Page 105 of Sugar & Shadows

“I’m sorry,” she cried, two words I couldn’t imagine she spoke often. “I didn’t mean to do it. I’ve just had a lot of self-defense training. It’s muscle memory at this point.”

She scooted closer and stroked my face. “I’m so sorry.”

When she gently grasped my wrist, I let her move my hand so she could inspect my injury.

She winced. “I’m not a violent person. Well, verbally I am, but not physically.” Releasing me, she rubbed her knuckles again. “Sorry. I feel so bad. I just came here to tell you I’m pregnant.”

“While walloping me and threatening to castrate me?” This woman really packed a punch. I’d probably have a shiner for a week.

“You really bring out my rage. Normally I’m very composed.” She scooted away, head down, looking contrite.

Although painful, this morning had been equal parts confusing and hilarious.

“If it helps, accidentally punching you did make me feel marginally better.”

I barked out a dry laugh. “It doesn’t.”

She shrugged.

Though my one eye was already swelling, I studied her, trying to make sense of what she’d told me. We were having a baby? Together?

The thought sobered me. First things first, I needed to put on a pot of coffee. Then we could have an adult conversation. Not insults or injuries.

But before I could even begin to process, another round of banging sounded on my door. What the hell? I never had anyone in this house, and now, it wasn’t even nine a.m., and I had not one but two unexpected guests? This was bullish.

Rather than wait for me to answer, Logan let himself in. He looked annoyingly chipper and was wearing Carhartt overalls, which meant he’d been up all night, probably pulling calves or delivering baby goats.

“Where have you been—” His eyes went wide, clocking Sabrina in her pajamas and me, shirtless, with a bruise developing on my face. “Uh… Am I interrupting something?” He clutched the straps of his overalls. “Should I come back with a priest and a shovel?”

“No,” I said as Sabrina said, “Yes.”

“You haven’t responded to our texts,” he went on. “The temperature fluctuations caused some of the lines to blow. Josh needs help with the repairs. If we can’t get this fixed, he risks contamination and could lose a whole day’s yield.”

Dread washed over me. Shit. When the temperatures fluctuated too wildly, sap could freeze in the plastic tubing and crack the lines. They had to be immediately replaced with sterile tubing to avoid bacteria growth. Josh must be panicking.

I sprang to my feet. “Okay, give me a minute to get dressed.”

“Excuse me?” Sabrina sat up straighter, her jaw hanging open.

“We can talk later,” I said softly.

I needed ten minutes, coffee, clothes, and perhaps a bucket of cold water poured on my head. Because I was not in control. If I stayed in this room any longer, I would say or do something reckless. Like propose to her.

Eyes narrowed, she sat back, silent.

“When we’ve both had time to think,” I said, hoping she’d understand. There was so much to say, but I wasn’t capable of forming the words right now. And I wanted to get them right.

It sounded mature and reasonable in my head. But judging by the way she physically recoiled, I’d made things much worse.

Having Sabrina in my house messed with my mind. But I couldn’t think about that right now. She was pregnant. And I had to handle this right.

I hurdled over a pile of towels on the floor and darted toward the bathroom. At the door, I swung around and focused on her.

“Talk later?” I said.

“Later?” She raised one eyebrow.

I looked over at Logan, conflicting emotions hitting me. “I just need to help Josh first.”