Secretly Hers (Sterling Canyon)(68)
Kelsey shook her head. “Avery and Emma were with me when I put everything together. I can’t have them know and not tell my own sister or parents. Besides, my family doesn’t keep secrets from each other. Everyone is in everyone’s business, and we like it that way. Makes us feel loved and cared about.”
Trip couldn’t relate to that feeling at all. He momentarily wondered how his father would react to the irony of Trip’s new reality. Then he thought of his arrest. Kelsey’s family probably wished her well rid of him. He’d have to work hard to mend fences, starting now. “I’ll come with you to talk to them.”
“No.” She set her empty glass on the counter. “They’ll prefer not to have to weigh their words in front of a stranger.”
“That sounds like you expect a browbeating.” Trip rubbed his forehead to alleviate the dull headache that had settled behind his eyes. “I don’t like that idea. Let me come. I bet they’ll be less upset if we present a united front.”
Kelsey shook her head. “I want to handle this on my own, although I am relieved to be able to say we’re doing this together.”
“Okay.” Trip reached for her. Once he had her back in his arms again, he kissed her. Unlike at Maura’s house, she didn’t resist him when he cradled her jaw in his big hands. As he slipped his tongue past her warm, full lips, he realized this kiss differed from their others—powered less by lust, and laced with a bit of wonder.
He steadied himself, remembering the seriousness of their conversation. “When do you plan to tell them?”
She shrugged, sighing. “They’re expecting me in about thirty minutes.”
Trip glanced out the window at the darkening sky. “Don’t walk over there now. Drive, okay?”
“Oh, stop.” Kelsey waved him off. “I told you before, I’ve been making that trek for years on my own.”
He placed his hand on her stomach and looked into her eyes. “But it’s not just you anymore. Now you have to protect the baby. You need to be safe.”
She appeared almost as surprised as he was by his protective instinct, but at least he got his way. “Fine. I’ll drive.”
By the time Kelsey arrived at her sister’s house, her parents were already seated at the dining table enjoying coffee and pie. Coffee, another beverage crossed off the menu for the next eight months. But apple pie? It was filled with fruit—practically a health food.
“Aunt Kelsey!” Fee ran over and clasped Kelsey’s legs. “What’d you bring me from Mexico?”
Kelsey’s eyes filled with joyful tears upon the sudden recognition that, this time next year, she’d have her own son or daughter to love. She held the tears at bay and stroked Fee’s back.
“You little stinker.” Kelsey grinned and tweaked Fee’s nose. “At least pretend to have missed me before demanding your gift.”
“Sorry.” Fee’s hands clapped together and she craned her neck and tried to look inside Kelsey’s giant purse. “But what did you bring me?”
Kelsey laughed at her mini-me, although Maura looked mortified. She reached into her bag and pulled out a colorful, embroidered cotton dress and hair comb embellished with a large silk flower. “What do you think of these pretty things? Now you can dress up and make believe you’re in Mexico.”
“Yay!” Fee tore the items from Kelsey’s hands and ran off, presumably to change her clothes, while shouting an obligatory thanks over her shoulder.
Kelsey retrieved a petite pair of painted maracas from her bag and waved them in the air. “These are for Ty.”
“Thanks, sis.” Maura took them from Kelsey and then went to sit beside her husband at the table. “Now that Fee’s gone, come tell us your big news. Does it have to do with that real estate sale you were hoping to close?”
“No, it’s not a work thing.” Four pairs of eyes fixed on her face, their scrutiny making her feel like she was buck naked on the sidewalk. She took a deep breath. God, she dreaded saying the words again, but maybe her family would surprise her with their reaction, like Trip had. “Let me sit. And pass the pie.”
Kelsey opted for the empty chair at the far end of the table and delayed the inevitable by filling her plate and taking her first bite. Her heart pounded, which only made her mad at herself. She hated feeling like a coward. Just begin.
Setting down her fork, she glanced at everyone as she drew in a deep breath. “So, I know this will be unexpected, and maybe not anything you’ll consider good news at first, but I just want you to know ahead of time, I’m happy.” She watched her family exchange worried glances. “With that said, I guess I’ll just blurt it out: I’m pregnant.”