“Then why?” Sam asked, sounding gratifyingly bewildered. “You gave that company a national presence. What’s wrong with those ungrateful wretches?”
Gabi smiled at the fierce defense. “Actually, it was the work that gave them a national reputation. I just spread the word.”
“There you go, being all humble, but we both know the truth.” Samantha hesitated, then asked, “What are you going to do now, Gabi? Have you decided? I know how important that job was to you. It was your life.”
“And how pitiful is that?” Gabi said, seeing clearly for the first time what a mistake it had been to focus almost exclusively on work. Her relationship with Paul had definitely taken a backseat, something that had suited them both. Unfortunately, given his attitude over recent developments, she doubted that even full-time devotion would have changed anything.
“You’ll do things differently next time,” Samantha soothed. “Now you know that no corporation is worth expending all that time and energy on, not when they can treat you like this. Have you started looking yet?”
“I’m still trying to wrap my mind around what’s happened,” Gabi admitted, which was putting it mildly. “With the severance package they gave me, I have some time.”
“Well, you know some other company will scoop you right up. Call Dad. He has a million contacts in that whole biomedical research world down there. Maybe he’ll even rethink his previous stance about not hiring family and hire you himself.”
“Not now,” Gabi said. Not only did she not want her father to know about the pregnancy just yet, she had a hunch it would pose a problem with other old-fashioned employers, as well. As for her dad, well, his reaction wasn’t something she was ready to contemplate.
“Why not now?” Samantha pressed. “This is one of those rare instances when Dad really could help. He’d even want to.”
“I’m not so sure,” Gabi said. Her father was as conservative as anyone. He was very conscious of the need in their field to make the right impression, to demonstrate a seriousness of purpose, no mistakes allowed, personal or professional. He’d been equally rigid with his family. She had a feeling he’d side with her boss and, if that was the case, she didn’t want to know it until she had her feet back under her and a plan in place.
“Is there something you’re not telling me?” Samantha asked suspiciously. “I know you. It’s not like you to let any grass grow under your feet. I’m surprised you didn’t have another job lined up by the end of the day.”
“Haven’t you heard? These are tough times.”
“And you’re very good at what you do and have the perfect mentor in Dad. Of all of us, you’re the closest to him. Why don’t you want to ask for his help?”
Since it was clear Samantha wasn’t going to let this go, Gabi sucked in a deep breath, then blurted, “Because I’m going to have a baby, that’s why.” She nearly choked on the sob that came with the words.
Dead silence greeted the announcement, before Samantha finally said softly, “Holy saints in heaven! A baby, Gabi? Are you sure?”
“Do you think I’d have mentioned it to my boss if I hadn’t been sure?” Gabi said dryly.
“And that’s why they let you go?” Samantha asked, clearly shocked. “Isn’t that illegal?”
“Technically they didn’t let me go. They demoted me, so I negotiated a buyout. A win-win for everyone, according to Amanda. Who knew she was a better spin master than I ever dreamed of being?” Gabi said, unable to keep a bitter note out of her voice.
“Okay, let’s forget the job for the moment. It doesn’t matter,” Samantha said. “The baby’s Paul’s.”
Gabi was grateful that there’d been no question mark at the end of her sister’s statement. “Of course.”
“How’d he take it?”
“As if I’d committed a felony. Needless to say, he’s no longer in the picture.”
“The rat,” Samantha said with feeling. “I never did like him.”
Despite the tense atmosphere, Gabi smiled. “You never even met him.”
“And that’s precisely why I didn’t like him. What kind of man doesn’t want to meet his girlfriend’s family? He never even showed his face when we were helping Grandmother after the hurricane.”
“And what a blessing that probably was. Give him a hammer and he’d probably do more harm than good.”
“Not what you need in a man,” Samantha declared. “Now Wade Johnson? He’s the kind of man to have around in a crisis.”
Gabi stiffened at the out-of-the-blue mention of the man who’d been underfoot nonstop while they were making repairs to the family restaurant, Castle’s by the Sea, after the hurricane. “Why would you bring him up?”
“Because he was around after the storm, just like Boone. And I saw the way Wade looked at you, as if he’d never seen anyone so perfect in his entire life.”
“You’re crazy.”
“Let me remind you that I said the same thing to our sister about Boone, and look at the two of them now. In a few months Emily and Boone will be married, assuming he can convince her to finally set a date. I’m good at this stuff, Gabi. I recognize heat between men and women, even when they’re both in denial.”
“Well, you’re wrong this time. Besides, don’t you think the timing is just a little off for me to be thinking about a relationship? I’m going to be having another man’s baby in a few months.”
Samantha sucked in a deep breath at the reminder. “Are you at least happy about that?” she asked hesitantly. “A baby, Gabi! That is so incredible.”
Gabi rested a hand on her belly, felt the faint stirring there. The first time she’d felt that tiny life inside her, she’d fallen in love. Being pregnant might be inconvenient. It might not have been the result of a love match. It might have cost her a job, but she already loved this baby more than anything. She’d do whatever it took to protect it and make sure
