Page 10 of Dare To Marry You
Understanding dawns on Mom’s face. “So she isn’t pregnant?”
I shake my head. “Nope, just covering for me. They’re still trying, though. But apparently, I’m the one who gets to be the lucky one in a million to get pregnant while on the pill.”
“More like one in a hundred, isn’t it?”
A small giggle escapes me. “True.” I take a sip of tea and another nibble of gingerbread. “This is actually helping my stomach a lot.”
“I’ll send some home with you.”
“Thanks.” Looking up at her, I feel better than I have over the last twenty-four hours. “Seriously, Mom. Thank you for being supportive and understanding.”
“Kat, you’re giving me a grandbaby. I’m not just supportive and understanding, I’m over-the-moon excited. Have you told Hunter yet?”
“No. I want to, and it’s hard not to. But he needs to focus on his course.”
Mom nods. “That’s fair. I’m sure he’ll be thrilled when he finds out.”
A small beat of nerves starts fluttering in my heart. “I hope so.”
“I know so.” She says it with such confidence, it helps to dispel my worries about how he might react. “Now, what did you want to talk about when it comes to the wedding?”
Grateful for the subject change, I outline my idea to my mom. With her on board, I know our wedding day will be exactly what Hunter needs, and what we both want.
Keeping the news from Hunter is harder than I anticipated. All week, as I’ve cut a conversation short, or declined a video chat, I’ve felt awful. I can sense his worry, but I don’t have a clue how to reassure him without spilling the beans.
But it ends tonight. He’s due back late, all I have to do is make it through one more shift at the clinic.
After I throw up, of course. Morning sickness is not fun.
My daily visit with the toilet complete, I drag myself through the shower and get ready for work. When I step outside, the air is unbearably cold and big white flakes are starting to fall. Thanking the stars for a remote starter on my car, I hurry down the frosty sidewalk and slide into the warmth, rubbing my bare hands together.
Hunter would kill me if he knew I forgot to grab my toque and gloves today, but a glance in my backseat confirms where my emergency blanket is stashed. A smile breaks free as I remember the winter Hunter and I started dating when my stupid car broke down on the highway in the middle of a bizarre snowstorm.
Hunter rescued me that day, and that was when we finally started to realize we both had feelings for each other.
I guess I’ve got a soft spot for snowstorms now.
At least that’s how I feel for the next several hours. Then my boss comes into the break room at the seniors clinic where I’m working and announces the snow has picked up and they’re closing the clinic early so everyone can get home safely.
I hurry through finishing my notes and gathering everything I need for the weekend, then crawl along the snow covered highway from Westport to Dogwood Cove. My body is tense by the time I turn onto my street. It’s not just me I have to worry about being stranded on a snowy road, it’s the little nugget inside of me, as well.
Slowing down to pull into my driveway, I see one of my brothers already hard at work shoveling it for me. When I climb out of the car, they stop and turn to me, and I see it’s Beckett.
“You didn’t have to do that, you know. Hunter will be home tonight and we could’ve done it in the morning,” I say with a smile. “But thank you.”
Beckett winces. “Shit, you haven’t heard from him yet?”
I shake my head, dread filling me. “My phone was onDo Not Disturbthe whole drive home so I wouldn’t be distracted. What’s going on?”
Beck comes over to stand beside me, leaning on the shovel. “The snow is even heavier on the mainland. Ferries are all shut down. He’s not getting home today.”
I stand there, frozen. Both from the weather and from Beckett’s news. He gives me a concerned frown and pulls me in for a hug. “Hey, it’ll be okay, Kat. He’ll be home soon, just not today. I didn’t mean to freak you out. It’s not like our snowstorms ever last that long.”
I nod against his chest, trying to acknowledge that I know he’s attempting to reassure me. But I don’t want his reassurances.
I want Hunter.
Pulling back, I look up at my brother. “Thanks for telling me, and thanks again for clearing the driveway. I’m going to go call Hunter.”
