I’ve told her I love her in every way I know how, without saying those exact three words. She has to feel it and know it before I say it. Saying ‘I love you’ has nothing to do with meaning it.
Feeling it and showing it without saying it means everything.
Before I crush her with my weight, I push myself off the settee and walk straight to the en suite bathroom. When I return with a warm, wet washcloth, her beautiful face becomes flaming red with embarrassment.
“What? You need to get used to being spoiled like this. We’re only getting started, Mahoe.”
“Mahoe, my love, love, babe, baby. Any other pet names for me?” Her snarky smile is back, the one I love. It comes with that feisty mouth of hers.
“I can think of a few more. Love monkey, sex slave, hot mama, kitten claws—want me to go on?”
“Nope. Let’s stick with ‘love.’ That’s the best one.” She shakes her head, clearly wishing she hadn’t asked the question now.
“It’s best to mix it up. You know, to keep the intrigue alive in our relationship. We don’t want it to become stagnant prematurely.”
She buries her face in her hands as I walk away, but we’re both laughing. Playful banter, teasing each other, and enjoying the time we have together. I’m already becoming domesticated, something I never imagined myself doing since the day my father walked out of my life forever. But with Daisy, I want more.
In fact, I want it all.
When I return, we climb into the bed together, then I slide my arm over her side and pull her back flush against my front. As I drift off to sleep, memories of playing in the tent and fort with Isa and Landen float through my mind.
At last, I feel at peace with my life.
CHAPTER TEN
Daisy
“Are you dressed yet?” Tracy is at my bedroom door, sounding very demanding first thing in the morning.
I swing the door open to let her in and gauge her expression, wondering if the house is on fire or something equally horrible has happened. “What? What’s wrong?”
“We’re going to the store.”
“Okay, and that requires a news bulletin? You can take the rental car. Rod won’t mind.”
“No, dear. We, as in you and I, are going to the store. We’re getting a pregnancy test to see if it shows anything. If it does, then we’ll know how far along you are. If it doesn’t, you need to request a second blood test to confirm the initial results.”
“Why do we have to do this today? My entire family is here. They’re bound to notice we’re gone and wonder why.”
“I already told them I need to pick up a little surprise for Kevin, which is true. They don’t suspect anything else is going on. Rod’s down there with Juliana and the kids. I asked if Marlee wanted to join us, but she said she’d rather stay here.”
“What if she’d said yes, Tracy? How would we explain that?”
“I’d say the pregnancy test was an extra surprise for Kevin—if it’s positive. If it’s negative, it would be a relief for both of us. Don’t worry. I’ve got everything covered.”
“Famous last words. All right, I’ll grab my purse and we’ll go. I have to admit, not knowing has been driving me crazy. If it’s negative, I’ll know I’m only a few weeks along.”
“You can pee on the test strip in the store bathroom. One way or another, we’ll know for sure today.”
“I think I’m going to hyperventilate.” I sit on the edge of the bed and put my head between my knees.
Tracy sits beside me and rubs my back. “Slow, even breaths, Daisy.”
“Why is this so important to you all of a sudden?” I turn my head to look up at her. “Has something happened?”
“Nothing other than I’ve been watching Rod with the kids down there. He’s so good with them, and I believe his feelings for you are real. But I can’t help but wonder how he’ll take the news. Kevin said Rod’s been a career bachelor and vehemently against any kind of commitment as long as he’s known him. If you look in the dictionary, his picture is beside the entry for ‘not boyfriend material.’ He’s a different man when he’s with you though. To be honest, I’m just worried about how you’re dealing with this. We need all the facts to talk this through so you can make the best decision about your future.”
All the warm and fuzzy feelings from the intimate interactions between Rod and me last night disappeared with her words. She means well, and she has my best interests at heart, but sometimes I wish she’d let me live in the fantasy world in my mind. I’m happier there.
“Okay, let’s get this over with before I lose my nerve. Answers to vital questions are waiting to be found.”
Laughter and loud voices fill the entire downstairs when Tracy and I slip out the front door. I’m glad they’re enjoying themselves, but my nerves have never been so shot before. In the SUV on the way to the store, I consider telling her to turn around more than once. But it wouldn’t do any good. She’s as invested in my test results as I am.
When we walk into the pharmacy, I follow her to the pregnancy test aisle without ever looking up. The problem is in my head, I realize that, but it feels as if everyone knows why
