Page 87 of Beneath the Blue Moon

***Casey***

“I’m going to miss you so much!” I cling to Sandy, reluctant

to let her go.

“Me, too. I wish I didn’t have to go.”

“Call me as soon as you land.”

“I will… and make sure you keep me posted on my little niece

or nephew.”

“Of course.”

“Now, remember what the doctor said and don’t tire yourself

out.”

“I won’t.”

“And—”

“Go.” I giggle. “Or you’ll miss your flight.”

“Okay. I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

Watching her leave breaks my heart. She turns around every

couple of steps and waves. I really wish she could stay. When she’s finally out

of sight, I make my way back to the car. On the way home, I stop at a pharmacy

in Billings to fill the prescription the doctor gave me—prenatal vitamins and

such. I’m now committed to little EJ or Katy, no matter what the situation may

be with his/her father. I know he’d be a great dad, too. Oh, well; he has his

mother to thank for missing out. I still have some time before I start showing,

so I should be able to figure out a plan by then.

In the pharmacy, I’m instantly drawn to the baby aisle.

Things I didn’t even look at before are now the cutest things I’ve ever seen—bottles,

pacifiers, bibs… even diapers. I can’t wait to start shopping!

On my way out, who should I bump into but the devil herself?

Be the bigger person, Casey.

“Helena.”

She smirks and folds her arms across her chest.

“Well, hello.”

“How are you?”

“Good, now that my son is on the right path.”

Her self-satisfied smirk is just too much for me to bear.

“I’ve got to go. Excuse me.”

“You know, I was just with Shae. Apparently, she and Ethan

spent the night together.”

And there it is. He got over me pretty quickly. But… it’s

what I asked for, isn’t it? That doesn’t make it hurt any less. I guess Helena

was right all along—Shae is what he needs. I try to fight the tears

stinging my lids.

“I’ve already done what you wanted me to do. You don’t have

to rub it in.”

As I move past her, she grabs my hand. “As long as—”

She stops in the middle of her sentence, staring at me in

shock.

“Helena? Are you okay?”

She doesn’t look too good, like she just might pass out in

front of me. Her eyes move over my body, up and down in disbelief, then she

drops my hand as if it burned her. I hope it did.

“I’m fine.”

She turns and stumbles out the door, obviously shaken. Who

put a bee in her bonnet?