by Cindy Kirk
“I know what it’s like to be a child and wonder why your birth father didn’t want you.” The look he shot Charlotte tugged at the door to her heart. “I don’t want my son or daughter wondering why I’m not involved. I also don’t want our child put in the middle.”
Keeping her swirling emotions in check, Charlotte fell back on the active-listening skills she utilized every day with her clients. “Tell me how you picture this going…”
“We learn how to best work together before the baby arrives. Hopefully, a solid friendship will be forged.” His expression remained serious. “Getting closer over these months will also help stave off the gossip. When news of your pregnancy comes out, I’d like people to believe the baby came as a result of a relationship and not a one-night stand.”
She gestured for him to continue.
“We need to think of our child. I grew up in a single-parent household, and it wasn’t great.”
Charlotte considered telling him that life in some two-parent families wasn’t all that great either, but this wasn’t about her. It was about her child. Their child.
“We date, get to know each other. When you decide the time is right to make an announcement about the pregnancy, everyone will already see us as a couple.”
He’d thought it all out. She knew he, like her, was a planner. Which shouldn’t have irritated her, but it did. “Then we break up when the baby is born?”
“After the baby is born, we drift apart—if that’s what you want—but remain friends.” He inclined his head. “The plan only works if you don’t have someone you want to date for the next seven months.”
“I’ve got an easier solution.” Charlotte met his gaze. “The baby and I could move out of Good Hope.”
“Not without a fight from me.”
The steel in his eyes sent her temper flaring. “Are you threatening me?”
Adam shook his head. “You know what this feels like, Charlotte?” His voice was now as hard as his eyes. “Despite your assurances to the contrary, it feels like you used me as a sperm donor. And now that you have what you want, you can’t wait to kick me to the curb.”
“I didn’t use you.” Her voice rose. “I’d never do that to you. You have to believe me.”
One heartbeat of silence. Then two.
“I do believe you.” He blew out a breath. “I’m not trying to make threats. I’m saying that, like it or not, as the father of the child, I have rights. All I want to do is make sure this child is cared for and loved by both his parents. I like you Charlotte, I really do. I think you’re smart and strong and believe you will protect our child. But I’m not abandoning my child, and I think it would be better for everyone if we can work out a plan to do this together, as friends.”
“We can date if you think that will avoid unnecessary town gossip,” she grudgingly agreed. “But I won’t live with you.”
“I want to attend your doctor’s visits.”
An automatic refusal rose up, but something in his eyes had her hesitating.
“I want to be a part of this pregnancy,” Adam reiterated. He moved close, his eyes dark and intense. “I want to share these moments with you. I want to be there the first time we hear the heartbeat and when we can see our child on the ultrasound.”
His words, and the sincere emotion behind them, touched a part of Charlotte’s heart that had become crusted over with a hard shell. The man truly cared about this tiny baby growing inside her. And he cared about her as a friend.
She didn’t want to give an inch. Past experience had taught her that when you gave a man an inch, he kept taking and taking and taking.
“Charlotte.” His voice was low and soothing. “Give this a chance. Give us a chance. That’s all I’m asking.”
Charlotte closed her eyes briefly and hoped she wasn’t making a huge mistake. “Okay. I’ll do it.”
“You seem distracted, boy.” Stan sat on the porch overlooking the grove of cherry trees.
“It was a crazy day.” Adam had informed Charlotte he would be telling his dad about the baby, but the words didn’t come easy. “There’s something I need to talk with you about.”
“I kinda figured.” His father offered him a smile and continued rocking.
That was his dad, Adam thought, always there for him if he needed to work through something. His example of not pushing or prodding had been one he’d tried to follow with Charlotte today.
Adam knew Stan wouldn’t push him to share. He’d simply sit beside him on the front porch, watching the sun set, and wait until he was ready to share.
“Charlotte’s pregnant.” Might as well put it out there, Adam thought. “The baby is mine.”
The glass of iced tea his father had been raising to his lips stopped short. Stan set the glass down and shifted in the old rocker toward Adam. “I didn’t realize you two were that well acquainted.”
“We knew each other from before. The last time she was in Good Hope, we got together.” For sex, Adam thought, but there was no need to go into that detail. “The spark was still there.”
“Has the pregnancy been confirmed?” Stan spoke slowly, his tone giving nothing away.
“She took a test, then we went to the doctor, who did a blood test.”
Stan slowly nodded, rubbed his chin. “I don’t want you to take this the wrong way, but are you sure the baby is yours?”
Adam nodded. “I’m sure.”
“Are you going to marry her?”
“Marry?” Adam jerked back. “We barely know each other.”
“She’s having your child.”
Adam had never considered marriage. He and Charlotte were strangers. Heck, she didn’t even want him involved at all. He had to smile, imagining how she’d have reacted if he’d proposed marriage.
“You find the idea of being married to the mother of your child amusing?”
“Charlotte and I don’t know each other well enough to take that step.”
The look in his father’s eye had him shifting gears.
“We’re going to spend the next seven months getting to know each other.” Adam searched for the right words to convey the situation accurately without dissing Charlotte. “Charlotte, for whatever reason, is gun-shy when it comes to men. She told me I can back out completely. She prefers to raise this child on her own.”
Stan was silent for one long minute. “Your mother was like that. Oh, I’m not saying her and Charlotte’s situations are the same. It’s just that your mother was disappointed by the men in her life. Those experiences made it difficult for her to trust me.”
“You think that’s why Charlotte wants to raise the baby alone? She doesn’t trust me?”
“You’re a wild card, son.” Stan lifted the glass of tea, took a long drink. “She doesn’t know you, doesn’t know how you’ll respond in different situations.”
Adam set his jaw in a hard line. “She’ll learn she can trust me. I’ll show her.”
Stan rubbed his chin again. “Won’t be easy.”
“A wise man once told me you don’t give up on what matters.” Adam met his father’s concerned eyes. “This baby and Charlotte matter.”
Charlotte walked out of Marigold’s at six on Saturday night with no plans beyond trying a new matcha tea mask that one of the estheticians had recommended and starting a new Instagram challenge.
She hadn’t seen Adam since their conversation after her doctor’s appointment on Thursday. Though she’d planned to head straight home after her last hair appointment, the late summer day had delivered on its earlier promise of warm and sunny, and she found herself strolling down the sidewalk.
Swoon was still open. Her gaze was drawn to a red dress in the window. As she studied it, she briefly considered going inside to say hello to Piper. But through the glass, she saw her friend with a group of tourists. No need to ruin a sale or two.
Charlotte felt him before he spoke. “That dress would look good on you.”
She turned her head toward him. “Ad
am. What are you doing in town?”
“I get off the farm from time to time.” He smiled, slow and easy. “I was actually looking for you. I texted, but hadn’t heard back. I was hoping you’d agree to grab a slice of pizza with me.”
His tone, light and conversational, held no pressure. The decision was hers.
“I didn’t realize you’d messaged me.” Charlotte pulled the phone from her tiny purse and saw two unread texts. “I see the problem. I switched my phone to silent during my last client. The tiniest noise upsets Gwen.”
He studied her face, and his eyes softened. “Long day?”
“It felt endless.” Charlotte lifted her face to the sun. “You know what I’d love?”
Adam inclined his head.
“I’d really like to walk and enjoy the beautiful weather I missed by being inside all day.” She looped her arm through his. “Then I could eat.”
“Sounds like a good plan.”
They’d gone only a block when Tim Vandercoy called Charlotte’s name, then crossed the street to intercept them.
“I was just about to text you,” he said to Charlotte, then slanted a glance at Adam. “Good to see you, Vogele.”
Adam smiled genially at the top real estate broker on the peninsula. “Congratulations on selling the Dunlevey home. I know they were eager to sell, and Marigold and Cade are loving their new digs.”
Tim beamed. “Win-win for everyone. The way the Rallis family is exploding, they’ll need all those bedrooms.”
“You were going to text me?” Charlotte prompted.
“Yes, sorry to interrupt.” Tim’s gaze slid to Adam.
Adam waved a hand. “Don’t mind me.”
“I have a showing in fifteen minutes, so I’ll make this quick.” Tim focused on Charlotte. “A six-hundred-square-foot efficiency in the Barn just came open. I realize the square footage is less than you’re looking at, but the price is within your budget. It’s a fabulous location, and it will go quickly.”
Two weeks ago, Charlotte might have jumped at the chance to view the barndominium unit, even though an efficiency wasn’t what she had in mind. Her unit in San Diego had been that size, and she hadn’t liked feeling crowded.
Her discussion with Adam had made her realize she needed to carefully consider her housing requirements. Ami had agreed to let her stay in the apartment over the bakery for as long as she needed to.
“What do you think?” Tim glanced at the Apple Watch encircling his wrist. The epitome of a busy man with places to go and things to do.
“I’m going to pass, Tim,” Charlotte told him. “The building is lovely, but I’m not in the market for an efficiency.”
“I have a couple others that might—”
Charlotte held up a hand, stopping him. “Hold off looking for now. I’ve discovered I’m content where I am. I like the location, and I love being greeted with the delicious aroma of cinnamon rolls every morning.”
A look of puzzlement crossed Tim’s face. “You told me Ami didn’t want to offer you a year’s lease.”
“She didn’t—doesn’t—but I’ve settled into the space, and she’s agreed to a month-to-month arrangement for now. I should be safe until they start renovating this block of buildings.” Charlotte kept her voice matter-of-fact. “When she says my time is up, or I decide I’m ready to start looking again, I’ll let you know. I really appreciate all your efforts. You’ve been wonderful.”
“Call me when you’re ready.” Tim glanced again at his watch, offered them both a quick smile, then hurried down the sidewalk.
“This doesn’t mean I’m moving in with you,” Charlotte told Adam, in case there was any misunderstanding over her conversation with Tim. “But you brought up several good points earlier. I’m going to review my housing needs.”
Adam studied her face for a long moment, then shrugged. “Just know that my offer remains open.”
“You’re sweet.” She patted his cheek. “Not to mention persistent.”
“It’s part of my charm.” Smiling, he gestured with one hand. “I promised you a walk.”
The sidewalk in the business district teemed with people. This was still tourist season. Just another reason Charlotte wished the salon was ready now. The next week couldn’t go by quickly enough.
“The first Walk with the Animals is coming up.” Adam slanted a sideways glance at her. “Are you going to participate?”
Piper had given Charlotte the scoop on the dog-friendly event designed to support homeless animals in Good Hope. “The salon is sponsoring several giveaways. I also signed up for the 5K Fun Run. What about you?”
“I’m doing the run, and Stan is manning a booth. We’ll be selling homemade organic treats for dogs and cats.”
Charlotte’s brows pulled together. “I didn’t know you made animal treats.”
“We only recently dipped our toe into that market, but it’s showing a lot of promise. You’ll have to check out our Web page.” Adam’s expression relaxed when they left the business district and entered the less-hectic residential area. “The event is for a good cause, and as a business owner, I think it’s important to be involved in the community.”
“That’s why I signed up.” Charlotte recalled the discussion with her new business partner. “Marigold is opting out this year.”
“Because of the pregnancy?”
“No. She’s helping her sister at the bakery that day. It’s all Bloom sisters on deck. Fin anticipates the event will have Good Hope bursting at the seams.”
“She won’t be wrong.” Adam shoved his hands into his pockets.
“How’s Stan?” Charlotte asked when the silence lengthened.
“He’s good.” Adam smiled, the way he always did when speaking about his father. “He’s refinishing this vintage cradle that was out in the barn when we bought the place. Every night, he works on it. It’s going to be beautiful.”
Charlotte frowned. “Haven’t there been a lot of injuries from putting babies in old cradles and cribs?”
Adam stopped walking and turned to face her. “You don’t want it?”
She heard the edge in his voice, but didn’t take the bait. “I don’t know whether I want it or not. I think it’s lovely your father is refinishing it. I would simply want to make certain—since it is old—that it conforms to all the current safety standards before putting my baby in it.”
The tight set to his jaw relaxed. “As would I. Just so you know, Stan would never put his grandchild into something that wasn’t safe.”
Mollified, Charlotte nodded. She’d expected him to blow off her concerns. Instead, he’d listened.
She couldn’t explain what she was feeling, not even to herself, so she didn’t even try. “Let’s eat. If we head back now, we should beat the crowds.”
Chapter Nine
The next week passed quickly. Apparently realizing this was an extremely busy week for her, as the salon’s grand opening was set for today, Adam hadn’t pressed to see her. Charlotte appreciated the consideration.
Instead, he texted her daily. Never about anything important, just brief snapshots of his day. He always asked about her and her day, and she found herself looking forward to these daily “conversations.”
Charlotte had just finished dressing for the grand opening when her phone pinged. With an eagerness that surprised her, she scooped up her phone.
Not Adam, but Paul.
Opened a bottle of Rombauer Chardonnay last night. Remembered the bottle we shared cruising San Diego Bay. Can’t wait to share another bottle with you and celebrate.
The cryptic remark had her frowning. Celebrate what? Charlotte hesitated, then dashed off, Good memories. ❤
Perhaps adding the heart emoji had been unwise. But the text seemed short and impersonal without it. She had fond memories of their last night together on San Diego Bay, the fun, laughter and kisses on a deck beneath a star-filled night.
Now, he was in Los Angeles, and she was pregnant in Wisconsin.
She glanced down at the red dress—she’d gone back to Swoon to purchase it—and the strappy sandals she’d chosen for the grand opening. There would be tours of the facility and drawings for everything from free facials to a day of beauty.
In addition to the hairstylists, Marigold’s Golden Door Salon and Day Spa had nail technicians, estheticians and massage therapists on staff. They would all be there today, handing out their cards and getting acquainted.
A number of cars were already in the lot by the time Charlotte stepped inside. She spotted Marigold by a table laden with a wide variety of sweet treats and hurried over. “I’m sorry. I thought the event started at three.”
“It does.” Marigold looked up from arranging plates of cookies Charlotte couldn’t begin to identify. “My family came early to help us get everything ready.” Marigold held out a cookie. “Try one.”
Charlotte took it, but didn’t immediately take a bite. “What is it?”
“Lavender cookie with rosewater icing. Ami makes them using our mother’s recipe.” Marigold’s pink lips curved. “These particular cookies are an important part of every Bloom event.”
Charlotte bit into the cookie, let the taste roll around on her tongue for several seconds. “Buttery. I’m not sure if it’s the lavender or the rosewater that adds the unique flavor.”
“Do you like it?”
Charlotte took another bite, chewed. “I do.”
Marigold flashed a smile. “That makes me happy.”
“You look happy.” Charlotte studied her business partner for a long moment. “You’re positively glowing.”
“That’s what pregnancy and being happy do for you.” Marigold glanced around the salon, which had large windows and an open feeling. “This place has a good vibe.”
“Marigold.” Her sister Fin motioned to her from across the room.
“What can I do to help?” Charlotte asked.
“There are cups in the kitchen area that need to be unpacked and brought out for the punch. Prim was going to do it, but she got sidetracked.” Marigold paused. “Oh, before I forget, and this is totally last minute, so if you can’t come, I’ll understand.”