Page 84 of Miss Fortune

She blew her nose. “I came by to see you because I was hoping you could help me with a paternity suit?”

“Yes, of course.” And because she looked so upset, I had to ask, “Do you have family nearby?”

She shook her head. “I’m not close to my parents, and I haven’t told my brother about the pregnancy. I’m too ashamed.”

“When are you due?”

“In two weeks.”

Which meant she’d been pregnant when we’d slept together. I wasn’t sure how to feel about it.

“I didn’t find out I was pregnant until a month after we were together. I’m sorry if coming here makes things awkward for you. I needed someone I could trust to handle the legal side of this.”

I used my most diplomatic divorce attorney voice. “I’m happy to help you, Tabitha. Why don’t you send me over the information on the father, so I can prepare the subpoena? We can have the paternity test done after the baby is born. But in the meantime, you should reach out to your family, at least your brother. Maybe to some friends.”

She blew out a shaky breath, getting to her feet. “I understand. I’ll be in touch.”

Chapter Thirty-Six

Daisy

My tears didn’t fall until I had driven away from Caleb at the market. Now, over a week later on a Monday night, they hadn’t stopped. I was in a funk. Glancing around my apartment at the unfolded laundry and the mess on the counter from making soaps, I realized how unmotivated I’d been lately.

Perhaps it was time for me to schedule my trip to Seattle. Check out the city and figure out what I wanted. At least, a trip would be something to look forward to and get me away for a few days.

There was a small part of me wishing I’d simply accepted Caleb’s apology. We could have moved on and pretended things were back to normal. But if I didn’t understand why he’d freaked out, then how could I trust it wouldn’t happen again? I couldn’t live that way. Walking on eggshells, wondering if he was about to flip a switch.

I closed my eyes, tempted to listen to my heart and call him up, but I knew it would be foolish. It was better to grieve the inevitable loss now than to put it off any longer. Turned out your heart could break even if it hadn’t originally belonged to you. I’d fallen in love with Caleb, and needed time to grieve the loss.

But this wasn’t a typical breakup because I found myself feeling as if I’d given up on him as a friend too.

His statement about everyone in his life getting tired of it at some point stuck in my brain. I was resolute in my decision about deserving better in a relationship than the hot and cold he gave me, but he’d started as my friend. If he was struggling, shouldn’t I be there for him? I wrestled with it.

Yet the thought of dropping by his place on a Monday night was laughable. He’d be less than welcoming. I pulled up flights to Seattle, intent on booking my trip.

I’d just purchased airfare, and reserved my hotel room when Doris called.

“Hello.”

“Hello, my dear, how are you?”

As much as I’d have loved to confide in her about Caleb, I wouldn’t. It was better all the way around she didn’t know anything. “Doing well, thank you. How are you? How’s the knee holding up?”

“Good, good. It’s progressing slowly, but then again, what am I in a rush for these days?”

“Always better to take things slow. How are things at work?” I avoided asking about her boss specifically, but I’d take any crumb she’d offer.

“That’s the reason I’m calling. Something happened with Caleb. This whole week he’s been off. Then today, this woman named Tabitha showed up asking to see him.”

“Oh, yeah?” I tried to keep my voice from cracking. Perhaps he was seeing her again?

“Yes, and she was visibly pregnant.”

Doing the math, I counted six months since the two of them had been together. Was it possible the baby was his? The thought was unbelievably depressing. “Doesn’t sound good.”

“No, it doesn’t. I’m really worried about him.”

Shit. Now so was I.