Meant To Be (Coming Home To The Grove 2)

They all seem to be so happy. Lacy’s going on and on about planning her wedding. Chrissy is happy to finally be rid of her ex. I never did like him, but of course I never told her that.

And Carrie seems happier than I’ve ever seen her.

“So how was the charity ball last week?” I ask her.

Of the four of us, she’s the only one that went.

Carrie blushes as she says, “It was good.”

At that instant the sheriff comes in, looking behind the counter. He gets a frown on his face until he looks around and his eyes finally land on Carrie. The smile completely transforms his face, and he heads straight for our table.

All of us stop. Carrie’s back is to the door, so she has no idea, but you can tell she feels a shift in the room.

He puts his hands on her shoulders. “How you doing, ladies?” he asks us, but none of us answer. It’s obvious to everyone why he’s here.

Carrie turns a little in her seat and looks up at him. “Sheriff.” She smiles at him.

He leans down and kisses her. The whole bakery is silent, and everyone is watching.

When he finally pulls back, he tells her, “I missed you and have to go but wanted to see you. I’ll see you tonight.” Then he kisses her again, and with a nod to the rest of us, he walks out the door he just came in.

We all start laughing. “Yeah, it looks like it went really well!”

Carrie tries to change the subject. With her face flaming red, she asks me, “So how about you? How have you been?”

I normally would say I’m good and leave it at that. But not today. I start with, “My graphic design business is really taking off, and it’s great because I can do it remotely from anywhere.” I’m trying to smile, but the emotions are rolling through me, and half the time I don’t know if I’m going to laugh uncontrollably or if I’m going to cry. I guess today I’m going to cry.

I reach for a napkin in the middle of the table. “Well, let’s see. I’m also pregnant.”

Instantly, the three of them squeal, and are all excited but when I still sit here sobbing into my hand, they stop. “Rose, what is it? You’ve always wanted kids,” Chrissy says.

I shrug my shoulders. “I know. And I still do. I’m excited about this baby, but things aren’t so great with Brody and me.”

Lacy leans across the table. “Brody loves you, Rose. It doesn’t matter what the news says. You know how they are, they’re just looking for a story. Y’all are going to work this out.”

Well, that answers my question if anyone else has seen the newscast about my husband cheating on me.

I nod, trying to let her words soothe me, but I’ve left my husband, I’m living with my parents, and I’m pregnant.

As the conversation goes on around me, I know there’s no better place to fall apart and then pick up the pieces. Forest Grove is my home, and it looks as if I’m here to stay.