Rugged Daddy

HEATHER

“I have to go into town for some things,” I said.

“You know you can’t do that. We have to lay incredibly low right now.”

“I get that. I know. It’s all we’ve been talking about behind Audrey’s back. But I’m running out of things I can eat here that won’t make me sick. I need more ginger ale and things to help with my nausea. I won’t be able to operate otherwise.”

“I’m sure there’s something here I can make that will help.”

“Cameron.”

“Heather, I’m not joking here. You’re not leaving unless it’s absolutely necessary.”

“And this is pretty necessary considering I’m pregnant and sick,” I said.

He sighed and shook his head as I reached for my things.

“Give me the keys to your truck and I promise I’ll be quick. One store on the outskirts of town has everything I need, and I’ll stock up. A one-hour trip will allow me to stay here for a month, but I have to go get them.”

“I’ll go get them for you,” he said. “It’ll be safer for you that way.”

“They know who you are,” I said. “They know what you look like, but there’s a chance they don’t know about me, right?”

“Not a risk I’m willing to take”

“But you have to. I’m the safer bet going into town anyway. Is there anything else we need here?”

“Heather.”

“Damn it, Cameron. I’m not asking anymore. Give me the damn keys and tell me if there’s anything we need.”

I couldn’t dwell on the shock of what was happening any longer. I had to buck up and ride it out. Losing myself in my emotions and getting angry at him for what was happening wasn’t feasible. There was too much at stake. I could be angry at him once the threat passed, and I could yell at him once all of this had blown over. But I didn’t have any more morning sickness drops, and I’d had my last ginger ale for breakfast that morning, which meant my nausea would make an appearance full-force before dinnertime if I didn’t get anything to help with it.

As it was, my fear only came from his. His warnings were genuine, but I wasn’t exactly convinced they were warranted. Undoubtedly, he believed the threat was real. It would take more for me to buy into it, though. At the very least, no one would recognize me as being connected to Cameron. It’s not like I was some well-known person in the community an outsider would pay attention to.

He tossed me the keys, and I made quick work of getting into town. I stopped by the store and picked up four bottles of ginger ale before grabbing the packages of the morning sickness drops. I’d rather have too much than not enough. I rushed through the store to load up on things like toilet paper and snacks for Audrey since I figured she wouldn’t be heading to school for a while.

Just as I loaded everything into the back of Cameron’s truck, Nikki called. “So, what happened to this keeping me updated thing?”

“I’m sorry. Things have been a bit of a whirlwind around here,” I said.

“I can only imagine. I’ve come by your bakery twice, and you haven’t been open. What gives?”

“Just not feeling well. A lot has happened since we last talked.”

“Well, can you spare a moment for your best friend so we can update each other on our lives?” she asked.

I felt like shit. She didn’t even know I was pregnant. “Sure. I’ve got a few minutes to spare.”

“Glad I’m worth at least that.”

“Nikki.”

“I just want to see my best friend. Don’t worry, I’m pretty busy myself, so I won’t hold you up. I miss you, though, and I want to make sure you’re okay,” she said.

“I appreciate that. Where do you want to meet up?”

“I’ll come and get you from your apartment.”