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Blood tests confirmed that I am pregnant. Only a few weeks along. I plan on telling Effrem soon. I needed a few days to process everything. I’m telling him today before we meet with Gillian. She’s coming over to update me on the case and have dinner with us.

After walking through the house and not finding Effrem I dress in warm clothes and head to the barn. I find him in one of the stalls grooming a big dappled appaloosa. He smiles when he sees me.

“Come on in and meet Duke.”

I enter the stall. The big gelding turns his attention to me. I offer my hand and let him come to me. He smells my hand for a few seconds before pushing his nose against the palm of my hand.

I pet up his face. He lowers his head and I scratch his ears.

“What a good boy.”

“His name is Duke.”

“Nice to meet you, Duke.”

The gelding nods his head like he’s responding to me. Effrem chuckles.

“He likes you.”

“I like him. He’s friendly. Do you think we could talk?”

“Of course. Let me put away the grooming tools.”

I follow him out of the stall and into the tack room.

“It’s still pretty cold out there. Do you want to walk or sit in the office?”

“I’d like to take a walk.”

“I know just the place.”

Effrem threads his gloved fingers through my gloved ones and leads us out of the barn. We go around the barn to a small trail. The trail leads through a wooded area. The woods open up to a field and beyond that an enormous pond.

Ice covers the top of the pond, but I doubt it’s like back home and thick enough to skate on. Fat flakes fall from the sky catching on our nose and eyelashes.

“I thought it didn’t snow in Oklahoma.”

He laughs. “It doesn’t, normally. Maybe it’s Oklahoma’s way of welcoming you home.”

“It does feel more like home than I thought it would. A large part of that is thanks to you and your family. I thought I was the one helping you out, but you helped me out. You showed me something I’ve been missing out on my whole life, family.”

He turns me around, pulls me into his arms and gives me a passionate kiss. Any coldness I felt is swept away in the warmth of his embrace.

“You keep kissing me like that and I’ll forget what I have to say.”

He gives me a cheeky grin before kissing me senseless again.

“What did you have to say?”

“Umm. Oh hell. Give me a minute.”

He wraps his arms around me and tucks my head under his chin.

“Take your time.”

The closeness isn’t helping. I need to tell him we’re having a baby. Instead I’m thinking of the quickest way I can get someplace to get his clothes off.Focus Ruby.

“We didn’t use protection. I thought I couldn’t have kids. I’ve thought for years that I’m sterile. I didn’t say anything because I thought it was impossible. I know you’re clean and I haven’t had sex with Roger in years. I know I’m clean. But who knew it would take twice or actually once. It was the first time that did it.