Uncrossing his legs and taking his feet off the desk, Lance adjusted in his seat. Something had to give. He couldn’t pull off the wedding plans without his bride to be. Then his phone rang on his desk. Grabbing his cell, he saw her name. Why did his breath hitch? Why did his heart palpitate?”
He answered. “Hello?”
“Hi,” Chantelle said.
Lance swallowed. “I didn’t think I’d be hearing from you so soon.”
“I wasn’t going to call, but giving someone the silent treatment never works. Besides, I’ve made too much progress to backtrack now. So...”
Lance’s fingers tingled in anticipation.
“I’m sorry.”
He pushed away from his wooden desk and stood to his feet. He paced to the window and leaned against the frame. “No. I’m sorry.”
It wasn’t the first time he said those words to her. He had said them that night on their favorite country road. He had found Chantelle sitting on the hood of her car. Lance tapped the ring box in his pocket.
Was it a good idea to get married at eighteen? He didn’t care. He wanted to make things right. He wouldn’t abandon Chantelle. Not her or their baby.
“What are you doing?” She had asked.
“Marry me?”
She shook her head. “That’s not the way to solve this.” She jumped to her feet. Then she wiped her face.
Lance straightened to stand and walked closer. “I’m not giving our baby up for adoption. I don’t care what my parents say.”
“Think about it. How are we going to support ourselves, Lance? We’re supposed to be going to college. A baby will—”
He wrapped his arm around her waist. “We’ll figure it out. I want you, Chantelle. I don’t care if they think we’re too young.”
He had meant those words. Lance could kick himself for hurting her—again. He had to make things right. Refocusing on his present conversation, Lance continued. “I hope you believe me, Chantelle.”
She sighed. “Thank you. I believe you, but I shouldn’t have snapped.”
His phone beeped in the background. What did his mother want? It wasn’t the time, but he didn’t want her calling him repeatedly if he didn’t answer. “Hold on.”
“Sure.” Chantelle replied.
Lance clicked over to his mother. He’d make the conversation quick. “Hello?”
“A-CHOO!”
“Mom, are you alright?”
She sniffled. “I’m so sorry, son. I seem to have caught a cold.”
“You never get sick. I haven’t seen you sick since—”
“Well, I need to rest the next few days. Doctor’s orders along with your father.”
Lance’s eyes widened. “I hate to ask this, but who’ll help me with the—”
“I’ve already found someone to take my place. You should hear from June Myers by tomorrow.”
His eyebrows furrowed. “I hear she’s difficult to work with.”
His mother coughed. “That’s nothing but gossip. June has a fine reputation. I’ll be back up on my feet to help again soon.”