Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 55458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 277(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 277(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
“I know she is, she’s great. Wonderful. Perfect.”
Zola gasped. “You like her. Then why did you just up and leave without a word?”
“Don’t know,” I admitted.
“Bull. You’re running scared.” Zola sighed. “Gavin, I love you. There’s no other annoying, super famous big brother I would rather have in this world, but please, don’t screw this up for me. This fellowship means a lot.”
“Suzie would never hold my sins against you, Zo. She’s not like that.”
“I know, but I’m surprised you know it, too. Listen, there’s this rumor—” Zola’s words were cut off by a gruff, familiar voice.
“Gavin, my boy! When the hell are you coming back to tear up the town with me?”
“Hey, Granddaddy. Enjoying life in Jackson’s Ridge?”
“Oh, yeah! This place is amazing. Single retired women who appreciate a man with a lot of stories and who love to cook? I haven’t been this happy since Elsie was around.”
I smiled at his words, knowing just what he meant. Something happened to me in Jackson’s Ridge, too, only I was too stupid to appreciate it. “I’m glad to hear it, Granddaddy.”
“When are you coming back?”
I couldn’t lie to him. “Soon. I hope to come back real soon, Granddaddy.”
Back to Jackson’s Ridge, and back to Suzie.
As soon as I could manage it.
Suzie
~ Three months later
Being pregnant wasn’t as fun as some people made it seem. Who were these women, with glowing skin and wide smiles, looking wonderfully happy as if their nipples weren’t chafed and they didn’t have to pee every thirty minutes? I felt as though I was failing the Pregnancy Olympics, with my ill-fitting clothes, constant sickness, and general bad mood.
But despite all that, I couldn’t feel anything but happy that my baby was growing and healthy, according to all the preliminary tests.
What I felt less happy about was the people of Jackson’s Ridge wagging their jaws, taking wagers, and trying to guess the father of my visibly growing child. The whole town was talking, and their curiosity was piqued even more because I wasn’t. I hadn’t said a peep about the father’s identity, no matter how much the older ladies bribed me with pies and cookies, house cleaning, massages, or even future babysitting services, all for just a hint of the father’s identity.
They would lose their collective minds if I actually uttered the name “Gavin Ross” out loud. I wouldn’t, of course, because the last thing I wanted was to do anything to hurt him or his career, which meant mum was the word, forever and ever. Amen.
A knock sounded on the door, yanking me from my ping-ponging thoughts. I sighed in relief, happy to be rid of thoughts of town gossip and Gavin, at least for a moment. I took a deep breath and glanced at the clock, wondering who would show up at my door unannounced on a Saturday afternoon. Persy was busy with Ryan and Titus. Megan and Casey were out of town, Hannah was busy building some surprise in her garage all weekend, and Teddy and Cal were probably deep in the midst of wedding planning. That was my social circle in a nutshell, so I peeked through the security hole and frowned as I pulled open the front door.
“Granddaddy. What are you doing here?”
I hadn’t seen Gavin’s grandfather in more than a month and I figured he’d finally gone back home. But here he stood, in khaki pants and a Hawaiian print shirt, accompanied by a big bright smile.
“Haven’t seen you in a hot minute, figured ambushing you was the only way to get a minute of face time with you.”
I sighed and took a step back, feeling guilty at his words. “I assumed you went back to California. It didn’t occur to me you might want to stay so long without your grandson.” Zola worked long hours for her fellowship, so I imagined he was pretty lonely most days.
“Nonsense. This town has tons of activities for the silver-haired crowd. I’m busier now than I have been since I retired. Throw in the fresh ocean air and the hot toddies looking to make me a meal or two, and I have nothing to complain about. Nothing at all.”
“I’m sorry, Granddaddy. I didn’t mean to abandon you. Come on in.”
“You did, but that’s all right. It’s not like I haven’t heard the town gossip, but I have enough inside knowledge to put one and one together and figure out that little bump at your midsection is my great-grandchild.”
There wasn’t any point in lying to him but I couldn’t bring myself to say the words out loud, so I notched my chin high in the air, defiance coloring my tone.
“I don’t know who the father is.”
One silver brow arched in question. “Want to try that again, young lady?”
I nodded as I shoulders slumped forward. “I’d rather not, if it’s all the same to you.” My swollen feet couldn’t take another minute of standing and I dropped down on the sofa with a sigh.