Page 59 of Finding Forever

“Is Niall… is he the father?” she asked tentatively and Fern’s eyes widened in horror as she understood how confusing her admission must be in light of the arrangement between her and Cade.

“Yes. We—uhm—we met before, remember? At the gala?”

“Oh, yes. I thought… well I didn’t realize youactuallymet there. I thought it was a story for the press, to make the marriage more believable. So, at the gala… that’s when you and Cade—” She made a vague gesture that meant absolutely nothing and yet set Fern’s cheeks on fire.

“Yes, we did. And we… yes. Just one time. He used protection,” she was quick to assert, not wanting Beth to think badly of Cade. “But well… here we are.”

“And he knows? Niall—Cade—he knows?”

“Yes, but this baby is mine alone. It’s the reason I came to him with this arrangement. I want to keep it. My stepfather would’ve used this pregnancy to manipulate me and fully control my inheritance. I couldn’t let him do that. I came to Cade for protection… for me and my baby. I get the baby and my inheritance. Cade gets my mother’s company.”

“And he’s okay with that? Revoking all responsibility and claim to the baby?”

“Yes. I don’t think a baby was ever part of his plan. Not right now anyway. And certainly not with me.”

“But your arrangement is for three years. How does that work? How does he remain distant from a child who is basically growing up in his home?”

“One thing I’ve learned about Cade these last two weeks…” Fern whispered, her voice barely discernible above the noise of the crowded restaurant. “He’s very good at maintaining his distance. If he doesn’t want to see you or be around you, it doesn’t matter if you exist in the same space that he does… he’s a ghost.”

Or maybe it wasFernwho was the ghost. She couldn’t be certain; all she knew was that what she and Cade were doing could hardly be classified as co-habiting. Not when they never saw each other. Or heard each other. All they found were echoes of the other in recently vacated rooms. The lingering scent of cologne, the still warm couch seat, a coffee mug left in the kitchen sink…

“And you’re okay with that?” Beth asked, looking troubled.

“That’s the arrangement.” An evasion if ever there was one.

“I see.” She worried her lower lip between her thumb and index finger. “Do you want me to keep this news—about the baby—from Gideon?”

Oh. Fern hadn’t even considered that possibility, she’d opted to confide in her new friend, not once thinking of the awkward position within which she was placing the other woman. She had so much to learn when it came to closer relationships and friendships.

“I’ll tell Cade I told you. If you wouldn’t mind holding off for a while, and maybe giving him a chance to tell the family first? I’d really appreciate that. I’m sorry, I know I’ve put you in a bit of a bind now.”

“What? Don’t be silly. I hope we’re becoming friends, Fern. And if you want me to keep your secret from my husband, I will. It’s not my place to tell him.”

“But…”

“No buts…” Beth said adamantly. “Gideon and I are best friends, but we respect each other’s privacy.”

How lovely it must be to share a relationship like that with someone.

“Thank you, I just have no one to talk to about it. And Cade is the only other person who knows but as you can imagine, anything to do with the baby is a little awkward and I don’t think either of us is very comfortable talking about it with the other. I’m excited about my pregnancy and Cade definitely isn’t. There’s no overcoming that and I just?—”

“You needed a confidante,” Beth said with a smile. “And that’s okay. I’m here if you want to talk. And obviously, with us hopefully being only a few months apart on the same journey, we can support each other through this. Ooh, and this means we’re going to have to factor maternity wear into this new wardrobe of yours.”

Fern smiled as well and for the first time in a long, long time, finally felt like she had someone in her corner. Her relief and gratitude was almost dizzying and the happiness blooming in her chest felt too good to be true.

Chapter

Fifteen

“Iknow. I know… I-I bought too much,” Fern stumbled over her words a couple of hours later when Cade’s brow settled into a familiar glower as he scanned the bags and boxes surrounding her when she returned home from her shopping trip a few hours later. “But I needed a bit of everything.”

His inscrutable gaze came up to meet hers and he shook his head, before saying, “Stop trying to guess my every thought. You’re inevitably wrong and it irritates the hell out of me.”

“I’m—”

“Don’t you fucking dare,” he warned, cutting her off and her lips twitched in amusement.

“As I wastryingto say—I’m not sure how else to interpret your clear glare of disapproval. Don’t glower and I won’t automatically assume you’re pissed off.”

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