Page 94 of Nothing to Beat

And if she’d been on vacation, that might be something she’d do.They didn’t talk all the time, they weren’t best buds, but there probably wasn’t a person on earth she trusted more.

“I’m pregnant.”

The strained words burst out.She spat them across the room; the ache of whatever emotion she battled came out in a cough like a confession that burdened her soul.This guy had to have magical powers.

He stepped back, reaching behind himself to close the door without looking.

“Congratulations.”

She waited.And waited.

Well, if he wasn’t going to say anything… “I thought that I wanted to be a mother, but now it’s really happening…”

“It’s overwhelming.Don’t be afraid, we all go through it.When did you find out?”

“Yesterday.”

He gestured at the couch by the window and headed that way.Quick to jump up, she followed and sat while he poured water from the pitcher on the side table.

“The news has barely had a chance to sink in yet.”He handed her the glass and sat in the corner of the couch, one arm along the back, the other on the arm.“Give yourself some time.Is that why you left LA?”

She sipped, their eyes locked, until she had to concede with a shrug and lower the glass.“Maybe.”

“Because Alice was there.”

That was a truth she had come to grips with.“Alice would’ve taken one look at me and I’d have cried.She doesn’t need me crying all over her.The woman has sixteen sons to worry about.”

“She can worry about them and her daughter at the same time.Though this isn’t a worry, this is a celebration.You’ll be a wonderful mother.”

If only she had that confidence.“Are you so sure about that?”The glass went to her knee.“I’m a Gambatto.”

“You’re a Breckenridge.I’ve seen how you love and I don’t doubt you have plenty of it to lavish on your offspring.”

After another sip, it wasn’t so easy to meet his gaze.“Are you going to ask me?”

“Ask you what?Are you happy?”

Her eyes went to his.“Who the father is.”

Another smile.“I don’t need to ask.Breck will love this child, fiercely, whether it carries his DNA or not.We all will.”

Even after all these years, the family still astounded her with their acceptance.

“It is.Breck’s.He is the father, and he knows, I… I asked him not to tell people.To keep this between us until we’d processed it.”

“He’ll support whatever you need.”

“I don’t want you to think I kept it a secret, or that he did.We’re not ashamed, I… I just don’t know what will come next.”

“This is your journey.You decide what comes next.Together.”

“Should we get married?”

Guidance from her mentor would be greatly appreciated and eagerly accepted.Sometimes it was easier just to have someone give out instructions to be followed.And this was Ben, she’d follow his instructions without hesitation.

“Do you want to get married?”

“He hasn’t asked me.”