Shay wadded up the Christmas paper and dropped it into the bag Abigail held. Her friend’s living room looked like a Christmas factory had exploded.
They’d filled their bellies with a tasty supper and exchanged gifts. Aunt Lucy had left awhile ago, Maddy had taken Olivia upstairs to paint their nails with her new manicure kit, and Wade and Dylan were outside plugging in Wade’s new battery charger, probably jawing about man-stuff.
Shay’d had a week to come around to the idea of being pregnant. She’d seen Dr. Garvin two days earlier to have the test confirmed. The night before she’d told Olivia, who’d been giddy at the prospect of a new brother or sister, though she was clearly hoping for a girl.
“You’re quiet tonight.” Abigail picked up Wade’s stack of gifts and set it on the stairs.
Shay supposed now was as good a time as any. She’d been waiting to deliver the news in private. “I got an early Christmas present.”
“Oh yeah? What’s that?”
“I’m pregnant.”
Abigail stopped, lowered the garbage bag, her jaw going slack. “You’re pregnant?”
“Yep.” Shay crumpled up another sheet of paper and held it out.
Abigail took it. “Holy cow. How are you doing? How are you feeling?”
“Scared silly.” Shay gave a wry grin. “Other than that, all right.”
Abigail smiled and pulled her into a hug. “It’s going to be fine. Congratulations, honey.”
“Thanks.”
“Does Olivia know?”
Shay retrieved the last stray bow and sank onto the sofa. “Told her last night. She wants a sister.” And she wanted Travis to come back. She’d left no room for doubt about that.
“What are you going to do? You can’t—you’re not supposed to ride in your condition, are you?”
Shay had done little other than think about their future the last week. “I’ll have to sell.”
Abigail frowned. “But your ranch . . . it’s been in your family so long.”
It would break her heart. She’d worked so hard to keep the place. “Don’t have much choice, I’m afraid.”
“Maybe Wade and I could help out—”
Shay set her hand on her friend’s arm. “That’s sweet, but no. I’ve given it a lot of thought. I’ll sell it and rent a place. I’m hoping to find work in town.”
She had a little equity in the property and was paid up through March. She’d pay Travis back and use the rest as emergency funds.
“What about . . . ?” Abigail’s eyes turned sympathetic.
Travis. Shay folded her hands in her lap. “I don’t know. I don’t know what I’m going to do. For now, nothing.”
“You have to tell him.”
“Eventually. I don’t want him coming back for the wrong reasons. Who am I kidding? He won’t come back at all. Maybe I don’t want to face that fact.” Shay shook the thought away. “Our relationship was nothing but a series of accidents. I don’t want to think about it right now.”
“You’re a great mom. That’s a very blessed baby you’re carrying.”
Shay swallowed against a lump in her throat. She hoped so. Sometimes she wished she had more to offer.
“I hope this isn’t a bad time . . . ,” Abigail started.
Shay could tell her friend was bursting to say something. “What is it?”
Abigail winced. “I’m pregnant too.”
Shay sucked her breath. “Seriously?”
“Seriously.”
Shay let out a whoop and hugged Abigail. “Congratulations! Oh, I can’t believe this.”
“Wade and Maddy are totally stoked. And I’m just—well, an emotional wreck.”
Abigail let out a tearful laugh.
“I know the feeling.” She’d teared up more times in the last week than she had in ten years.
Abigail smiled through her tears. “I guess we’re in this together, friend.”
“I guess we are,” Shay said.
Except Abigail’s baby had a daddy. Shay returned her friend’s smile, pretending that the tears sliding down her own face were happy ones.