Page 42 of Bluebell Promises

“Hey there,” Landon said, sitting at the little table next to Wren’s. “How’re you doing?”

“Great,” Wren said, her eyes flashing to Ben as he walked slowly toward Landon’s table and sat down. “Where are you guys coming from?”

They told her they’d been at the park, hiking and hunting for mushrooms. Ben showed her the bag in his backpack, which was filled with oyster mushrooms.

“Our mother taught us when we were young,” Landon explained. “Usually I go by myself, or with Celia, but Ben and I thought we’d go together this year. It was a blast.”

Ben nodded nervously. His cheeks were pale.

“We’re probably going to cook a big dinner with mushrooms and maybe chicken or steak,” Landon continued. “Should we get the whole gang together?”

“I would be down,” Wren said.

Ben’s eyes were illuminated. He bent to stroke Pierre’s head. Wren ached to ask Ben how he was doing and if he was angry with her. But she knew they couldn’t have an honest conversation, not with Landon here.

For the next half hour, they committed to small talk. It felt cozy, if slightly empty, and Wren laughed many times. Landon was in good spirits. When he stood, she assumed he was heading to the bathroom, that he’d be back later, but he announced that he had to meet his daughter somewhere. “I’ll catch you guys later,” he said. “I’ll text about the mushroom dinner.”

Wren’s stomach tightened with panic. Ben looked like he wanted to crawl out of his skin. He was also sitting kitty-corner from her, at the table beside her, which made it awkward to talk.

“Do you want to sit here?” she asked, gesturing toward the chair across from her.

Ben moved over, his chair squeaking horribly as he pulled it out. His cheeks reddened. Wren began to think everyone in the coffee shop was looking at them, preparing to gossip later. Her tongue felt tied.

Ben said, “You know, I’m getting antsy.”

Wren knew he wanted to get out of there, to get away from her. “Of course. But it was good to see you.” Sorrow rippled through her.

“I thought we could go for a walk.” Ben shrugged. “If you want.”

Minutes later, Wren, Pierre, and Ben wandered through downtown quietly. Red and yellow leaves twitched on the branches overhead and turned to mush under their feet. Pierre looked happy as ever, panting and smiling. Wren yearned to know what it would feel like to hold Ben’s hand.

They talked about simple things at first. Wren asked him about work, and Ben asked her about photography.

“It’s been much more lucrative to stay in Bluebell and take pictures here,” she admitted. “I even got my own place. It’s month to month, but it’s mine.”

Ben gave her a curious smile. “You’re sticking around?”

Wren laughed. “I can’t believe it, either.”

“How does the feeling to leave usually strike you?” Ben asked. “Does it happen all at once, or is it like an itch that bothers you for months before you tend to it and get out?”

Wren considered this. “Because I was always leaving and leaving and leaving, my life felt more like a river that was always flowing forward.”

Now that she was pregnant, she felt more like a tree, rooted into place. Could she tell Ben that? Was it too loaded? Did he deserve her truth?

“What happens if a river gets stopped up?” Ben asked. They’d reached the trail that led down to the cove, which they took, stepping delicately over tree branches and making sure not to slip on the mud and sand. Twice, Ben turned to take Wren’s hand to make sure she didn’t fall.

Wren couldn’t answer this, not till they were on the beach, watching Pierre bolt across the sand and drop his nose into the edge of the water. It was maybe fifty degrees, and fog rolled out from the waves and filled the beach.

The rest of her future felt just as opaque as this fog.

“Ben,” she whispered, unable to keep it in a moment longer.

Ben turned to look at her. There was true feeling in his eyes, a feeling that reminded her of those brief times with Angelos, when she’d been so sure they were falling in love.

“Ben, you should know something,” she offered. “I imagine most people will know soon, no matter how well I try to hide it. But I’m pregnant.”

Ben’s eyes widened just the slightest bit. But he didn’t look frightened or shocked. After all, he was a veterinarian. Life cycles were part of his trade.