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“Okay, thank you.”
“No problem.” Mikayla turned to Gray. “You’re all right to drive behind us?”
“Yeah.” They exchanged a tender glance and Gabby looked away. Why did everyone have to be so gloriously in love except her?
“Where’s your car?” Mikayla asked.
Gabby led her to it and handed her the keys. She gave directions while they drove, and when Mikayla parked outside her house, she expected her to get out and go straight to Gray’s car, but she didn’t.
“You have goats?” She sounded excited.
“Six of them,” Gabby explained. “And a horse, four cats, and two dogs.”
Mikayla laughed. “Wow, that must be chaos.”
“It definitely is, but in a good way.” She’d never be without her fur babies.
Mikayla smoothed her hands down her dress. “Could I meet them?”
“Sure.” She could hardly say no when the other woman had been so kind. “But I have to warn you, they’ll leave fur all over your dress.”
Mikayla waved her hand dismissively. “Not a problem.”
Gabby hoped not. The dress looked expensive. Mikayla strode over to Gray’s car and spoke to him through the window. He got out and they both joined Gabby. She introduced them to the goats first, since Mikayla had seemed so interested in them, before taking them to the corral to visit with Princess, and then inviting them into the house for coffee. Well, tea for her. Coffee was a no-go now.
She noticed Mikayla’s eyes narrow as she served herself lemon and ginger tea and tried hard not to breathe in the scent of coffee. She must be being paranoid. Mikayla couldn’t possibly know. But her spine prickled with dread anyway. What would she do if people started figuring out she was pregnant? She’d avoided it so far by staying home, but she couldn’t do that for much longer. She didn’t want to risk rumors getting back to Shane before she told him, but she’d promised Logan she’d give him time to process. What was she supposed to do?
She jerked in surprise, drawn out of her introspection, when Mikayla exclaimed in delight as the dogs fought for her attention. At least they were an effective distraction. She didn’t want Mikayla paying any more attention to her than she already had.
Gray sat quietly in an armchair with Luna on his lap. He was obviously more reserved than his girlfriend, but he seemed gentle and good-hearted. Luna wouldn’t have gone near him otherwise. She was well-attuned to people’s character.
When they left—thankfully without Mikayla having said anything else to make her worry—they exchanged numbers. Gabby was torn between being grateful for the chance to make a new friend in town versus worrying that Mikayla might text her the questions she hadn’t asked face-to-face. Her mind wouldn’t quiet down, even after they were gone. The only way to get her thoughts off Mikayla, and what she may or may not have guessed, was to think about Logan. She wanted so badly to call him, and use him as a sounding board, but she’d wait until he was ready, provided no one outed her first.
In a bid to distract herself, she video called Marley.
“Gabs!” Marley cried as her face filled the phone screen. “It’s been way too long! What have you been doing that’s kept you so busy?” Her eyes narrowed. “Have you met a sexy beach bum?”
Gabby laughed, her mood lightening. Marley did that to her. Her friend was such a vibrant, present person. She also wasn’t far off the mark. It was thanks to a gorgeous surfer that she was in this situation. Well, technically it was her own fault, but he could share the blame for being annoyingly irresistible.
“Oh!” Marley’s eyes widened comically. “Thereissomeone, isn’t there? You’ve got this weird look on your face.”
Gabby snorted. “That’s just my face.”
Marley shook her head. “It’s a nice face. Although a bit pale, come to think of it. Are you getting enough of that fresh sea air?”
“Plenty,” she assured her. “But…” She pressed her lips together, her stomach twisting with nerves and excitement. “I’m pregnant.”
Silence.
Marley’s mouth opened, then closed.
“Holy crap!” she shouted. “Are you for real? You’re having a baby?”
“Yeah.” Gabby allowed a smile to creep through. “I’m nearly three months along.”
Marley shrieked. “I can’t believe this is the first I’m hearing of it!” she exclaimed. “Who’s the lucky guy? What does he do? Is he treating you right?”
Gabby laughed and held up her hand. “Whoa. One question at a time. First, I found out recently, and I only broke the news to the father yesterday. You’re the third person to know, other than me.”
