Page 72 of Embracing Trust

“Aubree.” This woman is trying my patience.

“How about you and I go over to Julie’s house, and we can tell her our good news.”

“You stay away from her,” I warn.

Aubree steps back and nods. “Well, that answers my question. You haven’t told her our good news yet.”

“I already told you. You and I,” I point between us, “are not getting married. I will help with expenses and take responsibility, but I’m not in love with you.”

“I know we can make it work and once you see our baby, you’ll change your mind. I just know it.”

With that, she grabs her handbag and heads for the front door. She calls out from the foyer. “I’m in room 304 at the Chateau Inn if you want to stop by sometime.” The front door slams and I go to the front window and watch her as she drives away.

I’m seeing the attorney on Wednesday and first thing Thursday I’m heading out of town for an overnight trip.

I have to come clean with Julia.

Chapter Thirty-one

Ryan

The appointment with the attorney goes well. He’s a quiet man, but he listened to everything and is willing to take my case. Although Aubree’s been texting and calling about financial help from me or my family for the medical expenses she’s incurred thus far, the attorney advised me not to give her any money. His office will meet with the Texas Office of the Attorney General to find out if they can file a petition on my behalf. If so, they’ll be able to issue a court-ordered DNA test. The test is non-invasive—just a blood draw for Aubree and a cheek swab for me. No harm to the baby.

Once we find out the results of the DNA test—which takes about four to six weeks—with a definitive outcome, then I’ll make plans.

This morning before I left the house to meet with the attorney, I had a quick bowl of cereal. Lydia had already left for work and Patrick joined me with a cup of coffee at the kitchen table. I was surprised. No, actually I was shocked when he told me what’s been going on with them. Patrick said he and Lydia have been trying to have a baby for a while now. They started meeting with a fertility doctor a few months before I moved in. I feel like such a dick because they’re trying to have a baby and I’m wallowing in my own pity about my situation with Aubree. Patrick told me not to feel bad about it because I had no idea. Lydia lost a pregnancy two months before I moved in, and they think she’s pregnant again. She has a doctor’s appointment next week where they will find out for sure with a blood test. They’ve been through hell, and I feel sorry for them because Patrick has talked about having a houseful of kids before. He and Lydia are the perfect couple to do it. I hope everything works out for them. He wanted to give me a heads-up so I would know. I told him I could go to Julia’s house to stay a few days if they needed some time together.

The drive to Blakely Falls is two hours away and gives me time to think. I’m tired. I’ve hardly slept the past few nights. If I work my ass off today, hopefully I’ll be able to sleep tonight. Patrick already booked my motel and assured me there’s an indoor pool and hot tub. It might be relaxing to spend some time in the pool after a day doing demolition work on the remodel.

Thankfully, I only have to spend one night and when I get back tomorrow night, Julia and I have plans. We’re going out to dinner and then back to her place where I’ll tell her about Aubree. If this kid does turn out to be mine, I hope Julia will still want to be with me.

Once I arrive in Blakely Falls, I stop at a gas station to fill up and grab a soda. The town is about the same size as Hamilton with tree-lined streets. I have no problem finding the address of the job site.

When I enter the house, there are two workers from a crew that Patrick hired for the inside demo. One, who looks about my age is short with a wiry build. The second man is a bit older and a little heavy around the middle.

The older gentleman greets me as I enter through the front door.

“Hi, I’m Ryan McCormick.”

“Kent Reeves,” the man replies as he unlatches the tool belt from his waist and lets it fall to the floor. He picks up his thermos, removes the lid, and takes a drink. “Patrick said you’d be here today.”

I take a look around the job site and they’re making decent progress. Patrick asked that I give him an update. “Where’re we at with this?”

Kent sets his thermos down and straps the toolbelt back around his waist. “Just taking out this wall to open up this area and tearing out the cabinets.” He points to the kitchen.

“I can get started on the cabinets,” I offer.

“Sounds good to me.” Kent points to the younger man. “This is Will.”

“How’re ya doin’?” Will asks as he waves from where he stands on the ladder. Will looks military—short hair and a cap with Marines’ insignia.

I head out to my pickup, grab the necessary tools, and return to the house. I begin chipping away at the old tile on the kitchen wall and tearing out kitchen cabinets. Once the cabinets are on the floor, I haul them outside to a large dumpster on the driveway.

The work on the kitchen cabinets makes my muscles tingle from the strength required to haul the heavy material. The new cabinets are delivered in boxes and set in the living room mid-morning. I study the new kitchen layout as I eat my lunch and once my sandwich is gone, I compare the boxes with the print of the kitchen plan. Looks like everything is ready for the trim carpenter who will arrive early next week.

The job is moving along as expected. I tour the house with Patrick’s list and mark off the progress on each item and take pictures with my cell phone as needed. Once I finish the checklist, I’ll head back to the motel, grab dinner, and go to bed. I still need to come back tomorrow morning to meet with the homeowners, pick up a few items from the lumber store, and then I can hit the road for home.

As I work on the checklist in the basement utility room, I hear an intense noise from upstairs. I startle and drop to my knees as the clipboard I was holding hits the concrete with a bang. I crawl to a nearby wall and lean against it. Pop. Pop. Pop. The sound comes from directly above me. Gunfire?

---