Page 47 of Pregnant in Plaid
I should be more careful.
But watching him move around the kitchen, humming off-key while he makes breakfast, I'm not sure I can be.
Tessa's place is packed when I arrive that evening. Trace dropped me off on his way to the bachelor party, promising to pick me up later.
Well, "packed" is relative. Six women total, which in Ashwood Falls probably qualifies as a massive gathering.
"You made it!" Tessa hugs me carefully, avoidingmy stomach. "How are you feeling?"
"Like a whale in a flannel shirt."
"You look beautiful."
"Liar." But I smile anyway.
She introduces me around. Marnie from the general store, who immediately offers to set up a meal train for after the baby arrives. Dr. Martinez, who's here as a friend, not a doctor, but still manages to ask how I'm feeling. Two women from the lodge—Emma and Sarah—who welcome me like I'm already part of the community.
Everyone's drinking wine.
Everyone except me.
I'm stuck with sparkling cider in a wine glass, trying to pretend it's the same thing.
"Cheers!" Tessa raises her glass. "To love, laughter, and not freezing to death in Alaska winters!"
Everyone laughs and drinks.
I take a sip of my cider and try not to feel left out.
"So," Marnie leans in conspiratorially. "Trace."
Oh god.
"What about him?" I ask carefully.
"He's a good man. Little quiet, but solid. Good with his hands." She waggles her eyebrows. "If you know what I mean."
"I—"
"She means woodworking," Emma cuts in, laughing. "Marnie, behave."
"I am behaving! I'm just saying, the man can buildanything. Including a future." Marnie winks at me. "Just saying."
My face burns.
"Leave her alone," Dr. Martinez says, but she's smiling. "Patrice doesn't need life advice from you troublemakers."
"Thank you," I murmur.
"However," Dr. Martinez continues, "as your doctor, I will say stress isn't good for the baby. So whatever's causing that worried look you've had since you got here? Address it."
"I'm not?—"
"You are." She's kind but firm. "And I'm guessing it has to do with a certain carpenter who's been calling my office asking questions about pregnancy complications."
My hand stills on my glass. "He has?"
"Three times this past week. Wanted to know warning signs, what to watch for, emergency procedures." She sips her wine. "Man's doing his homework."
