Page 69 of Playing It Forward

“You can’t use being an athlete as an excuse for every weird thing you do.”

“What weird things do I do?”

“You brought electrolyte packets, a first aid kit, ice packs, and compression socks to the Mermaid and Pirates Kid’s Day.”

“All necessary.”

My brow wrinkles. “Compression socks?”

“Pregnant women’s legs swell. Swelling is uncomfortable. Thus, compression socks. Makes perfect sense to me.”

“How can you sound reasonable about compression socks?”

He grins. “It’s a gift.”

He throws an arm over my shoulders and motions to the vitamins. “Come on. Let’s make a choice before we go get you some healthy food. I also want to stop by your house and discuss rooms for the nursery before we return to the resort.”

Nursery? My mouth drops open. “We don’t know… It could… It might…”

He drops to his knees in front of me and my pulse spikes. This man. This star quarterback. No, he’s more than his football position. He’s a kind, loving man – a caring man who’s been there every step of the way with this pregnancy. And he’s on his knees. For me.

He grasps my hands and squeezes. “Terri Jordan, you listen to me. We are going to do everything possible to keep this baby healthy and safe. I know you’re worried. With your history, it’s not surprising. But the doctors have told you there’s nothing to worry about. Let me worry. You relax. I’ve got you.”

Tears well in my eyes but I suck them back up. I am not bawling my eyes out at Mariner’s Market. “My head understands what you’re saying. My heart, on the other hand…”

I trail off. I don’t need to explain it to him. He understands.

He places his hand over my heart. “Little mermaid and I will work on getting your heart to understand.”

He kisses my belly before standing.

“Holy smugglers caught in a mermaid’s gossip!”

I groan and drop my chin to my chest at Mayor Lana’s exclamation.

She doesn’t care how I’m obviously embarrassed. She bustles toward us as if we invited her.

“I heard the rumors. Of course, I did. I’m the mayor. I know everything happening in Smuggler’s Rest and on Smuggler’s Hideaway. But I didn’t believe this. No way, no how did a smuggler get pregnant by accident. The sex education classes at school are too thorough for that kind of mistake.”

“Nova got pregnant with Hudson’s daughter by accident,” I remind her.

She waves away my comment. “Nova and Hudson knew each other for years. They were destined to be together. The spirits got involved there and made sure it happened. But you….” She trails off with a shrug.

Nolan steps forward. “I’m Nolan. And you are?”

She bats her lashes at him. “Mayor Lana, but you can call me Lana.”

He kisses her hand. “Lovely to meet you, Lana.”

“I take it back. I totally understand how you got pregnant. I’d be worried I spontaneously got pregnant from his smile if I hadn’t gone through menopause last year.”

Last year? Lana is eighty if she’s a day. She’s also a serial bride.

Nolan wraps an arm around my shoulders and pulls me near. Lana sighs. “You two are adorable together.” She nods to the vitamins. “And you’re going to make wonderful parents.”

“Lana,” I shush her. “The whole world doesn’t need to know I’m pregnant.”

She barks out a laugh. “You are adorable. As if the whole island didn’t hear about you rushing to the hospital clutching your stomach after getting nailed in the face with a football.”