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Deciding to go inside to check the cabin, I find the key for the lock and enter slowly. My eyes scan the windows to see if any are open or broken and the décor in case anything is out of place. It only takes me a few minutes to check over the entire place, and I’m pleasantly surprised to find it undisturbed. The back door is still secured, as was the front one before I came inside. Everything is fine too, and I’m extremely grateful.
Knowing I don’t have new hinges here, I jump back into my truck and return to town. Instead of heading home like I want, I drive toward the hardware store to get the supplies I need to fix the shed door. I grab two new hinges, as well as a new lock. I’m hoping I won’t have to build a new door for it, considering I don’t have a lot of free time right now. After jotting down the part numbers so I can enter my purchases into the computer tomorrow, I set the alarm for the door and make sure it’s locked as I go.
My stomach growls, reminding me I haven’t eaten since breakfast, but now isn’t the time. I’d much rather get the shed secured and then go home for a bite. I’m not big on fast food, so I avoid it as much as possible. The diner, on the other hand, is a staple in town and for me. If I don’t feel like cooking, I grab something from Frannie’s, which is sometimes better than anything I can make at home.
Returning to the cabin, I get to work fixing the little damage the thief caused. Once the door is straight once more, I take another peek around the shed before closing it up and securing the new lock. Nothing else appears missing, thankfully. It was just some asshole looking for gas. Still pisses me off someone felt the need to break into someone’s property and steal what they needed instead of waiting for the gas station to open.
Finally, I slide the new lock onto the door and latch it. Maybe now is a good time to check into cameras. The only problem is having a strong enough Wi-Fi signal to maintain them. During the summer months, the signal isn’t terrible, but once the snow and ice show up, it’s practically nonexistent.
I head back to the cabin and close the screen door. It’s warm and stuffy in here, so I open both doors and a few windows and let the breeze blow through. This place has air-conditioning, but I only run it if someone’s staying here. Otherwise, I get by with opening the windows and letting the place air out a bit.
A car pulling into the lane catches my attention. TD probably sent someone over to take my statement regarding the breaking and entering, since he’s one of the local police officers, so I head for the door to meet them outside. As I push through the screened door, I’m pleasantly surprised to see Hallie’s Cherokee parked beside my truck. She’s sitting in the driver’s seat, staring at me, but has yet to exit. I decide to wait her out, reaching my arms over my head and grabbing onto the frame of the small porch. I’m not tall, so it’s a stretch, but it feels good in my shoulders and back to do it after the day—and early evening—I’ve had.
There’s also a tightness going on in my pants, but I ignore it at the moment.
It takes a few minutes before the driver’s door finally opens and Hallie slides out. She keeps her head up, but I can tell something’s bothering her. There’s turmoil swirling in her stunning blue eyes, and it makes my gut clench. Something is clearly wrong, and if she’s come all the way out here for help, it must be something big.
“Hi,” she says after clearing her throat.
“Hey.”
She glances around and spots the tools I used to fix the door. “Making repairs?” she asks.
It feels like she’s searching for something to talk about, but I don’t call her on it. “Yeah. Someone broke into the shed and stole my gas cans. I had to fix the door and replace the lock.”
Her mouth falls open in shock. “That’s terrible! Did you catch them?”
“Naw, someone spotted the door open and called TD. They were long gone by the time I got out here.” When she doesn’t say anything right away, I finally ask, “Wanna come in for a minute?”
She nods instantly, without giving me any sass. That’s a huge red flag something’s definitely bothering her.
We walk into the cabin and move to the couch. “Want anything to drink? I don’t know what’s in there, but there should be some bottles of water. Maybe a few Mountain Dews.”
“Water would be great,” she says, taking a seat on the couch. She’s perched at the edge, not getting too comfortable, which makes me shake my head in confusion.
After grabbing two bottles, I join her, sitting beside her on the couch, but not too close. I don’t want to crowd her but am ready to be her friend if she needs one. A few incidents flash through my mind. Could one of her parents be sick? Is something wrong with Blair or Gabe? Their baby? Problems at work? Maybe she lost her job? All these questions flit through my brain as I watch her take a small drink of the cold liquid.
“Thank you,” she whispers before setting the bottle on the wooden coffee table in front of us. She sits up straight and clears her throat again, shifting in her seat as if she can’t get comfortable.
“Are you okay?” I ask, reaching out automatically and covering her hand with my own.
Her eyes meet mine. There’s a mixture of fear, worry, elation, and confusion all churning together like one giant storm cloud. “This is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do,” she whispers, almost absently, as if she wasn’t talking to me.
Deciding to lighten the mood, I quip, “Are you breaking up with me?” I add a little laugh, knowing she’ll probably find my joke funny. You know, considering we’re not dating and all.
She stares up at me without cracking a smile and blurts out, “No. I’m pregnant.”
Her words take several seconds to infiltrate my brain. They just sort of float out there without making any impact on me. Until suddenly, they do. They impact hard, like a wrecking ball slamming into my gut, knocking me on my ass.
I stand up and open my mouth, only no words come out. So I try again, this time a gargled noise slides past my dry throat. With my hands on my hips, I take a few deep breaths and try to calm my racing heart. “Okay,” I finally say, tapping my foot on the hardwood floors. “All right. So…” Deep breath. “Pregnant? You’re pregnant?”
She nods numbly, her eyes wide in disbelief.
“How?” I find myself asking. As soon as that single word is out of my mouth, I recognize the stupidity in the question. I’m pretty sure I know exactly how.
Her eyebrows pull together as she makes a face at me. “Really?”
“I know how, I guess I’m just…” I run my hands through my hair and down my face. “I’m messing this up, I’m sorry.” I take another deep breath and drop back onto the couch beside her.
