Page 48 of All in with the Maverick Montana

“I wish I could. Honestly, I’d like to give the guy a good talking to after the way he treated you. Never mind the fact that you’re now pregnant with his child.”

The front door opened and closed and Faith fell silent.

Caleb walked into the kitchen, home from the store for lunch. He slowed, and took a good long look at them: Faith clutching Amy’s hand, looking half-murderous, Amy wearing a mix of disgust and regret. Caleb picked up the sandwich Faith had left on the counter for him and took a bite, all without taking his eyes off them. “So… do I want to know?”

Faith released her hand, stood and kissed Caleb on the cheek. “I love you,” she replied, “but now is not the time to ask questions.”

“Okay, well, now I’m concerned.”

“Just trust me. Eat your sandwich and leave in ignorant bliss.”

Concern pinched his features. “Is everyone okay?” he asked. “Your sisters? Your parents?”

Faith opened her mouth to respond as Amy slumped against the table. “I’m pregnant,” she cut in before Faith could answer.

“That,” Faith said, looking from Caleb to Amy.

“Huh,” Caleb said. He took another bite of his sandwich. The concern shifted to confusion. “Huh?”

“Yeah,” Amy said. “That’s about how I feel.”

“I’m not sure what I’m supposed to say next.” He clearly meant that Amy didn’t look very enthusiastic, so perhaps the default congratulations was the wrong choice, and he would be right.

Amy couldn’t even imagine hearing that word right now. And what about when other people found out? It would be all Oh my God, congrats, this is so exciting! said in high-pitched voices. She’d be hugged and squealed over and she didn’t even know if she wanted any of that. What she really wanted was to find the nearest horizontal surface and bury herself in blankets. She didn’t want to emerge until someone figured out what to do about this mess.

“You don’t have to say anything,” Faith told Caleb. She ran her hand up and down his arm. “Actually, no questions or comments is probably preferable at this time.” She pecked him on the cheek again.

“Understood.”

He put his plate on the counter and stuffed the rest of his sandwich in his mouth. “I guess if you need anything, call me.” He shot Amy a sympathetic smile before heading back to work.

“Okay, what was I saying?” Faith asked as the front door closed again. She returned to her place at the table.

Amy propped her head on her hands. “That we should be logical about this.”

“Yes. Logical options.”

“Which are?”

“Well, one, do you want this baby?” Faith asked simply. “I guess that’s where we need to start.”

Amy pressed one hand to her stomach. To the space she imagined this little life had been secretly growing inside her. If you’d asked her last week if she had any plans to become a mother in the next year, she would have said no. Not when she was still trying to sort through heartache. But now that the opportunity had presented itself… No, now that reality had busted down her door screaming, I’m here, things were different.

The question was no longer if it happened in the future.

It had already happened.

“Okay, I’m having this baby,” Amy said. “Where does that leave me?”

“Well, as far as I can see it, option one, you call Tru and tell him the truth. You tell him he’s going to be a father and see how he takes it. And then the two of you make decisions from there about who does what and how much involvement he has in raising your child.”

Amy wanted to throw up again. “I’m sure that’ll go over so well with his new bride.”

“Hey, that’s not on you,” Faith said. “That’s a problem for him to sort out.”

“Right. Let’s hear option two.”

“Option two.” Faith bit her lip, perhaps considering her words. “You say nothing. You raise this baby without Tru’s influence or interference.”