Chapter 71 Part 71
Maggie
It had taken one day for Maggie to find a dress she liked, along with a ring for Asher. They had applied for their marriage license two weeks earlier, and filled out the paperwork. Her stomach was in knots. It was one day before the wedding, and the marquee tent had been erected in the same spot where Melody’s jumping castle had stood.
The time had gone by so fast as she spoke with Laurette about the menu. She had spent hours discussing the decor with Eden, making plans, and packing little boxes with wedding favors for the guests. Asher knew a lot of people, so their guest list had nearly a hundred names on it.
Maggie was more interested to see who the brothers’ dates were. Eden had booked a woman to do Maggie’s hair and makeup, and they’d bought Melody the cutest little dress.
They had opted not to have any bridesmaids since Maggie’s only friend was Eden. She didn’t want to put Asher on the spot of having to choose between his brothers.
She was finishing up the last of her work when that feeling of nausea rose up in her throat, and she ran for the bathroom. She bumped Colt’s shoulder, and he turned, frowning at her as she kept running.
She made it just in time and emptied her stomach into the toilet. She dry-heaved a few times, flinching when someone touched her shoulder.
“Easy, Maggie, it’s just a washcloth,” Colt said.
“Thanks,” she said, as she sat back on her heels and wiped her mouth.
“Are you okay? Getting cold feet? Need me to saddle you a horse so you can run away with me?”
Maggie smiled, weakly. “I don’t have cold feet. I’m marrying Asher tomorrow, no matter what.”
“Maybe you just ate something that doesn’t agree with you,” Colt said.
“Yeah, probably.”
“Let me help you up.” Colt had his arm around her as he led her to the sink. She rinsed her mouth a few times, and Colt pulled a tube of toothpaste from his jacket pocket.
“You carry toothpaste with you?”
“Well, I’m not always sure where I’ll sleep, so I always have my toothbrush and toothpaste with me,” he said.
“You’re such a dog,” Maggie said, but she laughed at the sheepish look on his face.
“I’m kidding! I bought toothpaste, and left it in my office. When I found it earlier, I stuffed it in my pocket to take home,” he said.
“Right.”
Colt helped her back to her office, where he sat down in the chair in front of her desk. “Maggie, I don’t want to sound presumptuous or anything, but could you be pregnant?”
Maggie’s eyes widened as her face paled. “What? No! I mean, no, I can’t be. We’ve been careful.”
“Nothing’s foolproof, Maggie. I’ll run into town and get a test. I won’t tell anyone, but there might be a rumor of me becoming a daddy out there,” he said, as he got to his feet. “I’ll be back soon. Don’t move.”
In an instant, Colt was gone, leaving Maggie seated behind her desk. She tried to do the calculations, but she’d never kept track of her period. She had no idea if she was late or not.
She stared at the clock, counting down the minutes. Her heart hammered in her chest as she sipped from her water bottle slowly. Melody had just turned 1. She couldn’t be pregnant again. They hadn’t even discussed more children, now that they had three of them.
Colt walked into her office, closed the door, and pulled the package from his jacket pocket. “The lady at the drugstore said you can take this test any time. It’s very accurate. You don’t have to wait until morning.”
“Thank you, Colt.”
“Go on then, go pee on that stick,” Colt said.
Maggie almost laughed at the serious look on his face. She picked up the package and headed to the bathroom. Inside the stall, she unwrapped the test, and did her business.
She flushed the toilet and opened the door. Seeing Colt leaning against the counter, she almost screamed. “Jeez, Colt.” She put the test down to wash her hands.
“How long do we wait?”
“Two minutes,” Maggie said.
Colt checked his watch, tapping his foot. It was almost comical, like the results of that test would change his life. She wondered briefly how Asher would’ve handled it.
“Time’s up,” Colt said.
“You look.” Maggie was so nervous. She wasn’t sure what result she wanted. She could feel the bile rising up again, and she swallowed it down.
Colt picked the test up, looking at it before he set it down, and looked at her. “It’s positive, Maggie. You’re pregnant.”
Maggie looked at Colt like he’d been speaking a different language. When the door opened, Maggie snapped out of it. Colt stuck the test in his jeans pocket, and turned away from Maggie.
“What are you two doing in the bathroom?” Eden asked, folding her arms across her chest.
“I…uhm…Maggie?” Colt turned to look at her, and she started to laugh. She laughed until tears formed in her eyes, and she struggled to breathe.
“Is she okay?” Eden asked, placing her hand on Maggie’s forehead.
“I’m not sure if I can say,” Colt said, which earned him a glare from Eden.
Maggie got herself under control and took a deep breath. “I’m pregnant, Eden.”
“What?! That’s terrific!” Eden grabbed her in a hug and squeezed.
“I don’t know. We have three kids, already. I don’t even know if Asher wants another one. We haven’t talked about it,” Maggie said.
“Are you kidding me? It’s a baby! He’s going to be thrilled, I guarantee it!”
Maggie didn’t know what to think, but she had some time on her hands. Asher would be spending the night in the woods with his brothers. She would only see him at the altar when they got married.
“Please don’t say anything,” she said, looking at Eden and Colt, sternly.
“I won’t say a word, promise,” Colt said, with a grin. “This one better say my name first.”
Eden laughed, and slapped his arm. “You’re such a goof, Colt.”
“I think I need to lie down. I’m going home,” Maggie said.
“I’ll come with you and sleep in the guest room tonight. You shouldn’t be alone with this. We can discuss it calmly, and I’ll be there to pamper you a little. You really need it tonight.”