Page 32 of Chasing Sunsets

“Here.” He eagerly jumped up and followed the woman to the back.

Nanette sat with a sigh, like simply sitting took extreme effort. “I ache everywhere.”

“I can relate,” Sadie said. “Lowell told me he dragged you here.”

“He did. As much as I want a massage, I want to sleep more. The last time I ... Oh, no ... It can’t be. It can’t be. It can’t be,” Nanette chanted. “I’ve felt like this only three other times. When I was pregnant.”

The contract contestants were required to sign made it explicitly clear women contestants couldn’t be pregnant during filming, claiming some challenges might put a fetus at risk.

“I should take a test to know for sure.” Eyes filled with worry, Nanette stood and let out a gasp. “I’ve got no money for one.”

Even though the show provided money for gas, they took up the change when teams crossed the finish line.

“Want me to get a medic?”

Nanette shook her head. “They’ll bring cameras with them. Before I tell anyone, I need to know for sure.”

Half an hour later, Sadie sat in Nanette’s hotel room waiting for the woman to come out of the restroom. They’d asked assistance from the young spa receptionist who was thrilled to help. She loved the show and understood the dangers of someone being a contestant while pregnant. After asking her boss for a break, she left, only to return five minutes later with a small brown bag.

Nanette came out of the bathroom and held up the stick. A plus sign. Positive. “I don’t know how I didn’t realize it before. I must tell Floyd. It’s his, in case you’re wondering.”

“It’s none of my business.” Sadie remembered Nanette and Floyd kissing on the initial day after finding out they’d been paired together.

“We’ve been seeing each other. Our kids don’t know. We didn’t want to raise their hopes.” Nanette sat on the bed. “It’s so odd how things work out. We have three children and always talked about four being the perfect amount. Our youngest is eleven, though, and our oldest is a sophomore in high school. We thought our time for babies had passed.”

Distracted for a moment, Sadie tilted her head and then offered, “Since the phones don’t work, would you like me to get Floyd?”

“Would you?”

She left and returned with Floyd, his black hair mussed like he’d been napping. After a knock on the door, Sadie backed up.

Nanette answered.

“You needed me?” Floyd said, clearly confused.

“I’m pregnant.”

Floyd, still standing in the hall, beamed a radiant smile. “We’ll have to drop out of the race.”

Nanette choked on a cry.

He pulled her to him and wrapped his arms around her. “What is it, Nan?”

Sadie turned to go to her room, still hearing their conversation.

“We aren’t even together right now.”

“We’ve always been together, we merely lost track of each other. We’ve let other things interfere with us. The kids’ busy schedules. You going back to work. Me traveling for my job.”

“I love my work and helping people.” Nanette sniffed. “I’d lost my identity while raising the kids. I fear I’ll lose it again.”

“No worries. You don’t have to quit. I’ll work from home. During the summer the kids will help with the baby, and while school is in I’ll hire a nanny for the days I have meetings.”

The door beeped as Sadie inserted her key card to her room.

“Sadie,” Nanette called.

She looked back at the couple still in an embrace.

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