Joshua Healy (The Mitchell/Healy Family #10)(47)

“No.” I lie again. It’s not the kind of feelings where I want to be with her. It’s more of a memory of something that once was. There’s no need for me to worry her. I’m not going anywhere.

“Maybe in a couple years we can look back on this and laugh at her. Right now I’m pissed. Half your family saw that you two were in the bathroom together.”

“Nothing happened in that bathroom. I was taking a piss and she came in saying stupid shit. That’s it. I told her to get the f*ck away from me and left. Don’t even worry about her. Hopefully she’ll get the point and stay away. If she bothers you again you need to let me know.”

“Thank you, Josh. I’m sorry if I seem overprotective. I don’t want to lose you.”

“You won’t lose me. You know I love you.”

“I do. I’m grateful for you every single day. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you now.”

“Let’s get these stupid costumes off and go to bed.”

We’re starting to walk back to the house again. “Do you really hate Halloween?”

“I don’t hate anything that you’re a part of.”

“Smooth talking. You trying to get into my spandex?”

I laugh. “I wish it were easy. I’ve got a feeling it’s going to be an exhausting process. How the hell did you get that suit on?”

“It was trying. I used baby powder. My stomach is so full I might explode if I try to bend over.”

“Let’s not test that assumption. I’d rather not have to clean up puke before I get to have sex with you.”

Just like that we’re back to being normal. If I could just keep Liv away forever I might be able to have a future with Tamsyn. Knowing Liv, she’s just waiting until the perfect moment to ruin my life.




One week before Thanksgiving I’m getting a call I never expected. I see her name on the caller ID and wonder what the hell it could be about. I answer with little regard for her feelings. “What the f*ck do you want? It’s the middle of the day, so I’m obviously busy.”

“We need to talk Josh. I’m on the ranch. Meet me at our old spot. It’s important.”

Liv hangs up before I can respond. I put my phone back in my pocket and decided to ignore her, hoping she’ll go away and leave me alone. Things are good. Tamsyn moved her stuff into our house. My parents love having her there, because she pitches in so much. We take turns making dinner, and helping my mom do chores. Tamsyn has helped me get along better with my dad. It’s damn near perfect. We’re even talking about our future, long term and I’m not the least bit afraid.

An hour after her phone call I hear someone calling my name. She’s hunted me down, driven a four-wheeler around the property to locate me. I’m pissed. Someone told her where to look. “Why couldn’t you meet me?”

“You know why. I’m working. I told you to leave me alone.”

“It’s not that simple Josh. I have some news.”

“Whatever it is, it’s got nothing to do with me. Turn around and go back to where you came from. I need to finish.”

I start to walk back to the tractor when I hear something that drops me to my knees. “Josh, I’m pregnant.”

Everything starts spinning. My first inclination is that she’s lying. Knowing me the way she does, Liv walks over to me with a plastic bag of tests. All three say the same result. “I missed my period last week. I’ve always been regular.”

“It ain’t mine.”

“Jeffery had a vasectomy, Josh. I haven’t been with anyone else. We had sex almost two months ago. Do the math. I’ve been home since then.”

“It can’t be mine, Liv. Don’t put this shit on me.”

“This isn’t me coming to you as an attempt to break up your relationship. I’m scared to death. I haven’t slept in days. I can’t tell anyone. Wes will disown me. Your family will hate me.”

“Get an abortion.” I hate saying it. My family has been through hell. If they ever found out I considered it as a way out of the problem they’d kick my ass. I’d be homeless. My mother would never forgive me.

“No. I’d never do that.”

I finally turn and look at her. She’s crying, and my heart begins to shatter. “Please say it’s not true.”

I can feel a burning in my eyes. My future is so clear. This can’t be happening. In all my life I’ve never cried in front of anyone. I’m fighting back the emotions, while trying to search for a way out of this situation. “You sure?”

“I can’t go to the doctors until I’m ten weeks.”

“I need time.” I take off my hat and wipe away the forming sweat. It’s getting cold, so I know this is due to stress. “I can’t …”

“I know.”

Liv is quiet for once, which tells me one thing. She’s scared shitless. I’ve never seen her act this way. “How are you? I mean, I know how, but are you okay?”

“All fighting aside, I’m freaking out.” She laughs. “It’s funny. I was willing to do anything to get you back, but I never considered this. I don’t want kids, but I’d never abort a child, not yours.”