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Millie looked about as convinced as I felt. I picked up my coffee and set it back down again. If I was pregnant, was I supposed to have caffeine? Or alcohol? Not that I’d been drinking much. I’d nearly thrown up after drinking a sip of bourbon at the Singles Ball.
“Sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“No, it’s fine.” I gathered up my plate and cup from the table. “This was fun, but I should go. I’ve got to finish sorting through the shop. We’ve got the auction at the end of the week and I need to have all my sewing supplies into the new building by tomorrow.”
“Do you want me to come by and help you out?”
I shook my head. “No need. I hired someone. They’re coming by tomorrow. I’m sorting a few odd boxes and wrapping up for the day. Thanks for offering!”
I made a hasty goodbye, my brain swirling as I stepped out onto the street, nearly knocking into Tammy as she returned to the coffee shop after a smoke. Murmuring an apology, I walked toward the thrift store and paused at the entrance, eyes sweeping over the now-empty tables out front. Cold metal stung my skin as I gripped the handle of the front door. I let it go again.
Backing away from the door, I rounded the building to the back parking lot, pulling out my keys and climbing into my car. I started the engine, hands on the steering wheel and breath coming out in short bursts. I fumbled for my phone in my pocket, counting back the weeks.
Six.
Not that I had the most predictable cycle, but six weeks seemed late. I scanned back over the last year. Way too late.
With a sigh, I pocketed the phone, gripping the wheel and pushing the car into reverse. I headed for the grocery store, changing my direction halfway because I couldn’t exactly buy a pregnancy test in town. The word would spread around town like wildfire.
Instead, I made a twenty-minute crawl through the winding roads to Pierce and the closest pharmacy. I ducked my head as I entered the shop, scanning the aisles out of an abundance of caution. No one, or at least no one I knew. I circled the aisles, grabbing a bag of chips and two bottles of nail polish before working my nerve up to enter the family planning aisle.
Family planning. Not exactly what I’d call it. I grabbed a test, shoving it under the other items. The pharmacy didn’t have a self checkout but the high schooler running the register absently scanned the test without a second look. I clutched the bag to my chest and hustled out of the store.
CHAPTER27
Ben
I sat in the office,a pile of paperwork on the desk in front of me. Paperwork I should be completing or signing or reading. Instead, I fixed my attention on my phone, I tapped it to life on the corner of the desk and pulled up the last string of messages between Thea and I.
THEA
Moving day!
Need help?
I’ve got Pete’s kids coming over to help. They’re hauling all the fabric into the new shop.
So you don’t need me? Ouch.
The response hadn’t come right away. Instead, three bouncing dots appeared and disappeared over the span of minutes.
I definitely need you Benny. Can you come by later? I have something we need to talk about.
I frowned at the message, my initial excitement waning. She wanted to tell me she loved me, right? What else could it be? Only as the hours passed, more options came to mind, none of them positive. I pocketed the phone and stood, stretching my legs and looking for something to occupy my mind so I didn’t race into town to find out what exactly we needed to talk about..
I threw on a jacket, intending to take a long walk, only to find Dana’s car in the driveway.
I thumped on the hood. “What are you doing here? I thought you weren’t on the schedule until Wednesday.”
She hastily pulled her head out of the trunk of her car and barely avoided smacking her head as she pulled a bag out. “Dr. Roberts’ secretary got her weeks mixed up. She thought I wasn’t moving until next week. I got sick of unpacking and thought I should check in on the moose and the Northern Harrier.”
I glanced at my watch. Ten A.M. Jim wouldn’t be in until noon. “I’ll tag along.”
“I don’t mind going alone,” she waved me off.
“I could use the walk,” I said with a shrug, “and if you have to go into a pen you need the company.”
Dana shrugged and slammed the trunk shut. “That’s right. Rule number one: Don’t go into the moose enclosure alone.”
