Page 165 of Sugarloaf Ridge Lies

Dear God. They’ve been trying forfive yearsto have a child.

Tears stream down my face at the thought of her finding out about me. Discovering herhusband’sinfidelity and the baby growing insidemywomb. It would crush her, turn her world upside down.

She would hate him, but she would despise me.And this baby.

A series of sharp kicks take my breath away.

As soon as I put my feet up, these days, my sweet babe moves. I trace my fingernails over my stomach in circles. “Hey, my little cabbage.”

With a bang and a crash, the familiar swing and clatter of the doggy door alerts me to brace myself. Pirate barrels into the room, tongue hanging out and huffing as he searches for me.I swear he’s part blind.

“Hey.” I clap my hands. Ears pin back as he scampers to my side. I scratch at the back of his neck. “Where is he, huh?”

Pirate’s ribcage expands and contracts as he pants. His head swings to the door, then back to me. He does this a few times, which is strange.

A chill drives up my spine. “What is it, boy?”

He whines and darts to the doorway, turning his head in my direction as if to check if I’m following.

I swallow hard.

Has something happened to Jerry?

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