Page 184 of Sugarloaf Ridge Lies

Chapter Sixty

Liv

“My stomach goes rockhard and cramps a little. I’m anxious until it passes. I don’t want to worry Jerry. He’s got enough going on at the Station.” I pace the kitchen, phone glued to my ear. As much as I’m happy for Jerry to help his brother out, I’m living with a ghost. He climbs into bed after me and leaves before the sun’s up.It’s only been a few days, but I miss him like crazy.

“Sounds like it’s Braxton Hicks,” Aunt Jean says.

“Braxton what?”

“Fake labour pains. It’s completely normal. Especially now you’re at what... thirty-five weeks? I had them earlier in my pregnancy with Jay. How often is it happening?”

“Just this last week, a couple of times a day, especially when I’m on playground duty or out in the fields after work. They only last about a minute then ease off when I sit down.”

“What are you doing out in the fields?” I don’t miss the grit in her tone. She worries I’m doing too much, and that’s probably true, but stuff must get done.

“We have some students at the farm on work experience this week. I took the afternoon off to settle them in.” Laura and Riley have already made good progress. They’re quick learners.

“Hmm, as long as you’re putting your feet up whenever you can. Are you finishing work this week?”

“No, the week after. My last day is before the baby shower, but I’ve asked Bernie to put it on hold for now.” I’ve explained Daynah’s situation to Aunt Jean. I couldn’t go ahead with the shower knowing Daynah is on strict bedrest in hospital. How could I possibly celebrate when she’s under such emotional and physical stress?

“You should talk to your midwife. See if she thinks you should finish earlier.”

“I’ll ask at my appointment next week. It’s just... I’m not ready yet.” I prepared my students for me to finish at the end of next week. The transition is going to be hard enough. I don’t want to let them down. “The class and some of the parents are putting on a farewell morning tea.”

“What’s more important, Liv?”

I expel a heavy breath.My health, the baby’s health. I know.“I’ll talk to the midwife.” Sheree will no doubt tell me to put myself first.

“Good. Now, I’ve been meaning to ask... how did you go with the missing persons’ stuff?”

My heart pangs. The guilt eats at my insides for keeping it from Jerry, but having talked it out, we’re that much closer. “Sadly, nowhere. But we gave it a shot, right?”

“Yeah, here’s hoping she found a sugar daddy to take care of her. Lord knows that sweetheart deserved to be treated like a queen.”

“Hmm.”She doesn’t know the half of it.

My phone beeps, alerting me to another call coming through.

Kurt Langford.

“Oh God, I’ve gotta go,” I say.

“Call me later, ’kay?”

I clear my throat. “Yeah.”

I press the screen to disconnect and answer his call. “Hello?”

“It’s Kurt Langford.” His tone is professional, as if he’s making a work call.

“I know. What can I do for you?” Is he now getting around to finalising papers?

“Turns out my marriage is over.”

My insides twist. I can’t be the cause of this. I never would’ve slept with him, knowing he was married. But I won’t apologise. I didn’t do anything wrong. What’s happened in the last month or so since we met?

“Kurt, I—”

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