The Moment of Truth

“I gathered, since the one time you mentioned them it sounded like you and your father clash. But you said you’re close to your mother.”

“My father and I aren’t actually speaking at the moment.”

“Your choice or his?”

“His.”

He had issues relating to his past. He’d been honest about that fact. Just as he was honest about everything else, whether it hurt her feelings or not.

Josh’s honesty was one of the things she loved about him. His honesty was allowing her to agree to this unusual plan of his, in spite of the tears she was trying so hard not to cry.

“Can you fix it?”

“Not now.”

“But he still lives with your mother, right? They’re still married?” He’d mentioned his father’s philandering, but not a divorce.

“Yes.”

“Do you still talk to her?”

He hesitated, and then said, “Yes.”

“So tell her. She can tell your father.”

He paused again for a long time, and she said, “Josh?”

“Just what is it I’ll be telling them?”

“That we’ve been seeing each other and while we’ve only known each other a short time it was immediately apparent to both of us that we were meant to be together.” She was good at fantasizing.

“They won’t believe me if I say it like that.”

“How would you say it?” She held her breath.

“That, though we haven’t known each other long, I believe it is the right decision to make a life with you.”

“That’s fine, too,” she allowed. “The guy version, I guess. We tell them that we’d already decided to buy a house together when we found out we were pregnant, and sped things up to accommodate the unexpected arrival. That we’re in shock, but looking forward to the future. And, most importantly, that we want this baby very much.”

No kid of hers was ever going to catch wind from anyone that he or she was unwanted. Period.

“My folks will find that hard to believe,” Josh said. “They know me.”

“Then convince them, Josh. You’re great at that, as I’ve discovered. And this point is nonnegotiable. Either we convince everyone that this baby is wanted, or the deal’s off.”

His pause was long—and painful—to her.

“I will convince them that I want this baby,” he finally said.

“Good.” Sitting in her car in his driveway, she looked down at the list she’d made—nothing that was ever going to rival his spreadsheets, but it was bulleted. And she was going to get through every item listed. He’d managed to waylay her too many times in the past couple of days.

“So, do you mind if I start telling people now?”

“No. The sooner, the better.”

As eager as he appeared to be to get to the part where they’d be living together, she could be forgiven for taking hope now and then that he really did care about her.

“Okay, fine. Do you want me to keep a list of who I tell, and report back to you so you’ll know?”

“No, that won’t be necessary.”

She’d said it in jest. To poke fun at his uptight attitude. To get him to chuckle again, as he’d done so often before they found out they’d made a baby together. She glanced back at her list.

“Do you want us to do our laundry together? It will save wear and tear on the machine as well as utility costs.”

“Okay.”

“And grocery shopping?”

“Yes.”

“Fine. What time will you be at my place tonight to start packing?”

“Are you cooking dinner?” His voice had lightened.

“I can.” She had to eat.

“What time should I be there?”

“Five-thirty.” That would give her time to make a casserole, pick up some boxes and stop by the clinic to meet some new rescues. “And bring Little Guy with you,” she added to Josh.

If Josh wanted business, she could give him business. Her years managing three furniture stores were finally paying off.

And her years of living with the pain of Daniel’s rejection were paying off, too.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

“HEY, WHILE I’VE GOT the two of you here together, I wanted to let you know...” Dana’s throat dried up as both Cassie and Zack turned from the puppies they’d all been looking at to give her their full attention.

She’d thought she’d start with them. They were business acquaintances, not personal friends, and she was anxious to tell them about the new kennels she’d soon have, as well.

She had an idea—it was only in the beginning stages, but maybe, with their help, she could start a business of her own, a larger-scale Love To Go Around. Maybe they could get some federal funding. And could charge prospective families a small fee, just to keep up with administrative costs. She was bringing together her love of dogs and her business degree.