Pregnant by the Texan(76)

                The thought annoyed him. He didn’t want to think about her with other men and he didn’t want the mother of his child marrying another man. He realized on the latter point, he was being selfish. If he couldn’t make a real commitment to her, he needed to let her go.

                He suspected she was going to walk out of his life if he didn’t do something. The notion hurt and depressed him.

                He paced the suite, hoping he didn’t disturb people on the floor below. He tried to do some paperwork, but he couldn’t stop thinking about Stella.

                It was after four in the morning when he fell asleep. He woke at six when he heard his phone ring, indicating he’d received a text. Instantly awake, Aaron picked up his phone to read the message, which was from Stella.





                I have very little to move. Mostly clothes. I’ve loaded my car and checked out. I won’t need any help, but thanks anyway. I’ll keep in touch and see you Tuesday evening when we go to the TCC Christmas festival.





                She didn’t want to see him until Tuesday evening for the party. He had a feeling that she was breaking up with him. The day after the festival would be Christmas Eve when she would fly out of Royal to go to her sister’s in Austin. Aaron stared at her message. In effect, she was saying goodbye.

                At least as much as she could say goodbye when she was pregnant with his baby. One thing was clear: she had moved on from spending nights with him. No more passion and lovemaking, maybe not even kisses.

                He was hurt, but he could understand why she was acting this way. He should accept what she wanted. He needed to go on with his life and adjust to Stella not being a part of it.

                He did some additional paperwork, then after a while picked up his phone again to make calls. Soon he had moved his Dallas appointment until later in the day so he didn’t have to leave Royal as early. He showered, shaved and dressed, ordering room service for a quick breakfast while he made more calls.

                He may have to tell Stella goodbye this week, but before that happened, there was one last thing he could do for her. Hurting, he picked up the phone to make another call.

                As soon as the hospital allowed visitors that morning, Aaron went to see Mayor Vance.

                * * *

                After he finished his business in Dallas later that afternoon, Aaron went home to gather some things to take back to Royal with him. He paused to call Stella. He had tried several times during the day, but she had never answered and she didn’t now.

                He suspected she didn’t want to talk to him, because she kept her phone available constantly in case someone in Royal needed help.

                Certain he wouldn’t even see her, he decided to stay at home in Dallas Friday night and go back Saturday. He wouldn’t have even gone then except he had appointments in Royal all day Saturday to talk to people about the upcoming appointment of an acting mayor.

                He already missed Stella and felt as if he had been away from her for a long time when it really wasn’t even twenty-four hours yet.

                He wondered whether she was thinking seriously about taking the Houston job offer. It would be a good job, but Aaron knew so many people in Royal wanted her to take the acting mayor position—including the mayor, who had now talked to the town council about it.

                That night Aaron couldn’t get her on her phone. When she didn’t answer at one in the morning, he gave up, but he wondered where she was and who she was with. He missed her. She had filled an empty place in his life. He sat thinking about her—beautiful, intelligent, fun to be with, sexy—she was all that he wanted in a woman. Had he fallen in love with her without realizing it?