“We’ll worry about that later. For now, think about what I’ve said.”
She nodded. “Can we skip lunch? I’m not up to it.”
Her energy levels had bounced back, but her morning sickness was still an everyday, all-day reality. And more than anything, Brea wanted to be alone.
Cutter looked hesitant, but he finally nodded.
When he reached the street on which they’d both grown up, he parked between their childhood homes and leaned across the cab of the truck to kiss her forehead.
She met him halfway and brought him in for a sisterly hug. “Thank you for everything.”
“No, thank you. I hated to admit this to Walker, but I probably wouldn’t be alive today if you hadn’t persuaded him to help me. I know what that cost you.” He sighed as if it pained him to admit that. “So let me take care of you in return.”
None of this was his fault or his doing, but what other choice did she have? “We’ll talk soon.”
“Brea…”
With a shake of her head and a wave, she headed inside to think about her future and make plans—without Pierce.
Chapter 14
Thursday, November 13
Brea sat across the dinner table from her father, uncomfortably aware of his probing stare. “More mashed potatoes, Daddy?”
“You finish up the last few spoonfuls. I think you need it.”
“I’m fine.” She tried to keep calm, but Daddy had been asking gently loaded questions for the last few minutes and she was desperate to change the subject. “Tell me how Tom’s new youth group is doing. Last time I had two minutes to rub together, he was really just getting it going. There seemed to be a lot of enthusiasm—”
“It’s fine, and right now that’s not my concern. We haven’t spoken much since the morning you agreed to stop seeing that man. Has he contacted you?”
Daddy didn’t mean to rub at her sore spot, but even thinking about Pierce made her ache. “No.”
“Do you regret your decision?”
If Pierce had come home from his last-minute mission, adequately explained why he’d killed his father, embraced their coming baby, and vowed to love her for the rest of her life, Daddy would still have pressured her to give him up. But she would have refused for the man she loved.
Instead, except for that blistering kiss, Pierce hadn’t been able to get away from her fast enough. And since then, he hadn’t given her any indication that he’d missed her one bit.
Brea tried to tell herself that she was better off without him. Her heart wasn’t listening.
“No.”
With Cutter gone to California babysitting some starlet these past four days, she hadn’t heard any secondhand news about what Pierce was doing at work or whether he’d asked about her. Whatever Cutter was up against in La La Land must be intense because it was unlike him not to text or call for days.
“Brea? Did you hear what I asked?”
She hadn’t. “I’m sorry. Would you mind repeating it?”
“I asked if you’re still in love with him.”
Even if Pierce didn’t love her; that’s what Daddy meant. Of course she did, but that’s not what he wanted to hear. “It doesn’t matter. He’s gone and I doubt he’s coming back, so you got your wish.”
Regret crossed her father’s face. “I never wanted you to be brokenhearted, just for you to see this man as he really is.”
“Can we talk about something else?” Or she would get angry at how little Daddy understood her. Pierce’s feelings not being genuine didn’t make hers less real. She’d heal…eventually. But she was too raw for this conversation. “How’s the prep for the Thanksgiving feast at the church going and what can I do to help?”
“It’s fine, and I don’t need you to do anything. Jennifer has things under control.”
Brea reared back. “Jennifer? I’ve organized that every year since—”
“You were twelve, yes. But this year when the planning started, you seemed distracted.” He frowned. “Honestly, I’m glad your last appointment this evening cancelled so we could talk. I’m worried about you.”
She tried not to freeze up. “Other than being upset, I’m fine.”
“Are you sure? You’re looking awfully pale these days.”
“Not surprising. My summer tan has definitely faded,” she quipped.
“Seems like you’re tired, too. All the time. Have you seen Dr. Rawson?”
“Daddy, he’s a pediatrician.” But Brea still saw him for most things because he was local and he knew her so well, and she was sidestepping the question.
“All right, then. Any other doctor you’ve been seeing?”
Had he somehow figured out that she’d met with the obstetrician in Lafayette that the clinic had recommended? She’d tried so hard to be discreet.
“I just neglected to take my vitamins for a few months, and you know how I get anemic. I’m back on them now.” All true…but it felt like a tremendous lie.
“You’ve been in Lafayette a lot lately. Why?”
“Just trips to the beauty supply…” She struggled for more of the truth. “And since Cutter is out in Cali, I stopped by his place yesterday to make sure everything was all right.”
Not that he’d asked her to, but after seeing the female doctor and talking about her baby—taking video as she’d heard the heartbeat for the first amazing time—being in any way near her best friend brought her comfort.
Daddy’s eyes narrowed. “Is there anything you want to tell me?”
She hated lying to him. Eventually she would have to come clean about her pregnancy…but not until she’d decided her next course of action. Not until she felt sure her father’s heart could take it. “No.”
Daddy didn’t look convinced. “I heard you up early this morning.”
“Couldn’t sleep.” That was the truth. Morning sickness had jolted her from bed and sent her charging for the bathroom. She’d barely managed to get the door shut and land in front of the toilet before her stomach had given way.
“I thought I heard you throwing up.”
Her heart started to pound. If he’d heard her retching, she wouldn’t be able to talk him out of it. “I, um…got home
