The Baby Gamble (Texas Hold'em)

“You do.”

“Yes.”

“She told you.”

“Yes.”

“Oh.”

“So…can you tell me what she found out today?”

The pause on the other end of the line hung heavy. “I…I’d like to, Blake, but you know Annie. She’s so careful. And she came to me, you know? This is the first time in…”

“I understand.” He couldn’t be angry with the woman. Because he knew exactly what this day must have meant to Annie’s mom.

Locking the door of his office, he strode down the hall toward the elevator, cell phone at his ear.

“If you don’t mind my asking,” June said, curiosity evident in her voice, “what do you have to do with this?”

Blake had already figured out that the question was coming. As soon as he’d let it be known that he knew Annie was trying to start a family.

“If she’s pregnant, I’m the father.”

The words sent a curious chill through him. Not altogether an unpleasant sensation.

But not a great one, either. Had he been a whole man, he’d have been overjoyed. As it was…

He held the elevator door long enough to tell Annie’s mother that he was on his way over. One way or the other, he had to know what they were facing.

As the potential father of the child, he had a right to know.

June didn’t try to dissuade him.

“And Blake?” she asked as he was hanging up.

“Yes, ma’am?”

“Welcome back to the family.”

Afraid that he’d just triggered an avalanche that was going to have far-reaching effects, Blake nevertheless didn’t have the heart at the moment to correct his ex-mother-in-law’s misinterpretation.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

“I CAN’T STAY HERE, Mom. I can’t see him.” Standing at her mother’s back door, ready to jump on her bike, Annie gave her a big hug. “Thank you for today.”

“Of course,” June said, tears in her eyes as she glanced at her daughter. “I’m always here. Always.”“I know that now.” Annie teared up again, too. “I’m so sorry, Mom. So, so sorry. I…”

“Shh.” June’s finger on Annie’s lips silenced her. “I made a lot of mistakes, too, Annie. None of this was your fault. You were just a child, and I expected so much of you….”

“You did your best, Mom.” Annie’s heart filled with love as she realized the truth in those words. “And no one can expect any more of you than that.”

“Keep that in mind, sweetie.” June’s words, the slightly teasing smile on her face, startled Annie. It was going to take her awhile to fully grasp that, almost overnight, her mother had regained a significant position in her life.

In her reality. Everywhere else, she’d had one all along.

Annie nodded, appreciating her mom’s advice. She could only do her best. That’s all she could expect of herself.

Seeing the clock on the wall behind June’s head, Annie said, “I gotta go. He’s going to be here soon.”