Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 93961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)
I needed some time out. And the lake house was just what the doctor ordered.
Literally.
Yesterday, when I was visiting Caleb, my doctor ran into me in the corridor and told me to get some rest away from the hospital.
When Autumn and I arrived at the lake, I knew he was right. The time out would do me a world of good. I needed to catch my breath. I needed to sit out on the magnificent veranda and watch the boats on the water. I needed to still my mind and suck in the heady scent of the trees fringing the waterline, and the smells of fall like smoke from chimneys and the crispness in the air.
Winter was almost here, and the trees dotting the shore were a collage of red, gold, sienna, and burnt umber. In a few weeks, Christmas would be on our doorstep, and then a new year.
A new year and a new start.
“For someone only staying one night, this thing weighs a ton,” Autumn said, placing my suitcase on the double bed in the main bedroom of her parents’ large vacation home. Open planned and with sprawling timber floors and a high-pitched roof, it was the perfect place to take some time out and catch my breath.
I followed her back out to the spacious living room.
“I brought a couple of books with me. This kid is going to be here in less than a month and I have no idea what to do with her. Best I start learning.”
With a yank, she parted the curtains and the vastness of the lake came into view. In the distance, storm clouds gathered over the bay.
“Looks like there is a storm brewing.” She swung around and gave me a gentle look. “I must be crazy letting you stay out here by yourself. Not when you’re about to pop.”
“My due date isn’t for another three weeks. And you know how much I need some time out.”
She did. But she gave me a pointed look.
“You have tonight to chill out and then I’ll be back tomorrow morning.” She pulled a Tupperware container from her oversized bag and gave it to me. “Here, Mom made your favorite. Spicy chicken tomato soup.”
I grinned. “Thanks, Mom.”
“I told her not to put too much cayenne pepper in because I didn’t want you going into labor early.”
When I went to mention my due date again, she held up her hand and waved them around. “I know, I know, you’re not due for a while yet.”
She dug into her bag.
“And here, this is from Maverick.” She handed me a can with some kind of air horn on the end.
“Maverick knows I’m here?” I asked, momentarily distracted from the weird object I was now holding.
Autumn shrugged. “He was kind of inside me when you called.”
As usual, TMI from my best friend. Although, it was nice hearing she was giving him a chance and seeing him again.
“That’s waaaaay too much information,” I said, looking at the can in my hand. “What is it?”
“It’s a bear horn.”
I raised an eyebrow at my friend. “Maverick thinks I need protection from a grizzly bear at the lake?”
“The noise . . . it’ll scare off potential threats. Animal or human.”
I couldn’t help but smile at the gesture.
“Please thank him for me. He is very sweet.” I put the air horn on the table. “Oh, but let him know that if he tells Caleb where I am, I will cut him.”
Autumn rolled her eyes at my lame threat, and then paused in the doorway. “Are you sure you don’t want me to stay?”
I loved Autumn. She was the best friend every girl should have. Since day one she’d always had my back. But for right now, I just needed to be alone.
“I’m sure. Now go. Don’t keep that Jason Momoa lookalike of yours waiting.”
Autumn grinned and her eyes glazed over. “He’s such a beast.”
She sighed dreamily and I had to shoo her out the door to actually get her to leave. After watching her pull away, I closed the door behind me and crossed the room to the big bay windows overlooking the lake.
Finally, I was alone.
Finally, I could breathe.
Finally, I could work out what the fuck I was going to do from this moment on.
I pulled a crumpled envelope from my pocket. It had arrived earlier that morning and contained the results of the paternity test. I wasn’t lying when I said I’d paid extra to put a rush on it.
I looked out over the lake. This was it. After days of uncertainty I was about to find out the truth.
With trembling fingers I ripped open the envelope, unfolded the letter, and began to read. And as the truth began to settle through me, I began to cry.
CALEB
“What the fuck are you doing?” Came the voice from the doorway.