Oh, Baby!

by Patricia Kay

  Chapter Thirteen

  Sophie had a hard time falling asleep that night. And when she finally did, her sleep was fitful, filled with snatches of dreams that didn’t make sense. Dillon was in a lot of them.

  And no wonder, she thought the next morning as she remembered how he’d disappeared from the party. She was shocked when he’d walked out and hadn’t returned. She’d seen him answering his phone just before he stepped out the front door, and she’d figured he wanted privacy to talk to whoever had called. Probably that blonde he was dating.

  She’d kept a surreptitious watch on the front door, but when he didn’t come back, she finally wandered to the kitchen, where she found Beth talking to her sister-in-law, Gail.

  “Oh, hey, Sophie,” Gail said.

  Sophie liked Gail, who was a tall, freckle-faced accountant and the mother of twin boys. But right then she didn’t feel like making small talk with anyone. She wanted to tell Beth about Dillon. But Gail was in no hurry to leave, so Sophie had to pretend to listen to the conversation, which centered on Gail’s twins and how they were driving her crazy. Finally Gail finished with the subject of the twins and said, “Well, I’d better go check on Paul. He wasn’t feeling great and I almost called you to say we weren’t coming.”

  “Oh, no,” Beth said. “What’s wrong?”

  “I don’t know. He had an upset stomach,” she said while prancing off.

  “Beth!” Sophie said in a stage whisper. “Dillon left.”

  “What? When?”

  “Just a few minutes ago. He got a phone call and walked outside to take it. Then he didn’t come back.”

  “A few minutes ago?”

  “Well, the call came about fifteen minutes ago. I didn’t realize he was gone until a few minutes ago, though.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I didn’t go outside to check, but he didn’t come back, I’m telling you.” Sophie shrugged. “Actually, I think I’m relieved. He makes me uncomfortable when he’s around. But still...I wonder if something happened.”

  “Why don’t you text him?”

  Sophie shook her head. “Oh, no. I’m not texting him. I don’t want him to get the idea I care. But you could. After all, you’re the hostess. You’d naturally be concerned.”

  “Tell you what,” Beth said, “let’s go double-check, make sure he’s gone. If he is, I’ll see if he said something to Mark. And if he didn’t, then maybe I’ll text him.”

  So they checked. They even walked outside for a moment, and seeing no one out there—Sophie didn’t see his truck, either—they walked back inside and Beth quizzed Mark.

  “He has no clue,” she said to Sophie when she returned. “So I’ll text him.”

  But there was no immediate answer to the text, so Beth said she’d let Sophie know if she heard from him, and Sophie had to be content with that. Wishing she could leave, too, she instead headed for the food and fixed herself a plate. At least eating was something to do to pass the time. While she ate, she talked to Lisa and Carrie, book club friends of hers and Beth’s. Lisa had just finished describing a funny incident from her job as a nurse at the county hospital when Sophie saw Beth beckoning to her from the hallway. Excusing herself, she walked over.

  “He just answered my text,” Beth said, handing Sophie her phone.

  Stomach upset. Sorry. Had to go.

  “That must be going around,” Beth said. “Gail just told me Paul is feeling worse.”

  Sophie nodded, but for some reason, she didn’t believe Dillon wasn’t feeling good. In fact, he had seemed in great form when he arrived. No, he’d left because of that phone call.

  This morning, still thinking about last night, she was more sure than ever that something about the phone call had pulled him away. Not that it mattered. And not that she’d ever know.

  Because if last night had shown her anything, it had shown her she was absolutely right to believe she needed to stay away from him. As far away from him as she could go without completely disrupting her life.

  So tomorrow, as soon as she got to school, she would start the ball rolling and give her notice. Then it would be goodbye, Crandall Lake, and hello, new life.

  She just wished the prospect made her happier.

  * * *

  “Sophie, I’m so sorry to hear this.”

  Sophie nodded. “I know, Connie. I’m sorry to have to do it. But I know you understand.” She and Connie Woodson, the assistant principal, were seated in Connie’s office.

  “I would feel the same way in your shoes. Of course you want to be with Joy.” Connie tapped her pencil on her desk. “But why don’t you just take a leave of absence? We can get someone to fill in for you, and you can come back after Joy has her baby.”

  Sophie swallowed. She’d hoped Connie would not suggest this, but she’d known the older woman might. Taking a deep breath, she said, “I can’t do that. There’s...something else. I—I’m pregnant myself.”

  Connie’s eyes widened, but to her credit, she simply waited without saying anything.

  “The father is not going to be in the picture,” Sophie continued. “And it will be impossible for me to stay here under those circumstances. I’m sure you’ll agree.”

  “Since I don’t know exactly what the circumstances are, I’ll have to take your word for it that it would be impossible. But I hate to hear that, Sophie. You’re so good at your job. And...I think a lot of you personally, too. Are you sure you can’t stay? We’ve had teachers with pregnancies before.”

  “They’ve all been married,” Sophie said softly.

  “Yes.”

  “Do you really think the school board would approve of me staying on? I mean, I counsel girls about not getting pregnant. I’m supposed to set an example.”

  “The board couldn’t fire you for a pregnancy, you do know that? It’s against the law, and it would open them up to a lawsuit, which they would want to avoid at all costs.”

  “I know they couldn’t fire me,” Sophie said, “but I would be so uncomfortable. This is a small town. And you know how people gossip. No. I couldn’t bear it.” And if Connie knew who the father was, she would understand even more than she did now. Dillon, of course, probably wouldn’t care. Why should he? He was used to being in the limelight, having his personal life out there for everyone to see. But even if he wasn’t, there’d always been a double standard. He wouldn’t be blamed for anything. Sophie would be the one doing the walk of shame. It was unfair, yes, but it was reality.

  Connie sighed, her dark eyes reflecting sympathy. “How soon would you want to go?”

  “I’d like to leave by the first of February. I’m already two months along so I’ll start showing by then.” Sophie grimaced. “You probably think I’m a terrible guardian, a terrible example for Joy and no wonder she got pregnant!”

  “I think nothing of the kind. You’re human, just like the rest of us.” She sighed. “He who casts the first stone...”

  Sophie smiled sadly. “You’re kind, and I appreciate it.”

  Connie reached across the desk and patted Sophie’s hand. “Are you happy about the pregnancy?”

  Sophie nodded. “I am. I mean, I wish things were different, that the father was involved, but nevertheless, I’m looking forward to being a mom.”

  “Then I wish you every happiness.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Okay, so...February first.” Connie hesitated. “If it were possible to go sooner, would you want to?”

  “Is that an option?”

  “It might be. You know Paula Bell.”

  Paula Bell was a substitute teacher who had filled in with Sophie’s health and life skills classes. “Yes, of course.” From what Sophie knew of Paula, she was a great teacher and the kids had all liked her.

  “She�
�s expressed interest in a permanent position. She said next year, but if you like, I’ll talk to her, see if she wants your job and how soon she’d be available to take over.”

  Sophie’s emotions were mixed. Part of her was excited that she might be able to escape Crandall Lake...and Dillon...much faster than she’d imagined. The other part of her felt nothing but dismay that her life was like an avalanche changing so rapidly, and that she was powerless to stop it.

  * * *

  Connie Woodson sent for Sophie the very next day.

  “Paula Bell wants the job,” she said when Sophie walked into her office. “And she said she could start as soon as a week Monday.”

  Sophie left Connie’s office with her mind whirling. She’d expected to have a little more time to get her affairs in order before she left Crandall Lake. Still, maybe this was best. A clean, fast break. After which she could begin to prepare for her new life.

  That night she called a Realtor.

  And that Friday, she took a personal day and drove to San Antonio to see Joy. Since the For Sale sign was going up that morning, Sophie knew it was time to tell her sister about her pregnancy, and she didn’t want to do it over the phone. Besides, Joy had said Aidan was coming to San Antonio over the weekend, so it was best to get this done today.

  When she arrived at Hannah’s House, she was told Joy was in her Lamaze class. “You can go in and watch, if you want,” an aide said to her.

  “Thanks, but I’ll wait out here.” Even though she would have liked to see what was happening in the class, she didn’t want to disrupt things or make Joy anxious.

  Half an hour later, Joy entered the visitors’ lounge. “Sophie! When they told me you were here, I thought they’d made a mistake. What’s going on? Why aren’t you at school today?”

  “I took a personal day because I needed to see you. Can we go to your room to talk?”

  “Of course.”

  Five minutes later, settled in Joy’s room—Joy on the bed with her feet up—they’d been swelling a little lately—and Sophie in the rocker she’d bought for Joy, Sophie plunged in. “I have something to tell you and, well, I didn’t want to do it over the phone.”

  Joy’s expression reflected curiosity but no alarm.

  “There’s no way to say this except to say it. I’m pregnant, Joy.”

  Joy’s mouth dropped open. “You...you’re pregnant?”

  “Yes.”

  “But you...you haven’t been seeing anyone.”

  “I know.” Sophie closed her eyes briefly. “Technically, I guess I really haven’t been. Still, this has happened.”

  “But who—?”

  “Look, I don’t want anyone else to know who the father is, because I don’t intend to tell him, at least not now. I don’t want him to know until it’s absolutely unavoidable for him to find out. So before I tell you, you have to promise me you won’t tell anyone, not even Aidan. Especially not Aidan.”

  “But, Sophie...”

  “I know. It’s a lot to ask, but I have to ask it, and you have to promise. This is really important, Joy.”

  “I, um, okay. I don’t understand, but I promise.”

  Sophie took a deep breath. “The baby is Dillon’s.”

  “Dillon’s?” Shock was written all over Joy’s face. She stared at Sophie. “Aidan’s uncle? That Dillon?”

  “That’s the only Dillon I know,” Sophie said drily.

  “Sophie!”

  “I know.”

  “But...when? I’m sorry, but this is so hard to believe.”

  “I know it must be. Thing is, Dillon and I...we go back a long way. We were an item in high school. Remember I told you I understood how you felt when you first confessed to me about Aidan? Well, I did understand, because when I was a sophomore and Dillon was a senior, we thought we were in love, too. At least, I fancied myself in love. Not sure what Dillon thought about it. He made me no promises. In fact, he was up-front about the fact he intended to go off to college after graduation, and he did. Pretty much without a backward glance. I was brokenhearted for a while, but I got over it.” Sophie had decided it was pointless to go into just how heartbroken she’d been and how long it took her to get over it.

  “Anyway, we didn’t get together again until after you told me about your pregnancy. I was upset, and I went to Dillon’s house to talk to him, and...that’s when it started.”

  “But you never...I mean...did you date?”

  “We saw each other a few times, went out to dinner when you and Aidan were otherwise occupied. Mostly to talk about the two of you. But, well...things happened.” Sophie almost laughed. What an idiotic thing to say, things happened. Obviously things happened if she was pregnant!

  “Okay. Things happened. But...I’m confused. Why don’t you want Dillon to know? I mean, you two aren’t kids.”

  “I know, but it’s complicated. Let’s just say that it will be better for everyone concerned if he’s not a part of this.”

  “But, Sophie, how can you say that? He is a part of this. He’s the father.”

  Sophie sighed again. Lately, all she seemed to do was sigh. Or cry. “I know, but...Joy, honey, you have to trust me on this. I don’t want him to know. Not now. Not until it’s impossible to keep it a secret any longer. And if I could keep it from him permanently, I would.”

  “But, Sophie, don’t you think he has a right to know? I mean, you thought I should tell Aidan. In fact, you pretty much told me to tell him immediately. You said he needed to step up, take responsibility.”

  “I know I did, but this is different.”

  “How is it different?”

  “Because Dillon’s a commitment-phobe. He even said so. And I—I don’t want him to feel obligated to ask me to marry him just because I’m pregnant. If he wants to marry me, it’ll have to be because he realizes he doesn’t want to live without me. I can’t accept less. I won’t accept less.”

  “Oh. I see.” Joy’s eyes met hers and there was finally comprehension in them. Comprehension...and sympathy. “You love him. And...you don’t think he loves you.”

  Sophie swallowed and fought the tears Joy’s words—and her understanding—had triggered. She wanted to deny what Joy had said, but how could she? She did love him. And not only did she think Dillon loved her, but she knew he didn’t. He’d made that clear in every way.

  Joy got up from the bed and came over to where Sophie sat. Hunkering down, she hugged her. Hard. “He’s a fool if he doesn’t love you,” she said fiercely. “He could never find anyone better than you.”

  Now Sophie couldn’t stop her tears.

  “Oh, Sophie,” Joy said. Tears filled her eyes, too. “I totally understand how you feel. You’re way too good for him, you know that?”

  Sophie bit her lip. She had to get control of herself. Crying never did any good, especially when she was always trying to set a good example for her little sis. She took a shaky breath and fished for a tissue in her purse. Finding one, she blew her nose. “So you won’t give my secret away?”

  “No. And when Aidan finally guesses...’cause he will when you begin showing...I’ll make sure he won’t tell Dillon.”

  The sisters hugged again, and before releasing Sophie, Joy said, “I love you, Sophie. You’re gonna be an awesome mom.”

  “Ditto,” Sophie said.

  After that, they talked for a long time, about everything. Sophie told Joy about giving her notice and that she would only have her job one more week. They talked about the house and why they felt it was best to sell it. And finally they talked about how much their lives had changed and would again change once their babies were born.

  Later, as Sophie drove back to Crandall Lake, she was relieved to have her talk with Joy behind her. Tonight Joy had shown a maturity and understanding that reassured Sophi
e and made her proud and hopeful for her sister’s future.

  Now what Sophie needed to do was focus on her own future.

  And the sooner she could put Crandall Lake and Dillon behind her, the sooner that future could begin.

  * * *

  Dillon was glad to get back to school after the holidays. All that enforced gaiety became exhausting after a while. He preferred normal life. The only thing he didn’t like about being back was the necessity of avoiding areas where he might run into Sophie. After New Year’s Eve he reluctantly concluded that being around her invited trouble. Staying away from temptation was his wisest course. So now his only contact with her was from afar, and that was bad enough.

  Why couldn’t he stop thinking about her?

  He’d never had this problem with another woman. When a relationship was over, it was over. He simply moved on.

  But not with Sophie. Every time he saw her, he felt a deep yearning. It was making him crazy, and he was determined to conquer this obsession with her. But no matter how many times he told himself to banish her from his thoughts, he continued to indulge in certain behaviors that weren’t helping his cause, one of which was driving by her house whenever he had the chance. He knew this was juvenile behavior, something a lovesick teenager might do, and he told himself he should stop now that he and Sophie were definitely finished, but he couldn’t seem to.

  That was how he found out she had put her house up for sale. He was on his way to the supermarket, and as usual, he chose a route that would take him down her street. As he approached her house, he did a double take.

  A For Sale sign!

  He blinked, certain he was seeing things. But, no, it really was a For Sale sign. What the heck was going on? Why was she selling her house? He almost stopped. He could ring her doorbell, come right out and ask her what she doing and why.

  But his better judgment kicked in before he could make a fool of himself. For if he did, she would be certain to tell him what she did was none of his business and to go away.

  Better to wait and talk to Aidan tomorrow when he came home from visiting Joy. Dillon imagined Joy would have mentioned something about Sophie selling the house, and Dillon could find out what was happening that way. Probably Sophie had just decided she needed a bigger place for when Joy and Aidan and the baby came to stay.