“That’s what some people do, yeah.” Lainey nodded. “I guess you’ll need to see a doctor, right?”
“I will. “ Courtney pulled up a page on her phone. “They run a prenatal clinic every week out of the medical building in town. They have a midwife as well as an obstetrician, which I like the sound of.”
“And if somebody sees you walking into the clinic, how long do you think it’ll take for word to get around?”
Courtney shifted uncomfortably. “About ten nano seconds.” She squeezed her eyes shut. “Oh lord, they’re going to know before I even walk out of the building, aren’t they?”
“The downsides of small town living.” Lainey sighed. “If the gossip doesn’t kill you, waiting for it will.”
“Do you think I should go out of town to find a doctor?” Courtney frowned. “I don’t know what they have in Maple Cross.”
Lainey shrugged. “Do you want to be driving miles for every appointment? Don’t you have to go weekly toward the end of pregnancy? That’s gonna be a heck of a lot of driving when your stomach is as big as a bowling ball.” Her voice lowered. “Maybe you should just tell them before anybody else does.”
Courtney rubbed her eyes with the heels of her hand. “You’re right. I should tell them next weekend.” She gave Lainey a half-smile. “Right after I tell Logan Hartson he’s about to become a daddy.”
Lainey started to laugh, then put her hand over her mouth. “Sorry, it’s just so crazy. Of all the people I know, you’re the last one I thought would be pregnant.”
Lainey was right. This wasn’t like Courtney at all. Yet, since she’d spoken with Sarah Maitland in the town square, it was as though something had changed inside her. Maybe it was acceptance. Or the fact she worked on a farm. Pregnancy and babies were part of the circle of life. It was happening whether she liked it or not.
She could either view this baby as a hindrance or as a little miracle. Something good that came from the darkest moment of her life. Babies were givers of hope, and the hope this little one brought was needed more than most.
She smiled at Lainey. “Well I am. So get used to it.”
Lainey laughed harder. “You’re a momma bear in training. I love it.”
Courtney rubbed her stomach, liking that description. “Well this momma bear is absolutely exhausted. It’s been a hell of a day and I’m on sheep duty in the morning.”
Lainey jumped up, gathering their empty mugs. “In that case, I’ll wash these and leave.”
“I’ll wash them.” Courtney held her hands out.
“Oh no. If you’re momma bear, then I’m the fierce grizzly auntie. And this auntie says you need your beauty sleep. Now go to bed. I’ll lock the door behind me.” She pulled her key ring from her purse. “I still have the key you gave me, remember?”
“I remember.” Courtney had given Lainey the key when she was at her lowest, right after Shaun’s death. Too low to have the energy to open the door for her best friend. “And I’m glad you do.”
Lainey leaned forward to hug her, the mugs clashing together as her arms curled around Courtney’s waist. “Now sleep tight, my friend. I promise everything is going to be all right. And you’re going to be the best mom a little baby could want.”
“Thank you,” Courtney murmured, hugging her back. “This little chick already has the best auntie.”
“I’m so damn excited. I want to tell the world.” Lainey pulled back and made a zipping motion across her lips. “I won’t, of course.” She widened her eyes. “Even if it kills me to keep your secret.”
It was sweet how excited she was. Maybe Logan would feel the same way.
Yeah, and maybe he wouldn’t.
One way or the other, she only had a week to wait until she found out.
Chapter Ten
After picking up his rental car, Logan drove straight to the First Baptist Church, parking in the back lot. The blacktop was cracked, tiny green weeds growing up through the gaps, as though nature was still trying to win out against construction.
He’d messaged Gray earlier that day to say he’d be a little later than planned. His flight got in at five, and it was only an hour’s drive from the airport, but there was no way he wanted to get to his brother’s house then leave right away to meet Courtney.
&nb
sp; Better to meet her first, find out what she wanted to say to him, then go and concentrate on his family. His chest was already tight at the thought of seeing her.
As he climbed out of the sleek black rental, the cool Virginia air wrapped around him like a lover. He’d gone to the airport straight from work, but the collar of his light blue shirt was unbuttoned, the sleeves pushed up to below his elbows.