That was the truth. I didn’t feel anything for Abby, but the whole time, my heart ached for Tina.

“You’re . . . sure about this, right?”

“Yes, I’m sure about this. I’ve been thinking about you, and only you, ever since we parted ways. The truth is, Tina . . . I love you. I’ve loved you for a long time. And I want you to know that,” I told her.

The words came out like it was nothing. I prayed it didn’t seem weird, but Tina listened.

“I . . . understand.”

“I’m glad that you do. After the Abby mess, I told my father that I couldn’t do this anymore, that I’d rather not be associated with him and pretend that he didn’t exist than continue to live a life of lies. I might be disowned. I’m not totally sure, but the farm is in my name,” I told her.

“I see.”

There was some relief, but there was still . . . more that we had to talk about. But I knew that . . . whatever was bothering her couldn’t be burned away anymore.

“So, tell me, you seem tense. Please tell me what’s going on. I promise not to leave you, and I reckon that, whatever it might be, we’ll be able to face it together.”

I rested my hand on hers, and she looked at me. Her lip trembled, and I tried to figure out what to say, but all I could do was stare in anticipation.

Chapter 15: Tina

HowdidItellhim? The fact that he was here, confessing all of this to me after so damn long, was just . . . a little scary, to say the least.

I looked at Caleb; my lips were dry as I stared into his eyes.

“I love you, Caleb. I really do, but I can’t be with you,” I told him.

His eyes widened as I spoke those words.

“But why?”

How did I tell him? How could I break it to him that I was pregnant with his child, and he wouldn’t want a woman like me? Caleb reached out, touching my hands and looking into my eyes.

“Listen, Tina, if something is going on, please let me know. I hope there . . . there isn’t another man, but if there is, I’ll take my chances and leave and—”

“No! That’s not it. There was never another. Seeing David the other day made me feel nothing. I didn’t want him back, and I never wanted to see him again. It’s just that . . . something happened while we were apart, something I’ve struggled to tell anyone about. I’ve been . . . meaning to tell you, but I didn’t have the chance,” I explained.

I didn’t even tell anyone at the office. I might be showing a little bit, but it was still too early to tell.

Caleb took my hand, grasping it and holding it softly. He squeezed the flesh, staring into my eyes. “I’m sure whatever it is that you need to tell me, I won’t get upset. What, are you pregnant or something?”

I stiffened. Was it that obvious? I looked around, biting my lip.

Caleb’s eyes widened. “Holy shit, you are.”

“Yeah . . .”

I tried to figure out how to stifle the awkward silence between us. Did I tell him that I was about five weeks along? I didn’t know what to do about anything here other than to just . . . wait it out and see what occurred.

“I see. So, you’re pregnant, and you’re . . . you’re keeping it, right?”

“I have a week to decide. I don’t know Caleb. But I don’t want to raise a child alone.”

That was the one thing I was worried about. Raising a kid all on their own, without the father in the picture.

“I see.”

“I don’t want to raise it alone, Caleb. But there’s the mess with Abby, and of course, David’s back in the picture and all,” I admitted.