Page 56 of Why We Break

“Anyway, enough about school,” I declare, turning toward Margaret. “I want to hear all about your pop-up in Deer Valley. How’s it going?”

Margaret’s eyes light up in excitement before answering, “Oh my gosh, it’s been incredible. I’ve sold out of treats before ten every day this week. And I found two people from town to help me work the counter so now I have some flexibility in my schedule.”

“Margaret, that’s incredible!” Caroline says, and I nod in agreement.

“Yeah, I mean I’m not the least bit surprised, but that’s great news. I just know that when you get your storefront open you’re gonna have more business than you know what to do with,” I tell her, bumping her shoulder with mine as I refill my margarita.

“You’re the sweetest,” she says, smiling at me. “But I’ve got to say I underestimated just how much town gossip I’d overhear while I’m making coffee. Did you know there’s a woman living with the mayor?”

“What?” Caroline asks, looking shocked. “Brian’s never dated anybody.”

“No, they’re not dating. She got stranded when she totaled her car during the snowstorm, and Huey found her. Apparently, Helen had just quit to move back home, and the new girl’s helping with the Christmas events. They gave her a room at the inn, but there was some issue, and now she’s living with Brian.”

“Watch out, Miss Mabel, we have a new town busybody,” I tease and Caroline chimes in, “Yeah, next thing we know, you’ll be sending in our secrets to the STS.”

We all chuckle at that, before I tell her, “On a serious note, I thought my grandfather was going to hurt himself on those desserts from Thanksgiving last week. He told me that everyone in the nursing home is willing to fight over your sweets.”

Margaret smiles before responding, “They’re just so sweet. I’ll have to remember to take them a few surprises once I’m closer to opening downtown.”

“They’d love that,” I encourage her, and Caroline nods in agreement.

“You know, I just really love this town,” Margaret says happily, grabbing her glass. “Moving here was the best thing I could have done.”

“Yeah, I’ve got to admit we’re not too sad about it either,” I tease.

CHAPTER 42

HANNAH

SEVEN SUMMERS AGO

“Okay, yes, I’m walking in now. Yeah, it shouldn’t take long. I’ll call you as soon as I’m done,” I tell Will as I walk into the front door of the town’s OB office.

Hanging up, I take a deep breath, trying to shake the nervous pit I always feel in my gut when I have to step foot within a thousand feet of a medical practice. I know it’s just a checkup and an appointment for birth control so I have nothing to worry about, but I feel my anxiety rise anyway. After a quick mental pep talk, I make my way over to the reception desk in the center of the room where a receptionist is sitting and answering the phone that seems to ring on repeat.

“Hey, my name is Hannah Scott, and I’m a new patient under Dr. Millwood,” I say, trying to paste on a bright smile.

“Great, just go ahead and fill out this paperwork then. We’ll get you back as soon as we can,” she says right as the phone rings again.

I grab the stack and fill it out as quickly as I can before returning to my seat. Looking around the room, I can’t help but smile at all of the families in the waiting room—the pregnant women with their husbands holding their hand, whispering about the future, and the sweet little families with their newborns cooing quietly in their arms. The sight makes me think about the conversation Will and I had last week and the way his eyes lit up when he talked about starting a family.

While I’m not ready for kids yet, I can’t help the thrill that runs through me thinking about all that the future with him.

I’m still lost in my little dreamland when one of the nurses calls me back. I follow her through the halls until she puts me in a room and instructs me to undress while I wait for the doctor.

I follow her instructions and roll my eyes at the little paper blanket they left for me to cover my lap. I’m just getting settled onto the table when I hear a knock at the door. “Come in,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest, crinkling the paper as I try to block the chill from the air conditioner.

A short, elderly man enters the room and grabs the rolling stool before taking a seat at my feet. “Good morning. Hannah, I take it?”

“Yep, that’s me,” I reply, shifting nervously on the paper covered table.

“Okay, what do you need done today?” he asks, still looking at my presumably empty chart.

“Umm, well I came to see about birth control and to get my first yearly out of the way,” I tell him, trying to ignore the nerves I feel continuing to rise.

“All right, fine,” he says without making eye contact, turning his back and grabbing a packet of utensils off the counter. “Let’s get this done then.”

I frown, unsure why he’s acting like this is such an inconvenience but I lay back and let him get the exam portion over with. Thankfully, the pelvic exam goes quicker than I thought, but when he rises and starts pressing on my stomach, I can’t help the squeak of discomfort.

---