'Tis The Season

She gives a curt shake of her head. “Of my decision to raise the baby on my own and end my engagement.”

“I’m sure you had a good reason.”

“He took a job in California three months before our wedding without telling me. He expected me to rearrange my life to suit his.” She shakes her head. “I never saw that side of him. Not in the two years we were together.”

Disgust turns my stomach. What kind of megalomaniac is this guy?

“I’m sorry.” I take her hand gently in mine. “For what it’s worth, I think you dodged a bullet.”

“I thought so, too. I mean, I was devastated but at peace with my decision. A lie that big shouldn’t be ignored. It’s no way to go into life together. Then ...” her voice cracks, “I missed my period.”

Understanding slams into me like a semi. “You didn’t know you were pregnant when you ended things?”

She shakes her head and sniffs. “No. And suddenly, everyone who supported my choice switched to team Preston. He’s a wealthy doctor with a promising future.”

“Life is more than money and status,” I answer automatically.

“Yeah, but it helps. As a nurse, I don’t make half of what Preston does.”

“And yet, doctors could never do their job without you. You help a lot of people. It’s an admirable job.” I watch her face light up.

“I love it.” Her shoulders slump. “But I wonder from time to time if I’m selfish.” She shakes her head and swipes at her eyes with her opposite hand. “I don’t know why I’m spilling my guts to you. Maybe because you’ve already seen me at my worst.”

“I’m happy to listen.” I squeeze her hand. “I think you’re an amazing, beautiful woman who’s remaining true to herself. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with a mother having a career. You can love both your child and the passion that ignites the spark that lives inside of us all.”

Smiling up at me, she sighs as her tears trail off. “Thank you for that.”

“I can’t say I understand your situation completely, but I can relate in some ways. When I first started my practice, plenty of people thought I was foolish for putting my life on hold. It was a lot of man-hours and focused attention. I missed out on other opportunities.”

Her fingers caress my cheek. “Someone hurt you?”

“Clare and I dated for four years and were engaged for another. It was understood we’d marry once things settled down at the vet’s office—” The memories rush back, clogging my throat.

“She got tired of waiting?”

I nod. “Clare wanted the white dress and babies sooner than I could give it to her. I wasn’t content to be a dad who never saw his children. I want to be hands-on like my father was. We parted ways. It wasn’t the happiest time of my life.”

“I’m sorry.”

I lean down, close enough for our breaths to mingle. “I like to believe things happen for a reason.”

She licks her lips. “Same.”

Pop. She jumps, and I mentally swear. “Well, now you know why we call it Bangers and Mash.”

“I didn’t realize the process was so violent.”

“You know us Brits. We like to do things with flare.”

“All you have to do is talk for that to happen,” she mumbles.

“Like my accent, do you?”

Her cheeks darken slightly. “Who doesn’t?”

I plate up our food, and just as I slide hers in front of her, a knock sounds on the door.

“Go ahead and dig in. I’ll be right back.” I enjoy seeing her eat things I’ve prepared. It wakes some ancient instinct inside of me, providing for a woman growing a baby. I want to keep her comfortable and happy. Don’t forget, she’s not yours. I open the door and find the gray-haired city worker bundled in his brown work gear with neon reflective tape stripes, a badge, and the city’s emblem on his chest.