by Kayla Perrin
“Oh?” Melissa sipped her tea, waiting for him to continue.
“Although this is a small town, some things do remain secret. The woman that Craig got involved with...well, she made some unsavory allegations. I know because a friend’s sister was very close to Craig’s secretary. The allegations had to do with a bad real estate investment, missing funds and Craig’s possible culpability. The secretary moved out of town, but I was able to talk to her. She’s willing to testify against Craig if need be. Craig was made aware of this, and he knows that if he plays unfair with Arlene and Raven, this allegation can lead to a charge. Which is the last thing he wants. So he’s going to behave, knowing that the moment he steps out of line, it’ll mean trouble for him.”
“Wow,” Melissa said. “That’s crazy.”
“Craig’s the kind of guy who’s been a bully all his life, gotten away with things, blamed everyone else for his problems. But he couldn’t bully his way out of this one, and with actual leverage against him, he was singing a different tune.”
“He certainly wasn’t the best husband to Arlene. Sweet and charming at first—then he became a different person.”
Aaron is very good at the chase. He’s very good at smooth talking women... Melissa’s stomach suddenly roiled.
“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t say anything to Arlene about this. She doesn’t know the specific details, just that Craig changed his mind. This being a small town and all, I don’t want word getting out. But if Craig does misbehave in the future, there’s a recourse. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want to face jail time.”
“It’s funny how self-serving people are when it comes to that,” Melissa said. She took another bite of the cake and washed it down with the tea.
“Well, enough about Craig,” Aaron said. “It’s good to see you.”
Melissa’s heart fluttered. “It’s good to see you, too.”
“We never did get to finish our conversation,” he told her. “About whether or not you believe every negative thing you’ve heard and read about me.”
Melissa’s stomach was tightening abruptly. She felt nauseous, unsettled. Ella’s words were weighing heavily on her.
She glanced around the coffee shop, knowing that in a town like this, ears were always open for gossip. “I’m not sure that this is the time or the place.”
“Then come back to my place with me.”
Melissa’s eyes bulged at the suggestion, then she whipped her head left and right, certain people had heard what he’d said. Soon, phone lines would be ringing, word would be spreading.
Hadn’t it already? Given what Ella had said, and she hadn’t even been at the wedding.
Hastily, Melissa pushed her chair back and stood. “I really ought to get going. I’d like to see my father.”
She started to walk away. She needed to be away from Aaron to keep her head clear. She didn’t want to be lured back into his bed—
“Melissa!” Aaron called, but she kept walking.
By the time she made it outside the café, Aaron was hot on her tail. “Melissa, hey. What’s going on?” He moved to stand in front of her, blocking her path. “We were having a decent conversation, and now you’re running again?”
“I just need to see my dad.” She placed a hand on her belly. “And I feel a little nauseous.” She closed her eyes as the wave passed.
“Are you okay?” Aaron asked.
“I don’t know,” Melissa said. “Maybe I haven’t had enough to eat. I had too much coffee before I left Newark for the long drive here, I guess. I just... I just really need to get to my parents’ place.”
“All right,” Aaron said, not pushing the issue, but looking at her with concern. “You’re okay to drive?”
“Yeah, I’ll be fine.”
“Call me tomorrow,” Aaron said.
“Sure,” Melissa agreed. Then she quickly made her way to her car without looking back at Aaron.
* * *
Aaron stared at Melissa as she hurried off, his chest tightening. He hated the uneasy tension between them. His feelings for her had deepened more than he’d ever anticipated. He wanted to tell her, but every time they took steps forward, they hit a wall. Melissa seemed nervous, on edge, and he didn’t want to scare her into running.
Did she not realize how much he cared? Heck, the last time they’d made love, he hadn’t even used a condom. He’d gotten caught up in the moment, yes, but there’d been something else. A primal urge to make something real with her. He hadn’t been consciously thinking about pregnancy, but he hadn’t been afraid of the idea. He knew that Melissa wouldn’t be like Ella, she wouldn’t use a baby as a ploy.
There was something different about Melissa. Something innately good and honest and wonderful. She was the kind of woman he could settle down with. The kind who would be a good mother.
With what he’d been through, he should be terrified of the thought. But something inside of him that he couldn’t describe told him that he and Melissa were destined to have it all. A life together, a family.
It was something he’d known in his soul when they’d first started dating.
He knew he had his work cut out for him, but he had to make her believe that, too.
Chapter 25
The next morning, Melissa got up and went downstairs into the kitchen. Her mother was frying eggs, and as the smell hit her, she had the sudden urge to vomit.
She clamped a hand over her mouth, holding her breath until the wave of nausea passed.
God, why was the smell getting to her?
“Good morning.” Her mother looked over her shoulder and smiled brightly at her.
“Morning,” Melissa returned, taking a seat at the table.
“I’m making your favorite,” her mother said. “Sausages and scrambled eggs.”
Just hearing the words made Melissa’s stomach roil. Maybe she was coming down with something.
“I don’t know, I’m not feeling that hungry. I think I’ll have some toast. I don’t quite feel myself.”
Her mother looked at her with concern. “Oh?”
“I haven’t been getting a lot of rest. There was a crisis at the group home, plus my long drive yesterday. I guess I’m not taking care of myself too well.”
Her mother waved the egg-covered spatula at her. “What have I told you about taking care of yourself? If you’re not healthy, nothing else matters. Look at your father. He didn’t heed the doctor’s advice, and he went and gave himself a heart attack.”
“I know, Mom.” Melissa rose and walked over to her mother, then hugged her around her waist from behind. “I love that you care.”
“I’ll always care. I’m your mother. A mother’s job is never done.”
As the smell of the food wafted into Melissa’s nose, she once again felt that rush of nausea. She had to step back. “Excuse me.”
She’d been planning to sit back down, but instead she headed straight for the bathroom. Her mouth began to water, that awful sensation that told her she was going to vomit.
And vomit she did. She threw up, retching painfully as what she’d eaten the night before came right back up and into the toilet.
When her heaving was done, she rose, ran the water at the faucet and drank some, then washed her face. She placed her palm on her forehead. Was she coming down with a fever? Had she picked up a bug? Or maybe gotten food poisoning?
Feeling better, she headed back into the kitchen. “Mom, is the kettle on?”
“Yes. You know I always have a cup of tea to start the day.”
“Good. Any peppermint tea here? I feel like I need that.”
“Your stomach really is unsettled, isn’t it? I was like that when I was pregnant with you. When I felt sick, I craved peppermint tea. Certain smells got to me, too.”
Melissa’s hand stilled on the tea cupboar
d. Her mother’s words suddenly dawned on her, as did a horrific possibility.
Pregnant? Oh, God, could it be?
No...it couldn’t be. She and Aaron had only had sex a couple of times. Well, a lot more than a couple, technically, but still.
But still nothing, she told herself. You know how babies are made. Of course you could be pregnant.
They’d used protection only the first time that first night, going with the passionate flow the subsequent times. Melissa hadn’t been thinking rationally; she’d been feeling.
Oh, God...
With that, another wave of nausea hit her, but this time it wasn’t because of her stomach. It was because of the idea that she might be carrying Aaron’s baby.
“I think it must be the flu,” Melissa said, more for her benefit than for her mother’s. “Or maybe food poisoning. I had the leftover fish last night. You never know.”
Her mother made a face. “I had the fish, too. I feel fine.”
“Who knows what it could be?” Melissa commented.
“Sweetheart,” her mother began, worry in her eyes. “You don’t look too good. Maybe you should go back to bed and lie down.”
“Maybe I should.”
“I’ll bring you the peppermint tea and toast.”
“That would be great,” Melissa told her. She turned on her heel and headed back through the house and upstairs to her bedroom. All the while, her mind was whirring a mile a minute.
Could she possibly be pregnant?
* * *
Aaron was starting to wonder what it was going to take for Melissa to get back to him on a regular basis. It always seemed as though they made great strides, only for her to pull back.
He’d made it clear that he wanted to talk to her about his marriage, clear the air. She told him she was okay with that. And then she never got back to him. He’d called her last night—no answer. His better judgment had kicked in before he decided to go over to her parents’ house and knock on the door and demand to see her. Her father was sick, recovering. She had a lot on her plate. She’d come to town to see her family, after all. Not him. But he wanted to know that she was the least bit interested in seeing him and spending some more time together.
Aaron frowned. What had gotten into him? Whenever a woman had given him the hot-and-cold act in the past, he’d been able to walk away. But something about Melissa kept him wanting to bridge the gap between them.
Aaron drove to the center of town. He parked in front of the café where he and Melissa had met just two nights earlier. It was his favorite spot, as it was for most of the locals. He enjoyed starting his day with a bagel and coffee. Today he was back for a late-afternoon snack.
He put his hand on the car door’s handle, looking out at the street to make sure it was safe to open it. That’s when he noticed Melissa entering the drugstore across the street. He opened the door, about to call out to her, but she hustled inside the store as though on a mission.
Aaron decided to forgo the sandwich and iced tea for the time being and head over to the drugstore to say hello to Melissa. Maybe they could find a place to talk after she was finished buying whatever she’d gone in there for.
He jogged across the street and went into the pharmacy. He didn’t immediately see Melissa down the main aisle, so he took a few steps to the right and glanced down the next aisle to see if she was there.
He spotted her several feet away, her back to him. His eyes ventured upward—right to the huge sign that read Family Planning.
Family planning? Suddenly, Aaron’s stomach tensed. Moments ago, he’d been about to approach Melissa. But now he couldn’t help wondering what she was doing in the family planning aisle.
He didn’t imagine she was buying condoms.
Aaron made his way down the opposite aisle, which he could easily see over because of his height. Melissa’s back was still turned to him, so she didn’t know he was there. He watched, his eyes growing wide, as she put down one pregnancy test package and lifted another one.
Pregnant? Melissa was pregnant?
With his child?
Aaron ducked backward when Melissa promptly headed for the pharmacy-specific cash register at the back of the store. He heard only Mr. Baxter, the pharmacist, conversing as he rang up Melissa’s purchase.
“Beautiful day, isn’t it? How’s your father doing?”
If Melissa responded, Aaron didn’t hear it. About a minute later, he saw her quickly snatch up her bagged purchase and all but run out of the store.
* * *
Melissa glanced around as she exited the drugstore with the white paper bag clutched in her fingers. She felt paranoid, but there was no need to be, was there? She hadn’t noticed anyone she knew in the store, which meant that no one had seen her pick up a pregnancy test. She hoped that Mr. Baxter wouldn’t call anyone to share the news of what she’d bought, though she didn’t imagine the older man would be so inclined. Besides, Melissa was sure that it would be against an ethical code for him to do so, anyway. But this was a small town, and word spread like wildfire.
Still, Melissa walked quickly to the corner and turned left to where she’d parked her car. She used the remote on the key to unlock it, and the headlights flashed. She rounded the car to the driver’s side and opened the door.
And that’s when her heart slammed against her rib cage. Because striding toward her car was Aaron.
For a moment she couldn’t breathe. What was Aaron doing here?
She offered him a tentative smile. He didn’t return the friendly gesture. Instead, as he got closer, she noticed that his lips were pressed tightly together. Something was wrong.
“Aaron,” she said feebly. “Hi.”
Aaron headed straight toward her, not breaking stride. Was he upset because she hadn’t yet called him as she’d promised?
“I’m sorry, I meant to call you to set up a time to meet. It’s just...well, my dad. I’m spending as much time with him as I can, obviously. And... I had to come out and pick something up for him.” Holding up the bag, she smiled uneasily, hoping that he wouldn’t question her little white lie. After all, her father was recovering from major surgery, and medication would be par for the course.
When Aaron still didn’t crack a smile, Melissa wondered what was happening. He soon filled her in.
“Are you pregnant?” Aaron’s eyes bored into hers. “With my child?”
Chapter 26
All the blood drained from Melissa’s head. Feeling instantly faint, she swayed unsteadily on her feet. Good Lord, why had he asked her that?
As Aaron’s unwavering gaze held hers, Melissa didn’t know what to say. She finally sputtered, “Y-you were spying on me?”
“I saw you going to the store,” he said. “I went in after you to say hello. Imagine my surprise when I saw you picking out a pregnancy test.”
Oh, God...
“Are you pregnant?”
How could Melissa get out of this one? This was the last thing she wanted to talk about with Aaron, and now here he was, demanding an answer.
“I assume it would be mine,” he said.
“Of course it would be yours,” she replied, thinking only of defending her honor. “I told you I hadn’t had sex for several months.” Then, realizing what she’d said, she tried to backtrack. “I’m not saying I’m pregnant. I think... I’m probably being super paranoid. I’m just a little bit sick today.”
Aaron’s eyes lit up, as though something suddenly made sense to him. “And in the café yesterday, too. You said you were leaving because your stomach was bothering you.”
“I’m sure it’s just a touch of something. Maybe I ate something that didn’t agree with me, or I’m coming down with the flu, or—”
“You obviously think it’s more than a touch of something or you wouldn’t have bought a pregnancy test.” A
aron paused. “That is what’s in the bag, isn’t it?”
This was a nightmare. She could lie to him, yet what would be the point? He already knew. He was just asking to see if she would be honest.
This was the worst possible thing that could have happened.
“I’m gonna take the test, just to be certain. But I’m ninety percent positive I’m not pregnant,” she said, chuckling nervously to give the impression that she wasn’t worried.
Aaron didn’t blink—and she could tell that he didn’t believe her.
How could she blame him? People didn’t buy pregnancy tests unless they thought they were pregnant, for crying out loud.
“And if you are carrying my child?” Aaron asked.
Carrying his child...just phrasing it that way made the situation even more real. His child. They would be tethered together forever.
“If I am...” Melissa swallowed, the very idea terrifying. She couldn’t deal with this right now.
“Were you even planning to tell me?”
“Aaron, you’re jumping the gun.”
“And yet you’re the one holding a pregnancy test.”
This was too much. Him demanding answers, her barely able to deal with the fact that she might actually be carrying his child...
“I’m not trying to pressure you or anything,” he said, his tone a little softer now. “I was just...it was like a kick to the solar plexus when I saw you picking up a pregnancy test.”
“This is a shock to me, too. But I’m probably overreacting. I’m used to thinking about the worst-case scenario.”
“So carrying my baby is the worst thing that could happen?” Aaron asked, narrowing his eyes.
She didn’t need him scrutinizing every word she said. “I’m not saying that. I just...let me take the test first.”
“You’ll keep the baby, right?” Aaron asked.
“If I am pregnant, it’s going to be my decision what to do.”
Something flashed across Aaron’s face, something Melissa couldn’t quite read. Then he said, “Would you actually consider terminating the pregnancy?”