Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 114068 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 570(@200wpm)___ 456(@250wpm)___ 380(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114068 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 570(@200wpm)___ 456(@250wpm)___ 380(@300wpm)
That’s when I told him about the grilled cheese craving.
Now, several hours on, I’m wondering where the hell he found the time to make it for me.
I pay attention to everything, sweetheart.
“Aw.” Mollie runs a hand over my back. “Are you gonna cry?”
I shake my head, even as tears leak out of my eyes. “I’m not gonna cry. This is just a sandwich. I don’t cry over sandwiches.”
“I’ve been instructed to tell you that while Duke didn’t make the grilled cheese himself because there’s a lot of fences to mend before the summer grazing season begins, he enlisted Patsy’s help.”
“And Patsy would like you to know that she’ll happily make you anything you want, whenever you want it.”
I jump at the sound of Patsy’s voice. Glancing over my shoulder, I see her poking her head in the door, a wide smile on her face.
Does she know I’m pregnant too?
Does everyone on this goddamn ranch know?
My stomach clenches. It doesn’t bother me that everyone around here is knit so closely into such an, ahem, communicative community. It’s actually pretty sweet. But now everyone is going to know whether Duke and I keep the baby, and the last thing I want or need is people’s judgment.
Guess we’ll cross that bridge when we get there. In the meantime, I’m going to enjoy the hell out of their excellent hospitality.
“You’re too freaking kind.” I quickly wipe my eyes and stand, crossing the room to wrap her in a hug. “Thank you so much. How have you been?”
“Busy but good.” She gives me a squeeze. “With the wedding coming up, we’ve got a lot on our plates. We hope you’re planning to come.”
My stomach clenches again, for a different reason this time. “That’s right! How exciting. I’ll do my best to make it. I appreciate y’all thinking of me, truly. Sally and Wyatt are so cute together. I’m happy for them.”
“Of course we thought of you.” Patsy pulls back and puts her hands on my upper arms. “You’re family, Wheeler.”
But I’m not.
Really, though, I feel more at home among the Lucky River Ranch crew—more comfortable, more seen, more taken care of—than I have in years at my actual home with my actual family.
Hi, God, it’s me, Wheeler. Question for you—can one ditch their biological family, perhaps with the exception of a younger brother, and adopt the Rivers-Powell-Luck people as their new family? Asking for a friend.
“How are you?” Patsy asks.
Do I beat around the bush? Or do I let her know that I know that she knows that I’m pregnant?
“I’m…okay.”
She nods, her eyes kind. “It’s literally my job description to feed you all, so really, if anything sounds good—or bad, for that matter—just say so.” She reaches up to thumb away a tear. “I’m also here if you ever want to talk.”
I’m gripped by the urge to do exactly that. At the same time, I feel a pang of sadness. I want my mom. She’s the one who should be here right now wiping away my tears. She’s the one I should be able to confide in, to look to for guidance.
I also don’t want to overwhelm her any further or upset her. She’s been through so, so much. Why add to the pile if in all likelihood I’m going to end up not keeping this baby?
And in all honesty, I’m not sure I want her advice. I love my mom dearly, and she was a good parent to us. But I definitely don’t want her life, which is why I’m so invested in making different decisions than she did.
I also don’t want my dad to find out. Even though he and Mom aren’t getting along at all right now, I know she’d tell him. And I know he’d flip his shit. I don’t need him to scare me; I’m already terrified.
“I appreciate that, Patsy. Thank you. And thanks for the sandwich.”
“Anytime. I gotta get lunch going. Holler if you need anything, all right?”
I smile. “All right. Tell Sally I said hey.”
“Tell her I’m brainstorming her wedding day boots!” Mollie calls after Patsy’s retreating back.
I land heavily in my chair and take a bite of the grilled cheese. It’s all I can do not to moan. Patsy knows what’s up. The sandwich is buttery, rich, just the right ratio of bread to cheese.
“That looks really good,” Mollie says. “Can I have the other half?”
I nudge the wax paper toward her. “All yours. I get hungry, and then I eat because if I don’t, that’s when I start to feel nauseous. But then I get full really quickly so I can’t finish the meal I started. I’m finding it’s best if I kind of graze throughout the day.”
“Exactly how I felt my first trimester. Keep snacks handy. Or, really, keep a thoughtful cowboy around who feeds you just when you need it.”