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She didn’t need a test. Peyton knew she was pregnant. Soon, Alex would know too, because if this pregnancy was anything like her other two, there’d be no hiding her morning sickness. Unlike other women, hers didn’t typically start until after the first trimester.
She hadn’t told Alex what happened with Brodie the night before he disappeared from her life, but eventually, she’d have to.
Where Brodie was concerned, Peyton was numb. She didn’t look for him or expect to hear from him—she knew he was gone from her life. Part of her wondered if she’d ever see him again. She’d felt this way after Kade died too. She’d dream it was a mistake, that he hadn’t really been killed, but inside, she felt the separation, the finality.
There was no question, though, that she’d have this baby. It was her baby, the same way Jamison and Finn were. Their father wasn’t part of their lives, and this baby’s father wouldn’t be, either.
Alex accused her of caring too much about what people thought, but in this case, she didn’t give a damn. She was pregnant, and she refused to hide it. If someone dared to ask about the baby’s father, she already knew what she’d say. She’d tell them it was none of their fucking business.
She didn’t know yet what she’d tell the boys, but her mom would help her through it. No matter what, she didn’t doubt her parents’ support. Their love for her was unconditional. Maybe without it, she wouldn’t be able to be as brave.
When she walked into Stave, Alex was already there. She looked as though something heavy weighed on her.
Anxiety flooded her body. “What’s up?” Peyton asked.
“It’s Brodie, Peyton. I don’t know how to tell you this.”
Peyton’s hand flew to her mouth, and she ran to the restroom, getting there right before she lost the contents of her stomach. When she returned, Alex was waiting and pulled her into a hug.
“Tell me.”
“Maddox called this morning. Brodie was traveling to a remote vineyard in Argentina. The small plane he was in lost contact. He and Naughton are making arrangements to leave now.”
Peyton rested her hands on her stomach and took several deep breaths. The tears she expected didn’t come.
“Peyton, are you okay?”
“I don’t know.”
“Do you want to sit?”
“I better.” She held onto Alex’s arm, but when she tried to get her to the sofa near the fireplace, Peyton let go and moved to the other side of the room.
“You better sit too, Alex. I have something I need to tell you.”
Her friend made the decision to close Stave indefinitely. The sign she put on the door said they were closed for remodeling, but only the tourists who visited Cambria were unaware of the real reason.
There were days when Peyton felt certain she was having a miscarriage. She’d gone to the emergency room twice because the cramping had gotten so bad she couldn’t stand the pain. They kept her overnight both times, releasing her when the ultrasound showed the baby was fine. After her last trip, the doctor recommended temporary bed rest.
Peyton stayed with her parents, who took responsibility for getting the boys to and from school every day.
Communication from Maddox and Naughton was limited. The search for the plane wreckage was extensive, and that was all they knew at this point. Only Sorcha believed they’d find her son and bring him home.
“He’s alive,” she insisted. “A mother knows. I know my Brodie is alive, and nothing anyone says will change my mind.”
According to Alex, Laird had given up hope, but kept his belief from his wife.
Her best friend visited Sorcha and Laird every few days, although neither knew yet of Peyton’s pregnancy.
The worst part? She’d stopped dreaming. Neither Kade nor Brodie came to her when she slept. When she was asleep, she saw nothing but darkness.
“Do you want me to go to your doctor’s appointment tomorrow?” Alex asked.
“Would you mind? I feel as though my parents never get a break.”
“I don’t mind, and I doubt they do, either. I’d like to be there.”
“You’re approximately fourteen weeks along,” the doctor told her unnecessarily. Peyton knew exactly when she got pregnant.
