Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25182 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 126(@200wpm)___ 101(@250wpm)___ 84(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25182 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 126(@200wpm)___ 101(@250wpm)___ 84(@300wpm)
We’re getting married today, and I wanted our first night together as husband and wife to be special.
Despite my excitement for today, I still have to force myself from bed. I’ve been so exhausted for the last three weeks. I think I might be coming down with something or maybe it’s just all the wedding planning.
I was pretty sure that I had the flu earlier this week, but I didn’t tell Hunter. I didn’t want him to worry or worse, overreact and cancel our wedding. It’d be just like him to rush me to the hospital in fear.
But today’s date is extra special. It’s the year anniversary of the exact day we met, so I figure it has to be a lucky day for both of us.
The doorbell rings just as I’m stepping out of the shower. I hurry to answer it, checking the peephole before I pull open the door. I wouldn’t put it past Hunter to show up and insist on helping me get ready. The man is always underfoot.
But to my surprise, it’s not Hunter on the porch. It’s Joy. She bustles into the cabin, followed by my mom and Emma May, who has so sweetly accepted me. The three of them start excitedly chattering, but I’m still half awake.
“Give me a moment,” I tell the crew, thankful that I’m wrapped in only my towel. It gives me an excuse to be alone for a moment longer.
In my bedroom, I wrap Hunter’s flannel robe around my curvy frame. I love the way it smells like him, and the thought has me unexpectedly tearing up for no reason.
Joy knocks and enters without waiting for me to say anything. She takes one look at my face and frowns. “What’s wrong? Do you want to call off the wedding? It’s OK if you do. Hunter will understand. We all love you and want what’s best for you.”
“No, I’m happy. I’m so happy.” I tell her, sniffing. “I don’t know what’s gotten into me lately. Everything is perfect, and sometimes, I just start crying.”
An odd expression crosses Joy’s face.
“What is it?” I finally ask.
“It’s probably nothing, but have you missed a period lately?”
I gasp, realizing that I have. The news came a few weeks ago that I was accepted into a college program. I want to become a veterinarian and help animals. In the meantime, Hunter and I are setting up a dog kennel that we’re building on our land. We’ve been so busy that I didn’t even notice when I skipped.
“What do I do?” I ask Joy, like she’s the big sister and I’m the younger one.
“Do you have any pregnancy tests?”
“No, Hunter and I have never even had a pregnancy scare,” I admit. He’s always talking about having children, but we never decided on a timeline.
“OK, not to worry,” she says. She takes her phone and quickly sends a text message. “Ford can swing by with a pregnancy test, and we’ll figure this out.”
Even as she says the words, I’m already certain. The knowledge is so strong within me. I press my hand to my belly, excitement bubbling up. This is the start of the big family that we want so much.
“It’s not possible,” I whisper. “A girl couldn’t get this lucky—getting married and finding out she’s pregnant on the same day. It’s like every dream is coming true all at once.”
I pace back and forth while we wait for Ford to arrive with the pregnancy test.
“Let’s just work on your makeup for a few minutes,” Joy finally says, forcing me to settle down. “I’ll get Mom and Emma. Try to relax.”
Mom and Emma May chat together excitedly as they help me apply my makeup. But I barely say a word. I’m so excited and nervous. I can’t wait to tell Hunter. Maybe I’ll tell him tonight after our guests are gone.
The front door crashes open in the living room, and the sound of the dogs scrambling across the hardwood floor has me up and racing to see what the commotion is. The other women are close behind me.
In the living room is Hunter, barreling straight toward me with Ford close on his heels. He looks at Joy. “Sorry.”
Joy says, “He must have been with Hunter when he got the text message.”
“I saw it,” Hunter says, confirming our conversation. He holds up a brown paper bag, hope and trepidation flashing in his eyes. He passes me two large bottles of water and instructs me to drink them right now.
“What’s going on?” mom asks.
“My wife is pregnant,” Hunter growls.
The other two women gasp.
“We don’t know that yet,” Joy points out.
I set the waters down, giving my almost-husband an amused look. He’s so bossy, and I love it. I take the brown bag from him and turn to our family. “Just give us a minute.”