is? Someone got Janet to hold off on this. The question becomes who and why?”
I sighed and shook my head. “I don’t know. But it’s out there now and there’s nothing I can do about it. I knew people would find out sooner or later.”
“Are you okay?” Moreen asked with a caring smile.
“I’m fine. My mother’s probably going to freak when she sees it.”
At that very moment, my phone rang. I glanced down at my desk and groaned.
“I’ll let you get that. Twenty minutes until we open.”
“Thanks, Moreen.”
Taking a deep breath, I answered. “Morning, Mom.”
“Good morning, sweetheart. How are you feeling?”
“Better. The morning sickness seems to be going away slowly.”
“Are you at Caden’s?”
“No, I’m not home. I’m at the store.”
“You haven’t, by chance, seen the paper this morning, have you?”
I closed my eyes. What was she going to say about this? My mother hated drama even more than I did. “Yes, I’ve seen it.”
“I don’t know why that woman has to post such personal information. It’s just a daily rag.”
“And she knows that, Mom. The whole point of her article is to report town gossip.”
“Yes, but this isn’t about someone’s chickens being stolen. This is a person’s life. What if you weren’t ready for people to know you were pregnant? This makes me so angry, I have a mind to go down to her store and tell her what I think about her Daily Dirt garbage!”
I laughed. “Mom, you’ve always loved reading the gossip column.”
“That was before my daughter was in it!”
“It wasn’t that bad, Mom.”
“No, but don’t you think you should be the one who decides when to tell everyone you’re pregnant? Now the whole town knows, and they also know you and Caden are living together. I knew we should have just purchased that house down the street. There’s still time. No one has put an offer in yet.”
“Mom, please don’t do this to me. I’ve already moved in with Caden and I’m comfortable there. We have a good routine down.”
“Well,” she sighed. “I guess once the baby comes, he’ll be there to help.”
I didn’t dare tell my mother I thought Caden was avoiding me.
“Yes, he will. Mom, I’ve got to run. I’ve got someone scheduled as soon as we open. Talk soon?”
“Yes, of course. I love you. Don’t work too hard!”
Smiling, I replied, “I won’t. Love you too.”
I quickly ate my sugary breakfast and headed out to get ready for my first customers of the morning.
Leaning down, I carefully pulled the pan of lasagna out of the oven and set it on the stove. I drew in a deep breath and smiled.
“What smells so good?”
I glanced over my shoulder at Caden, who was looking as handsome as ever as he stood there, leaning against the doorframe, a baseball cap on and dressed in jeans, boots, and a long-sleeved shirt that had the ranch logo on the upper chest.
Looking away before I started to drool, I replied, “I got Nellie’s lasagna recipe.”
“My grandmother gave you her lasagna recipe? Willingly?”
“Of course,” I said. “I mentioned I was craving it, so she wrote it down for me. But she also made me promise not to share it with anyone.”
His brows lifted. “She hasn’t even told my mother how she makes her lasagna. You must have won her over.”
“Well, if I’m being honest, she gave it to Emeline, as well. She said since we’re bearing the first grandbabies, we could have it.”
“Definitely don’t tell my mom.”
He moved into the kitchen and leaned down to smell the fresh loaf of sourdough bread I’d made. “What’s with the cooking and baking?”
I shrugged. “I had a long day at the store. Then I stopped by your mom and dad’s earlier.”
“What for?”
There was a hint of coldness in his voice. I looked at him and asked, “Does it bother you that I stopped by?”
“Not at all. I was just curious.”
I went to the cabinet and pulled out two plates. “You’re hungry, right?”