Page 23 of Upon an April Night

“Pro-lifers?”

“The biggest.” Jamie thought back to her conversation with Shannon, and her heart ached for her friend. “Shannon said she would adopt the baby if I didn’t want to keep it.”

“Wow, really?”

Jamie nodded. “She told me she can’t have kids, but she would raise ours.”

“What did you say?”

“That I’d think about it. What else could I say? I felt so bad for her. She lost her first love because of the no babies thing, and part of me just wants to give this to her. She’s my best friend, and I love her.”

“Then maybe you should.”

“But when I really think about that as an option, it seems crazy. I don’t think I could be around her and the baby, knowing its mine and Duncan’s.”

“I get that.” Pam shook her head and lay a hand over Jamie’s. “Whatever you want to do, I’m here for you. No judgment. I’ll even drive you to the clinic if you want to go.”

“Really?”

“Absolutely, I will.”

“Thanks. The more I think about it, the more I want it to be over. I just can’t be a mom right now. Duncan is engaged to be married, and I’ll ruin his happy little future if I keep it.”

“Oh goodness, this is a complicated situation you’ve gotten yourself into, isn’t it?”

“That’s an understatement.”

Chapter 10

Duncan rubbed the center of his forehead, closed his laptop, then took a sip of iced tea. He leaned back in the kitchen chair and looked out the window into the back yard. Mama and Nana were planting flowers together along the privacy fence. Well, Mama was planting while Nana handed her things. She was spry for ninety-six years old, but not so much that she could kneel to work in the flower beds.

He stood and left his laptop on the table, filled two glasses of water, and wandered out into the yard. “Can I help with anything?”

“I think we’re about done for the day,” Mama replied as she pressed dirt into the hole where she’d planted some marigolds.

“It looks beautiful out here,” he told the ladies.

They both beamed as they admired their handiwork.

“I have to humbly agree,” Nana said.

Mama put her hands on her hips and nodded her head once in approval. “Me too. Next, we’re going to help Paulie get the yard ready for your …” She glanced at Duncan then away. “For the Fourth.”

Duncan raised an eyebrow at her. “For my what? What were you going to say?”

“Nothing,” she replied as she snatched one of the glasses of water from his hand and took a sip.

“What are you two up to?” He eyed them. “You’ve been sneaky lately.”

“Oh, fine.” Mama set the glass on the gardening cart and clasped her hands together happily. “We’re having an engagement party along with the family picnic on the Fourth.”

“Samantha!” Nana cried.

Duncan laughed at how little he’d had to push to get Mama to cave. “Was it supposed to be a surprise? Because you are horrible at pulling those off.”

“I don’t know what you mean.” She feigned innocence, but couldn’t keep from smiling.

“Every surprise birthday party you’ve ever had for any of us was spoiled ahead of time.”

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