Page 54 of Love From the Ashes

“Of course I won’t let anyone hurt her. I’m her dad. It’s my job to protect her.”

“I’m serious, Reid. I need you to promise me. I need to hear you say it.”

“Okay,” Reid said, eyeing me strangely. “I promise I won’t let anyone hurt our daughter.”

“Thank you.” I folded my hands in my lap while I stared out the car window. I was going to hold Reid to that promise.

*

It was aquarter past noon, and I was rushing from the office to meet Della and Adam for lunch at Beck’s Bakery and Café. I spotted them at a table next to the window. I waved, and they waved back. Then I hurried inside to join them.

“It’s about time. The wait has been killing us,” Della said when I reached the table. “I told Adam you’d refused to tell me how your appointment went on Friday and whether the baby is a boy or a girl. Of course, he was thrilled you were making me wait until you could tell us together.”

“You bet I was. No way did I want Della to know before me. Besides, this proves Sofie likes me better than you.” Adam wrinkled his nose at Della and shook his head in an I told you so kind of way.

“Oh, stop, you two. I like you both the same. Oh, wait. I dislike you both the same sometimes too. Does that count?”

“Well! I can’t believe you said that to us.” Adam tossed his head over his shoulder and pretended to look hurt. “You’ve become such a brat. It must be those pesky hormones of yours.”

“You’re such a drama queen. Now stop it,” I said, laughing at his comical behavior. I pulled out a chair and sat across from Della.

“Fine, then give us the news before Della and I die from the wait.” Adam brushed the back of his hand across his forehead and made a face like he was going to pass out.

“All right, enough already. I won’t make you wait any longer. The baby is healthy and the size it should be at this point. And Reid was totally in awe when he saw the images on the screen.”

“And…,” Della said, prompting me for more.

“Okay, okay. The baby is a…girl.”

“Yes!” Della and Adam said in unison, with Della shooting her arms in the air.

“Queen Morgan will be strutting her stuff around the office in twenty years. The boys better watch out,” Adam said, hilariously wiggling his shoulders as if he were strutting down the street.

Della and I burst out laughing.

“Okay, we need to get serious here. I’m starving. Is that my rotisserie chicken pita?” I said, eyeing the food on the tray in front of Adam.

“Yes, it is.” Adam placed my sandwich and a napkin in front of me.

“Perfect.” I took a huge bite, my stomach growling as if signaling me to hurry up and feed it.

“So, did you and Reid finally discuss how long you’re going to work and how much time you’ll take off after you have the baby?” Della said, leaning back in her chair as she watched me scarf down the sandwich.

“We did. Reid wanted me to stop working now and stay home. But I told him I didn’t want to since Jason was increasingly giving me more responsibility and becoming a mentor to me. It took some discussion, but he finally agreed. After the baby is born, I’ll take three months of parental leave, and he’ll work from home so he can help me. Hopefully, it will all work out.” I was about to say something else but stopped. I rubbed the back of my neck while I scanned the restaurant.

“What are you doing?” Della said, studying me.

“I got the creepiest feeling a minute ago like someone was watching me. It was weird.”

“That is weird.” Della’s eyes darted from table to table. “I don’t see anything or anyone out of the ordinary.”

My eyes widened as I stared across the table at Della. “I can feel it again. Oh God, that’s creepy. I swear someone has their eyes boring into my back. Shit, look at the hair on my arm. It’s standing on end.” I suddenly shivered. “Adam, can you look behind me? Is someone watching me?”

“I don’t see anyone watching you, but the restaurant is packed, so it’s hard to tell. Someone could be watching you from outside, through the window. We are pretty visible.”

“You’re not helping, Adam,” Della said. “Sofie is already freaked out enough. Don’t make it worse.”

My body shivered again. “I can’t stay here. It feels too creepy.” I got up from my chair and took another look around the restaurant. Seeing nothing unusual, I turned back to Della. “I’ll see you upstairs. I’m going back to my desk.”

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