Page 54 of Pregnant in Plaid

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"I do."

"So take it. I'm not going anywhere."

"You keep saying that."

"Because it's true." He looks at me directly. "I get that you're scared. I get that this is overwhelming. But I need you to know—I'm here. For the baby, yes, but also for you. However long it takes for you to believe that."

I look away. "What if I can't?"

"Can't what?"

"Believe it. Trust it." I stare at my tea. "What if I'm too broken from everything else to let anyone in?"

"You're not broken."

"You don't know that."

"I do." He shifts closer. "Because you're here. Youcame to Alaska, pregnant, to tell me about the baby. That's not broken. That's brave."

"That was desperation."

"Maybe. But you're still here." He pauses. "And I'm hoping you'll stay. At least through the wedding."

"I will. I promised Tessa."

"And after?"

"I don't know." It's the truth. "I can't think that far ahead yet."

"Then don't." He picks up his book from the side table. "Just focus on getting through the week."

"What's tomorrow?"

"Tuesday. Day of rest before the wedding chaos really kicks in." He grins. "I was thinking maybe we could actually leave the cabin. Do something normal."

"Like what?"

"I don't know. Walk around town? Show you where everything is? You've barely seen Ashwood Falls."

"I've seen Tessa's cabin and your cabin and Dr. Martinez's office."

"Exactly. There's a whole town out there. General store, the lodge, the lake—well, frozen lake. But still pretty."

"You want to give me a tour?"

"Unless you'd rather sit inside and read pregnancy books all day."

"When you put it that way..." I smile despite myself. "Okay. A tour sounds good."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. But nothing strenuous. I'm already winded just walking."

"Deal. Nice, easy, pregnant-woman-friendly tour of Ashwood Falls." He settles back with his book. "Fair warning though—it'll take about twenty minutes. Maybe thirty if we walk really slow."

"That's the whole town?"

"We're not exactly a metropolis."

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