Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 102731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
Was it?
Because right now, a tumultuous mix of thrill and absolute terror overwhelmed me.
The strangers were called Ellen and Shirley. Ellen was the person who hugged me through my tears. She told me she had a daughter around my age and would hope someone would comfort her if she wasn’t around to do so. They’d insisted on walking me back to my car, and chatted to me about nonsense everyday things, like the weather, in an effort to calm me down. It worked, and I was in a fitter state to drive home than I had been in the restroom. I thanked them and they wished me luck before waving me off as I left the car park.
Nearing home, I called Mum to ask her where she was. She told me she was with Aunt Ally and Collum at the art gallery. I’d seen Aunt Ally as much as possible since I’d been home, and I even babysat Collum last week so she and Jared could have a night out at the Gloaming together. It seemed only fitting that she was there when I found Mum. I told her to stay put, that I was on my way. Mum sounded curious and a bit worried.
After we hung up, I called the doctor’s office to make an appointment. The receptionist asked what it was pertaining to, and I told her I’d rather discuss it with the doctor. She tried to insist, and I insisted she mind her own business. She harrumphed, but I got an appointment for two days’ time.
Skies Over Caledonia Art Gallery was situated around the corner from Flora’s, just off Castle Street on Sutherland Way, the street opposite the Gloaming and home to the village hall. Aunt Ally’s art gallery was two doors down from the village hall and next to one of three stores that sold overpriced Scottish-themed gifts to tourists.
I parked outside the Gloaming, praying I saw no one who would make it impossible not to stop and say hello to. My prayers were heard, and I hurried across the street and straight down toward the gallery. As I approached, I could see past the lovely pieces of glasswork, paintings, and jewelry displayed in the window to the main floor of the gallery. Aunt Ally had Collum in her arms. He was big for two, his legs dangling as he slept with his head on her chest, his arms tight around her neck. Aunt Ally held him like he weighed nothing as she and Mum chatted quietly. Strangely, there was no one else in the gallery. Then I noticed the closed sign hung on the door. Nevertheless, I let myself in, my gut churning like crazy.
The entire drive home, I’d tried to think of the right words to say to my mum. The perfect words.
And I had them ready on the tip of my tongue when Aunt Ally whirled around, and I saw Collum’s sleepy but teary face resting on her upper chest. Suddenly, I saw my future in vivid color.
I was going to be a mum.
An actual mum.
Responsible for a small human being.
The room started to shift beneath my feet.
“Look who’s come to see us,” Aunt Ally crooned gently in her American accent. “Aunt Callie. Aunt Callie”—she whispered to me now—“we had to close the gallery because our little boy is teething again and he’s understandably making quite the ruckus.”
How the hell am I going to do this? I suddenly wondered in a panic.
Allegra had Jared. And aye, they were both busy, but they had each other to share the exhausting, terrifying job of parenting.
“Baby girl.” Mum suddenly moved past Allegra, a deep frown furling her brows. “What’s happened?”
At that moment, the perfect words deserted me. I shrugged, tearfully, my hands coming to rest on my still-flat belly. “Well, I did as promised. It didn’t happen to me at sixteen.”
Confusion gave way to realization as Mum looked down at my hands on my belly. “Oh, Callie.” She reached for me and pulled me into her arms, her embrace tight. “Oh my sweet, sweet girl. It’s okay. It’s all going to be okay.” Her loving support and acceptance were my undoing.
I burst into tears and clung onto her like I was a child again.
Keeping it from Dad was the worst, even more so for Mum. But I didn’t want anyone to know until the doctor confirmed my pregnancy. There would be no fear that it would be leaked from the doctor’s surgery either, because the last time that happened, Mrs. McKay found out her husband had cancer before he had the chance to tell her. The person caught gossiping was fired because there was such an uproar in the village about it. Therefore, I could rest assured that while the people working in the surgery might know before Dad … and Lewis … they wouldn’t tell them.