Lib

I wish I could say I was handling it well, but I dropped a few things and generally got klutzy because I was a tad pre-occupied. I mean I'd known getting pregnant was a possibility, but Eddie and I were careful right up until the percentages caught up with us.

But there really wasn't anything I could do for the next ten days except wait it out. I didn't let myself hope one thing over the other; that wouldn't be fair. Instead, I opted to help mom wind some of her new yarn, the two of us taking the winder up to Grandma Daisy's lair up on the third floor. We all knew it used to be her dope den, but it was so pretty with the lavender walls and glitter swirls on the ceiling.

Mom settled onto the rattan sofa and began sorting hanks by color, setting them on a clean towel. She waved for me to set up the winder between us, which I did. It's a cool device that winds the yarn into a tight ball, easier for storing and weaving.

"What's on your mind?" Mom asked, zeroing in on my mood, clearly.

"Ah . . . well . . ." I hemmed.

She looked up at me, alert.

"We had a condom break this morning," I blurted out, wanting to get it over with.

Mom stared at me for a moment, brows narrowing. "Oh dear."

"Yeah," I mumbled. The silence stretched out and I felt like I was hanging off a cliff.

"Huh. Well, when is your period due to start?"

"Middle of the month."

Mom drew in a breath. "Okay then. Got a little time before we'll know either way. What's Eddie's take on this?"

"Oh he's terrified," I admitted with a twisted grin. "Just like me."

That made Mom laugh. "I bet. Is Mr. Munson likely to . . . take off?"

"Mom!" I glared at her. "Damn it, I hope that's a joke because you know Eddie wouldn't do that! He and Wayne are part of the family now!"

She softened and nodded at me, still sorting yarn. "I know, but I've lived a bit longer than you, Liberty, and this is a very big deal. Being in love is lovely but becoming a parent can be a game-changer. Some men aren't . . . up to it."

"Yeah, well that's not Eddie," I pointed out. "He wouldn't run."

"You're right, but I'm sure he's thought about it, just like you've thought about heading to a clinic," Mom murmured quietly. "It's normal and human to consider all options, even the less noble or accepted ones."

I felt a little better hearing that and sighed. "He's scared of you, mostly. That he's let us down and that you'll hate him for this."

Mom shook her head. "Where he got that idea, I don't know. Eddie's a good man, like Wayne. And while this is a big deal, it's certainly not the end of the world. Does Wayne know?"

"Eddie's telling him today—we wanted you both to know so there wouldn't be any misunderstanding," I told her. "We wanted to be completely upfront."

Mom nodded. "Very mature of you both. But until we know more, I'd say let's keep it from Just for now."

I nodded and we finished up the rest of the yarn, talking about Thanksgiving plans.

"Were you dead set on a bird from Food Fair?" Mom asked. "Because Jen Slokowski over in Meade is willing to trade a turkey for sixteen pounds of manure and two of your apple pies. We'd have to dress it ourselves, but it would be fresh."

"Only if she kills it first," I sighed. "You know if Just sees it, he'll talk us out of eating it and we'll have another animal around here."

Mom chuckled. "Yeah, you're absolutely right about that."

Eddie

I had to return tapes to Family Video, so I stopped in, handing them to Robin, who looked them over.

"From turtles to . . . salamanders. Just is turning into a regular naturalist, I see," she murmured with a grin. "Raising the next Marlin Perkins."

"If it swims, crawls or flies, Just loves it," I agreed. "Where's Steve?"

"Out," Robin rolled her eyes. "He had a date last night and she drank him under the table so he's a lit-tle under the weather."

"That would take a lot of beer," I replied. "Who's the girl, do you know?"

Robin made a face. "Sheila McDonald. You know, the one who works at the Bluebird Café?"

I blinked. "The one with the really big . . ."

Robin nodded. "Thaaaat's the one. I hope the price to that funhouse was worth it."

"Meeoww!" I laughed back at her, and left, grinning. Robin is good people. She's smart and loyal and I'm glad she's got Steve's back. I used to think Harrington had it all, but these days I know that's not so.

Just like I used to think I didn't have anything and now, I do.

I caught up with Wayne at the feed store and helped him load up some of the fresh alfalfa into the truck along with grain and some supplements for the hens. He was grinning and I asked him what was up.

"Got a line on some merinos," he crowed. "Misty is gonna be thrilled."

That made me smile too. "Damn! Yeah, she'll be happy about that. Where?"

"Walton, up by the mental hospital. Farmer up that way will be sheering this coming May. I put in a bid on two fleeces for her," Wayne told me. "Wish it was sooner but can't be helped."

"We don't want any little sheepies without coats through the winter, yeah," I agreed, climbing into the truck. We headed to the Hideaway Pub where I picked up my gig check and then to the bank to deposit it. Not a lot but I'd been building up a nest egg since living at the house.

Originally, I was planning on blowing it all for Christmas—go all OUT getting people stuff. I'd get a stereo for Wayne and a microscope for Just, a fancy over the shoulder light stand for Misty's loom, and for my baby, a ring.

Yeah, I'd been thinking about that last one a lot more in the last twenty-four hours.

But now I was torn. Should I keep saving the money? How much would having a baby cost? Would it be better to wait until spring?

"Sir, if you're through-" the bank clerk interrupted my thoughts and I wandered out again, still thinking.

We headed back home. Wayne and I unloaded the alfalfa. The ground was still wet from the rain and I was looking forward to coffee when I stepped into the kitchen.

Misty was there. She caught my eye and before I could say a word, she hugged me, long and hard.

I melted. There was so much comfort in that hug. So much unsaid reassurance that I felt myself start to tear up.

"All right then," Misty murmured when she let me go. "Now, we wait."