Chapter Eighteen
Monday and Tuesday were crazy busy. As Abby moved from one appointment to the next, she found it difficult to concentrate on what she was doing.
One moment she was ecstatic. She was engaged.
To a cowboy. In Montana. Carson’s suggestion that she spend a week out of every month in Seattle was all she could think about.
But then in the next minute, all she could see were problems. How could this work?
Wouldn’t Carson get fed up with the whole situation at some point?
On top of that, she was struggling to keep her eyes open around lunch time each day. The nausea was better, but it hadn’t disappeared completely. Maybe if she didn’t hear from her client, the doctor, she should look for another one if she wasn’t better. She’d give it another week.
There was of course also another question keeping her awake at night. Why didn’t she just stop working and move to the ranch?
Sighing, she rubbed her forehead. She had a nest egg.
Of course, it wasn’t enough to keep her going in the long run.
Everyone she’d met while she was visiting Marietta had said they’d wanted her services but from experience she knew not everyone who was interested would necessarily pay for her service.
One week in Seattle would not really be enough time for her to make enough money. Maybe if she stayed for two weeks out of every month it could work? The two weeks she’d be on the ranch, she could use to find new clients.
As Abby walked back to her car on Tuesday after her last appointment, her phone rang.
It was the doctor. She had a cancellation and could see Abby now.
Abby looked at her watch. It was already five o’clock, she just wanted to go home and sleep, but she’d better go.
June kept phoning to ask whether she’d been.
*
Carson was grumpy on Tuesday evening when he arrived at the homestead for dinner. He didn’t feel like talking, but he was hungry and his fridge was empty, otherwise he would’ve stayed at home. He missed Abby with an intensity that took his breath away.
He’d been calling her since late afternoon today, but she wasn’t picking up.
As he sat down, June and Dylan arrived.
“Have you heard from Abby today?” June asked.
Carson shook his head.
“It’s not like her not to answer her phone,” June said, frowning. “I hope she’s at least made an appointment with a doctor. I’ve never seen her looking so pale and exhausted. I’m really worried about her.”
“Have you guys decided on a wedding date?” Laura asked.
“We just got engaged,” Carson said. “I don’t want to rush Abby. She has to do what works for her.”
“I wouldn’t wait too long if I were you,” Cooper said.
“That’s what I said.” Willow chuckled.
“Whatever you guys decide,” Laura said. “Just remember we can organize a wedding in a day.”
As everyone around the table told their quick wedding stories, Carson got up. He’d heard them all before. “Excuse me.” Whistling, he left the dining room. George was at his heels as he left the house.
Outside, the air was crisp, winter was slowly creeping in. Looking up at the cloudless sky, he tried Abby’s number again. Still no answer.
With a heavy heart he got into his truck and drove to his house. His empty house.
*
There were babies everywhere. Crawling over the carpet, some were playing with George and some of them were in the kitchen cabinets, throwing out everything she’d neatly stacked with glee. Some were crying, others were laughing, one was pulling on her pants.
With a start, Abby woke up. Groaning, she sat up. The sun was up. What day was it? Wednesday?
She’d fallen asleep on the couch in her living room. A very pretty couch, but it wasn’t very comfortable. Turning her head to get rid of the kinks, she inhaled deeply.
For the first in her life, she’d been to a doctor. Turned out there wasn’t anything wrong with her, except the fact that she was pregnant. With a baby. Carson’s baby.
She still wasn’t sure how she got home after the doctor’s visit. It had been such a shock. Only while answering the doctor’s questions, she realized she was late. With everything that had happened over the last few weeks, it had simply slipped her mind.
Carson had used protection each time they’d made love, except for that time in the shower … and oh, also that one time in the kitchen.
In one instant, her whole world had changed. Her carefully planned life had taken a most unexpected turn, and she wasn’t sure what to do now.
Slowly she got up and walked to the window. A baby. A tiny human being was growing inside her this very minute. Placing a trembling hand on her tummy, she swallowed down the panic that was threatening to close around her throat.
How could she be a mother? Would she even know what to do with a baby? Babies were helpless, they couldn’t do anything for themselves, they depend on their mother twenty-four seven. How on earth would she cope? Her own mother hadn’t even wanted her, how would she know how to be a mom?
Deep breaths. Inhale. Exhale. It was a trick she’d taught herself a long time ago. After long minutes, the anxiousness subsided somewhat. What she needed now, was a plan. Something tangible she could do.
She could make coffee. Her tummy shuddered. Okay, maybe tea. The simple ritual of putting on the kettle, taking out a cup and saucer, opening the pretty container with tea bags, were all ordinary things she did without thinking.
With an effort she concentrated on every detail—the water pouring into the cup, the way the tea bag colored the water, the faraway sound of the city, the movements of her hands. Slowly, her breathing returned to normal.
As she took the first sip, she opened her phone. It had buzzed and pinged and rang throughout last night, but she’d been frozen in place, she couldn’t talk to anyone.
There were numerous phone calls and texts from both Carson and June. She had to phone them, tell them the news. But first, she was going to drink her tea.
June, she knew, would be overjoyed. She would also understand Abby’s concerns.
What about Carson, though? Would he be happy? She knew he loved her, he wanted to marry her, but he’d also said he didn’t want babies right away. Swallowing down the hysterical giggle that threatened to escape, she took another sip of the tea.
Well, this baby was coming whether it was convenient for Daddy or not.
After she’d finished her tea, she stared at her phone. Maybe she’d feel better after a shower. There was nothing that said she had to phone them right this minute.
She’d still be pregnant tonight.
If she could think, clear her mind of the panic, maybe she could come up with a plan.
*
It was nearly half past ten on Wednesday evening when Carson knocked on the door of Abby’s apartment again. He was tired and irritated and worried sick. Neither he nor June had been able to get hold of Abby since yesterday afternoon.
When Abby had still not answered his texts or calls by late morning, he’d sent a message on the family group to say he was going to Seattle. The only flight he’d be able to make was a late flight, but at least it had been a direct flight.
June had been overjoyed to know he was going to check on Abby.
Obviously, something had happened in Abby’s life, something she didn’t want to tell either him or her best friend. Of course, his mind had been working on all sorts of scenarios, none of which had managed to calm him down.
Hunter was right about his assessment of a long-distance relationship—it sucked. Big time. Hopefully Abby had had time to think about his suggestion that she work in Seattle for a week each month and spend the rest of the time with him on the ranch.
Sounds from inside Abby’s apartment reached him. His heartrate picked up. At least she was here. The door didn’t open right away.
“Abby?” he said. “Please open the door?”
Slowly, the door opened and there was his Abby, looking stunned and pale. With one movement, he was inside. As he dropped his bag and closed the door behind him, he tried to stay calm. “Why don’t you answer your damn phone?” was the best he could do.
“Don’t yell at me,” she scolded before she walked into his arms. As he pulled her closer, he relaxed.
Something was obviously wrong, but at least she hadn’t sent him home. And, he checked, his ring was still on her finger.
He waited. She’d tell him when she was ready.
“I’m here, Abby. Whatever you need,” he crooned as he rubbed her back.
With a groan, she turned around and stormed away in the direction of her bedroom.
What the hell? Fed up, he followed her. Why the hell couldn’t she just talk to him?
She wasn’t in her room, though. Sounds from the direction of her bathroom reached him. The door wasn’t completely closed, so he knocked.
“Abby? Are you okay?”
The next sound he recognized. She was sick.
Without waiting for a reply, he entered the bathroom and found her hunched over the toilet, her face chalk white.
“Go away,” she mumbled as she bent forward again.
Ignoring her, he picked up her hair, holding it back until she was done.
“Sorry you had to see that,” she muttered as she sat up.
Grabbing a face towel, he rinsed it under lukewarm water before he crouched next to her. “There we go,” he crooned as he wiped her face.
“I feel better, just give me a minute,” she said as he helped her up.
He waited for her outside the door. The moment it opened, he picked her up before she could say anything and gently put her on the bed against the pillows.
“Talk to me?”
She patted on the bed next to her. “You should sit down for this.”
“Why?” he asked as he sat down and picked up her hand. “Whatever is wrong, I’m here for you. I’ll always be.”
Chewing her lip, she stared at him. “Well, I hope you’ll still feel that way when I tell you.”
“Tell me what?”