Patricia Kay - Wrong Groom, Right Bride

Chloe sighed. “Probably not.”

“Chloe.” Molly hesitated. “Why did you get engaged to Todd? I never could figure it out. I mean, to me, you were a mismatch from the beginning.”

“I don’t know,” Chloe admitted. “I think I was flattered. Plus—” and this was hard to admit, even to these two, whom she loved more than anyone ”—I think I wanted a family of my own so badly that I allowed that to color my judgment where Todd was concerned.”

“Oh, honey,” Jane said. “You do have a family of your own.”

“We’re your family,” Molly said.

“I know.” But an aunt and a cousin were not the same as a husband and children. And all three women knew it.

“Anyway,” Chloe said, sighing again—good grief, she was doing a lot of sighing. “That’s part of what’s been keeping me awake the last two nights.”

“Last two nights,” Jane said, frowning as Chloe’s words sank in. “You mean you’ve known about Todd’s marriage to Meredith since Thursday?”

Chloe nodded.

“And you didn’t call me?” Molly squeaked.

“I’m sorry. I … wanted to settle some things in my mind first.” Chloe knew she’d probably hurt her cousin’s feelings—after all, in addition to being cousins they were best friends and had been since they were toddlers. Molly was two years younger than Chloe, but the difference in their ages had never mattered to them. “One thing I did figure out is that there are probably going to be some rough patches ahead.”

“Look, honey,” her aunt said, reaching over to pat Chloe’s hand, “I know it’s hard right now, but you’re a strong person … you’ll weather this … and in the end, I believe you’ll be better off.”

Just get it over with. Tell them. “There’s something else.”

Jane and Molly both frowned. Chloe could almost see the wheels turning.

“I’m pregnant.”

For one long moment, the only sounds in the kitchen were the ticking of the wall clock and the humming of the refrigerator. Then cousin and aunt spoke at once.

“Oh, Chloe.”

“Oh, dear.”

Chloe sighed. Nodded. “Yep.”

“Does … does Todd know?” This came from Molly.

“No.”

“Why not?”

“I’m only about three—at the most four—weeks along. I had no idea when he left. And then, when I suspected and had it confirmed with a pregnancy test—actually, two pregnancy tests—I wanted to wait to tell him in person.” At this, tears threatened, but Chloe forced them back.

Molly’s gaze met hers steadily. “So when do you plan to tell him now?”

“I don’t.”

“You don’t?” Jane asked.

“No.”

“But, honey—”

“Don’t tell me he has a right to know, Aunt Jane. As far as I’m concerned, Todd Hopewell has forfeited any rights he ever had with me.”

“But, Chloe, he’s the baby’s father. Don’t you think—”

“No, I don’t think.”

Chloe saw how Molly’s glance darted to her mother, then hurriedly returned to Chloe. “I don’t blame you,” she said. “In your shoes, I’d probably feel the same way.”

“Thank you,” Chloe said. She looked at her aunt.

Her aunt sighed. “You know I’ll support you no matter what you ultimately decide.”

“I’ve already decided. And I won’t change my mind.”

“I just … well, I don’t see how you can keep your baby a secret from him. Riverton’s a small town. He’s bound to find out you’ve had a baby. Don’t you think he’ll put two and two together? And then what?”

“He won’t find out.”

“Chloe, of course he’ll find out …”

“I’m moving away.”

“What?” Molly looked stricken.

Jane was shaking her head. “Chloe, sweetheart, you can’t move away.”

“Of course I can. It’s easy. There’s no problem with the townhouse—I mean, because of the wedding I’d already given my notice.”

“But, sweetie,” Jane said, “where will you go?”

“I thought Syracuse.”

“You’ll hate Syracuse,” Molly said. “You know how much you dislike traffic and crowds.”

“I’ll get used to the differences. Besides, I don’t plan to live downtown or anything like that. I hope to buy or rent a little house out in the suburbs. Don’t look so unhappy. You can come see me whenever you want, and I’ll visit here, too. As long as I’m not out and about in Riverton, there’s very little chance Todd will find out about the baby.”

“How soon are you planning to go?” Jane asked. Her forehead was still creased with concern.

“By July 1st, I thought.”

“So soon?” Molly said.

“Well, I figured I’d begin showing in August. No sense in taking any chances.”

“I hate this,” Molly said. “And it’s all that jerk’s fault!” If looks could kill, Todd would bite the dust.

“Have you seen a doctor yet?” Jane asked.

Chloe shook her head. “I was planning to ask Todd’s mother who she’d recommend. I thought that might be a way to win her over … if I asked for her advice.” So much for that plan.

“You are planning to see someone soon, aren’t you? Just to confirm everything and get prenatal vitamins and everything,” Jane said. “I mean, you’re not going to wait until you move.”

“I honestly hadn’t thought that far ahead,” Chloe said. Lord, there were so many things to think about. “But yes, I guess I should see someone here first. Is there anyone you’d recommend?”

“Go to Dr. Ramsey,” Molly said. “She’s Sylvia’s ob-gyn, and Sylvia loves her. Says she’s wonderful.” Sylvia Alvarez was a coworker at the school where Molly taught.

“I still wish—” Jane started.

“Aunt Jane,” Chloe said, “I know what you wish. I wish it, too. I don’t want to leave Riverton any more than you and Molly want me to, but I see no other way. The Hopewell family has made it very clear they want nothing to do with me. And now I want nothing to do with them. I’m not taking any chances with my baby. And if that means I have to move away, so be it.”

Just before noon, Chloe was in the middle of a particularly intricate Web-site design when the doorbell rang. “Damn,” she mumbled. She wasn’t expecting any deliveries today. She considered ignoring the caller, but like the phone, she found the doorbell almost impossible to ignore. After nudging Samson out of the way, she headed toward the hallway.

The doorbell rang again as she approached the front door. “I’m coming.” She could see a man’s jeans-clad leg in the left glass panel at the side of the door. Frowning, she peered into the peephole. Startled by the sight of Simon Hopewell’s face, she jerked back.

Todd’s brother! What in the world was he doing there?

Smoothing down her knit shirt and khaki cargo pants, she opened the door.

“Hello, Chloe.”

“Hello, Simon.” Her heart was beating a little too fast, and it irritated her that just the sight of a member of Todd’s family could rattle her.

“May I come in?”

His gray eyes, which reminded her of the color of clouds on a rainy day, looked troubled. What was he worried about? He wasn’t the one who’d practically been stood up at the altar. He wasn’t the one who was pregnant—but of course he knew nothing about that. Did he think she might sue the family or something? She shrugged. “I suppose so.”

“I’m sorry to bother you during the day. I know you work at home. But I really needed to see you.”

By now he had stepped into the entryway.

Grudgingly, she admitted to herself that Simon Hopewell seemed like a nice person. Unlike his mother, he’d certainly never been anything but kind to her.