“He told me he was an obstetrician, but I didn’t realize he dealt with high-risk pregnancies.”
Dr. Matthew patted her hand. “You’ll receive excellent care, but Winter, I did warn both you and Viper how difficult a pregnancy could be to your health and the baby’s. For now, we’re not going to worry about that until Dr. Price has a chance to examine you. Today, just enjoy finding out the good news.”
“Thank you, Dr. Matthews.”
“I have another patient waiting. Evie will stay until you’re ready to leave.” The doctor left the two women alone, closing his office door.
She stood, still disbelieving she was really pregnant.
Evie hugged her. “Those better be happy tears. I know how much you’ve been wanting a baby.” She and Penni had been the only ones Winter had told about her desire to have a child.
“They are. I’m just worried about how Viper’s going to take the news.”
Evie’s face fell. “When are you going to tell him?”
“Cash dropped me off. I’ll get him to drive me to the clubhouse and talk to him then.”
Evie’s frown deepened. “You can’t tell him while he’s working. Make him a nice dinner, and then tell him when your aunt goes to bed.”
“You think he’s going to be that upset?” Evie’s advice was making her fears worse.
“No! I didn’t mean that. I thought you wanted to tell him by yourself first so you can reassure him alone. Viper isn’t going to blame you for getting pregnant. Accidents happen. Once, I was afraid I would get pregnant when a condom broke. King reassured me everything was fine. Viper will, too; you’ll see.”
“I hope you’re right. I’ll make him a steak and a chocolate pie.”
“There you go. If I didn’t think you should tell him alone, I would come over for dinner,” she joked, giving her some Kleenex to wipe her face. “You ready?”
Winter nodded.
“Call Cash. Then go to the bathroom to wash your face. We don’t want him calling Viper to tell him you’ve been crying.”
“I will.”
“Good. I’ll call you in the morning when your results come in.”
“Bye.”
“Bye… and congratulations.” Evie hugged her again before the women parted ways.
Winter texted Cash as she entered the restrooms. Splashing the cold water onto her cheeks, she stared into the mirror. The joy in their depths had Winter telling herself Viper would be as happy.
“What if he isn’t?” Winter whispered to the empty bathroom.
She was so nervous about telling her husband that it took two tries to open the restroom door. Thank God Evie had convinced her to wait until dinner. She needed the time to prepare herself in case Viper blamed her for the unexpected pregnancy. She still couldn’t believe it herself.
She’d had an implant put in four months ago, switching from the pill at the gynecologist’s advice. She had warned her to take other precautions during the first two weeks, and they had. Regardless, worrying about it now wasn’t going to change the fact she was now pregnant.
Cash pulled up in front of the doctor’s office as she came out.
“Everything go okay?” Cash asked when she climbed inside.
“Yes.” She kept a straight face as he drove her to her aunt’s house.
“You look like you’ve been digging a ditch,” Winter observed, changing the topic.
Cash grimaced at his dusty clothes. “Sorry. Rachel had me helping plant some of her seeds.”
“I hope she didn’t get them from her brothers,” she wisecracked, as Cash parked his truck in her aunt’s driveway.
“Her brothers are too stingy to share their seeds. They are as much in demand as their pot.”
He walked her to the door. “If your aunt is doing better, Rachel and Holly will be over on Saturday. They’re going to bring Logan and Ema over to spend the afternoon, if that’s okay with you?”
“Yes.” Winter knew Aunt Shay would be excited about seeing Cash’s baby.
“Make sure you lock the door,” he ordered, waiting for her to go inside.
“I will,” she said, telling him goodbye as she closed the door, locking it.
Winter checked on her aunt, who was taking a nap, before changing into a pair of shorts and a T-shirt.
She wanted tonight to be one they would never forget. She made a salad, putting it in the fridge so all she would have to do is take it out. She texted Beth for her pie recipe, tempted to order one of Willa’s cakes. When Beth emailed her the recipe, she was relieved by how simple it was. She spent the next hour making two pies: one for Viper and one for Aunt Shay.
As the clock ticked by, Winter became more anxious about his reaction. She was so overwrought she almost burned the pies, and she forgot to lay out the steaks.
She made Aunt Shay an early dinner then started her a movie in her room. Then Winter changed into a sundress with shades of soft greens and yellows. She slipped on a pair of cream sandals before going downstairs to bring her aunt a piece of pie and a glass of milk.