Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 96833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
After Sig finished off all of our plates, the three of us walked home. The stroll back was even nicer than the first one, as there was something so calming about walking in the dark. I was full, though. I think I was practically waddling.
When we arrived at The Bainbridge, Lavinia went inside while I lingered and walked Sig over to his car. “Thank you for today.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it,” he said.
“Will I see you again?” I dared to ask.
He looked out toward the street. “Work is a little busy this week. But I’ll try to return to Westfordshire at some point.”
Well, if that wasn’t noncommittal, I didn’t know what was. “Okay.”
He was about to enter his car when I stopped him. “Sig…”
He looked over at me. “Yeah?”
“Whatever you decide, it’s okay. I won’t take offense. And I won’t consider this a wasted trip either way. Even just these two days have been an amazing experience. I didn’t realize how much I needed a change of pace. And I have you to thank for it.”
“I’m glad.” He nodded once and got into his car, offering one last wave goodbye before he started the engine.
I walked backwards toward the entrance to the inn as I watched him drive away. Was that goodbye forever?
CHAPTER 9
* * *
Abby
Track 9: “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” by The Eurythmics
Sig never returned to Westfordshire after that night at the pub, and I didn’t see him again before I returned home to the US.
On my last night there, he’d called to apologize for not having come back out to the countryside. He’d given work as his excuse and thanked me for making the trip to the UK. But he hadn’t given me any clue what he was thinking about the surrogacy.
I’d relayed all of this to Phil and Kate, of course, who seemed just as perplexed as I was about where things stood.
At the very least, I’d made a lifelong friend in Lavinia from the trip. Actually, two friends, since Felicity and I had also exchanged information. She and Lavinia had given me open invitations to come back and visit sometime in the future. And I planned to do so someday. I had to return to that beautiful place.
I’d been back home in Rhode Island for two weeks when I received a phone call from Kate one morning.
“Hey, Abby. How are you?”
“I’m good.”
“Good. Good.” She took a deep breath. “So…Phil and I spoke to Sig last night. He called us.”
My heart raced at just the mention of his name.
“He indicated that he’d like to move ahead with the surrogacy.” She paused. “And he’d like you to be the surrogate.”
That knocked the wind out of me. “Really?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I’m shocked, to say the least. Especially with the way the visit went.”
“Apparently, he’s been quiet because he needed time alone to reflect on the situation. We were just as surprised as you that he came to this decision, given his prior behavior.” She paused. “Are you still interested in being our surrogate?”
I swallowed. “Yes. I am.”
“Well, we’re very grateful for that. But there’s something else we need to discuss.”
Pacing, I licked my lips. “Okay…”
“There’s a condition he put forth, something I wasn’t expecting. This might change things for you.”
Condition? I stilled. “What is it?”
“He’d like everything to be done over there, in England. And he’d like you to move there if you become pregnant—only until the baby comes, of course.”
Wow. Okay. Moving to the UK wasn’t something I’d considered. I’d imagined being near my dad throughout this process. “Did he say why he wants me to move there?”
“He wants to be there for the appointments. I think he needs to have some control over the situation. He also mentioned a position for you at the property management company he runs, so your time isn’t wasted while you’re there. He knows you’re in between jobs right now and thought you might appreciate the income.”
He wants to offer me a job? “Do you think moving to the UK is the best step here?” I asked.
“Well, how do you feel about it? That’s what matters.”
I stared out my window. “I’d have to leave Dad alone for nine months, which isn’t something I was expecting.”
“I know. That’s why you’ll need to think about it.”
“But at the same time, having regular work would be great. And logistically, I suppose it makes sense for me to be there so Sig could be involved in the appointments. It hadn’t occurred to me that he’d want to be.”
“Then there’s the implantation,” Kate pointed out. “It makes sense for you to go to the UK for that as well. He’s going to need to give a sample. And of course, if the first one doesn’t take, we would need to try again, if that’s something you agree to. That means it could be a bit longer than nine months. So something to consider. We’re open to whatever you want. Traveling back and forth for the implantations is an option, too. And of course we’ll cover all costs.”