A Million Little Things (Mischief Bay, #3)

She saw the steady beating of a tiny heart.

Emotions welled up inside of her. Fear, hope, anger, excitement, resignation. There was a baby and it was real. And the fact that she could see the heartbeat meant that she was way more than two weeks along. The baby was Chad’s. Tears continued to pool in her hair. She clutched her hands together and wondered what on earth she was going to do now.

*

Forty minutes later she was dressed and in her doctor’s office.

“I’m sorry,” Dr. Herron said with a sigh. “We have several patients affected by this problem and three of them are pregnant.” Her expression was kind. “I know you weren’t expecting this. You’re still early along. We can certainly terminate the pregnancy with no problem. I can do it this afternoon.”

Zoe blinked. An abortion. Of course. Because she hadn’t planned on this happening. In fact, she’d taken steps to prevent it. She was firmly pro-choice. This was her right.

“I’m having the baby,” she said. The words were involuntary, but she couldn’t seem to call them back. “I wasn’t expecting this and I’m not with the father and it’s a mess, but I’ll carry him or her to term.”

After that, she was less sure. Adoption was an option. Or she could raise her baby herself. Only that meant being involved with Chad. He might be a lousy boyfriend but he was a really attentive father. But jeez, Chad?

Her doctor nodded. “That’s entirely up to you. Based on the dates you’ve given us and the ultrasound, you still have a few weeks to change your mind. In the meantime, let’s talk about how to have a healthy, happy pregnancy.”

Zoe drove home with piles of papers and pamphlets. She was going to have to change her diet, give up alcohol and caffeine, get more rest, start exercising regularly and basically live life as her baby’s vessel. Her head hurt and her stomach threatened trouble.

None of this was fair, she thought. None of it was right. She’d done nothing wrong. Okay, yes, she’d had stupid sex with her ex, but was she supposed to pay for that for the rest of her life?

When she got home, she found Mason sleeping on her bed in a patch of sun. She picked him up and held him close. For once he didn’t squirm to get away. She breathed in the scent of his fur and listened to the soothing sound of his purring.

“I’m pregnant,” she told him.

His green-eyed stare wasn’t the least bit judgmental.

Still fighting tears, she walked over to her computer and logged on. She searched I want to give up my baby for adoption. Twenty minutes later she had a working knowledge of what was required and knew there was no way she could do it. She might not have planned this, but she was perfectly capable of having a baby on her own. She had a good job, supportive friends and family. As for Chad—well, she couldn’t think about that right now.

Her cell rang. She looked at the screen and didn’t recognize the number. “Hello?”

“Zoe Saldivar?”

“Yes.”

“I’m calling to see if you’d be available to substitute teach tomorrow. It’s a fifth grade class.”

The question was so incongruous when compared with what she’d been dealing with. Substitute teach? How could she?

She was about to say no when she realized that pregnancy wasn’t the end of the world. Life still went on. It might not be as she expected, but either she moved forward or she stayed stuck.

“Yes, of course. Happy to.”

“Good. I’ll email you the information right now.”

*

Filia’s daughter, Marta, was nearly ten and just as pretty as her mother. She smiled shyly at Pam, then took her book over to a corner chair and started to read.

“I’m sorry,” Filia said for the third time. “My sister looks after her, but she’s sick.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Pam told her. “This won’t take long.”

Filia had come through with a business plan to expand her salon. Pam had already reviewed it and had been pleased to see it was realistic and detailed. Filia had a firm grasp on the amount of start-up capital she would need as well as the time it could take to build a loyal client base.

They discussed the plan and Filia showed Pam the work sheets that supported her numbers.

“How long until you have to give your landlord a commitment?” Pam asked. She knew that Filia wanted to rent the space next to her nail salon.

“Six weeks. He hasn’t heard from the current tenant yet, but I know he plans to vacate.” Filia put her hands on the table. “I can do this. I know I can. I feel it inside. I’ll work hard. I’ll work every day. This is my dream and I want to make it happen.”

Pam wanted that for her, as well. “Then let’s do that. I’ve got a few notes for you on your plan. Places to add a little more information. I’ve also brought along some bank applications. These are for two banks we’ve worked with before. They are very supportive of local businesses. When you’re ready to make an appointment, let me know. I want to come with you.” Pam handed over two business cards. “I’ve worked with both of these people before. If things don’t work out there, we can try the Mischief Bay Credit Union. You’d be pushing the upper limit of their business loans, which is why I don’t want to start there.”

She was also going to talk to Bea about some of the angel funds they had access to. Angel funds were a group of private investors who offered low interest loans or even grants to new businesses. Tech was hot right now and getting most of the attention, but Pam thought she might be able to swing a little cash Filia’s way if necessary.

“I’ll get these finished this week,” Filia promised. “Then I’ll call you so we can schedule before your trip.”

“Excellent. I look forward to it.”

Pam watched Filia and her daughter leave the offices of MWF. She might not be saving the world with her volunteer work, but she liked to think she was making a small difference. Each action was like ripples in a pond, or so she told herself. Now if only little Jack would start talking and Zoe and Steven would get serious, her life would be perfect.