She stared up at the ceiling, then closed her eyes. What was she going to do? Eventually, she’d have to tell someone who the father was. Should she tell Jordan? Matt’s parents? Would they even believe her?

She wiped impatiently at a tear that had fallen. Now was no time to start feeling sorry for herself. She had too much to do. Once she got settled in at Pelican’s Landing, the first thing she had to do was find a doctor. Even though she’d gone through pregnancies with Macy and Suzanne, she knew very little about it. That was about to change.



Chapter Twelve

“So she’d heard rumors, huh?” Jordan flipped the chicken over and turned the gas grill down.

“Yes. And when I told her you weren’t charging me rent, she said that was because you expected me to pay in other ways.”

Jordan laughed. “Well, sure. I expect you to cook.”

Annie pointed at the grill. “You seem to be doing a good job,” she said.

“I’m afraid this is it,” she said. “I’ve done steaks, pork chops, chicken and even portabella mushrooms and squash. Other than that, I’m afraid anything else would have to come out of a box or a can.” She smiled. “Well, I can do baked potatoes.”

“Yes. I saw them in the oven,” Annie said.

She added more wine to her glass, then looked at Annie apologetically as she watched. “Sorry. Would you rather I didn’t drink wine?”

Annie shook her head. “I don’t mind. Besides, I’m the one who’s pregnant, not you.”

“Yeah. Thank God.” Annie had a thoughtful expression on her face, and Jordan arched an eyebrow questioningly.

Annie tilted her head. “When did you know you were gay?”

Jordan wasn’t surprised by the question. She was curious though as to why Annie was asking it.

As if reading her mind, Annie added, “Because you don’t have a gay vibe.”

Jordan laughed. “And you know these vibes how?”

Annie smiled. “I watch Ellen.”

“Ah. Of course. Well, maybe it’s because you’ve seen me in nothing but business suits and dress clothes,” she said. “Maybe now that I’ve got a wardrobe full of shorts and jeans, I’ll butch out a little bit for you.”

Annie reached for her water bottle. “So? When did you know?”

Jordan shrugged. “Subconsciously, I guess I always knew. In reality, it was my junior year in high school. There was a sleepover, a slumber party type thing. After the first football game of the year, Friday night, we all went out for pizza. There were six of us. Then we went over to Beth’s house for the weekend. They had a pool and it was still warm. We played games, gossiped, made a mess of her mother’s kitchen at breakfast. And at night, we lit candles and laid in a circle, playing a vague game of Truth or Dare.”

“Someone asked you?”

“No. Nothing like that. But I was next to Sherry. Sherry Bozart. And I looked into her eyes and felt something that I’d never felt before.”

Annie leaned closer. “Sherry Bozart? The name doesn’t ring a bell. Who did she marry?”

“No clue,” she said. “But after that night, things started to make sense to me. It all came crashing down and I panicked.”

“You didn’t tell anyone?”

“Not a soul. And speaking of Ellen, it was the same year she came out on her show and everybody was talking about it. I was terrified I would say the wrong thing and my friends would find out.”

“Did you date guys?”

“Sure. Had a boyfriend at the time. Like I said, it all made sense to me then. I broke up with him the next weekend.”

“Were you sleeping together?”

Jordan laughed. “No. Doing everything but that.” She gave an exaggerated shudder. “Gross.”

Annie laughed too, but to Jordan’s relief didn’t ask any other questions. Jordan, however, had one for her.

“Are you ever going to tell me who the father is?”

Annie met her gaze. “I suppose I’m going to have to someday, yes.”

“It isn’t Derrick, is it?”

“God, no.” Annie looked startled that she would even suggest that. “I didn’t want to have sex with him when we were married. Why would I sleep with him now?”

Of course, that statement brought all sorts of questions to mind, but Annie pointed at the grill and Jordan turned, seeing smoke seeping out.

“I suppose it’s time to rescue those,” she said as she got up.

“I’ll get the potatoes,” Annie offered. “Or did you want to eat inside?”

“I prefer out here, if it’s okay with you.”

“Fine with me.”

Conversation over dinner drifted to less personal things, and they ended the evening with a quick walk down to the pier.

“I’ve got to do something with this,” Jordan said. “A lot of boards need to be replaced.”

“Have you walked to the end?”

“Yes and it’s a miracle it didn’t collapse on me,” she said. “I want to take the Jet Skis out for a spin too. My father said that Matt had them serviced in March so they should be good to go.” She glanced at Annie. “Do you ride?”

Annie shook her head. “The only time I’ve been on one was at Matt’s party last year. Brandon took me out and proceeded to dump me in the water after one spin. He was quite proud of himself.”

“I’ll take you out if you want,” she said. “It’s been years since I’ve been on one. I’m sure my speed will be more grandmother than teenager.”

“Thanks. That would be fun.”



Chapter Thirteen

Annie looked up from the computer when she heard someone clear her throat. She was shocked to see Suzanne staring at her. She’d been avoiding her for the last two weeks. She plastered a smile on her face now.

“Hey, stranger,” she said.

“What? You start working full time and you don’t have time for me anymore?”

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I’ve had a lot going on.”

“Well, how about I steal you away for lunch? Britney is with her grandmother today so I’m free.”

Annie wasn’t sure if she was prepared to face Suzanne yet, but she could think of no excuse to decline the offer.

“Sounds good,” she said. “Give me a couple of minutes. I was about to place an order.”

“Okay. I’ll go rummage through your new T-shirts. Come find me.”

Annie nodded and glanced at the screen, trying to remember what she was about to add to the order. Oh, yeah…flip-flops. Jordan’s idea.

“Hey, you.”

She smiled as Jordan sauntered into the office. She looked so much different now than when she’d first come to the store. The dress pants and business suits were replaced with shorts and Fat Larry T-shirts. She hadn’t yet taken to wearing flip-flops, but the water sandals fit in quite nicely.

“Hey. You’re early. Good.”

“Good?”

“Suzanne is here. Wants to go to lunch,” she said.

“Oh.” Jordan raised her eyebrows. “You going to tell her?”

Annie took a deep breath. “I suppose.” She finished the order and closed the laptop. “And don’t forget, I have my first doctor’s appointment tomorrow.”

Jordan nodded. “You sure you don’t want me to go with you?”

“Don’t you think one of us should be here at the store? Besides, it’s in Corpus.”

“What about your mother?”

Annie shook her head. “She’s still kinda not speaking to me.”

“Well, she’ll come around. Give her time.”

“I know.” Annie stood and walked around the desk, pausing to wrap her fingers around Jordan’s arm and squeeze it lightly. “Thank you. See you later.”

“Have fun.”

Annie met her gaze and smiled. “If only.”

She found Suzanne where she said she’d be and like most customers, Suzanne simply tossed the T-shirt she’d been looking at back on top of the others. Annie had to resist the urge to fold it up neatly again.

“Where to?”

“Mexican food,” Suzanne said. “Let’s go across the street to Pepe’s.”

Pepe’s was crowded, as usual, but they were able to snag a table for two on the side patio. They had a view of the marina, but the June day was warm. Annie adjusted the colorful umbrella to shade them.

“So how’s the new boss?” Suzanne asked as she added salt to the basket of warm chips that were placed between them.

“Jordan? She’s great. Completely different personality than Matt, that’s for sure.”

Suzanne broke a chip in half before dunking it into the salsa. “How so?”

“Oh, she’s more serious, more mature. Organized. Neat. Matt just did things on a whim. She doesn’t have his playfulness, though. At least, not that she’s shown.”

“So you’ve been busy? I tried calling a couple of times.”

“I know. I’m sorry I didn’t call you back.” Annie bit her lip, hesitating. “I kinda…well, I have some news.”

“Oh, yeah?”

“Yeah. First of all, I moved out from my parents’ house last week.”

“You’re kidding?”

“No. And I…I moved in with Jordan. To Matt’s old place on the bay.”

Suzanne’s eyes widened slightly. “Why?”

“Well, my mother…she didn’t take the news about me being pregnant very well.”

Suzanne spit out the water she’d just taken a sip of. “What? Pregnant?”

Annie nodded. “It appears that way, yes.”

Suzanne’s hand touched her chest and for a few seconds she appeared speechless. Then she leaned closer, her voice a whisper. “Who’s the father?”

“Matt.”

“Oh, my God,” she nearly shrieked. “You have got to be kidding me.”

“I wish I was.” She reached across the table and squeezed Suzanne’s hand. “I haven’t told anyone yet. About Matt, I mean. I know I have to, but the time hasn’t been right.”

“You haven’t told his sister?”

“No. I don’t want to just blurt it out.”

Suzanne shook her head several times. “You realize Derrick is going to flip out, don’t you? I mean…flip out.”

“I know. And when he finds out it was Matt, he’s going to be doubly pissed. They were friends. He’ll look at it as betrayal, even though we’ve been divorced four years.” She pointed her finger at Suzanne. “And that’s why I’m threatening you within an inch of your life,” she said. “Because if you tell Derrick, I will hunt you down.”

“I won’t be the one to tell Derrick. I don’t need that drama,” Suzanne said with a wave of her hand.

“Promise?”

“Of course. But I am…well, I’m simply blown away.” A smile lit her face. “I can’t believe you’re pregnant. This is so exciting!”

“Exciting? No, it’s not. I’m not sure I really believe it.” She pushed the chips aside. “I’m not through with college yet. I’m basically homeless. The father is…is deceased. My mother is not speaking to me. My father told me he was disappointed in me. So, no, it’s not exciting in the least.”

Suzanne waved her protest away. “Your mother is only worried about what the people at her church are going to say. Maybe now she’ll quit badgering you to go to church with her.”

Annie smiled. “I guess that’s one way to look at it.”

“So who’s your doctor? This is going to be so much fun. I can’t wait.”

Annie should have known Suzanne would be happy for her. When they’d first gotten married and both Macy and Suzanne were pregnant, they had practically begged Annie to do the same. She’d told them she wasn’t ready and they’d eventually let it drop. Truth was, she wasn’t ready now either. She tried to let Suzanne’s enthusiasm wash over her and it did.

A little.

“So what are you going to eat? Want to share nachos or something?”

“Are you kidding? I’ve been starving lately. I want, like, enchiladas or something. Beans, rice, the works.”

“Don’t go overboard,” Suzanne warned. “That weight will just creep up on you.”

“I don’t care,” she said. And at that moment, while perusing the enchilada platters on the menu, her potential weight gain was the least of her worries.

After their orders were taken and Suzanne’s salsa bowl was refilled, she scooted her chair closer to Annie.

“So do you have a plan?”

Annie frowned. “A plan?”

“You know, after the baby is born. School, work. A place to live.”

“Are you trying to depress me?” she asked.

“No, of course not. I’m just wondering what you’re going to do.”

“Well, I’m going to finish college, do my student teaching next spring, then start full time the next fall. That’s still the plan. As far as where I’m going to live, I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.”

Suzanne broke another chip in half before dipping it in the salsa. “Look, don’t take this the wrong way,” she said, “but have you considered Derrick?”

“Oh, God, not you too?”

“I’m just saying, he’s still crazy about you. He would—”

“Suzanne, there’s a reason we divorced, you know.” She took a sip of water, staring at Suzanne. “Are you happy being married, Suzanne?”