Page 26 of Madly Deeply

The mention of work sobered her. She couldn't put it off much longer. With a sigh, she picked up her phone and dialed Gary. Whatever she told him would be passed around so one phone call should do nicely.

"Alexandra! Thank God. We've been so worried."

"I'm fine, really. Just..." She took a deep breath. "Morning sickness has been rough."

Silence. Then, "Morning... Oh! Oh my dear! Are you...?"

"Yes. About eight weeks is all." She managed a small smile at the joy in her colleague's voice. "It's Spreag's, of course."

"That's wonderful news!" Papers rustled in the background. "No wonder you've been keeping to yourself. How are you feeling? Do you need anything? Should I bring over some soup?"

"No. Actually, I have a neighbor cooking for me. I really don't need a thing...except time. If you could just let the others know."

"Of course, dear. Whatever you need."

After hanging up, Alexandra felt lighter somehow.

It looked like she wasn’t the only one.

"A fine first step, love."

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

"The bird feeder's empty." Alexandra frowned at the copper contraption hanging from the mesquite tree. She'd been watching a pair of cardinals visit each morning, and she hated to disappoint them. "I'm gonna head to the store. Alone, if you don't mind. I need some more of that peppermint tea that settles my stomach."

Spreag glanced curiously at the neighbor's garden over the low fence, then nodded and went back in the house, though who knew where he really went when she was occupied elsewhere. A long time ago, he'd told her what it was like being a ghost on the battlefield, that when his mind wasn't occupied, he would sort of drift back to his death bed. But this time, there was an ocean between him and the spot on Wickham's ranch where he'd been killed. He couldn't possibly go that far and still come back the second she called for him. Could he?

She started for the garage but movement caught her eye, and she realized why Spreag had glanced over the fence. Callum Fraser was puttering in Tenbury's garden, bent over a raisedbed of something or other, wearing a wide-brimmed sunhat of sunflower yellow.

She chuckled quietly. "Nice hat!"

He looked up and his face broke into a grin. "It was hangin' on the wall inside. Might be a woman's hat."

She giggled. "I think it might be a decoration."

He reached up to tap the generous brim. "Ah. Well, that would explain the handy loop."

This time she laughed out loud. "What are you planting?"

"Transplantin' the herbs." He held up a seedling. "Not sure what will grow in this heat."

She started to explain about Arizona's seasons, but Spreag cleared his voice from the doorway, as if he were as impatient for birdseed as the birds were.

"Gotta go." She waved vaguely. "Be careful. That hat is no match for this sunshine. You're not in Kansas anymore."

She felt his attention follow her and hoped Spreag didn't notice.

It was easier to shop alone than to constantly pretend she was on the phone. And it was nice to have some time alone for a change. A chance to breathe and think without her husband trying to read her mind and guess her thoughts. The morning sky was clear and blue and cheerful, so she took her time, enjoying the chance to walk among strangers who didn't know her story.

Target first, for basics. Then Sprouts for produce and tea. Finally Trader Joe's, because their flowers always made her smile.

She debated between pink calla lilies and blue iris, but her deliberations were interrupted when someone gasped behind her.

"Alexandra? Is that you?"

She turned to find Nori Chen--a professor's wife—clutching her cart like she'd seen a ghost.

If she only knew.

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