Page 110 of Resisting Isaac

She places her hand on mine, careful to avoid the IV taped to it. “Elena. You didn’t steal anything from me.”

“I know, but?—”

“No.” Her voice is firm now. “You got something you weren’t expecting. And you’re scared. And figuring it out. And I don’t want you carrying guilt because you’re pregnant and I’m not on top of all that. I won’t let you.”

I turn my hand over and squeeze my hers. “Thank you.”

“I hate that you felt alone in this,” she continues. “Like you couldn’t come to me.”

My airway is suddenly congested with emotions I can’t name.

I stare at my hands, then at the hospital bracelet across my wrist. “It just felt…cruel. To tell you I’d accidentally gotten pregnant when you were trying so hard to intentionally have a baby.”

“I get that. Even if it’s hard for me sometimes, that doesn’t mean I’m not happy for you. I’m happy for all of my friends with children and I look forward to spoiling this one every chance I get.”

Something loosens in my chest. My eyes sting, but I blink fast, managing a shaky smile. “I guess I didn’t know how much I needed to hear that until right now.”

“You’re not alone in this,” she says softly. “Not ever.” She gives a small shake of her head. “Honestly, in this family, it’s hard to get alone time even if you want it.”

“So I’ve noticed.”

Ivy smiles back, her thumb brushing over my knuckles. “Good. Because you’re stuck with us now, whether you like it or not.”

I glance around the room and see that the other chair is empty.

“Did Isaac leave?”

“Wyatt made him go home and shower. He’s already on his way back.”

I try to shrug off how much I miss his presence. “No big deal. He doesn’t have to be here every second or anything.”

“I’m not an idiot,” she says gently. “You two have been circling each other like a pair of magnets since the day you got here. Ever since you arrived, it was like something in him shifted.”

“We met the night before I came to the ranch,” I tell her. “I didn’t know who he was. I promise I didn’t mean for this happen. I would never have done anything to jeopardize this project—everyone’s hard work.”

“I know. And we’ll figure all that out in due time.” Ivy watches me. Closely. “So other than having a baby together, is there a romantic future for the two of you?”

There’s a loaded question I don’t have the answer to.

My spine straightens. “I haven’t thought that far ahead and I’m not sure either of us would want that. We’re just…figuring out how to deal with the fact that we’re having a child, I guess. Maybe not very well so far.”

“I get that, too.” She stands and fixes the flowers beside my bed. There are several bouquets I hadn’t noticed. “Wyatt wasn’t exactly ready for a relationship when we met either. But for what it’s worth, there’s more to Isaac than what he shows on the surface.”

I’d begun to see that. Not that I was ready to admit it. “More than a reckless flirt who’s allergic to shirts and boundaries?”

She smiles. “You might be surprised.”

I glance at her sideways. “Try me.”

She takes a deep breath. “Isaac’s the one who sends Asher, the twin that’s a Navy SEAL, care packages every month. Protein bars, magazines, handwritten letters. Every single month without fail. He’s the one who keeps up with Caleb’s rodeo schedule so he can call and wish him luckbefore every ride. He even made my workaholic husband go fly fishing with him and Willow last summer—twice.”

I blink my emotions back, so she doesn’t see how endearing I find this. Also, I either forgot or didn’t know there were twins in this family. I’m suddenly grateful that I’m pregnant with only one baby.

Ivy isn’t done singing Isaac’s praises.

“He keeps track of when Sutton has exams. Always makes sure she has gas money and snacks. Keeps her Spotify account full of study playlists she probably doesn’t even know he makes.”

The silence swells between us, warm and heavy.