Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 68004 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68004 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Jerking out of her seat, she ran into the bathroom and threw up. Matthew followed her, dampening a towel and placing it around her neck as she heaved over the toilet.
“Breathe this in.” Matthew held an open alcohol bottle next to her face. “It’ll help.”
She breathed in the fumes, and her stomach eased enough for her to straighten.
Pulling the washcloth from around her neck, she used it to wipe her face. The coolness eased the last of her heaves.
She lowered the cloth from her face. “Just promise me one thing.”
“Anything,” he said, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear.
“Don’t ever burn anyone near me again.”
Matthew pretended to consider the promise. “I’ll try not to.”
The man she loved couldn’t be serious for five minutes. Matthew would brighten even the cloudiest of days. He was the exact opposite of Greer.
“Do I want to know what has you smiling?”
“I was just thinking how you’re always in a good mood, joking around, and always making everyone around you feel happy. You’re kind of the opposite of Greer.”
Matthew made a strange face at her.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
She placed her hands on her hips threateningly. “What?”
“I don’t suppose this would be the time to tell you that the Porters and the Colemans are cousins.”
Epilogue
Against her better judgment, Alanna knocked on Ginny’s door. She should have texted her that she wasn’t feeling well today and take the afternoon off. If today wasn’t her first day back at work after returning from her and Matthew’s honeymoon, at a small bed and breakfast in the Caribbean, she would have. Just a couple of hours, then she would go home and make some soup to settle her queasy stomach. Had she picked up a traveling bug?
“Come in.”
Hearing Ginny’s voice, she opened the door and headed inside.
Standing behind the kitchen counter, Ginny took one look at her face and went to the cabinet to grab a cup. She poured some hot water into it then opened a box and grabbed a teabag, plopping it into the cup.
Alanna went to the long-legged barstool to sit next to Freddy’s highchair.
“Missed you, bud.” She smiled at the child gnawing on his cracker and fist.
Ginny slid the teacup in front of her. “I hope you had a better time than you look.”
“I had a fantastic time. The problem is, either I have jetlag, or I’ve brought a traveling bug home with me.” Picking up the teacup, she stared at Freddy. “I thought I would be feeling better by now. Should I leave in case Freddy or you catch it?” she asked worriedly.
Taking a sip of the tea, Alanna felt the effects from it immediately. She jumped off the chair and ran into Ginny’s guest bathroom.
After barfing up what she felt was her left kidney, she was finally able to wash her face and splash cool water over the back of her neck.
Ginny was waiting outside the door sympathetically. “I put Freddy down for an early nap. Are you okay?”
“I feel like I’ll survive now. It must have been something I ate last night.”
Ginny gave her a pensive look. “Could you be pregnant?”
“No, there isn’t a chance of that being possible.”
“Do you know how many have thought the same thing, only to find out they are?”
Ginny walked closer to her, so Alanna was forced to take a step back inside the bathroom. She watched as Ginny opened the small closet and reached inside a basket to take out a thin box.
“Here. I have a couple of extra pregnancy tests left over from before I became pregnant.”
Alanna started shaking her head. “There’s really no way. I’ve never even had a period …”
“Then you’re probably not. The good thing is, it doesn’t hurt to take the test.” Setting the test down on the sink, Ginny went to the door. “I’ll give you your privacy. Just call out if you need me,” she said, closing the door.
Staring at the test, Alanna started to open the door again. “This is ridiculous. I’m not pregnant.” She looked at the test. “This is crazy.”
She rolled her eyes at herself for even thinking about taking it. Nevertheless, her hand went out to pick the test up.
“What could it hurt?” Ginny would have proof she wasn’t, and she wouldn’t have to explain there was no way possible she was pregnant.
She took the test, then washed her hands and sat on the side of the tub to wait. Passing the time, she looked through different Crock-Pot recipes to broaden her horizons. Matthew loved spicy … She glanced over at the test, blinked at seeing a line. What did that mean?
Belatedly, she scanned the instructions. She had to blink again. She was still staring at the test in her hand when Ginny gave a soft knock before entering.
“Well?”
Alanna turned the test so Ginny could see. “This can’t be right.”