Sheriff’s Pregnant Ex by Leslie North

13

Caitlin woke alone, but she could hear noises from the kitchen below her. Brian was up. She should be too, but Aurora had told her not to come in as early today. Caitlin snuggled under the blankets and looked around Brian’s room. She’d spent several nights there, and she had to admit that she liked being in his space, smelling the scent of his aftershave on the pillow. Being close to him was appealing, even though their relationship wasn’t without its problems.

The day before hadn’t gone so well. Seeing her father had gotten to her—and the situation hadn’t been helped by Brian leaving and not coming back until that evening.

To keep herself from dwelling on that, she’d watched a favorite movie, sketched tattoo designs to add to her portfolio, and tried to nap. She’d been unable to rest, so she’d prowled around his house, worrying about their future. When he got home, he’d apologized for being away so long, and she thought that he genuinely meant it. But being sorry didn’t mean he actually intended to change his behavior. He would always go if he was needed. It was a trait she’d admire if it didn’t take him away from her so much.

“Breakfast,” he said and nudged the bedroom door open. “I thought you’d like to eat up here.” He carried a tray with orange juice, coffee, and a covered dish.

“That’s sweet of you.” She propped herself up against the headboard.

“Least I could do,” he said. “I’m still sorry about yesterday.”

“Stop worrying about it,” she said. He’d told her about the baby shower that his mother planned to throw for her, and she had to admit that she was excited about it. “What’s under the lid? Something delicious?”

He put the tray on her lap and removed the cover. The smell of eggs hit her squarely in the face and her stomach turned over. Nausea like she’d never known rose in her.

“Oh, no,” she whispered, putting one hand over her mouth and shoving the tray aside with the other. She dove out of bed and rushed for the bathroom, making it to the toilet just in time. An instant later, Brian was with her. He knelt behind her, holding her and rubbing her back as she vomited. He talked to her continuously, soothing words that comforted her.

“I guess that’s morning sickness finally kicking in,” she said a few minutes later, leaning against the bathtub, the cool porcelain against her back.

“Seems so,” he said. “Close your eyes and take deep breaths.”

She did as he said and felt a damp washcloth wipe over her face and down her neck. It felt refreshing on her overheated skin. Her stomach started to calm.

“I’m sorry about ruining breakfast.” She could hardly think about the food.

“I’m the one who’s sorry.” He was rocked back on his heels in front of her, his expression worried. “I didn’t know it would bother you.”

“Me either.” She tried for a smile. “I usually love eggs, but apparently not while pregnant.”

“I’ll remember that,” he said. “Can I get you something else? Some toast? Water?”

“Nothing yet.” She ran her hand over her stomach. “Maybe in a few minutes.”

“Stay here and rest. I’m going to take the food downstairs and get rid of it. Don’t try to move until I come back.” He kissed her forehead and left the bathroom.

She heard him enter the bedroom before heading back downstairs. Feeling a little better, she sat on the rim of the tub. Despite his warning, she was considering standing up when she heard his phone ring and his muffled voice speaking. His steps became more determined as he came back to her.

“You need to leave,” she guessed as soon as she saw the look on his face. Clearly the station had called, and he was itching to be at work.

“Only if you’re okay,” he said. She believed that he’d stay if she insisted, but it would kill him to hang back when there was obviously a problem at work.

“I think I’ll go back to bed for an hour.” She had time for a nap before getting ready for work.

“I’ll help you get settled in.” He came closer to her.

“Not necessary.” She waved him off when he reached for her arm as she stood. “I’m fine. Really.”

He hesitated while she moved across the bathroom to the sink and reached for her toothbrush.

“I’ll see you later then.” He came to her and brushed his lips against her cheek. Then he was gone.

She shook her head as she caught her reflection in the mirror. That was twice in twenty-four hours that he’d dashed off like something was on fire. Could the town not function without his constant vigilance? Apparently not.

Maybe the universe was trying to send her a sign that read You will always be second in his life.

After a nap and a slice of toast, Caitlin felt better and headed for work. She arrived in the midst of the morning breakfast rush and jumped in to help Aurora. Fortunately, the smell of the food didn’t bother her now, so she was able to work her tables without rushing to the bathroom.

“We heard the good news about the baby.” An older woman, who came in twice a week with her husband, said while Caitlin was refilling her coffee. “Congratulations!”

“Um…thanks,” Caitlin responded. Did everyone know? She supposed they did because nothing was ever a secret for long in this town. Between her and Brian’s shopping trip yesterday and Aurora buying a pregnancy test at the drugstore, word must have spread.

“Make sure you don’t stay on your feet too long, and get plenty of rest,” the woman said with a smile.

“I’ll do that,” she replied before moving on to the next table.

In the next half hour, three more people congratulated her. A woman offered advice about which infant car seat was best and another suggested a book she might want to read. All of them seemed genuinely nice and concerned for her without the slightest bit of judgment. That wasn’t what she’d expected. She was single and pregnant in a town that valued family and tradition. And what surprised her even more was that no one made it about Brian. They focused on her as though they cared about her.

“Mitch Alistair wanted me to give this to you. He wouldn’t leave it on the table.” Aurora handed her a folded twenty-dollar bill when they were prepping for lunch. “He said it was for the baby.”

“He never tips.” Caitlin was shocked. She’d waited on the perpetually grouchy eighty-year-old often, and he’d never left her even a quarter.

“People can be kind when you least expect it.” Aurora smiled. “And everyone loves a baby. Enjoy it.”

“I will.” She tucked the cash in her apron pocket, feeling surprisingly good about humanity and the citizens of Darby Crossing. Maybe she’d misjudged this town.

“Uh oh,” Aurora said with a glance behind Caitlin. “Your mom just showed up.”

“Crap,” Caitlin whispered, and then decided that her mom wasn’t going to rain on her parade. She spun around and went to greet her mother with a smile on her face. “Hi, Mom. I wasn’t expecting you in today.”

“I was hoping we could talk.” Her mother’s smile held more warmth than Caitlin had ever seen directed at her. “Any chance you’re free for a few minutes?”

“Take a break and sit down with your mom,” Aurora said as she came up behind Caitlin. “We’ve got some time before the serious lunch rush.”

“Thanks. Do you want coffee, Mom?” Caitlin offered.

“That would be nice.”

Caitlin seated her mother in the last booth and went to get two mugs of coffee—decaf for her, because she knew Brian would say that was best. She dumped creamer in hers but knew her mother, always conscious of her figure, would take it black.

“First,” her mother said as soon as Caitlin sat down, “I wanted to say that I’m sorry for being so brusque with you when you came to town. I really was happy to have you home, but it didn’t come out right. I…well, we’ve always struggled to communicate well.”

Not once in her life had Caitlin received an apology from her mother. This was a different side of her, and Caitlin wasn’t sure she could trust it. She felt her guard go up but fought against it. She’d had a great morning, basking in people’s kindness, so she tried to channel some of that optimism toward her relationship with her mother.

“I heard about the baby,” her mother continued. “Your father mentioned something when he got home yesterday, but like a man, he didn’t get any details.”

Caitlin wanted to tell her that he hadn’t even acknowledged her announcement, but she didn’t want to be accused of picking a fight. “I wasn’t sure he even heard me,” she admitted.

“He did, but you know how he is, so absorbed in his business dealings.” Hailey made a little waving motion with her hand. “Everyone’s talking about the baby today, so it must be common knowledge.”

“Seems to be,” Caitlin said. She doubted there was anyone left in town who didn’t know. She half-expected a rebuke that her mother hadn’t been the first person told, so Hailey’s next words surprised her.

“I’m excited about my first grandchild,” Hailey said. “And I want to help you if I can.”

What was this? Had her mother really just offered to help? Caitlin felt her defenses rise again, but she tamped them down. Maybe grandchildren really did change things, and her mother would make the baby a priority in a way she never had with Caitlin.

“I’d appreciate that,” Caitlin said.

Hailey smiled, seeming pleased, and even reached across the table to squeeze Caitlin’s hand. “We’ll want to make a list of everything you’ll need. Maybe you and Brian could come to dinner some evening.”

Okay, now Caitlin really didn’t know who this woman was, but if Hailey was at all sincere, Caitlin was willing to meet her halfway. “I think we could do that. I’m available in the evenings, but Brian’s schedule is more erratic.”

“He’s so dedicated to the town,” her mother said. “Such a steady man, a good one.”

For once in her life Caitlin had to agree with her mother. Brian was a good man, and the optimism that had bubbled up in her earlier came to the surface again. Maybe she could stay in Darby Crossing where she and Brian could raise their child together. If her mother was willing to apologize and be nice, anything seemed possible. Caitlin was riding that happy tide until her mother spoke again.

“I’ll need you to get me an invitation to the baby shower, of course.”

How did her mother even know about that? Caitlin had just learned about it herself the evening before. “Oh, I—”

“I just ran into Laura Thorne at the grocery store,” her mother said, her expression turning sour. “Well, not ran into exactly, I overheard her talking to Juanita Alvarez about the shower. When I caught up with Laura in the parking lot and asked her what the date was, she told me I wasn’t invited. That’s ridiculous, Caitlin. Of course I should be invited.” Her voice was scolding, critical—exactly the tone that Caitlin was used to from her.

Caitlin sat back in her seat and pressed her lips into a line. All her hope that her mother could change vanished in an instant.

“I mean, how would it look if I’m left off the guest list?” Her mother kept going. “I’m the grandmother, after all. This is Laura’s work. She’s so uppity, and who is she really? Just a piece of garbage who showed up on the side of the road one day with a car that ‘just happened’ to break down and snagged Marshall Thorne’s attention. He couldn’t see another woman after she came to town, and I just can’t understand what his fascination was with her.”

Caitlin could answer that question easily enough. Laura Thorne was kind and caring, and there for everyone who needed her. She never treated anyone, even strangers, with the coldness and disinterest Caitlin had always gotten from her parents.

“Well, that’s ancient history and it doesn’t matter anymore.” Hailey calmed down from her tirade. “You’ll be a Thorne soon enough.”

Caitlin had to dispel that misconception right away. “Mom, Brian and I haven’t discussed marriage at all.”

Hailey’s face went white under her perfect makeup job and she leaned forward in her seat. “You have to marry him. You’re having his baby. Do you want people to call you a slut? You always were so selfish. Think of how this will affect your father and me.” She scoffed. “An unwed mother. How embarrassing.”

Caitlin should have known where this conversation would go, should have known that her mother would make it about her. Some things never changed, but what had altered over the years was Caitlin’s ability to stand up to her mother. Caitlin took in a deep breath, trying to calm herself and find the strength to say what needed to be said.

“I’m sorry you feel that way, Mom, but the fact that you do makes it clear to me that I don’t want you at the baby shower. If you want to be part of my baby’s life, I’m open to talking about it again. If you’re going to be toxic, though, I don’t want you anywhere near me or the baby.”

It was the firmest line she’d ever taken with her mother. By the time she was in high school, she’d learned to keep her mouth shut. But right now, it felt good to speak her mind.

Her mother stood and glared down at her. “When I think of what your father and I sacrificed for you all those years. You must be the most ungrateful daughter in Texas. And if this is how you treat me now, I don’t want anything to do with you or your baby.” Hailey stormed out of the diner.

Caitlin watched her mother pause on the sidewalk, pull her sunglasses from her purse and give her hair a flip as she composed herself. Her mother was her mother. What had made Caitlin think for even two seconds that things could be different between them? Hailey’s sole concern was connecting to the more prominent family and using both Caitlin and the baby to her own benefit.

A wave of nausea that had nothing to do with morning sickness went through Caitlin. She forced herself to focus on her coffee mug and the sounds of the diner in the background. Anything to forget about the exchange with her mother. After a few minutes, she felt calmer, but in that calmness, the truth was apparent. She couldn’t stay in Darby Crossing and be subjected to her mother on a regular basis.

This town wasn’t for her or her unborn child…but then there was Brian. She hesitated, feeling divided in two. She wanted to make him happy, wanted to tell him he could raise his child in the town he so clearly loved. But that choice just wasn’t right for her. No matter how good it was to be with him, it wasn’t enough, especially when he wasn’t always there for her either. She’d never feel comfortable here, never feel safe from the past, and she couldn’t count on him to be by her side to balance out the bad. She had to return to Austin and pick up the pieces of her life that she’d been building before Seamus stole from her.

Caitlin took out her phone and tapped out a message to Maggie.

Ready to talk? I’ve got big news and it’s NOT about a guy.

She didn’t have to wait long for a response from Maggie. I’ve got big news, too. The most adorable storefront has just come on the market. It’s pricey, but in a cool location.

Caitlin breathed a sigh of relief. Her best friend was talking to her again.

Been thinking about you a lot, Maggie texted next. I’m sorry about being mad at you. Seamus, the shit, deserved that, not you. Forgive me?

You bet. I’m sorry, too. Send me a link to the storefront. Talk later?

Yep. Love you.

Caitlin responded the same and slipped her phone back in her pocket. She’d give Maggie a call when she got off work and start patching up the best friendship she’d ever had. And then she’d think about her next move, the one that would take her out of Darby Crossing. She didn’t even let herself think about the fact that she’d likely have to do that alone. Brian wouldn’t go with her, so the best they could hope for was a long-distance relationship and co-parenting situation. She sighed, hating the idea, but not seeing another option that she could live with.