Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 117506 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 588(@200wpm)___ 470(@250wpm)___ 392(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 117506 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 588(@200wpm)___ 470(@250wpm)___ 392(@300wpm)
That day in the strawberry field. When I’d walked up with Kaci and didn’t notice when Merit had walked away and left us alone in the fields.
“Do you want something to eat?” Kaylee asked. “There’s enough food in the kitchen to feed a small army.”
I looked back down at her. “I’ll eat in a bit; I’m not hungry right now.”
“We were just talking about setting up a betting pool on when the baby will come and how much he’ll weigh.”
I brought my hand to Kaylee’s stomach and leaned down to talk to the baby. “You better let your uncle Dirk win.” Then I rubbed it and laughed. “Damn, your stomach is so hard.”
“I know! You should feel when I have one of the Braxton Hicks contractions. Lord, some of them are strong. I’m actually surprised Ty talked me into getting out of yoga pants and his t-shirt. It’s about the only thing I’m comfortable in.”
With a wink at her, I said, “You are the most beautiful pregnant woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
Kaylee rolled her eyes as I saw Merit stand abruptly and rush out of the room.
“Merit! Merit!” Timberlynn called out as she got up and quickly went after Merit, who had practically run past me. Before Timberlynn left the room, she sent me a seething glare.
“Is she okay?” Kaylee asked, concern in her voice as she looked back at Lincoln.
“I’m sure she is,” Lincoln said, handing Hunter to Ty. “I’m going to go check just to be sure.”
“I’ll come,” Kaylee stated.
Lincoln held up her hand and abruptly said, “No!”
Kaylee stilled with a confused expression on her face.
Lincoln gave her a soft smile. “You stay here and make sure Dirk gets some food.”
Kaylee nodded and looked back at the door. Concern was etched on her face. When Lincoln left the room, she sighed.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
With a shake of her head, she gave me a smile that was meant to say everything was okay, but I had the feeling something had just happened that went totally over my head.
Chapter Thirteen
MERIT
I managed to hold back the tears until I was out of the house and well on my way down the path to the barn.
“Merit!” Timberlynn called out as I slowed my pace and looked over my shoulder.
I shook my head and lifted my hand. “Not now, Timberlynn.”
The back door opened, and I saw Lincoln step out. Great, just what I didn’t want. An audience for my mental breakdown.
“Will you please stop?” Timberlynn begged as I finally stopped and turned to face her.
Quickly, I swiped away the tears. “I’m fine, I wanted some air. It was beginning to get hot in there.”
Timberlynn stopped in front of me and gave me a look that said she knew I was handing her a line of bullshit.
“Merit, sweetie, is everything okay?” Lincoln asked, coming to a stop next to Timberlynn.
“No. Yes! I mean, yes, I was hot with all the people in the house. Feeling a bit claustrophobic.”
Lincoln nodded, then reached for my hand. “You know there’s nothing there between the two of them. They’re only friends.”
Tears pooled in my eyes, and I silently berated myself for letting my emotions—and my hormones—take hold of me. I knew there was nothing there.
I jerked my head in a clumsy nod. “It doesn’t matter. I mean, I know they’re friends, but I don’t care what Dirk does.”
Timberlynn looked like she wanted to scream out the word “liar.” Lincoln’s brows pulled in slightly and then she tilted her head as she looked at me.
I brought my hand to my stomach, trying to hold back the urge to be sick.
“Do you need to throw up?” Timberlynn asked as she rubbed my back.
I shook my head no.
“Oh my God. Oh, Merit. You’re pregnant, aren’t you?” Lincoln asked.
My eyes widened in horror and I shook my head too quickly, which caused me to get a bit dizzy and stumble slightly. Timberlynn reached out and steadied me.
When everything stopped spinning, I met Lincoln’s questioning gaze. “Please, do not tell anyone. Only Timberlynn knows.”
Lincoln’s mouth dropped open, and she looked between the two of us. “What! How long have you known?”
Timberlynn answered. “She found out the day of the accident.”
“Does Dirk know?” Lincoln asked.
“No, and I don’t want him to,” I stated.
Lincoln frowned. “Okay, I get why you don’t want to tell him now, but maybe knowing might—”
I held up my hand. “No. I’m not telling Dirk.”
“Like, ever?” Lincoln asked, confused.
I buried my face in my hands and screamed. When I dropped my hands, both women had taken a few steps away.
“I’m sorry, I just…I feel so lost and alone right now,” I said as a few sobs slipped free between my words.
Timberlynn quickly rushed back up to me and took both of my hands. “You’re not alone, Merit. That I can promise you.”