Page 12 of Pregnant by the Texan
“Thank you,” Stella said, smiling at her sister. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
“You’ve said the dad is a nice guy. Tell him.”
“I’ll have to think about what I’m going to do first and make some decisions. I know I have to tell him eventually, but not yet. The minute he finds out, I’m sure he’ll propose.”
“That may solve your problem. Marry him. Accept his proposal. You’ve already been attracted to each other or you wouldn’t be pregnant. There’s your solution.”
“It’s not that simple. Aaron and I are not in love. Look at our parents. That’s marriage without love and it was horrible for them and for us. I don’t want that. And I feel like there are moments Aaron shuts himself off. He doesn’t share much of himself.”
“You may be imagining that. Marry him and if he’s nice and you’ve been attracted to each other, you’ll probably begin to love him.”
“I’m not falling into that trap. Linda, when you married, you and Zane were so in love. That’s the way I want it to be if I marry. I couldn’t bear to do it otherwise. And it will be a sense of duty for Aaron. He won’t give it one second’s thought. I’m just sure.”
“I’m telling you—if he proposes, marry him. You’ll fall in love later.”
“Think back to our childhood and the fights that our parents had—the yelling and Mom throwing things and Dad swearing and storming around slamming doors. Oh, no. You can forget the marriage thing. I’ll work this out. It’s just takes some getting used to and careful planning.”
“At least consider what I’m saying. If this man is such a nice guy, that’s different from Mom and Dad.”
“You know Dad can be a nice guy when he wants to. Mom just goads him. And vice versa. Here comes lunch.”
“Try to eat a little. You’ll need it.”
“It helps to have someone to talk to about it.”
“Do you have anyone in Royal?”
“Of course. You should remember Edie. We’re close enough that I can talk to her about it. She’ll understand, too. Actually, I can probably talk to Lark Taylor.”
“I know Lark, but not as well as you do since you’re both the same age. She’s not the friendliest person until you get to know her.”
“In this storm, believe me, we got to know each other. She and the other nurses from the hospital were out there every day trying to help. So were others that I feel are lifelong friends now. Megan Maguire, the shelter director. I feel much closer to some of the people I’ve worked with since the tornado. I can talk to them if I want.”
“Is he good-looking?”
“I think so.”
“Well, then you’ll have a good-looking baby.”
“Frankly, I hope this baby doesn’t look exactly like him.” Stella smiled. “I’m teasing. I’ll think about what you’ve said. Actually, Aaron is in Royal. I’m having dinner with him tonight.”
“There,” Linda said, sounding satisfied, as if the whole problem was solved. “Go out with him some before you tell him. Give love a chance to happen. You’re obviously attracted to each other.”
“I might try, Linda. It’s a possibility. But that’s enough about me. How are the kids?”
They talked about Linda’s three children, their parents, progress in rebuilding Royal and finished their lunch.
As they stood in the sunshine on the sidewalk saying their goodbyes, Linda asked, “You’re coming for Christmas, aren’t you?”
“Yes. I’ll fly in late afternoon Christmas Eve and then back home Christmas afternoon.”
“Think about what I’ve said about marrying the dad. That might turn out a lot better than it did for Mom and Dad.”
“I’ll think about that one. You take care. See you next time.” She turned and hurried to the rental car.
She paused to do a search on her phone and located the nearest bookshop, which was only two blocks away. She drove over and went inside. It took a few minutes to find a book on pregnancy and what to expect with a first baby but before she knew it, she was back in the car, headed to the airport.
All the way to Dallas on the plane she read her new book. She would have to find a doctor in Royal. She was certain Lark could help her there. She knew of two who were popular with women her age.
