It's Never too Late

And a moment to herself, as well.

She was not going to fulfill Nonnie’s request. Regardless of what the older woman thought, it would not do Mark any good at all to tempt him to sleep with her while he contemplated fatherhood and marriage. It wouldn’t save him. It would make him hate himself.

And hate her, too, when he found out that she wasn’t who he thought she was.

She wasn’t in love with him, either.

She was tired. And lonely for someone who knew her. Really knew her.

Mark was the closest thing there was. Her fault. So many people in Colorado had welcomed her into their lives.

And she’d kept her distance.

She wasn’t going to do that anymore. As soon as she got home she’d throw an open house. Get involved in some civic organizations. Meet her neighbors. Find someone to fall in love with.

Her resolve firm, she picked up the little glass bowl of salted cashews and joined Mark in her living room.

“I took the liberty of pouring the wine,” he said, indicating the bottle with the screwed-off top on the coffee table behind two full

glasses of wine.

He was sitting on the couch.

“Come, sit down,” he said, his smile so warm she felt it clear to her womb. “Toast with me.”

“What are we toasting?” she asked, sitting a foot away from him on the couch and picking up her glass. She smiled, glad to have him there.

Happy that he’d come to her to celebrate whatever good news he’d brought with him.

“Did you get a promotion?” It was a little soon for a promotion, considering that he’d only had the job for a month, but the guess was the best she could come up with.

He shook his head and held up his glass.

“Here’s to me not getting married.” His grin was infectious and she played along, clinking her glass against his and taking a long sip.

“Ella turned you down?”

“Not exactly.” He held up his glass again.

“Here’s to false positives.” His grin grew. She sipped some more.

“Wait a minute.” Lowering her glass, she held it with both hands on top of her knees.

“Ella isn’t pregnant?”

“No.”

“But the doctor...”

“She didn’t go until today. She’d only done a home pregnancy test. It was positive.”

“And she’s not pregnant?”

“No. Her doctor did a blood test today and confirmed that she’s not.”

Nonnie hadn’t been in denial.

She’d been right.