We rode for a good thirty minutes in complete silence.
When we started back, Ellie broke the silence.
“Ari, you have to know that Jeff wasn’t thinking clearly. I mean, there is a chance this baby could be his, and he’s just trying to do what’s best for the baby. ”
I started to feel the tears building in my eyes again. Shit, I’ve never cried so damn much in my life as I have these last few weeks.
Rose started jumping around a bit. I pulled back on her to get her to settle down.
Ellie turned Big Roy out of the way while I tried to get Rose under control. She seemed to calming down until a huge bolt of lightning hit close by. It scared the shit out of all the horses. When Rose reared up, it took everything out of me to stay on her. The next thing I knew, she was running off. I heard Ellie yell out for me as we headed toward the creek.
Oh fuck, Rose. Don’t jump it.
She jumped it.
All I heard was Ellie and Heather both scream.
Oh shit. I knew I was in trouble the moment I flew off the back of the horse.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
JEFF
I was almost into Austin when my cell phone rang. It was Rebecca. Shit, I hope nothing happened.
“Hey, I’m almost to your place. Are you doing okay?”
“Yeah, they’ve slowed way down, and the doctor said it was just Braxton Hicks again. ”
“I thought you said they were painful and coming faster?” I asked, clearly frustrated.
“They were, but now, they’ve settled down. ”
Shit. This was another time when I rushed away from Ari, except this time, I had a really strange feeling that I fucked-up more than normal.
“Well shit, Rebecca, I drove all this way. Damn it. Have you eaten today?”
“No, I haven’t had anything since breakfast. I’ve been too nervous, I guess. ”
“Want to go grab something then? That way, you can eat, and we can make sure you weren’t feeling the real thing. Then, I have to head back to Mason. I kind of walked out on Ari and a party. ”
“Oh no! I’m so, so, sorry Jeff. I know you said to call only if it was important, and I really thought it was important. ”
I could almost hear the smile in her voice. Somehow, I figured that I totally just got played here. I thought it was time to have a heart to heart with Rebecca, regardless of the risk of an early birth or not.
***
After I picked up Rebecca, we headed to the restaurant. Along the way, I tried to call Ari five times. Each time, it went straight to voicemail. Shit! Why did my cell phone work out there today but Ari’s isn’t?
“Thank you so much for rushing in Jeff. I’m pretty sure everything is going to be okay. You really
don’t have to baby-sit me, you know. Like the doctor said, it’s just Braxton Hicks contractions. I think if I just take it easy, I’ll be able to make it to term with no problem. ” Rebecca said with a smile
There was something about her smile that seemed wrong. I was starting to get a strange feeling that maybe this was all just a game with her. As we made our way to the table, I glanced down at her stomach. She really did seem pretty big to have a month and a half left. Then again, what the hell do I know.
Suddenly, the sickest feeling came over me. I reached for my phone and tried to call Ari again. Nothing. I tried Ellie’s cell and then Gunner’s. Something’s wrong. I could feel it.
Just as the waitress was about to take our drink order, Rebecca grabbed the table. “Oh no. ”