Christmas Ever After (Puffin Island 3)

“It will pass, honey.” Ryan stroked Emily’s hair. “I’m here. I’ll always be here.”

Feeling like an eavesdropper, Sky wondered what it was that would pass and then worked it out. “Holy crap—are you—?”

Emily eased away from Ryan, checking that Lizzy wasn’t in the room. “I’m pregnant. That’s what I was going to tell you. I wasn’t going to say anything because it’s very early, but given that I’m always either sleeping or throwing up these days, it isn’t going to be easy to hide it from the people close to me.”

“Why would you want to hide something so amazing? Emily—” Sky’s eyes filled and she pressed her hand to her chest. “Wow.”

Ryan gave her a wicked smile. “Hey, she didn’t do it on her own. I played my part.”

“Yeah, I bet you did.” Sky punched him on the arm. “Get out of here. This is a girl moment. It’s not every day I learn I’m going to be an auntie. And don’t look at me like that. She may not be my blood sister, but she’s my heart sister and that’s every bit as powerful.” For a moment her own confusion was eclipsed by delight for her friend. Tears spilled over and she brushed them away with her palm. “Crap. Look at me. I’m a mess. Does Brittany know?”

“I do now.” Her voice equally choked, Brittany walked into the room and wrapped Emily in a hug, ignoring Ryan. “You should lock your front door if you don’t want eavesdroppers.”

“This is Puffin Island. No one locks their front doors.”

“No one needs to lock their doors.” Zach followed her into the room. “There is so much snow no one can get anywhere near the doors anyway. Congratulations.”

“Our first baby.” Brit sniffed. “How long have you known?”

“A week or two.” Emily was scarlet. “I was going to tell you.”

But she hadn’t, Sky thought. Because now she has Ryan.

“You don’t share anything you’re not ready to share,” Brittany said softly. “You don’t want people to know?”

“Not yet. We’ll tell Alec of course, but other than that we’re going to keep it to ourselves until after Christmas.”

“I won’t say a word. But this is Puffin Island. There’s a strong chance everyone on the island is going to know the sex of the baby before you do.”

“Sit down.” Ryan urged Emily into the chair and squatted down next to her. “What can I get you, sweetheart?” Seeing him so protective reminded Sky of Alec and she thought about the way he’d picked her up that night, when she was at her lowest point, and carried her to the taxi. About how he’d held her head when she was sick, and comforted her when she’d cried. She thought about his family and Church and Nelson.

She’d probably never see them again.

And her friends, who had been closer than family for so long, were embarking on a new chapter. There’d be a place for her, of course, but it wouldn’t be the same.

It was pathetic to feel so teary, but fortunately she had Emily as the excuse.

And she could see Emily and Ryan didn’t need her around right now.

She was going to have to handle her problem by herself.

Pulling herself together, she picked up her bag and made for the door. “I’m going to leave you two alone. If you need anything, call me.”

Brittany glanced at her. “How did you get here? Did you borrow Alec’s car?”

“No, I walked.”

“It’s snowing again. I’ll give you a ride back to Fisherman’s Cottage.”

“What about Zach?”

“He brought his own car. He’s driving up to the airfield to fly a couple over to Bar Harbor. I’ll give you a ride.”

“Thanks.” Her spirits lifted. She could talk to Brittany. Confide in her.

“Wait.” Emily eased away from Ryan. “Wasn’t there something you wanted to talk about, Sky?”

Yes, the fact that I’m in love with Alec and it’s amazing and exciting and agonizing because he’s not in love with me. Sky smiled brightly and shook her head. “It was nothing.”