And it worked. No longer did I wake up in the morning filled with dread about us shutting down. Now we had hope.
“Where is your husband, anyway?”
I still wasn't used to calling him that, but hearing it always put a smile on my face. “Well, he's supposed to be getting things ready for the party tonight, but you know him. Probably off slacking somewhere.”
“Hmm. If you're gonna take jabs at me, you could at least do it to my face.”
I gasped and whirled around to find him behind me, wearing a grin that said he took everything in stride.
“Asher! How many times have I asked you to stop sneaking through the emergency exit? You might set off the fire alarm again.”
“But if I don't, how will I be able to surprise you?”
From behind his back, he pulled out a big bouquet of daffodils, my favorite. Lana cooed jealously as I inhaled their sweet scent.
“What's this for?”
“Lots of things.” He shrugged. “To celebrate your success with Curiosities. For the new house. Plus, tonight's gonna be a very special night. Figured I might as well kick things off early.”
“Special. Yeah, it sure will be.”
When he turned to greet Lana, my hand fell to my belly. Asher didn't know it yet, but the evening really would be special in more ways than one.
After all, being pregnant wasn't something I could hide forever. I might be able to blame donuts for my weight gain now, but that excuse wouldn't hold much longer.
“So you'll be coming to the housewarming party, right, Lana?” Asher's voice interrupted my nervous thoughts.
“You bet. We'll all be there, Elias included. He's doing so much better now that he's adjusted to America. I made sure to let him know you're to thank for getting him here.”
“I'm glad.” He surveyed the construction next door. “Looks like Ellen's shop is coming along well.”
“It was always her dream to open a restaurant. You should see how excited she gets planning the menu, picking out color schemes and all that.”
“She's got 25 acres, and all she wants is a restaurant?”
“For now. It's all honestly overwhelming,” Lana admitted. “I can't believe your dad gave up that land without much of a fight.”
He scoffed. “Dad's an ass, but he knows when he's beaten. He actually congratulated me, if you can believe it. Although I think he's secretly prouder of Macy for uncovering that scam with Rosa.”
A line of customers had formed at the register. Lana shuffled off to tend to them while Asher and I moved somewhere more private.
As soon as we entered the stock room, he pulled me close for a kiss. I faked annoyance for a moment before going along with it. Those butterflies he gave me were so addicting, I didn't think I'd ever get over it.
“You never change, do you? Always throwing me around like a piece of meat.”
“But you love it.” His breath tickled the arch of my neck. “If we were home right now, I'd be doing all sorts of naughty things with you.”
“What's stopping you now? The door locks, you know.”
He grinned and reached for the knob. “Ooh, Sarah. I never knew you were into this kind of thing. I like it.”
I had to laugh as I pushed him away. “Keep your pants on, horn dog. There'll be plenty of time for that later. After the party.”
“You expect me to wait that long, really?”
“You waited five years. What's another five hours?”
He responded by giving my butt a hard swat. “Just for that, I'm gonna tease you until you can't take it anymore. You'll be begging for it by the time I'm done with you.”
“Somehow, I doubt you have that kind of patience.”
His eyebrow lifted. “You'll soon find out. Hey, I really gotta get back to the store. Ken's constant texting is getting on my nerves. Probably another fire needs putting out.”
“Okay. Guess I'll see you back at the house. Don't forget to pick up charcoal, by the way.”
“You got it, Mrs. Carrington,” he said, offering a quick goodbye kiss. For just a moment, his gaze fell to my stomach, and he got a funny, pensive sort of look on his face. My heart pounded with worry.
Then he was gone, leaving me alone in the room with just my thoughts. I knew I had to tell him the truth, and that terrified me more than anything else.
How many times had he told me, over and over, that he didn't want children and he'd be a horrible dad? I married him, even knowing how he felt about it, because I couldn't bear a life without him in it. I wasn't sure how I really felt about kids, anyway.
But now I had a new life within me, and as soon as I knew that, I became sure as could be.
How was Asher going to respond? What if he chose to leave?
“Sarah!” Lana's harried shouting brought me back to reality. “I need change. Where did you go?”
I gathered some money from the safe and headed out to help her. Best to put those unsettling questions out of my mind for now. I'd have the answer soon enough.
Guests began to filter in around six, all of them bearing food for the party and gifts for the new house. Everyone from my family had managed to come. Even Macy showed up, but not Heath or Vivian. That was most likely for the best.
“Your house is adorable,” mom gushed as she spooned potato salad into her bowl. “Thank God you married Asher, honey. You'd never have been able to afford this place by yourself.”
“Damn it, mom. How many times have I told you – ”
