Fracture by Aliyah Burke

Author:Aliyah Burke [Burke, Aliyah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: contemporary, cottonwood falls series
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

Vicki blinked and crossed her arms. “I’m sorry, could you repeat that please?”

The woman across the desk from her gave her a kind smile. “I said you’re pregnant.” She laced her fingers as she rested them upon the calendar. “I take it this is a bit of a surprise?”

Vicki struggled to breathe. “You could say that.”

“If you don’t mind me asking, is that why you’re here instead of with your regular doctor?”

“Let’s just say small towns are notorious for not keeping its secrets.”

“I understand.” She reclined and toyed with the edge of the file before her. “I’ll send you with vitamins. Will you be doing your pre-natal checkups here?”

“As long as I can keep it hidden, yes.”

The woman barely blinked. “Okay. You have the card and my direct number if you need anything.”

The rest of her visit flew by in a blur. Pregnant. The word tumbled through her mind uncomfortably, much akin to sneakers in a dryer. Thumping and rattling.

On her way back to Cottonwood Falls, Vicki veered off to a restaurant along the interstate. Claiming a booth in a quiet section, she ordered a hot tea and a bowlful of banana pudding. Outside, a summer storm rolled in, streaking the window she stared out with rivulets of rain.

What am I going to do as a mother? Do I tell Chase? What if he doesn’t want anything to do with the baby?

The pudding was satiny and went down easily. The mint tea—a nice addition, as well—soothed her nerves, but only slightly. Thunder boomed, and she took deep breaths. Wrapping her hands around the mug, she was grateful for the heat, for it pushed away her chill.

She placed her phone on the table and chewed on her lower lip. Should I call him?

Accepting a refill of tea, she leaned back and returned her hand to the warm porcelain. Jags of lightning pierced the dark clouds, creating a beautiful display. She allowed it to consume her, distract her. She hadn’t a clue of what to do next.

Finished with her pudding, Vicki got one more tea to go, paid her bill, and wandered to her car, unmindful of the rain that fell. The ride home, she ignored her music for the most part, and she just did the trip on automatic.

“I’ll need a bigger place,” she said once she made it inside her one bedroom. She stared at her reflection. “I’m keeping my baby.” Turning sideways, she stuffed a pillow under her shirt, trying to envision what she would look like further down the road.

Nervous and scared of the unknown, Vicki stripped before drawing on the shirt Chase had left at her place. His masculine scent surrounded her and allowed her to envision being held in his arms. That he protected her.

Curled up to a pillow, she eventually drifted off to sleep. Even then, in her dreams, Chase maintained a watchful eye over her. She woke before her alarm and didn’t even pretend to sleep longer. She rolled out of bed and drew on her running clothes.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.