Page 61 of The Cowboy’s Forever Promise

He’d been calling her since late afternoon today, but she wasn’t picking up.

As he sat down, June and Dylan arrived.

“Have you heard from Abby today?” June asked.

Carson shook his head.

“It’s not like her not to answer her phone,” June said, frowning. “I hope she’s at least made an appointment with a doctor. I’ve never seen her looking so pale and exhausted. I’m really worried about her.”

“Have you guys decided on a wedding date?” Laura asked.

“We just got engaged,” Carson said. “I don’t want to rush Abby. She has to do what works for her.”

“I wouldn’t wait too long if I were you,” Cooper said.

“That’s what I said.” Willow chuckled.

“Whatever you guys decide,” Laura said. “Just remember we can organize a wedding in a day.”

As everyone around the table told their quick wedding stories, Carson got up. He’d heard them all before. “Excuse me.” Whistling, he left the dining room. George was at his heels as he left the house.

Outside, the air was crisp, winter was slowly creeping in. Looking up at the cloudless sky, he tried Abby’s number again. Still no answer.

With a heavy heart he got into his truck and drove to his house. His empty house.

*

There were babies everywhere. Crawling over the carpet, some were playing with George and some of them were in the kitchen cabinets, throwing out everything she’d neatly stacked with glee. Some were crying, others were laughing, one was pulling on her pants.

With a start, Abby woke up. Groaning, she sat up. The sun was up. What day was it? Wednesday?

She’d fallen asleep on the couch in her living room. A very pretty couch, but it wasn’t very comfortable. Turning her head to get rid of the kinks, she inhaled deeply.

For the first in her life, she’d been to a doctor. Turned out there wasn’t anything wrong with her, except the fact that she was pregnant. With a baby. Carson’s baby.

She still wasn’t sure how she got home after the doctor’s visit. It had been such a shock. Only while answering the doctor’s questions, she realized she was late. With everything that had happened over the last few weeks, it had simply slipped her mind.

Carson had used protection each time they’d made love, except for that time in the shower … and oh, also that one time in the kitchen.

In one instant, her whole world had changed. Her carefully planned life had taken a most unexpected turn, and she wasn’t sure what to do now.

Slowly she got up and walked to the window. A baby. A tiny human being was growing inside her this very minute. Placing a trembling hand on her tummy, she swallowed down the panic that was threatening to close around her throat.

How could she be a mother? Would she even know what to do with a baby? Babies were helpless, they couldn’t do anything for themselves, they depend on their mother twenty-four seven. How on earth would she cope? Her own mother hadn’t even wanted her, how would she know how to be a mom?

Deep breaths. Inhale. Exhale. It was a trick she’d taught herself a long time ago. After long minutes, the anxiousness subsided somewhat. What she needed now, was a plan. Something tangible she could do.

She could make coffee. Her tummy shuddered. Okay, maybe tea. The simple ritual of putting on the kettle, taking out a cup and saucer, opening the pretty container with tea bags, were all ordinary things she did without thinking.

With an effort she concentrated on every detail—the water pouring into the cup, the way the tea bag colored the water, the faraway sound of the city, the movements of her hands. Slowly, her breathing returned to normal.

As she took the first sip, she opened her phone. It had buzzed and pinged and rang throughout last night, but she’d been frozen in place, she couldn’t talk to anyone.

There were numerous phone calls and texts from both Carson and June. She had to phone them, tell them the news. But first, she was going to drink her tea.

June, she knew, would be overjoyed. She would also understand Abby’s concerns.

What about Carson, though? Would he be happy? She knew he loved her, he wanted to marry her, but he’d also said he didn’t want babies right away. Swallowing down the hysterical giggle that threatened to escape, she took another sip of the tea.