Page 25 of Holiday Haven

“She's wonderful,” his mother whispered. “I like her.”

He did, too, but he didn't want to raise his mother's hopes. Especially when he knew full well his mother had arranged for Shannon to call him and invite her in the first place. “Take it easy Mom, this is our first date. Try not to start planning a wedding yet, okay?”

“I’ll try,” she agreed, but he didn't believe her.

Alec stood and took Jillian’s hand, drawing her up beside him. “Listen up, everyone, we have an announcement to make.”

Adam stared at his brother, his smile fading.

“Jillian and I are having a baby! Shannon is going to be a big sister.” Alec couldn't have looked happier—he beamed with pride. “Our baby is due sometime the end of June.”

“Nice shot, stealing my news,” Amber said. “Because Nick and I are expecting too!”

His family erupted into pandemonium. Cheers and good wishes to both of his siblings permeated the air.

His face felt frozen in place. He was truly happy for his siblings, especially Alec. For years Alec hadn't known about Shannon but once he discovered he had a daughter, he'd instantly changed his bachelor lifestyle to make room for her. Amber and Nick would make wonderful parents too.

Watching the congratulations flowing back and forth, his stomach knotted. How would his family feel if they knew he had once been an expectant father? If they knew his stillborn son had died mere days before Christmas?

Pressure built in his chest until he couldn't stand it. Krista was looking at him with concern, but he ignored her.

“Congrats Alec and Jillian, Amber and Nick.” He tried to smile but knew he'd failed. Blindly, he turned and walked out of the room, through the kitchen and out the back door without his coat.

Heading straight into the cold winter night.

CHAPTEREIGHT

If she hadn’t been sneaking glances at Adam, she would have missed the flash of pain that darkened his eyes moments before he spun on his heel and disappeared into the kitchen. When she heard a door open and close, she hurried after him.

“Adam?” She opened the door leading outside, peering through the snow flurries to find him. With the help from a streetlight on the corner, she could just make out the dark shadow of his broad shouldered frame striding across the yard toward the sidewalk lining the front of the house. He didn't respond when she called his name, so she followed, shivering as the chilly wind cut through her cotton turtleneck sweater.

What had happened? Why did Adam seem so upset about his siblings’ announcements? Learning he was about to become an uncle should have been happy news. Maybe it wasn't Alec’s and Amber’s new baby news that had bothered him, but something certainly had.

For the life of her she couldn't figure out what.

“Adam!” She broke into a run, her feet slipping a little on the snow-covered sidewalk. At least picking up her pace helped keep the blood flowing. It was freezing out here, she really wished she'd had time to grab her coat. “Wait up!”

He turned to see her rushing toward him and stopped. He hung his head for a moment before turning and retracing his steps to meet her. He caught her close in a hug but the way he rubbed his hands over her arms and back told her he was only trying to keep her warm. “What are you thinking? You shouldn't be out here without a coat.”

She refrained from pointing out the obvious, that he wasn't wearing one either. She clenched her jaw to prevent her teeth from chattering. “What’s wrong? Why are you out here?”

He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and headed back toward the house. “Come on come on we need to get you inside before you get chilled.”

She didn't argue, even though he hadn't answered her question. She ignored the tiny flash of hurt caused by his unwillingness to confide in her. Once again, he was shutting her out, refusing to talk about his emotions. It was the same thing he had done after Denny's transfer to the PICU, but this was worse. After they reached the back door leading to the kitchen she paused, looking up at him. “Are you sure you want to go back inside? Would you rather leave?”

“I'm fine.” His smile was strained. “I just needed a moment alone. My mother would be upset if we left before dinner. Besides, I'm hungry.”

He opened the door and she stepped into the warmth of the Monroe family kitchen with a tiny sigh of relief. Glistening snowflakes dotted Adam's dark hair and she wished again he'd confide in her, explain what was going on beneath that calm facade of his.

Thankfully none of the Monroes seemed to have noticed their brief disappearance outside. Or, if they had, they didn't mention it as the family prepared to sit down in the dining room for dinner. Alice brought mountains of food to the table, two hearty pot roasts with gravy, a couple green bean casseroles and a huge bowl of small red potatoes. Somehow she wasn't surprised to learn Alice had made warm apple cobbler for dessert.

She subtly tugged at the snug waistband of her slacks, thinking it was a good thing she didn't eat like this every day, or she wouldn't fit into her clothes for much longer.

“How is baby Joy, Adam?” Amber asked, sneaking a bite of cobbler from her husband's plate. “Is she still in the hospital?”

“Yes.” Adam glanced at Krista. “She is really doing well, and I think she'll be ready for discharge in a few days.”

“Baby Joy?” A puzzled frown furrowed Austin’s brow. “Is that someone I should know? Or one of your patients?

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