Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 33919 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 170(@200wpm)___ 136(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33919 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 170(@200wpm)___ 136(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
Lisa kissed the top of her friend’s head.
“You know, you’re going to be one hell of a mother,” Adele said.
She laughed. “You don’t know that.”
“You’re loving and caring, and you listen. Not just with me, but I’ve seen you with others. I’m sure they’ve seen the way you are as well.”
“I care,” Lisa said.
“And I’d say perhaps a good chunk of being a mother is caring for and loving your child.” Adele smiled and then pressed a hand to her stomach, but immediately pulled it away. “Crap, I was reading an article the other day that said women hated when strangers just randomly put their hands on her stomach?”
“It’s fine,” Lisa said. “You’re not a stranger. You’re a friend.” She took Adele’s hand and placed it on her stomach. “I don’t know if this is boring to you.”
“No, not at all. It’s kind of incredible, don’t you think? Pregnancy?”
Lisa smiled. “Yeah, eating, the hormones, and the fact there is going to come a point when I can’t see my feet and I’m going to waddle like a penguin. This is all going to be a lot of fun.”
Adele laughed. “Giving life, sharing your life with another. I’ve always wanted to have kids.”
“You’ll make a great mother.”
Adele pulled her hand away but there was a sadness in her eyes. “What about you and Shadow, how are things with the two of you?”
“They’re good.”
“But?”
“They’re good.”
“Come on, Lisa, you must have more to say than that.”
“They’re really good?” Lisa asked.
Adele laughed. “Okay, so that tells me they’re anything but good.”
“I don’t know what you want me to say.”
“What are you feeling?” Adele asked. “I don’t want you to tell me anything you don’t mean.”
Lisa opened her mouth and closed it. “We’re doing good.”
“Good?”
She nodded her head and nibbled her lip.
“You can’t forgive him?” Adele asked.
“It’s not that—”
“Then what is it?” Adele asked.
Lisa put her hand on her stomach, and let out a sigh. “It’s … I don’t know what it is.”
“Sure you do.”
“I may be having a son or daughter,” Lisa said.
“It’s a fifty-fifty chance.”
She chuckled. “If I forgive him and forget, does that make me a doormat? I don’t want my daughter growing up believing that I am, and that she is to be the same. What if a guy was to hurt her? I mean, I love Shadow, I do, I still do, but what I heard that day tore out my heart. I had never felt so … lost. If it’s a boy, then I don’t want him to ever treat a woman that way. I want him to always treat her with love and respect.”
“Have you ever thought that Shadow does regret what he did?” Adele said.
“I guess.”
“Maybe it is time for you two to talk about it. I get your concerns, and I know they are completely justified, and I’m right there with you.”
“But?” Lisa asked.
“But, do you think it is good for either boy or girl to grow up with parents that have a little disdain, distrust, and sadness surrounding them?”
****
Shadow stepped away from the door without making a sound. He’d snuck up on Lisa and Adele, and he was surprised to find the other woman defending him. Well, technically, not defending him, but she was giving him a chance.
Doormat. He didn’t see Lisa as a doormat. He loved her, damn it.
All of this was fucked up.
He stepped outside, into the cold night air, and shoved his hands in his jacket. What did he have to do? What did he have to say? He intended to go back inside, when Adele stepped out.
She glanced over at him. “Evening, Shadow,” she said.
“Hi, Adele.”
“I’ll see you later.”
Adele started to walk down the front garden.
“Would you like me to walk you home?” Shadow asked.
“It’s fine. I know the way.”
“Lisa wouldn’t want anything to happen to her best friend,” he said, already deciding to walk her home. He stepped in beside Adele, and they started to walk toward No Wolves Road.
“It’s a cold evening,” Adele said.
Shadow didn’t know what to say to that, as with his wolf DNA, he didn’t feel the cold much.
“So, Christmas is around the corner,” Adele said. “Are you excited?”
“Lisa is looking forward to it.”
“Right, small talk is not your strong suit?” she asked.
“I love Lisa,” he said, coming to a stop.
“Have you told her that?”
He shook his head. “I don’t think she would believe me.”
Adele chuckled. “You and Lisa.” She sighed. “Neither of you are going to be able to make this work unless you start talking to each other. What you did was cruel and mean, but I have a feeling there is more to it than you saying a bunch of stuff you don’t even mean.”
“What do I do?” he asked, hoping Adele would be a more forthcoming than Pam.
“Talk to her,” Adele said. “It’s all you can do. Talk and be honest, don’t lie to her. She doesn’t deserve that.”