“No, I appreciate what you want to do for me. But there are a couple of things you don’t know. I’m pregnant for one.” Savannah dropped her bombshell.
“I knew it!” squealed Harley. “I just knew it!”
“That don’t count,” Beau grumbled. “You’re psychic. You always know stuff before I do.”
“Now who is deserving of congratulations,” Harley was just about to cry with joy. “Can I ask who the father is?” Both of them looked at her steadily.
“It’s Patrick’s” Savannah pronounced the truth, waiting to see the same looks of disappointment that she had seen on friend’s faces. “I had to go to court to be allowed to use his sperm deposit. Since we weren’t married, I had to get a special ruling. Thank goodness Patrick had left a will with his friend Revel Lee. Without proof of our bond, I would never have gained the rights to use his sperm.”
“Well, I think it’s wonderful.” Harley spoke right up. “Now, you’ll always have Patrick with you.”
“Congratulations, Savannah.” Beau got up and hugged her. “I’m so happy for you. This area is getting a little heavy on the estrogen for me, I think I’ll leave you two alone.” He leaned over to kiss his fiancé. “Remember, I’m going in to the office this afternoon for a bit. You two girls have fun. I won’t be too late, I promise.”
“Bye, Darling.” She returned his kiss.
“Bye, Beau. And thanks.” Beau kissed Savannah on the forehead.
“If you two go anywhere, make sure and call me. Okay?”
“Worrier,” Harley fussed, but Savannah could tell she was glad he cared.
“Tell me about the baby. I know you have to be over the moon about it.” Harley turned sideways on the bench and took Savannah’s hands in her own.
Savannah sighed and took a deepath. “I am very happy about it. I already love the baby so much. But – you know -,” she looked up into Harley’s face, “I expected the excitement over the baby to quell some of the grief and loneliness I feel over Patrick. It didn’t.” Unbidden, tears began to flow. Pulling one hand from Harley’s she laid it over her own stomach. “All I can think about is how much I wish I could see his face when I tell him I’m pregnant. And how much this baby is going to miss never knowing his daddy.” Breaking down into sobs, Savannah laid her head in Harley’s lap and cried. Harley and Beau had found out about her past and Carville after Patrick’s funeral and they had never let it make a bit of difference in the world.
Harley soothed Savannah’s hair. “Oh, Sweetie. I think those are absolutely normal feelings. It’ll get better, with time, I promise.”
Savannah sat up. “That’s not all. I have to show you something.” Digging in her bag, she took out her laptop. “Does your wi-fi reach out this far?”
“I have no idea,” Harley admitted, but she scooted over nearer to Savannah to see what she was doing. “
“This is the reason I came over. I need help processing this.” She was able to get online and pull up her email. “Look,” she handed Harley the laptop.
Harley read and blinked and reread. “My God! Savannah! What does this mean?” Harley ran her fingers over the email as if she were trying to absorb the information through her fingers.
“I don’t know. I don’t know what to think. Is it a hoax? It’s his account, it’s not a different one, I checked.”
“How is this possible?” Harley breathed in wonder.
“I thought about the possibility of it being one of those services you sign up for and leave messages to your friends and family to be sent after death, but I don’t think this is the case. It doesn’t sound like a goodbye message and Patrick wouldn’t leave me something like this to just torture me.”
“What are the other possibilities?” Harley spoke slowly and carefully.
“Considering what I do – the ghost hunting – you know I have to consider that this is something paranormal. In fact, it wasn’t long ago that I read two news articles about this very thing. A woman received an email from her husband and it turned out to be one of those programs that I told you about a second ago. Actually, I think it’s a silly idea. But the other article was even wilder. It was about a family who began to receive emails from ir father and he told them that he was in the attic and it needed cleaning.” Savannah couldn’t help but hiccup a laugh. “I thought that was sort of funny.”
“Have you considered. . . .” Harley let her voice trail off.
“That he’s still alive? God, yes. But I’m afraid to hope.” Then, as if remembering who she was talking to - -“Do you feel anything? Like Beau said, you’re psychic. Tell me, please.”
Harley hung her head and pursed her mouth as if deep in thought. “I can’t be sure, Savannah. This isn’t the way I’m used to working. There’s nothing here for me to touch, but a machine. But I will tell you this. I sense that it’s not a trick. This email originated from Patrick – one way or the other. And I feel like it’s recent. I don’t know if he’s dead or alive – but he is trying to communicate with you.”
“Wow,” Savannah let a harsh breath. “I was hoping you’d say that. My instincts told me the same thing, but I’m not sensitive like you. And wishful thinking will only take me so far.”
“Jesus, Savannah, I am so sorry that this has all happened to you. Beau and I will support you. I want you to know that. You are not alone. If you ever need to talk – or if we can do anything for you – all you have to do is ask.”
“Thank you, Harley. I appreciate that, so much.”
“What will you do? Do you have any plans to check this email out?”
Savannah got up and walked closer to the
