Page 81 of The Naughty Elf

Watching Ginger faint is the scariest moment I’ve ever experienced. I never want it to happen again.

She doesn’t wiggle out of my grip when she comes to. After she stuns me with her confession, she just leans back against me.

My hand drops from her elbow to cover her hand. Pregnant.

Is it too much to hope the baby is mine? Because I desperately want Ginger to have my baby.

I glance at Jackson and Ashley and see the same thought written all over their faces. Ginger doesn’t see it, though. She’s looking down at where our hands lay over her stomach. I swear she’s afraid to look at us.

We’ll have to talk about this later.

“Let’s get you in a chair.”

Her soft laugh eases the stiffness in my shoulders. “Okay, Shakespeare. A chair sounds good.”

I have a hard time letting go of her. I try not to hover as she settles back, but she shoos me with both hands, her eyes still a bit glazed over.

The event restarts, and people are moving around, cooking, prepping, and selling items within a few minutes.

Many people come around the side of the tent to talk with her, and she keeps getting up to help them and hug them, overexerting herself. I watch her wobble once.

I catch her elbow again, and her gaze shoots up to mine. Ginger is the epitome of self-reliantandself-assured, but I cannot stand by if she’s going to topple over again. I just can't do it.

With a sigh, she lets me silently settle her back in her camping chair. The tiny glare she gives me when I hand her a water bottle only has me smirking at her.

She pokes it, and the hint of a smile appears on her mouth.

“I know this is especially hard for you, but try not to do anything strenuous.”

Her laugh warms my heart. “Like standing and talking to people? Who knew it would prompt such a speech.”

I gesture for her to drink the water, and she does.

After a pause, I return to the burgers, although things have slowed down significantly.

When I turn back to check on her, Ashley is coaxing her back into her seat. That woman just cannot sit still.

Thankfully, the celebration only lasts a few hours. The moment clean-up starts, Ginger is on her feet again.

Jackson catches her this time. “Why don’t you let us take care of this, and you head home to cool off and rest.”

The glower she gives him is classic Ginger. “I’m not dying.”

“Please.”

When she meets my gaze, she takes a deep breath and sighs dramatically. “Fine.”

Bennett is behind her as if summoned, taking her from Jackson’s grasp. “Come on, honey. I’ll take you home. I’m sure your mother will gather enough leftovers to feed us for a week.”

She nods, a smile flashing before it fades. Looking out at the crew, she calls Gracie, who comes bounding up to her like the good-natured girl that she is.

Bennett hasn’t talked to us since he’s found out our big secret, and now he glares at the three of us, grumbling under his breath as he escorts her to his car.

Cleaning up takes a little time, but it goes much faster than the setup. We’re all huddled around the back of my truck as the crew and vendors leave.

“So, what does this mean?” I ask because it’s all I’ve been thinking of for the last few hours. I want to move her into my house and take care of her, but if I move that quickly, she’s going to run scared.

“Does it have to change anything?” Ashley wracks a hand through his hair. “The baby could be any of ours. And if it’s not mine, that doesn’t mean I’m going anywhere.”

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