Page 468 of Conveniently Wed
Delilah laughed. “Ask away. I’ve brought many a baby into this world.”
Katherine moved forward and touched her arm. “I wanted to tell you, but I thought it best I tell Josiah first. I’ve been waiting for him to come around and act like he halfway likes me before I broach the topic, but I can see that’s not going to happen any time soon.” A knot tightened in her chest. “I’m running out of time.”
“I be praying, my girl. But in the meantime, I can alter some of those dresses so you’re not busting at the seams around the middle.”
“Josiah?”
Josiah turned with a sigh from the correspondence he’d been sorting through. Now what did Katie want? Wherever he wandered after supper, she found him.
“I’ve got some important news to tell you. Can we take a walk in the orchard?”
There was no way he was going for a walk in the moonlight with her. “Here’s fine.”
“No, it’s not fine.” She crossed her arms. “I want some privacy.”
“In the library then.” He pointed across the hall.
“Just thought the nice days will soon be gone, and a walk would be lovely.”
He dug deep and gave her his best scowl.
“Never mind.” She attempted a smile, but the disappointment showed on her features. “Your library will do.”
He led the way into the room and heard the click of the door behind them as he made his way to his desk. He had to keep busy. “What is it?” He didn’t turn her way. Just laid the letters in their slot and stacked and restacked a pile of papers.
“Please look at me.” Her words came out soft, like honey easing from a spoon.
He blew out an exasperated breath and faced her. He had to keep a strong façade or she would seep through his defenses.
She rotated sideways and pulled her dress tight around her midsection. He blinked, not wanting to believe what the very decided bulge might mean. He could only drop his jaw.
“As you can see, we’re going to have a baby. I’ve wanted to tell you earlier. I’ve been waiting for you to…”
“To what?” There was no mistaking she was pregnant, but his mind refused to believe. A numbness had settled over him.
“To come around…to not… Oh never mind all that. You’re going to be a father, Josiah.” She smiled. “Are you pleased? I am.” She dropped her hands from around the mound and stepped toward him. She looked at him as if she expected him to be happy.
Anger sluiced through him, a rage so strong he could barely control himself. “That explains everything.” One fist clenched, and he ran his hand behind the back of his neck with the other.
“I don’t understand.” A disturbed look flashed through her expressive blue eyes. Her smile faded.
“The kindness. The show of attention. Your constant attempt to wear me down.” He should have seen through it.
“What are you saying?” Her eyes misted. “Is it wrong for a wife to desire her husband? I’ve fallen in love with you, Josiah.”
A weight slammed into him, like a fist into his chest. Now she said it, when she needed something big from him.“This has nothing to do with love.” He couldn’t keep the anger out of his voice. Just the thought of those two together made his blood scream hot through his veins. “You’re pregnant with Colby’s baby, aren’t you?”
Her eyes widened to twice the size. She shook her head. “No?—”
“Don’t try to deny it.”
“I never…we never?—"
“About the time you found out you were pregnant, Colby left.”
“That’s not true?—”
“Come on, Katherine. I remember how you asked where he was.”
