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It then dawned on me that no one was supposed to know about Addy’s condition. I had to do something to contain the situation before the entire world knew about it. Not to mention the fact that Justin had told us both in private conversations, and I had promised him my integrity.

“Everyone,” I said in a loud voice. “Please, stop and listen to me. I don’t want anyone to share the news about Addy.”

One of the ladies slumped her shoulders. “But, I already sent an email to Hugo atOld Pine Cove Weekly.”

“Why? Isn’t that a bit disrespectful to your fellow townspeople? It’s not up to us to share private news that belongs to someone else.”

Milly shook her head. “I’m afraid the damage is done, Doctor Grant. I already told my cousin who told her friends at the sewing circle in the neighboring town. This news can’t be stopped now.”

I felt the color leave my cheeks. Justin was going to sue me. I’d have to leave this place and find another town to call my home. Again.

And Olive. I knew she didn’t mean any harm, but I couldn’t trust her with patient information anymore. I’d have to fire her. My insides twisted at the thought.

I was such a fool for believing this time things would be different.

Chapter Twenty

Olive

By the time I helped Addy get home okay, everyone had left. The community center was quiet, apart from Lewis cleaning up the place. He was stacking chairs with an angry expression and attitude. I wondered what those chairs had done to him to deserve this kind of treatment.

“Everything okay?” I asked, picking up a chair myself.

“How’s Addy?” Lewis replied, skillfully ignoring my question.

“She’s okay. I sat with her for a while and then had her call Justin. I didn’t know morning sickness wasn’t restricted to the morning. I guess I never thought about those things before.”

Lewis grunted. “Sometimes it doesn’t hurt to think long and hard about things.”

“Excuse me?”

He put down the chair he was carrying and leaned his arms on the back. “You know what I mean.”

“No, I don’t. What is your problem?”

He narrowed his eyes. “Why did you have to blab about Addy being pregnant? Justin told us that in a private conversation.”

Oh. “So no one knows about it yet?”

He scoffed. “They do now.”

“I’m so sorry. I wasn’t thinking,” I said. “The bickering got on my nerves, and I saw how unwell Addy was feeling. I needed to do something.”

Lewis let out a heavy sigh. “Look, I know you didn’t do it on purpose, but the damage is done now, and I’m the one who has to repair it, not you.”

“I know you’re mad, but please let me help you set things straight.”

He moved closer to me until we were at arm’s length from each other. “I’m not mad.” He paused for a moment. “I’m disappointed.”

There he went again, throwing a knife straight into my chest. Mad I could live with, but disappointed… What a slap in the face.

“I promise it won’t happen again,” I said, even though I knew it wouldn’t change what I did.

Lewis ran a hand through his gorgeous hair. “I don’t know if I can trust you again with patient information, Olive.”

I felt like someone had just shoved me under an ice-cold shower. “Well, I guess that’s clear. I should go.”

He grabbed my hand. His features softened, and he spoke in a warm voice. “I should’ve listened to my gut and not made the same mistake twice. Mixing business and pleasure was wrong.”