Page 31 of Forsaken Trail (Runaway 4)

How was I going to manage my job and a baby? It was possible. Deep down, I knew I’d figure it out, but the logistics escaped me at the moment. The idea of searching for daycare and babysitters was overwhelming. Today, this week, the future looked as hazy as the horizon outside where the sea met the clouds.

“Aria?”

“Huh?” I blinked, tearing my gaze away from the glass to focus on Andy’s face. “Sorry. No, I haven’t had lunch.”

“Should I order something for us?” He gestured to the desk phone. “I heard the chef made a large pot of clam chowder today and it’s delicious.”

I gagged. “No. No lunch for me today.”

“Oh.” His face fell, but he recovered quickly with a smile. His blond hair was combed smartly at a part over his left eyebrow. His face was always clean shaven. Maybe in another life, Andy would have been a nice man to date.

I suspected he enjoyed long walks on the beach and romantic candlelit dinners. We’d never bicker or fight. Andy was much too polite for sarcasm.

Dating would soon become a distant memory, not that I’d dated much these past few years. Even Andy wouldn’t want to get involved with a pregnant woman. Baggage might as well be my middle name.

“Sorry,” I said. “It’s not you. I’m just not feeling great today.”

“Is there anything I can do?” The concern on his face was endearing. As a friend.

“I’ll be fine.” The new mantra. I’d be fine. We’d be fine. I fought the urge to press a hand to my belly. “My plan is to spend a few hours in the greenhouse. That always perks me up.”

“Then don’t let me keep you.” He stood from his chair. “We can skip today’s meeting. Catch up later.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course.” He came to my chair, pulling it out for me as I stood. “We’ll talk when you get back from Arizona.”

Tomorrow, I was leaving to spend Christmas with Clara and August. My suitcase was packed and my flight booked.

Never in my life had I dreaded a trip to see my family.

“Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Andy.”

“Same to you, Aria.”

I waved, then headed for the door. I didn’t linger at the hotel. The fresh air outside beckoned, so I collected my jacket from the locker room and ducked out the employee exit. My condo wasn’t far from the hotel, only blocks, and rather than drive, I walked to work most days.

Now that I’d left the Cadillac with Clara, I didn’t have a vehicle. Not long before Katherine had come to Oregon with the Cadillac, I’d sold my old Jetta. It had been a piece of junk and prone to breakdowns and flat tires. I’d been searching for a replacement but then the Cadillac had magically appeared and voila. No more car shopping.

Besides, Heron Beach was a small town. Walking the streets was safe and the grocery store delivered.

The air wrapped around me cool and sharp, chasing the last dregs of nausea away. The Gallaway had golf carts for my staff to use for going back and forth between the off-site greenhouse and storage area five blocks away, but I hadn’t climbed behind the wheel of one in ages.

Much like my journey to and from home, I preferred to hoof it.

The walk was invigorating, and by the time I made it to the greenhouse, my spirits had lifted. The future didn’t seem quite as bleak. And though Clara was going to be surprised, maybe there’d be a little excitement there too.

I was having a baby.

My baby.

There’d never be a day when I was alone. There’d never be a day when I longed for a family. I was growing one. The life inside me deserved my best. He or she would have it. From now until my dying breath.

It was . . . exciting. Scary, but wonderful.

Digging the keys from my coat pocket, I unlocked the greenhouse door and stepped inside. Dirt and leaves and water. I breathed it all in, holding the air in my lungs for a moment.

“Better.” I sighed, shrugging off my coat.