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The evening passed as we all chatted about the future and what we had planned. Hudson could hardly believe his eyes when kangaroos dotted the paddock behind the cottages. I didn’t have a koala in the gum tree, but this was as close to perfect as it could get.
Later, Hudson didn’t want to go to bed, but his eyes drooped as he lay on the beanbag, cuddling Bluey. He would smell like dog tomorrow, but it seemed as if the two of them would be friends for life.
With Hudson asleep, I made coffee for the rest of us as we sat by the fire. Tonight, Ryan would go back to his cottage, as he needed to be up early for work. It was a pity as I was getting used to him being there when I woke up. His phone had pinged a couple of times, and I worried he was still getting those strange messages, but he didn’t say anything.
I walked him to the front gate.
“I’m taking them to the caves tomorrow, and then they’re heading back to Sydney to fly out. I’m going to miss them.”
“I’ll be busy all day but should be back early evening. Keep the bed warm for me.”
“You have a deal.”
Ryan wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close, kissing me passionately.
Then he stopped and was gone.
Like a teenager, I missed him already.
* * *
The day at the caves went well, and I cried when I saw my friends off. Who knew when I would see them next? Then again, I had traveled around the world to Australia so why couldn’t I pop across to the States as well?
Ryan was busy, and I needed to go into work. I would be back to full days again from tomorrow. It had been nice to have a break, but I was ready to put some of my ideas from the conference into practice. I was going to set up a questionnaire for people with asthma. The program required being set up so I could work with colleagues overseas while they all collected data. Tonight, I planned on having a quiet time in with Ryan.
We watched the last two episodes of the series I had been watching called Dark Storm. He said Jamie might be on it which was so exciting. I had never known any TV stars before. Then we fell asleep in each other’s arms. There were no more words of endearment, but his actions showed he cared in the way he adored my body. Life was wonderful and I wanted it to stay like this.
* * *
Bluey barked in the other room and woke us up. I swear, you didn’t need to set an alarm—this dog’s bladder worked like clockwork.
Ryan came back and kissed me as I lay in bed. “I’m going to head off early as I have so much to do today. I should see you tonight, though.”
“I need to get up anyway as it’s my first day back, and I’d better not be late. See you later.”
I dressed and was about to leave when there was a ping from a cell phone. Mine was in my bag and I glanced around. Ryan had left his on the dining table. I didn’t mean to look, but the message was on the screen.
Chris: Stop avoiding me. I’m pregnant and we need to talk.
The message disappeared as the locked-screen image of Bluey popped. My skin felt cold, and my stomach turned as if someone had punched me in the gut. So much for wonderful.
I had been rash. I didn’t know much about Ryan, and we had only been together for a few months in the scheme of things. Like a fool, I had desperately run headlong into this agreement, wanting something so much. It wasn’t the agreement that was the problem but my growing feelings. I was going to get hurt again.
Ryan said the person had stopped messaging him, and I had believed him. I had been in a relationship based on lies before and could not go back to that again. No matter how tempting he was.
For now, I would take the phone over to his place and head to work. I would talk to him about it this evening. Maybe by then, my heart would not feel so sad and like it was breaking, but I doubted it.
I knocked on Ryan’s door. Bluey was barking inside.
Ryan answered, and I handed him the phone. “You left it on the table. I have to rush. See you later.” I left before I said something that would come out as an accusation of his betrayal. I didn’t want him to see the tears forming in my eyes either.
At work, I could lose myself in the job. Case after case came and went. At lunchtime, I stared at my cell phone, hoping there might be a message from Ryan. But what would he say? If the woman was pregnant and he was the father, then there would be some major discussions needed. He had said he hadn’t seen her since January, and it was now July. It was before I had come to Australia so I had no right to be angry. The woman would be six months gone now so she had obviously decided to keep it. Why would she wait so long to find him? But then again, I didn’t know the whole story.
If he walked away from the responsibility, I would think less of him. But if he stayed with a person where the only connection was the child, I could see that being a disaster too. Not to mention, it would leave me devastated as well. It was out of my hands. I would find out later and then decide what I would do.
I was about to get in my car and drive home when my phone pinged. A part of me wanted it to be him and another part dreaded it.
Ryan: Sorry I can’t make tea tonight. Something has come up and I need to see someone. Will call you later.
