“I thought I noticed a bump the last time I was here. Calvin,” Jenna surmised. After all, she lived at the McMann ranch, where he’d worked. “It doesn’t surprise me, then, that he’s disappeared.”
“With Dallas away too, Hadley must have his hands full.”
“Grey Wilson’s been helping. So have others. That’s one great thing about this town. People pitch in wherever needed. I wouldn’t have recovered so well after my divorce without my family here, my friends, including you.” She tilted her head to study Elizabeth. “And how’re you doing, friend?”
“Coping. The kids came home early, but they’re not little anymore so we manage our days more easily than I used to. Once I nail down a regular sitter instead of the temps I’ve been using, we’ll be fine.”
“I meant you, personally.”
Jenna was one of her best friends, and she always sensed when there was a deeper issue. Elizabeth resisted the urge to put a protective hand on her stomach. Dallas had been right about one thing. That spring afternoon in May she’d been a Lizzie, more herself perhaps in that one day than she’d ever been—or thought of being—in her life. Now that Jenna had opened the door, Elizabeth decided to share her secret. Like Becca, Elizabeth needed counsel from someone she could trust. “Jen, I can’t keep this to myself any longer. Becca isn’t the only one who works here at Olivia McCord Antiques and is, um, pregnant.”
Jenna gave Elizabeth a high five that she weakly answered. “Olivia and Sawyer are having another? Did she email you from Kedar?”
“Not Olivia.”
Jenna gaped at her. “You mean—you? Dallas?” Her eyes widened. “Are you serious?”
“You warned me this was possible, Jenna, but I didn’t want to listen. Please, don’t tell anyone else. You and Becca, her for obvious reasons, are the only two who know. It’s early yet, and I haven’t told the kids. I made the mistake of letting them know too soon about the baby I lost last winter...so, this time I want to be sure everything will be okay.” She’d waited with Dallas, as well. Was still waiting, wise or not.
“You said you used protection.”
“Expired.”
Jenna’s eyes widened again. “I have to say, this is mind-blowing, kiddo. I won’t tell, of course. Are you okay with this?”
Elizabeth nodded. “I want this baby. So much.”
“I understand.” Her eyes brimming, Jenna drew her into a hug. “What did Dallas say?” Elizabeth’s silence spoke volumes and Jenna eased back from their embrace. “You haven’t told him. Oh, Elizabeth.”
“I’m waiting for the right moment. There’s so much going on with the rodeo, and he’s out of town...” The excuse sounded weak, even to her, but she already knew Dallas’s view of a wife and family. She doubted he’d changed his mind.
“I don’t imagine it will be easy with a baby in the house again,” Elizabeth said, “and my three stair-step kids. Still, most of it will be familiar for me. For starters, I’ve given up sleep before. But Becca has no idea what she’s in for, and since Calvin deserted her—”
Jenna glanced toward the office, where Becca could be heard sniffling and rustling the aluminum foil that had held her sandwich. “That girl must be out of her mind with worry.” She hesitated. “Do you know what she plans to do?”
“That’s what we were talking about when you came in. She’s not sure. She’s considering adoption, but the only reason she’s worried is because she doesn’t want to lose her rights.”
A determined glint appeared in Jenna’s eyes. “I may be able to help. As you suggested, Hadley and I have been having some serious discussions. He doesn’t quite see things my way yet, but I’m hopeful. This wouldn’t be the same as our using a surrogate, which I was reading about last night—my latest attempt to find a solution. This could be a way for us to have a baby that wasn’t from a stranger, and for Becca to know her child will be well cared for,” she said. “We’d be keeping the baby in our community.”
“Like Finn and Annabelle adopting Emmie,” Elizabeth pointed out.
“I’d have no problem letting Becca be part of her baby’s life.” Before Elizabeth could comment, Jenna headed for the office. “I’ll talk to her.”
WHEN DALLAS RETURNED from Denver the next day, he went straight to the McMann ranch, where he found Hadley mucking stalls in a foul mood. Maybe his argument with Jenna hadn’t ended. Or he was mad because Dallas had been gone so long.
“Sorry you had to take over my job too, Hadley.” He wrested the pitchfork from his brother’s hands. Dallas preferred the chore to sitting by his mom’s bed all day feeling helpless or trying to allay his father’s anxiety, though he thought he’d helped some. “I would have come sooner. I wish I’d been able to, but I waited till Mom got out of the hospital.” He’d been away for a week.
Hadley’s scowl lightened a fraction. “She doing okay now?”
“Her heart failure’s a constant issue. She seems much better for now, and before I left, I hired an in-home caregiver. We’ll see how that works out. Should at least lighten the load on Dad. He looks run-down.” Dallas pitched a forkful of soiled bedding from the empty stall. “I finally talked to her doctor at length, and Millie’s condition is manageable so far. The doc says she’ll monitor her newest medications closely—and that we should keep Mom’s spirits up.”
“I hope she does fine.” And still, something with Hadley seemed off.
“She sends her best to you and Jenna. Again.”
Hadley muttered, “Thanks, we’re going to need that. I understand better how she feels about another child, but Jenna’s come up with a new idea.”
“What’s that?”
“She spoke to Becca Carter. Came home from town yesterday all fired up. The girl’s pregnant—Calvin’s kid.”
“Yeah, I knew.”
Hadley went on. “I ever see him again, I’ll wring his neck.” He kicked an empty bucket, which clanged against the wall. Halfway down the aisle, Trouble
