A Convenient Proposal(42)
“Right now we’re in a little bungalow in town. But we’re looking for a larger place we can afford. We’ll need more room soon.” She patted her waistline. “About June eighteenth, we think.”
Arden tried to breathe, but felt as if her lungs, heart and belly had shriveled inside her skin. “You’re expecting a baby?” She swallowed hard and struggled to smile. “Congratulations.”
Kathy’s grin brightened the gray day. “Thanks. We’re excited.”
A black cloud of envy filled Arden’s head. What else should she say? How could she hide her own despair? “Does Griff know? He hasn’t mentioned it.”
“I haven’t had a chance to tell him since he got home.”
“He’ll be pleased, I’m sure.” Realizing her hands had balled into fists, Arden stretched out her fingers, though relaxing any part of her body didn’t seem possible at this moment.
“Yeah, he does like kids. He’s the only one of the four of us who actually earned money babysitting in junior high. He’ll be a great dad one day.”
Assuming he knew he was a father. Could Arden change the subject now? “I love your car—not many people have the original model. Where did you find it?”
“My husband works on old cars as a hobby. This one was my wedding present.”
“What does he do when he’s not working on old cars?
“Didn’t Griff tell you? He’s a minister. Sermons every Sunday, Wednesday night services, always on call—that’s my Jim.”
Arden sat in silence for a few moments, grateful that the heavier traffic in town had claimed Kathy’s attention. The prospect of spending the weeks until Valentine’s Day with a family anticipating its first grandchild was enough to send her straight back to Chaos Key right away. She wanted her own baby. Not the vicarious pleasure of someone else’s pregnancy.
And the thought of a minister as a close member of Griff’s family worried her. He would have strong opinions about children conceived without benefit of marriage. His ideas would be probably be heeded by the rest of the Campbells. If he discovered she was pregnant and planning to leave, she doubted he would remain silent.
And she was beginning to wonder if keeping a secret of any kind was possible in the town of Sheridan, Georgia.
“Here we are.” Kathy pulled the Bug into a parking space in front of an outdoor shopping center. “It’s still raining and I didn’t bring an umbrella, so we’ll have to make a run for it. See the lime-green door straight ahead? That’s Pirouette.”
They left the car and began walking quickly across the slick, wet asphalt. Arden had worn black leather boots for just this sort of situation, but Kathy had chosen high heeled pumps in a bright red.
She laughed as she drew attention to the fact. “I won’t be wearing these kind of shoes in a couple months. I have to take advantage of every chance I get.”
A moment later, she cried out. Arden, a couple of steps ahead, turned just in time to see her drop to the pavement.
Rushing back, she knelt by Kathy, who was now on her knees. “Are you okay? Should we call an ambulance?”
“No. No, I’m fine. Just give me a hand to stand up.”
A man joined them, and helped out with a hand under Kathy’s elbow. “You watch yourself, Miss Kathy,” he warned. “You don’t want to be falling like that in your condition.”
Griff’s sister rolled her eyes as he walked away. “You can’t keep anything quiet in this town.”
“I believe you.” Arden offered her own elbow. “Hold on to me until we’re out of the rain.”
Inside the restaurant, their wet shoes slipped on the marble floor tiles, so Kathy kept a grip on Arden until they reached the table. Seeing them, Dana and Lauren jumped out of their chairs. “What’s wrong?”
“What happened? Are you all right?”
Kathy shushed them as she sat down. “Yes, yes, I’m okay, except for scraped knees and a huge case of embarrassment. It wasn’t that bad a fall. See?”
As they stared at her, she swept her thick, curling hair back from her face and ears. “I didn’t even lose my hearing aids.”
Chapter Eight
By the time Kathy dropped Arden off at the cottage, the cloudy day had given way to darkness. Standing on the porch surrounded by shopping bags, Arden watched the Bug’s rear lights travel up the drive and past the Campbells’ house. Then she opened the door and shifted her purchases to the floor of the front hall before going to fetch Igor for a predinner walk.