Chapter Seventeen

 

The insurance agent left Josef’s Monday afternoon. With Elaine’s farm clear of debris—much of it bulldozed into a pile, Josef made what would be called an ‘executive decision’. He didn’t know who Cat had decided on for the barn remodeling, so he made a call to Rangston Builders. They came highly recommended by some friends who owned a horse ranch south of the cities. The company agreed to send out a contractor to evaluate the job that afternoon since Josef said he wanted the construction done as soon as possible.

A truck with the Rangston logo on the door pulled up mid-afternoon. “Josef?” the contractor said, getting out of his truck. “Bob Thompson. A pleasure to meet you.” They shook hands.

“You, too. I’m hoping you’ll be able to get started on this job ASAP,” Josef said with a glance toward Elaine’s home.

“What are we talking about?”

“Let’s go over there.” Josef gestured and started crossing the road to Elaine’s farm. “I recently inherited this property only to have a tornado destroy the house and barn.”

“Sorry to hear that.”

“As ya can see, I have the foundation for the house.” He pointed in the direction of the barn. “And over this way the barn’s foundation. I have to have a new barn, but the house isn’t needed. I’d like to keep the cost below fifty grand, but my max is a hundred thousand.”

The contractor’s eyebrows arched as his eyes widened. “What kind of barn? And how big?”

“It must have at least four stalls and whatever else needed for a horse barn. I want an office, maybe the same size as a stall, with water and electricity, which is already here on the property.”

Bob jotted notes in a portfolio. “You’ll want a wash-down stall and a place to store tack. Do you want a place for hay or feed storage?”

“I got that covered. Wait, I take that back, add a place for hay bales.”

“What are you thinking material-wise?”

“I want wood to be the primary material. It needs to be painted red.” He wanted Cat to be reminded of the old place. “Listen, I don’t know a lot about horse barns, but I trust you’ll come up with something spectacular. I want this barn to last a hundred years.”

“Didn’t you tell the office there was a short timeline on this job? How soon are we talking?”

“The sooner the better. I’d love to see you start tomorrow.” Josef laughed at the impossibility.

“Well, it won’t be that soon.” Bob laughed with him. “I need to draw up plans, get your approval, building permits, prepare the area and get the materials. We’re looking at a month minimum before we can get started. My guys could be up earlier to start clearing the area.” Bob strolled around the concrete foundation with Josef following. “To be honest, I’d like to work with a flat surface. Do you want the new barn in the same spot?”

“Yes. If possible, I’d like the concrete bricks saved for my use. Your men can pile them up over by what’s remaining of the sheds there.” Josef pointed to the left where his tractor sat parked under the green steel walls of what used to be a building.

“Okay. What about fencing outside of the barn?”

“I can take care of that. So, how soon can I see plans to get them approved?”

The contractor repeated his list, and Josef nodded in agreement. “Wednesday would be the earliest, but no later than Friday.”

“I look forward to hearing from you.”

The two walked across the road. As the contractor got into his pickup, Josef said, “Your guys can come at any time to get started. Remember, the sooner the better for me.”

With a nod the contractor left, and Josef thought about Cat. The possibility of being a father grew on him. He missed having her in the house. Even Blonde missed her and the dogs. Seeing her smile and hearing her laugh. His love for her renewed, he’d get her back to the farm to show her the barn being constructed.

To convince her to stay.

To ask her to be a part of his life.

To be his wife.

* * * *

Wednesday came and went with no sign of her period. By Friday morning, still no sign. After much contemplation, Cat would wait until after work. If the test were positive, she’d never be able to focus on her job, where being attentive was crucial.

Home from work Friday evening, Cat put the dogs out and fed the cats. She pulled the box from the drugstore bag and stared at the pregnancy test. She went to her bedroom, sat on the edge of the bed and read the instructions carefully.

The instructions stated it was best to take the test in the morning when hormone levels were higher. Not wanting to wait any longer, she went into the bathroom and followed the directions. She set the test on the counter. Washing shaking hands, she glanced to where the test sat.

Two faint pink lines.

Her heart weighed heavy in her chest.

The two lines grew dark pink as the seconds past.

She grabbed the instruction sheet to verify what she already knew. Slowly she sank onto the closed toilet lid. She was disappointed for giving in to her need to satisfy her body’s wanting Josef. Angry for not remembering to use protection. Scared knowing she carried a child that would be dependent on her.

The test proved she was having Josef’s baby. The joy and elation weren’t there. Now to tell Josef. She needed to think.

She gradually rose, threw the test away, and changed out of her work clothes. Not wanting to eat, she brought the dogs inside, then took them to the truck. The horses would be therapeutic for her, and so would the workout she’d get while mucking the stalls.

Due to the enormity of the situation, she would take her time before telling Josef about the baby. Time for her to absorb the reality of the situation. Time for her to make plans. Time for her to be honest with herself.

* * * *

Cat went through the motions of cleaning the stalls while her head churned questions of what would happen. What would happen to the horses? She had nine months to figure out that one. What would happen with her career? Nothing. She needed money to support her and the baby. How was she going to tell Josef? How was she going to tell her parents? But more importantly, what did she want? Good question. There was no going backward, only forward. One day at a time.

First things first, schedule a doctor’s appointment to confirm the results. There could always be the possibility of a false-positive test. Right? She had to be sure. One-hundred-percent-doctor-proven-sure before she told anyone.

“Evening, Catherine.” She jumped at Warren’s voice. “Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you. You all right?”

“I’m fine. Just a lot on my mind these days.” She led Churchill into the barn. “I’m still in search of a place for the horses. I would really like to avoid putting them in a boarding facility but may have to.”

“Well, what would you say if I told you the new owners of this place visited while you were at your aunt’s and asked about the horses?”

She closed the stall gate. “I’ll have them off the property in time.” A breeze from nowhere blew up her back and over her shoulders.

“No, they wanted to know what you used them for. I explained your rescue mission to them. Then they asked if they were for sale.”

Catherine’s heart galloped with mixed emotions, knowing there would come a time to let them go. “What did you tell them?” Wheelbarrow in hand, she sauntered toward the doors.

“I said as far as I knew they were, but they’d have to talk to you. I gave them your name and number, so maybe you’ll have one less horse to move.”

“Maybe.” A slight sadness filled her heart. Yet it opened a window of hope and opportunity with the baby. “Thanks, Warren. Hey, how are things in the packing world?” She parked the wheelbarrow in the corner and stepped outside of the barn.

“Good. I’m having an auction to get rid of all the things I’m not taking with me. I don’t need much where I’m going. Just glad Rufus gets to move with me. Otherwise, I would’ve asked you to take him. Just what you would’ve wanted or needed—another mouth to feed.”

Another mouth to feed. Ha. Her mental voice cracked as she hollered for the dogs to get in the truck’s cab. Her eyes moistened, and the tears were on the edge of breaking the dam.

She cleared her throat while situating herself behind the steering wheel. “Thanks again, Warren, for everything.”

“My pleasure. Night now.” He waved as she drove off.

About a quarter mile away from Warren’s place, Catherine pulled off the road and let the tears spill free. She didn’t want to be pregnant. Not now. Her career was solid. The rescue operation was under way. And to be honest she just wasn’t ready to become a single mother.

She couldn’t wait for the doctor visit. She wiped the tears away and pulled onto the road. Instead of going home, she’d make a quick stop at the drug store to buy another test to take in the morning.

* * * *

Unable to sleep Saturday morning, Catherine woke early and went into the bathroom. Two boxes sitting on the countertop stared at her. Two different brands of pregnancy tests. She ripped open one box, took the test out and did the same with the other box. With a quick read through the instructions, she did what was needed and waited.

One test took a minute to pop up the pink lettering ‘PREGNANT.’ The other test turned into a bright pink plus sign as well.

“Shit.” Her stomach churned.

No denying it at this point. Two tests—no, make that three—all showed positive. She was pregnant. She was going to be a mom. She was going to have Josef’s baby.

Catherine turned off the bathroom light and crawled back into bed. Four o’clock in the morning was too early to be up on a day off. Plus, she wasn’t ready to face the world. Or more truthfully that she was having a baby.

Little Buddy hopped on the bed and nudged her hand.

“Hey, Buddy.” She stroked the cat’s soft fur, and the tension in her body eased a bit.

Tonight was family night at Mom and Dad’s. She looked forward to a good home cooked meal. She closed her eyes and wondered what carrying a child was going to feel like. She remembered how wonderful Maureen looked at the lake and how happy she was.

Catherine wanted that happiness.