“Marriage is not on my list of things to do.” Mia blinked back some tears. She hated feeling emotional. Damn hormones drove her nuts. She’d never get as lucky as Jessy or Gwen. Love, true love, was rare and eluded Mia.
Jessy gave Mia a sympathetic look. “Abel is stubborn and foolish but deep, deep inside
he is a good man, Mia. A hurt man, but good. He’ll come around. Don’t give up.”
“I am sure he is a good man. He is admired for being dedicated to this town and its people. I am just not in that group. He hates me, Jessy.” Mia wasn’t about to argue with Jessy. Jessy had to stick up for him. “Doesn’t matter. We will never be together as a couple. I may have to share my child with him, but that is all.”
Mia had received the shock of her life from the doctor at the hospital. She had fainted in front of Jessy and her sister Lily here at work, so they knew of her pregnancy. Mia had sworn them to secrecy for now. That first time with Abel had been rushed and hurried. They used a condom but somehow it had failed. She had been so desperate to make love with him, she had not paid much attention to anything but Abel. Now she was getting used to the idea of being a mother. She had to tell Abel but she needed courage first. She was keeping this baby whether he approved or not. She was done with men but she was blessed with a child of her own. She’d love this baby and never give it up.
“Have you told my stupid brother-in-law yet?” Jessy rolled her eyes. Lincoln had told Jessy what had happened at the station so Mia had not had to repeat the whole nasty incident. It still hurt as if it happened yesterday and not two weeks ago.
“I don’t know how,” she confessed with a loud sigh of exhaustion. Becky and Gwen knew and had been supportive. Becky was hoping Mia would stay in Brook Hollow and Gwen wanted her home. It was all so unsettling to Mia. “What if he tells me I am a liar? Or wants proof this is his baby. I am an emotional mess right now, Jessy. I am not strong enough to handle all that drama.”
Jessy had told her his ex-girlfriend had been pregnant, only not by Abel, but by her ex. She deliberately lied to Abel. Mia understood his bitterness and distrust, but she did not want to deal with it face to face. It hurt too much. A bang on the glass door made both of them jump and scream. Jessy turned to see who it was. “Speak of the devil,” she grumbled.
Mia’s heart clenched with anxiety. Why was Abel here? Didn’t he see the closed sign and the shade pulled down? Jessy got up and went to the front door. She could see them speaking but she had no idea what was being said. Hopefully Jessy was telling him to get lost.
Mia rolled her eyes when she saw him walking behind Jessy. Jessy gave her an apologetic look. She sat back in the booth. Abel scooted in next to Jessy. Mia picked up her cup and took a sip, hoping to avoid having to speak to him. She had not laid eyes on him since that awful day in his office. The tension was thick and Mia felt nervous and queasy.
“I heard you were under the weather, Mia,” he mentioned casually. He looked tired but still as handsome as ever. Why couldn’t he have gotten ugly or something? Her body heated up with lust. Traitor, she chastised herself.
Mia nodded politely without smiling. “I’m better now.”
“Should you be here still?” he asked, sounding concerned. “You should be resting. Is it the flu? I have had a few of my people out because of that.”
Mia felt a little panicked and avoided giving a clear answer. He already thought she was a liar and a cruel-hearted woman, but she couldn’t blurt the truth out right this minute. “I just needed to rest. Jessy was helping me decorate and we were taking a break.”
Jessy looked around the shop. “It came out nice. I can’t wait to pick out a tree for home and decorate. Lily and I never got into the holidays since we were alone, but I think this year will be different. Lily is like a little kid about it.”
Abel smiled and ruffled Jessy’s brown hair. Mia could see the fondness in his eyes for his sister-in-law. She wished he had a tenth of that affection for her but wishes were useless. So were dreams. “You have to put up with our huge family now, sweetheart.”
Jessy looked at Mia. “This weekend is the Christmas parade. Are you going?”
Mia shook her head no. “I’ll watch from in here where it is warm and cozy.”
“Smart idea,” Jessy replied. “Lily is excited, but I am not a fan of crowds. Lincoln’s boss is a scrooge and is making Lincoln help with the traffic.”
“Hey, if I have to be out there freezing my ass off so does my assistant chief of police,” Abel defended himself.
Jessy rolled her eyes and sipped her hot chocolate. Mia listened to them without adding to their conversation.
“If you get too cold come in here. Becky says it goes right down this street. You can sit by the picture window,” Mia suggested. “That is my plan. I went with Gwen once in New York and got crushed. It was horrible.”
“Okay. I might just do that.” Jessy finished her drink. “You will still be here for the wedding, right? You promised.”
“You’re leaving?” Abel asked sharply. Mia almost shouted what do you care, but held in her words of anger.
“I have to go home sooner or later,” she reminded him gently. She wanted to smooth his hair down from the windblown look. She wanted to put his big arms around her so she could feel like she belonged somewhere. Just once she wanted to belong.
“What about your crazy ex?” Abel asked, looking upset. She would’ve thought he’d be happy to see the last of her. He’d probably throw a party.
“Gwen’s dad checked with Frank’s uncle. The family decided to put him in rehab in Colorado. He leaves soon. That will make it safe for me to return,” Mia answered, looking at him trying to memorize every wrinkle, every line. His lips and his sexy dark eyes. He was so physically appealing, but too bad his heart was made of ice.
“That’s great news.” Jessy looked at her phone and texted something back. She put it in her purse and looked at Abel. “We should get going, Abel. It’s late and Mia needs to get some rest.”
Mia stood up and stretched her back. She took the two mugs to the sink and washed them out. Hopefully Abel would leave and she wouldn’t have to linger in his presence. She knew she was being a coward, but she was terrified to give him the news. He hated her and thought of her as nothing but a liar and deceiver. Would he hate the baby, too? She hoped not, but she would love her baby for the both of them.
* * * *