A Little Too Late (Madigan Mountain #1)(21)

She is gone only a few minutes, and Reed crosses his legs on the bed. His heart is thumping, but he’s not anxious. No, he feels a heightened sense of anticipation instead.

The pregnancy might be his fault. He’s pretty careful, but once in a while they get carried away, and he forgets the condom until halfway through.

But this feels like fate. Like God is sending him a sign and asking him to believe again. And he’s ready. Sometimes when he wakes up next to Ava, he knows with a fiery certainty that they are meant to be forever.

Apparently, forever starts now.

He hears footsteps in the hall. Before the door opens, he feels his mother’s presence for the first time in months. She fills the room with her warmth. You are so loved, she whispers.

Ava opens the door. Her lip trembles as she sits beside him. “It’s positive,” she whispers. Then she shows him a plastic stick with a “+” on it.

“Oh, wow,” he says, taking her smooth face in both his hands. He can’t contain his smile. A half hour ago he had no idea that his life would take this turn. But it feels so right. “You are so loved,” he whispers, the way his mother always did for him. “And our baby will be, too.”

Tears well in her eyes. Then she flings herself into his arms.

They end up kissing, of course. But this is the first time they are crying at the same time.





CHAPTER 11




BATHTUB LIQUOR ON MY BINGO CARD





AVA My heels click against the stone tiles as I lead everyone through the lobby and into the Evergreen Room for dinner.

This is it. This is the night when my career clicks into place as snugly as a ski boot clipping into its binding.

The hard work is done. I’ve labored over the details for the upcoming three days, and the Sharpes are bound to be impressed. Next month, Mark and the Sharpes will sign that purchase agreement. Then I’ll become the executive manager of the entire Madigan Mountain resort.

I take a deep breath as I enter the Evergreen Room. It looks stunning, even though the florist was annoyed when I called this morning to ask if she could deliver my table arrangement two days early.

But she’s done a great job. The long dining table is bedecked in chrysanthemums, flickering candlelight, and twining sprigs of ivy.

It’s so beautiful that I’d asked Callie to sneak in here before the guests arrived to photograph it for the website’s online album. Beautiful photography helps bring in high-paying events.

Mark Madigan seats himself at one end of the table, as I’d instructed him to do. And Grandpa Sharpe takes the other.

As for me, I scoot around the table, putting some distance between Reed and myself. Lord knows I don’t want to end up seated beside him for two hours.

I end up directly across from him instead, which isn’t much better. Like I really need to stare across at his handsome face all evening. Tonight is stressful enough already.

Halley enters the room and makes the rounds taking drink orders. I hold my breath when she gets to Reed. “Lukewarm water for you?” she asks.

“Aren’t you charming,” he says under his breath as he scans the menu card I’ve placed on everyone’s plate. “Dad, what are you drinking these days? How’s the Russian River Cab?”

“Son, I don’t drink anymore, so I’m not much help. But Melody enjoys that one.”

Reed’s eyes widen for a moment before he asks Halley for a glass of the red.

“We’ll see,” she grunts, and I try to give her a pointed stare without being obvious about it. I regret spilling the whole sad tale to my friends. Besides, Reed will soon disappear. And after his father sells the resort, there will be even less incentive for him to ever come back.

I wish he’d never come at all. I don’t want to know the details of his life. I don’t want to be able to picture him sitting here in the Evergreen Room. I don’t want to know how hot he looks in a suit. Or that he has a perky assistant who clearly adores him even though she claims otherwise.

And I really don’t want to know that he has a girlfriend named Harper.

The moment I’d heard that, my first reaction had been: at least he’s not married. Then I’d wanted to kick myself.

I’m not interested in Reed Madigan. He’s a stranger to me now. I just need to lock down my heart and survive this week. And then I can go back to living my life the way it was before.

Except he’s right there across the table, looking familiar and also devastating.

The evening wears on whether I’m willing or not. The Sharpes are gregarious men, and small talk flourishes around me. That’s lucky, because Reed’s presence has thrown me off my game. I’m too busy feeling self-conscious to be witty and entertaining.

The waiter I’d chosen to handle the evening’s events comes in to take orders. There are three main-course options, but everyone in the Sharpe party chooses the steak and potatoes.

I mentally high-five myself for putting that steak on the menu. Chef Anita had wanted to go a little edgier, but I’d talked her down. Although she’ll be gratified to note that Reed, his father, and I chose her seared Ahi with crispy rice and a wasabi drizzle. Only Melody opts for the vegetarian gnocchi.

Everything is going great, I remind myself. I got this. I turn to the youngest Sharpe—the one they call Trey—and ask him whether he prefers skis or a snowboard.