Total pages in book: 151
Estimated words: 142976 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 715(@200wpm)___ 572(@250wpm)___ 477(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142976 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 715(@200wpm)___ 572(@250wpm)___ 477(@300wpm)
Still, it was a daunting task… she needed everything. Underwear, sleepwear, casual, formal, beach, leisure, the list was endless when you were starting from scratch.
And as they sat sipping milkshakes after a long, lazy lunch, Fern stared at the woman who was fast becoming a friend and sighed.
“What’s wrong?” Beth asked, looking up from her Belgian chocolate shake.
“I feel like we haven’t even scratched the surface yet.” And they hadn’t. So far, she’d bought several pairs of shoes, mostly sneakers. Skirts—which had depressed her since she already had an endless supply of skirts. And underwear. She’d stuck with basic cotton panties and bras until Beth had rolled her eyes and steered her toward some very risqué lingerie. She now had lacy bras, thongs, chemises, and teddies. None of which she was certain she’d ever wear.
“We’re laying a foundation,” Beth reassured. “Figuring out what you like, what sizes you take. Get some mix and matches to wear right now, so that you can chuck those skirts and blouses. We’ll definitely do this again. Next time I’ll invite my friend Cat along, she’s so good at knowing what suits people. You’ll like her and it’ll be fun. And you can also do some online shopping if you find the prospect of going out to shop too overwhelming.”
“Are you tired?” Fern asked, watching as Beth unsuccessfully attempted to smother a yawn.
“Oh, no,” the other woman said with a smile. “Not tired. A little sleepy maybe. Gideon and I are trying for a baby and… well we can be both very goal oriented and we were extremely focused on our mission last night.”
“Oh.” Fern’s cheeks went pink, while Beth grimaced and covered her mouth with her palm to stifle a giggle.
The other woman’s face had also gone red.
“I’m so sorry. Maybe I am more tired than I realized,” she said with a horrified giggle. “I didn’t mean to tell you that.”
Fern laughed, and shook her head, waving the woman’s embarrassment aside.
“Don’t be silly, I spent my adolescence in a boarding school. Trust me, I’ve heard much worse,” she said with a wry chuckle. “So you guys are trying for a baby? That’s a huge step. Exciting.”
“I know. And I am excited, but also a little terrified. A baby will change everything. I can’t imagine being a mother. I like to be as prepared as possible for any new challenge. I do a lot of research… it’s my livelihood after all and ingrained into my personality. But everything I’ve read warns that no amount of research can ever adequately prepare you for the reality of parenthood. I’m not easily intimidated but I must admit to finding that thought a little terrifying.”
Fern gnawed at her upper lip, watching Beth apprehensively, the woman’s words sending a shudder of fear down her spine. Beth picked up on her mood immediately. “Fern? What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost? Are you feeling ill?”
“I’m pregnant… And I’m nowhere near as prepared for this as you are. I feel like I’m doing everything wrong,” she admitted. The words, rushed and breathless, emerged like a confession.
Beth gaped at her for a few seconds, jaw slack, before she gathered herself with admirable swiftness and stared at Fern with a somber intentness that she wasn’t quite sure what to make of.
“Is Niall… is he the father?” she asked tentatively and Fern’s eyes widened in horror as she understood how confusing her admission must be in light of the arrangement between her and Cade.
“Yes. We—uhm—we met before, remember? At the gala?”
“Oh, yes. I thought… well I didn’t realize you actually met there. I thought it was a story for the press, to make the marriage more believable. So, at the gala… that’s when you and Cade—” She made a vague gesture that meant absolutely nothing and yet set Fern’s cheeks on fire.
“Yes, we did. And we… yes. Just one time. He used protection,” she was quick to assert, not wanting Beth to think badly of Cade. “But well… here we are.”
“And he knows? Niall—Cade—he knows?”
“Yes, but this baby is mine alone. It’s the reason I came to him with this arrangement. I want to keep it. My stepfather would’ve used this pregnancy to manipulate me and fully control my inheritance. I couldn’t let him do that. I came to Cade for protection… for me and my baby. I get the baby and my inheritance. Cade gets my mother’s company.”
“And he’s okay with that? Revoking all responsibility and claim to the baby?”
“Yes. I don’t think a baby was ever part of his plan. Not right now anyway. And certainly not with me.”
“But your arrangement is for three years. How does that work? How does he remain distant from a child who is basically growing up in his home?”
“One thing I’ve learned about Cade these last two weeks…” Fern whispered, her voice barely discernible above the noise of the crowded restaurant. “He’s very good at maintaining his distance. If he doesn’t want to see you or be around you, it doesn’t matter if you exist in the same space that he does… he’s a ghost.”