Accidentally Family (Pecan Valley 1)

Would it be? She didn’t know how to do that or if she wanted to. Yes, she was single, but that didn’t mean she was going to suddenly set aside her kids for one-night stands—even if the sex might be exciting.

It was the wrong time to remember just how warm and strong Graham Murphy’s hold had been. Better to steer the line of conversation into more neutral territory. “How’d your visit with Maudie go?”

“She’s so old.” Charity frowned. “Her wrinkles have wrinkles.”

Felicity laughed. “That’s mean.”

“But true. Not that it matters. I need a job, and she’s eager to give me one.” She shrugged. “Since I need to stay here, I don’t want to be a mooch.”

“I appreciate that.” Not that finances were a problem. Her father had retired and left her the family business shortly after her divorce was finalized. The Otto Family Drugstore pretty much ran itself, but Felicity put in a few hours each day to keep it that way. It was her job to stay on top of day-to-day operations, close out the registers and deposits, and handle the occasional troubleshooting. She was content. But Charity in a nine-to-five job in Pecan Valley was hard to imagine. “You don’t have to settle for something, Charity. You could even work at the store if you want.”

Charity wrinkled her nose. “I don’t. Though, I do appreciate the offer. Travel is where my heart is. If I can’t travel, I might as well help other people take their dream vacation.”

This was the first time the two of them had had five minutes alone without some crisis to handle. Flare for storytelling aside, Charity was a private person. Still, Felicity didn’t know what had happened to bring her home for more than a whirlwind visit. “Can I ask what happened? All your emails and postcards were so happy. Don’t get me wrong, I love that you’re here. But, well, why are you giving up your dream?”

Charity’s big blue eyes met hers. “I’ve sort of been waiting to tell you because I knew you were going to flip, and things have been so stressful and crazy since

I got home that I didn’t want to add to it.”

Her gut tightened. “Something bad?”

“Well… I’m trying not to think about it that way.” Charity laid her arms on the table and tapped her fingers against the wooden top. “I met this guy in Italy. He was a dream, Filly, the deluxe model. Charm, money, education, and he was gifted with a massive d—”

She held up her hand. “I get it.”

“I thought I was in love—we were in love.” She sighed. “Until his wife showed up.”

“Oh, Charity,” she murmured. She knew firsthand how devastating it was to have your heart torn to bits. “Take it from me, a broken heart doesn’t last forever.” She took her sister’s hand in hers and gave it a squeeze.

“My heart is fine.” Charity smiled. “Really. I’ve dealt with that. But there’s another, bigger, likely-to-stick-around problem that I’m not dealing with so well.”

Every STD ad Felicity had ever heard of scrolled through her head. Oh God, was Charity sick? Had the Italian bastard given her something horrible? “What is it?” she asked, her grip tightening. “Whatever I can do, I will. You know that, right?”

Charity nodded. “That’s just it. You can’t do anything. This is all me. I mean, your support and guidance would be great but… I’m going to have to figure out this whole motherhood thing.” She smiled. “Your turn to be the cool aunt, Filly.”

By now, Felicity hoped she’d learned how to keep breathing and blinking without revealing any internal struggle. But she was failing. She loved Charity, adored her, but her little sister’s habit of living in the moment had led to real consequences this time. Consequences Felicity could not carry for her.

“Surprise, right?” Charity asked. “Good surprise?” Her voice broke, just enough to force Felicity to her feet to hug her sister.

“The best surprise,” she murmured, holding her close. “You’re going to be great.”

“And I can stay, right?” Charity’s arms wound around her. “I know this is bad timing and the house is going to be that much crazier if Jack moves in, but I can honestly say this is the most terrifying thing that’s ever happened to me.” She sniffed. “How many goldfish did I kill? Even plants? Now I’m supposed to keep a human being alive?”

Felicity held her tighter, aching for her sister. Learning she was pregnant with Honor had been a surprise, but she and Matt had been so in love and excited that fear had never entered into it. The same with Nick. Felicity immersed herself in motherhood—made cookies for parties, costumes for plays, and never missed a game or concert or field trip. Putting the kids first was one of the reasons Matt cited on their divorce papers. But she and Charity were wired differently.

“Don’t worry, Charity,” Felicity said, stroking her sister’s hair. “You and your baby will be surrounded by people who love you. You’re not doing this alone, okay?”

Charity nodded.

They stayed that way, locked together, until Charity said, “Okay, okay, enough. I’m not liking this emotional junk, so let’s move on to eating ice cream or something.” She smiled at her, already rummaging through the pantry. “Hey, maybe my pregnancy will stop Honor from jumping Owen. You know, I’m a walking poster for premarital sex prevention.”

Felicity sat, hard, in her chair. “Really?” She was still coming to terms with Honor and Owen.

“She’s eighteen, Filly.” Like that said it all. “And, hello, did you see that kid?”

Yes, she’d seen him. And heard him.

And now, after the day she’d survived, she really needed that drink.