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“I don’t want to hurt them any more than . . . than my situation has.”
Brynn just nodded.
A wave of dizziness washed over Pippa. She closed her eyes and reached to the desk to steady herself. “I think I better go lie down. Can you close up and slip the key into my mailbox?” Pippa handed over the shop key.
“Absolutely.”
Pippa waited until she could stand and led Lady out of the shop and up to her apartment. She slipped off her shoes at the door and walked to her bedroom, then curled into a ball under the covers. Lady slid in next to her, laying her head on Pippa’s arm before she licked Pippa’s cheek.
“It’s just you and me, girl. You think we can handle a baby too?”
Pippa barked and wagged her tail as if to say, Absolutely!
Pippa chuckled as melancholy settled over her. “I’m not so sure. But it’s good to know I have your support.” She sighed. “I’ve got to make a decision sooner than later.”
Pippa picked up the half-heart necklace from Aspen and slipped it on her neck. She held the charm in between her fingers and closed her eyes, not bothering to fight the tears that came this time. She was grieving for the past, Mason’s cold shoulder and abandonment, the truth about her dad’s role in Mason’s wife’s death, and missing Aspen. Everything hit her like a tidal wave. A sob tore free. Lady whimpered and nuzzled against her, climbing on her chest to conduct deep pressure therapy as if Pippa were having a seizure. But she wasn’t. No, this time, the only thing short-circuiting was the last bit of hope Pippa had for a life with Mason Wright.
She’d given him time. She’d gone after him and tried to resolve the mess. But no relationship would work when only one person was fighting for it.
She closed her eyes and let sleep take her for a temporary escape from her pain.
Ring! Ring!
Pippa jolted awake.
Ring! Ring!
She grabbed for the phone on her nightstand. Mason’s name flashed on the screen. She gasped as her belly tumbled with anxious butterflies. Why was he calling her? Was he finally willing to talk? Even if they could never be, he deserved to know about the pregnancy. Or maybe I should make a decision first.
Ring! Ring!
Her hand trembled as she clicked answer. “H-hello?”
“I need you.”
