Читать книгу Falling for the Mom-to-Be - Jenna Mindel - Страница 12
Оглавление“Thanks for dinner.” Annie snuggled deeper against the passenger seat of Matthew’s truck. She should have stood her ground and walked home like normal. It might have energized her after dinner. The restaurant was only a few blocks from her house, but Matthew wouldn’t hear of it.
Matthew turned onto her street. “No problem.”
After the cold, damp month of April, May had whispered in with warm days, but the evenings still turned cool.
It was still daylight at nine in the evening as the sun hadn’t quite set. One of the many advantages of living in northern Michigan was the long days summer provided.
She let loose a yawn and her eyelids drooped.
“Tired?”
“Yeah. I ate way too much.”
Matthew chuckled. “I’m glad you’ve got your appetite back.”
Tonight, her appetite had returned with a vengeance. She’d eaten everything in sight while Matthew went over the list of materials purchased for her roof. She’d told him not to worry, that she trusted him, but he’d been thorough, anyway. He wanted her to know what he and his brother were doing and why.
He pulled into her driveway and put the truck in park then turned toward her. “I’m worried about you.”
Annie stared straight ahead. “Don’t be. Please? I’m working through this.”
“You don’t have to do it alone. I’m right here.”
Annie looked at Matthew’s earnest face. It’d be easy to depend on him. And too easy to repeat the kiss that had happened in this same truck. She wasn’t going to do that to him. It wasn’t fair to trap him into something that was merely grief-driven, or worse. Maybe this was about hormones.
She forced a smile. “I know you are, and I appreciate it. You don’t owe me anything, Matthew.”
He looked relieved, but troubled. “I know.”
She cupped his cheek and smiled. “I’m okay.”
He leaned toward her, only slightly, and then stopped. His blue eyes searched hers.
Annie pulled her hand back before her overactive hormones kicked her into trouble. Again. “Good night, Matthew.”
“Good night.”
She slipped out of his truck. Bounding up the stairs onto the porch, she turned and waved before unlocking her door. He didn’t leave. She knew he wouldn’t leave until she was safely inside.
And behind a locked door.
In the dining room, she peeked through the curtains. Matthew waved then left. He treated her like glass since he’d come home. Maybe because she’d shattered so quickly after that kiss.
Her purse vibrated, so she pulled out her cell phone. “Hello?”
“Annie, where are you? I was getting worried.” Ginger had called twice according to her missed calls.
“Sorry, I went out to dinner and forgot to switch my phone back to a ringtone after dance class. What’s up?”
“I wanted to see how you’re feeling.”
Annie clamped down irritation. Really, she should be thankful that she had good friends. People who cared. But she wasn’t twelve years old and staying home alone for the first time. “I’m fine.”
“Wait, who’d you go to dinner with?”
“I went with Matthew.”
“Oh?”
Annie knew that tone well. She wasn’t biting on her friend’s tell-me-more interest. “What’s with that stunt in selling him morning sickness tea?”
“He asked what you’d like, so that seemed like the perfect choice because you needed something for the nausea.” She sounded innocent enough. “Does it help?”
“Yes, but I didn’t want anyone to know. Not yet.” Annie plopped onto the couch and kicked off her shoes before putting her feet up.
Despite the red nail polish on her toes, she’d always have ugly feet. How many times had her mother-in-law said it was unnatural to go en pointe?
“So, he figured it out?”
“Yeah, and now he’s redoing my roof.” Annie wiggled her toes.
“Out of the blue, he’s replacing your roof?”
“No. He and Jack were going to do it this summer, during their shared week off. Matthew wanted to keep that promise. His brother is helping him.”
“Uh-huh.”
Was that sarcasm she heard? “Ginger—”
“Sounds to me like he’s doing this for you because he cares.”
“Of course he cares. He was Jack’s best friend.” Annie’s stomach tipped and rolled.
Gas bubbles? And small wonder after the meal she’d eaten. This weird feeling had more to do with her digestion than any dawning attraction to Matthew. She’d read about what to expect in the months ahead. She shouldn’t feel the baby’s movements for a least another couple weeks to a month.
“That’s not what I meant.”
Annie knew exactly what Ginger meant. “It’s way too soon.”
Her friend snorted. “Says who?”
“Seriously? Anyone would think it’s too soon. Besides, how can I even think about someone else after Jack?”
“Jack’s gone, hon.” Ginger’s voice grew soft and full of sympathy. “It’s okay to care for someone new. Especially someone who understands what you’re going through. Matthew knows how much this hurts.”
Annie’s throat grew tight. That’s what was scary. Matthew knew her well. He felt what she felt. But half of her also felt dead. Grief had a way of numbing emotions, and some feelings never came back. Not exactly a prize for a guy as sweet as Matthew Zelinsky. He deserved better. He deserved someone whole. And someone young.
* * *
The next day, Matthew took in his and Luke’s handiwork from atop Annie’s home. The roof was nearly done. With rain forecasted for the looming Memorial Day weekend, they’d finish up in the nick of time. He stretched and yawned.
He spotted Annie resting in a lounge chair after she’d spent the morning weeding her flower beds. Her small garden plot lay untouched and unready for planting. Now that it was only her, maybe she didn’t want to plant vegetables.
That small reminder of Jack’s death hit him like a punch in the gut as a sense of loss swamped him. Jack had always bragged about his wife’s cucumbers and tomatoes and onions. He used to bring bags of her homegrown veggies onto the laker. Matthew hated the thought of Annie giving it up.
She hadn’t moved from that lounge chair in a while. Had she fallen asleep again? Dressed in loose overall shorts and a T-shirt, Annie had a large floppy hat covering her face so he couldn’t tell if she was awake or not.
He checked his watch. Nearly noon. “Hey, I’m going to buzz home real quick.”
“What for?” Luke took a long swig from his water bottle.
The sun scorched them both and lunch would be a welcome break.
“I’m going to grab that fish we caught last night. We can grill it here for lunch.” Maybe that’d bolster Annie’s spirits. She loved a fresh catch.
“Good idea.”
Matthew climbed down the ladder. “Anything you want to go with it?”
“Coleslaw.”
He nodded. Annie had been feeding him and his little brother every day. Lunch was ordered in or picked up from the corner IGA store. They’d had pizza, sub sandwiches and even a bucket of fried chicken. Stuff Annie didn’t eat. Today, he’d grill something for her and maybe pick up a couple funky salads, too. Annie liked a lot of greens. She’d eaten a whole plateful of rabbit food last night at dinner.
It didn’t take long to buy what he needed. The small house he shared with one of his older brothers—and soon Luke—sat on the edge of town. Right near the locally owned and operated grocery store. In less than half an hour, he was back at Annie’s lighting the gas grill.
Luke worked on the roof while he grilled and Annie continued to snooze. The woman could really sleep. Did the baby sap her energy, or was it depression? Grief could fall into despair.
He prayed Annie wasn’t so wrecked by Jack’s death that she couldn’t sleep at night. She had smiled, though. Laughed even. With him. So he had hope that she was making her way back.
He stepped inside to gather plates, utensils and glasses full of ice. Annie kept the cooler outside stocked with water and pop. She’d also made sun tea in a big glass jar with a spigot.
Luke appeared from the roof and set the table.
Annie woke up and, looking dazed, headed toward the deck gripping her midsection. “What’s that garlicky smell?”
“Lunch.” He lifted the lid and pulled the tray of perfectly seasoned walleye fillets off the grill. “Luke and I caught these last night.”
Annie’s face went pale. No. More like ashen-green. He’d seen that same skin color when rookies got sea-sick on the lakes. She slapped a hand over her mouth and backed away. Fast. She didn’t make it far before she retched in an empty flowerpot.
He set the fish back on the grill and bounded down the steps with a handful of napkins. “Wow, Annie, I’m sorry. I thought you’d like fish and didn’t think...”
She breathed deep and held out her hand to stay back. “I’ll be fine in a minute.”
He watched her heave once more but nothing came out. He placed his hand on her back and held out the napkins.
She gripped his hand. Hard.
He suddenly chuckled at the situation. Who threw up in an empty flowerpot? “You done?”
“I don’t know.”
He caught his brother’s eye. “Luke, grab a bottle of water, would you?”
Luke had filled his plate but stood frozen in place, eyes wide. Then he moved quickly, slamming the cooler lid and bounding down the stairs with water. “What’s wrong with her?”
“No, don’t...” Annie retched again.
Luke backed away. “Whoa...”
Matthew took the water bottle from his brother, no longer seeing the humor in this. “Do me a favor.”
“Yeah?”
“Take my truck and go get your stuff. We’ll finish the roof tomorrow.” Matthew threw him his keys.
Luke caught them. “How will you get home?”
“Just do it.” He didn’t think Annie wanted an audience, and since she gripped his hand tighter than a vise, he wasn’t going anywhere soon. Besides, he could walk the couple miles home if he had to.
“Okaaaay.” His brother narrowed his gaze. “So, what’s the deal here?”
“Go, will you?”
Luke nodded. He grabbed his plate on the way.
Matthew ignored the swishing sound of his brother getting a pop from the ice-filled cooler before finally leaving. He handed Annie the water bottle. “Here.”
She shook her head, scattering tears. Her hand trembled in his as she lurched down and dry-heaved one more time.
Helpless, he rubbed her back.
“Ugh! Sorry,” she mumbled and let go of him.
He noticed that her hands shook as she pushed back her hair. He poured water over the napkins and handed them to her.
She wiped her mouth and forehead then took a swig of water from the icy bottle. “Thanks.”
He frowned. “Sorry about lunch.”
“It’s okay.” She teetered a little. “I think I need to go inside. Maybe lie down.”
Without asking, he scooped her up into his arms and headed for the sliding door to the laundry room.
She gasped. “I can walk.”
“No way. You look like you might pass out.”
“It’ll pass.” She burped. “Sorry.”
“Hey, you’re not going to get sick on me, are you?”
She was sipping water again and sort of giggled. “I’m not making any promises.”
He tucked her head over his shoulder. “Point it that way, then.”
She laughed. An awkward, embarrassed kind of laugh. “I’m so sorry.”
“You! I’m the one who messed up. I should have asked you before I grilled fi—”
She quickly placed her fingers against his lips. “It’s okay. Just don’t mention that word again.”
He playfully bit her fingers and then smiled at the surprised look on her face. “I won’t.”
She smiled back as he walked her into the living room and deposited her on the couch.
“Where’s Luke?”
“I sent him home.” He sat on the edge of a chair across from her. “Does your doctor know about you getting sick a lot?”
Annie looked away. “She said it’s a good sign.” Then a shadow fell across her face. She looked so small on the couch by herself.
“What is it?”
She shook her head.
“Talk to me, Annie. What else did the doctor say?”
Her eyes filled with tears. “I’m high-risk. There’s no guarantee I can do this—”
He was out of the chair and next to her in an instant, drawing her into his arms.
She went limp and plunked her forehead against his shoulder. “I can’t lose this baby.”
He held her tighter. “You won’t, Annie. I promise you won’t.”
She pulled away and sniffed. “You can’t make that kind of promise.”
He shushed her. “Yes, I can.”
He didn’t know what else to say. He’d shake the very earth to give her everything she needed. To make sure Jack’s kid grew strong until birth and beyond.
Starting with food. “Did you eat anything today?”
“Some toast.”
He gently pushed back her hair and kissed her forehead. “How about some eggs?”
“Matthew—”
“Look, I said I’d help and I mean it. I’m going to take care of you.”
“But—”
“We’re going to do this together. We’re going to see to it this baby makes a strong appearance come November.”
Her eyes grew wide. “Why?”
Feelings surfaced he couldn’t examine or share. “Because I loved Jack like a brother, and that makes you my family, too.”
Her eyes got all watery again. “I could use some good family.”
That was a good dodge. He couldn’t take more tears so he quickly stood. “Stay put and rest. I’ll be right back.”
* * *
Annie lay against the pillows and closed her eyes, willing the room to stop spinning. The sound of Matthew tinkering in the kitchen soothed. His words had, too, but not nearly as much as his embrace. How could that be? And what kind of woman did that make her?
She rubbed her forehead. She used to be capable of handling things on her own. Plowing through the pain of life, she dealt. It was one of the things Jack said he’d always admired about her. When had she become so needy? So weak?
There were so many things to fear these days, and hoping for the best got a person only so far. God seemed miles away, and yet Matthew was right here as he’d said. Strong and sweet Matthew with his promises. Promises she desperately wanted to cling to and believe.
She smelled melted butter and braced for the swell of nausea that didn’t come. Instead, her stomach rumbled. The teakettle whistle blew and she smiled. He was making her tea again.
Ginger’s words about caring for someone new filtered through the haze of her mind. If Matthew wasn’t careful, he might steal part of her heart. But never the whole. Jack had that and always would.
Jack...
Minutes later, Matthew appeared with a plate of steaming scrambled eggs that had a liberal amount of black pepper and probably salt, too. Plus, a mug of tea. “Here.”
She sat up, suddenly famished, and took the plate, inhaling the spicy, buttery scent.
He set her mug on the coffee table with a soft clunk.
Annie scooped a forkful of the fluffiest eggs into her mouth. “These are good.”
He smiled. “I use water instead of milk. A trick our chef taught me.”
“Oh.” Jack had always said they ate well out on the lakes. Better than he did at home. He’d never bought into her idea of nutrition. She waited to see how that first bite would settle. When nothing happened, she ate more.
“Eggs are good for you. I’m glad you had some in the fridge. I’m thinking you need more protein and not just toast.”
Annie nodded again. He was probably right. She ate eggs. Even some broiled chicken on occasion. And normally seafood, too. She closed her eyes a second. She couldn’t even think about fish without her belly turning. “Can you do me a favor?”
“Sure.”
“Can you take care of the grill before you leave? I don’t think I can handle it.” Annie finished the eggs and set her empty plate on the coffee table then leaned back to sip her tea.
“No problem.”
“Thanks for making lunch, by the way.” Her eyelids felt heavy again. She set down her tea with a tired sigh. Maybe a short nap before the only class she had scheduled today at three. All she did was sleep, it seemed.
She was supposed to feel more energy soon. Her doctor had explained that once she passed the three-month mark, she’d feel better. And stronger. She needed all the strength she could get and was already a week past that fourteen weeks mark.
“You’re welcome.” Matthew’s voice sounded soft and low.
Surely, he’d leave soon.
“When’s your next doctor appointment?”
“Next month.” Matthew might be gone by then. Back on the lakes.
“I want to go with you.”
She shifted and stared. “You’re serious.”
He smiled, standing tall and solid in front of her. “Yup.”
“Do you realize what that might look like? People will talk.”
“I don’t care about that and neither should you. It will look like a friend supporting another friend.” He gave her a wink. “No worries, okay?”
She sighed, too tired to argue. “I guess if you’re still around.”
“I’m glad you see things my way.” He grinned.
His way?
What was he talking about? This wasn’t a debate. But then she’d caved on the heels of him winning the roof argument. How many battles might they have in the name of him helping her? Would she always give in so easily? The possibilities exhausted her but a zip of anticipation shot through her, too.
