Baby Doll(52)

Be good, she told herself. Don’t get into any more trouble.

Abby was fingerprinted and her mug shot was taken. She met the lawyer that Wes had hired, Dan or Doug something. He’d been quick to say this was some kind of Hail Mary stunt and that Missy Hanson was simply trying to earn sympathy. But Abby had made the threats against Missy Hanson, and she’d done so in front of witnesses. The charges were harassment and trespassing, both misdemeanors, but Abby was determined to fight it.

She couldn’t believe she’d been dumb enough to think Missy would leave them alone. You don’t spend your life with a man capable of the things Mr. Hanson had done without being twisted yourself.

By the time Lily and Wes showed up, all Abby had to do was post bail. Wes insisted on paying, and for once, Abby didn’t argue. Her morning sickness had been endless, and they’d cut her shifts at the hospital. She’d need every penny once the alien invader arrived.

Abby also had to agree to stay at least five hundred feet from Missy Hanson and her family—a bitter pill to swallow, but Abby agreed. For now, at least.

She was free to go. Wes led the girls outside, trying to protect them from the reporters who had multiplied like roaches, swarming around them, screaming out questions.

“Did you really threaten Missy Hanson?”

“What did you say to her?”

“Lily, are you going to kill Rick Hanson’s baby?” one reporter shouted, loud enough to drown out the rest, her voice crystal clear, the weight of her question hanging heavy in the stillness that followed.

At first, Abby was confused. Why the hell would Lily kill Sky? But Lily stood motionless. The reporters, sensing they’d hit on something even more salacious, inched forward. The same reporter followed up with another question, despite Lily’s silence.

“You’re pregnant with Rick Hanson’s child, aren’t you? Are you going to abort the baby?”

No one spoke. Abby couldn’t believe what she’d heard. Lily was pregnant? With Rick’s baby? Another baby? She’d never said a word. Abby surveyed the sea of curious faces, and her anger soared. Why did they have to humiliate her sister? Why were they putting Lily on trial? Why not Rick? They needed to get to Wes’s truck. Now. She had to get Lily away from here. Wes was trying to open the door, shoving reporters out of his way.

“Stop it. Stop with your questions. Leave us alone,” Abby shouted.

One of the reporters pushed his way through. Abby stumbled, gasping as she tried to protect herself. She turned, seeking out the perpetrator.

“What is wrong with you people?”

Things were reaching a fevered frenzy, when Lily seemed to spring back to life. She grabbed Abby and hugged her close, staring at the cameras, her gaze calm and direct.

“You want to know the truth? Yes, I’m pregnant, and yes, it is Rick Hanson’s baby. What I do now is my decision and my decision alone. You can ask all the questions you want, but we’re done answering them.” Lily raised her eyebrows at Abby. Then she turned back to the reporters. “Now, go f*ck yourselves.”

Despite her shock, Abby had never been more proud of Lily. Seconds later, they were in the truck. Lily sat in the middle, beside Wes. Abby was on the opposite side, near the window. The weight of Lily’s secret consumed any remaining space in the pickup.

As they drove, Wes darted glances at both girls, wanting to say something, but for once he seemed to know when to keep his mouth shut.

“Lily, about the baby—” Abby said.

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

“But, Lil, you have to figure out—”

“Abby, I’m not discussing it.” Lily’s tone was clear.

“I won’t say another word,” Abby said.

Lily’s shoulders sagged, as if she’d found a moment of relief, and she went back to watching the road. Wes patted Lily’s hand gently. Exhausted, Lily sighed and leaned her head on his shoulder. Abby’s stomach dropped again. It was the alien invader and her hormones. It had to be. Stop being stupid. Lily needs a friend, someone to make her feel safe. Wes had a knack for that. And it wasn’t as if it mattered to Abby. She didn’t give two shits about Wes. She didn’t care about him at all.





CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX


EVE


The girls wouldn’t discuss anything that happened at the jail when they returned home. They flat out refused, with Abby leading the charge.

“We’re going to bed, Mom. You should do the same,” Abby said as she led a dejected Lily upstairs. Eve glanced at Wes, his shoulders hunched, as he shook his head.

“It’s bad, Eve. Lily’s pregnant with Hanson’s kid. Somehow the press found out. They blindsided her with it at the jail. Blindsided us all.”

Eve stared back at him. Jesus Christ. No one, it seemed, could catch a break. She poured Wes a scotch and made one for herself. She knew he was anxious, that he wanted reassurances that things were going to be okay, but Eve couldn’t promise him that. After downing his drink, Wes reluctantly left. Eve finished the bottle, sitting alone in the dimly lit kitchen.

Eve was consumed by the thought of Lily having another baby. Rick’s baby. She couldn’t believe it. She was like one of those bomb technicians she’d seen in the movies. Just when she thought she’d caught her breath, there was a new device to defuse.