Page 62 of Peach Cobbler Confessions

A surge of panic rises in me. The last thing I need is Dr. Barnette propagating rumors. And God knows she’s a lot more credible than Carlotta.

“But I peed in the cup and everything,” I say. “And the nurse said it was negative.”

“Huh.” She squints at the screen. “I suppose there could have been a mix-up with the urine specimens. I’m not proud to say it’s happened before.” She shakes her head. “But I’m right. According to your blood work, you’re pregnant, Lottie. In fact, your numbers are way up. You’re very pregnant.”

“I’m pregnant?” The words stream from me numbly. “I’mverypregnant?”

She offers a friendly smile my way. “So who’s the lucky father?” Her mouth opens with delight as she looks to a stunned Everett and Noah.

“Oh,” I pant as I bring my fingers to my lips. “I, uh…” I look to Noah and Everett in horror. “I guess I don’t know. Technically, it could be either of them, depending on how far along I am.”

Dr. Barnette inches back as if I let an offensive odor fly.

A nurse calls to her from down the hall.

“I have to go.” She forces a smile. “It was nice seeing you all. I’m sure I’ll be seeing plenty of the three of you in the very near future. Make an appointment with my office as soon as possible, Lottie,” she calls out as she dashes down the hall.

“Lottie?” Noah pulls me in with a stunned look on his face. “You’ve just given me the best birthday gift a man could ask for.”

Everett swoops me back into his arms. “Lemon, we’re going to have a baby.”

I look to Noah and Everett with a whole new level of panic.

“We’re going to have a baby,” I say just as the world begins to swirl around me.

We’re going to have a baby.

I’m going to have todelivera baby.

And nothing in our world will ever be the same again.