Page 45 of Promise Me, Katie (Bennett Sisters #1)

“Take slow, deep breaths,” Katherine advised, rubbing her back. “You’re going to be fine. Just relax and breathe.”

Beth Ann did as Katherine instructed, feeling the sick sensation in her stomach start to subside. After several minutes, she returned to a sitting position.

“Bethie, is there something I should know about?” Katherine asked. “Does Zach know?”

Looking like she might turn green again, Katherine hurried to the other side of the counter for a glass of water and a few packets of saltine crackers.

“Here, eat these. But only sip the water when your mouth gets dry. Don’t take big gulps if you haven’t eaten breakfast and your stomach’s empty.

” Katherine reached for a few napkins from the dispenser and wiped beads of sweat from Beth Ann’s forehead.

“I went through the same thing when I was pregnant with Addison.”

Instantly, tears filled Beth Ann’s eyes.

“Katherine… there’s something you should know.”

“Oh honey.” Katherine grabbed Beth Ann to hug her. “It must feel good to know your secret’s out.”

“My secret? How did you know? Who told you?”

“Well, you kinda did,” Katherine said. “It’s not hard to figure out what the sudden onset of nausea means in the morning.

Besides, a baby bump would’ve been hard to hide in a few months.

Of course, it’ll change our new plans, but I’m sure we can work it out.

And I can hire someone to cover your maternity leave for as long as you like. ”

“Katherine,” Beth Ann stammered, looking even more rattled than before. “I’m not pregnant.”

“You’re not?”

Beth Ann’s brows pinched together as she shook her head. Then tears filling her eyes spilled over her lashes.

“Oh… well then, I’m sorry I assumed. I didn’t mean to upset you, but it came on so fast, and I thought for sure you were about to faint.”

“It’s okay. I can see how you might’ve thought that.”

Then Katherine reached for Beth Ann’s hand. “Talk to me, Bethie. You know you can tell me anything.”

“I… umm…”

Katherine waited as Beth Ann grew even more worried.

“I think you should know that—”

Another long silence lingered between them.

“Come on, it can’t be that bad,” Katherine said. “What’s so important I should know about?”

Katherine had never seen her friend like this before. She’d always been one to charge full steam ahead. Exuberant, joyful, and fun. But now, she was pale, full of fear and apprehension.

“All good out back!” Zach announced as he walked through the front door. He’d been outside, making sure raccoons weren’t getting into the dumpster again. “Not a critter in sight.”

Katherine looked over and smiled. “Thanks, Zach.”

“Sure thing,” he said, close enough to see the look on Beth Ann’s face. “I can go in the kitchen if you’re in the middle of something.”

“That’s probably a good idea,” Katherine said. “Just give us a few minutes. If you don’t mind, there should be enough dough ready to get started on a tray of cinnamon rolls. I’ll be back there as soon as I can.”

“No problem. You two takeallthe time you need.”

Katherine almost laughed as Zach hurried from the room.

“He’s such a good guy,” Beth Ann whimpered, watching the door to the kitchen swing to a stop. “I don’t deserve him.”

“Of course, you deserve a good guy. Don’t we all?” Katherine smiled, just thinking about Matthew.

“You do. But I don’t.”

“Bethie, don’t say that.” Katherine shook her head.

“But it’s true. I don’t deserve a good guy, and I definitely don’t deserve to be happy.”

As Beth Ann burst into hysterical sobs, Katherine yanked her up off the stool and dragged her into the ladies’ room. In front of the sink, she took a ponytail holder from her pocket and pulled Beth Ann’s hair into a haphazard bundle on the top of her head.

Giving the cold water handle a full turn, Katherine hung Beth Ann’s head over the basin and poured cupped handfuls of water over the back of her neck. “I don’t know what’s gotten into you today, but you need to calm down.”

Beth Ann’s whimpering began to cease with each splash of cool water. After wetting a few paper towels, Katherine dabbed beads of sweat from her friend’s forehead.

“I’m glad I didn’t let Matthew talk me into taking the day off,” she murmured more to herself than Beth Ann. “I don’t even wanna think about what would’ve happened if I wasn’t here.”

Beth Ann sniffled. “You were supposed to be with Matthew today?”

“Not supposed to. But he asked me to.”

Beth Ann perked up. “You should go!”

“Are you crazy? I can’t leave you like this.”

“Yes. Yes, you can.”

Although the puffiness of her eyes and the red hive-like blotches on her face told a different story, Beth Ann actually looked excited.

“Oh my gosh, you gotta go. This is what we’ve been waiting for.”

“We?”

“Yes, we.” Beth Ann took the damp paper towels from Katherine’s hand and dabbed the rest of her face. Then she did a quick check of her mascara before dragging Katherine out of the ladies’ bathroom and toward the front door.

“Bethie… wait!”

“No. Don’t you see that you can’t wait? You’ve gotta go be with that amazing man, fall in love, and get married and have babies. Lots and lots of beautiful babies.”

“I can’t do that.” Katherine freed her wrist from Beth Ann’s grip. “I have to stay and help Zach. We open soon, and none of the morning baking is done.”

Beth Ann looked frenzied as she searched her mind for a solution. “Would you be willing to go once it is done?”

“I don’t know.” Katherine hesitated. “I feel like I’ve been gone too much lately. Besides, I’m supposed to show you guys everything I do in the morning.”

“But we know everything else after that,” Beth Ann explained. “Come on, Katherine, you just have to go!”

Katherine shook her head, trying not to smile at the idea of more time with Matthew. “I can’t leave you.”

“But I’m better now.”

“You were just white as a sheet a few minutes ago.”

“I’m probably just hungry. I didn’t eat much for breakfast, but Zach can make me food. And I promise to eat something good. No junk.”

Katherine wondered how she could walk out on the same Beth Ann who had always been there for her. Always and anytime. Whenever she needed a friend.

“Please stop overthinking it. I promise, there’s nothing wrong.”

“How can that be?You were about to tell me something when you broke down into a million littlepieces,” Katherine reasoned.“Maybe if I knew what you wanted to say, then I’d considerit.”

Beth Ann looked nervous as she swallowed the lump in her throat. “All I wanted to say is that I’m very happy for you, and I’ll be sad not to see you every day. But I’m sure your cookbook and produce business will be a great success.”

“You think so?”

“I do.” Beth Ann nodded. “You deserve to be happy and have a life outside of The Copperwall. Especially if it means you won’t be alone anymore.”

“Aww, Bethie.” Katherine teared up. “You’re such a good friend. Where would I be without you?”