AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I moved through the crowd until I reached the edge of the beach. To the right, there were tents with snacks, crafters, food, and beer and wine tastings dotting the small parking lot. Up ahead, a long pier jutted into Lake Michigan, with a lighthouse at the end.
Down the long stretch of sandy beach, dotted along the shore, were stacks of wood, waiting for night to fall. All along thebeach would be bonfires and music. Somewhere down there, I knew my brothers were busy setting up an epic bonfire.
I continually scanned the crowd for Duke. It was rare that the grumpy farmer came out, but usually his siblings could goad him into attending bigger town events. The likelihood Duke would be at the festival was high, and I had no idea what I would do or say if I saw him.
As soon as I entered the beer tent, I searched for MJ. When I caught her eye, she grinned widely and waved her arm above the crowd. I wove through the line, offering apologies andexcuse mes as I moved forward.
When I finally made it to my sister, she thrust a plastic cup full of cold beer in my hand and called over my shoulder. “Thanks, Abe. You’re the best!”
She raised her cup in salute as our oldest brother only grunted a response and turned his back to continue slinging drinks for impatient patrons.
“Can I talk to you?” I called over the chatter of the music.
MJ took a healthy gulp of her beer. “Yeah,” she shouted and continued to scan the crowd.
I shook my head. “Not here. I need somewhere a little quieter.”
MJ eyed me carefully, then motioned her head to the side of the beer tent. As she went to exit the flap behind the table, Abel gave her a curious look.
“Girl talk,” MJ shouted and waved a hand in dismissal as she disappeared behind the flap.
I followed her outside of the tent.
Before she could even turn, the words bubbled out of me. “I think I might be pregnant.” I covered my mouth, horrified I’d just blurted it out.
Her eyes went wide. “Oh my god.What?How?”
I pinned her with aseriously?glare.
MJ shook her head. “I mean, I knowhow, but with who? Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.” Tears burned behind my eyelids.
MJ frowned. “When was your period?”
I shrugged. “August 6?”
“How late are you?”
I grimaced. “Two weeks . . . ish?”
Her eyes went wide. My sister knew that between the two of us, I was the regular one. “Shit.”
I swallowed hard. “I also took a test. I’m definitely pregnant.”
Realization suddenly dawned on her, and her hand went to her mouth. “Oh my god... Is it Duke? Please tell me it’s Duke.”
Heat rose in my cheeks, and I nodded, unable to say the words out loud.
“Holy fuck, Sylvie.”
“I know.” A pathetic whimper tumbled out of me as I bounced on my heels. “Iknow.” My palms were sweaty and panic was settling in. “Trust me, getting knocked up by Duke Sullivan was definitelynoton my bingo card. Shit!”
Her steady hand found my shoulder, and I took a breath. “Does he know?”
I quickly shook my head. “I haven’t told anybody. Just you.”
MJ quickly discarded her beer in a large trash can and grabbed mine from my hand before tossing it in after hers. “Okay.” She nodded resolutely. “Okay. We’ve got this. We can do this.” I could see her wheels turning as she mentally considered the bombshell I’d just dropped. “I mean, I kind of know Duke. Sure, he’s got the whole grumpy, reclusive-farmer thing going on, and heisa Sullivan—which is a major hiccup... but he’s a decent guy. He cares a lot for his dad, and I think there’s a good guy lurking somewhere in there.” Her lips formed a determined line. “This will be okay.”
