Falling For The Mom-To-Be (Maple Springs #1) Read online

  It didn’t take long to buy what he needed. The small house he shared with one of his older brothers—and soon Luke—sat on the edge of town. Right near the locally owned and operated grocery store. In less than half an hour, he was back at Annie’s lighting the gas grill.

  Luke worked on the roof while he grilled and Annie continued to snooze. The woman could really sleep. Did the baby sap her energy, or was it depression? Grief could fall into despair.

  He prayed Annie wasn’t so wrecked by Jack’s death that she couldn’t sleep at night. She had smiled, though. Laughed even. With him. So he had hope that she was making her way back.

  He stepped inside to gather plates, utensils and glasses full of ice. Annie kept the cooler outside stocked with water and pop. She’d also made sun tea in a big glass jar with a spigot.

  Luke appeared from the roof and set the table.

  Annie woke up and, looking dazed, headed toward the deck gripping her midsection. “What’s that garlicky smell?”

  “Lunch.” He lifted the lid and pulled the tray of perfectly seasoned walleye fillets off the grill. “Luke and I caught these last night.”

  Annie’s face went pale. No. More like ashen-green. He’d seen that same skin color when rookies got sea-sick on the lakes. She slapped a hand over her mouth and backed away. Fast. She didn’t make it far before she retched in an empty flowerpot.

  He set the fish back on the grill and bounded down the steps with a handful of napkins. “Wow, Annie, I’m sorry. I thought you’d like fish and didn’t think...”

  She breathed deep and held out her hand to stay back. “I’ll be fine in a minute.”

  He watched her heave once more but nothing came out. He placed his hand on her back and held out the napkins.

  She gripped his hand. Hard.

  He suddenly chuckled at the situation. Who threw up in an empty flowerpot? “You done?”

  “I don’t know.”

  He caught his brother’s eye. “Luke, grab a bottle of water, would you?”

  Luke had filled his plate but stood frozen in place, eyes wide. Then he moved quickly, slamming the cooler lid and bounding down the stairs with water. “What’s wrong with her?”

  “No, don’t...” Annie retched again.

  Luke backed away. “Whoa...”

  Matthew took the water bottle from his brother, no longer seeing the humor in this. “Do me a favor.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Take my truck and go get your stuff. We’ll finish the roof tomorrow.” Matthew threw him his keys.

  Luke caught them. “How will you get home?”

  “Just do it.” He didn’t think Annie wanted an audience, and since she gripped his hand tighter than a vise, he wasn’t going anywhere soon. Besides, he could walk the couple miles home if he had to.

  “Okaaaay.” His brother narrowed his gaze. “So, what’s the deal here?”

  “Go, will you?”

  Luke nodded. He grabbed his plate on the way.

  Matthew ignored the swishing sound of his brother getting a pop from the ice-filled cooler before finally leaving. He handed Annie the water bottle. “Here.”

  She shook her head, scattering tears. Her hand trembled in his as she lurched down and dry-heaved one more time.

  Helpless, he rubbed her back.

  “Ugh! Sorry,” she mumbled and let go of him.

  He noticed that her hands shook as she pushed back her hair. He poured water over the napkins and handed them to her.

  She wiped her mouth and forehead then took a swig of water from the icy bottle. “Thanks.”

  He frowned. “Sorry about lunch.”

  “It’s okay.” She teetered a little. “I think I need to go inside. Maybe lie down.”

  Without asking, he scooped her up into his arms and headed for the sliding door to the laundry room.

  She gasped. “I can walk.”

  “No way. You look like you might pass out.”

  “It’ll pass.” She burped. “Sorry.”

  “Hey, you’re not going to get sick on me, are you?”

  She was sipping water again and sort of giggled. “I’m not making any promises.”

  He tucked her head over his shoulder. “Point it that way, then.”

  She laughed. An awkward, embarrassed kind of laugh. “I’m so sorry.”

  “You! I’m the one who messed up. I should have asked you before I grilled fi—”

  She quickly placed her fingers against his lips. “It’s okay. Just don’t mention that word again.”

  He playfully bit her fingers and then smiled at the surprised look on her face. “I won’t.”

  She smiled back as he walked her into the living room and deposited her on the couch.

  “Where’s Luke?”

  “I sent him home.” He sat on the edge of a chair across from her. “Does your doctor know about you getting sick a lot?”

  Annie looked away. “She said it’s a good sign.” Then a shadow fell across her face. She looked so small on the couch by herself.

  “What is it?”

  She shook her head.

  “Talk to me, Annie. What else did the doctor say?”

  Her eyes filled with tears. “I’m high-risk. There’s no guarantee I can do this—”

  He was out of the chair and next to her in an instant, drawing her into his arms.

  She went limp and plunked her forehead against his shoulder. “I can’t lose this baby.”

  He held her tighter. “You won’t, Annie. I promise you won’t.”

  She pulled away and sniffed. “You can’t make that kind of promise.”

  He shushed her. “Yes, I can.”

  He didn’t know what else to say. He’d shake the very earth to give her everything she needed. To make sure Jack’s kid grew strong until birth and beyond.

  Starting with food. “Did you eat anything today?”

  “Some toast.”

  He gently pushed back her hair and kissed her forehead. “How about some eggs?”

  “Matthew—”

  “Look, I said I’d help and I mean it. I’m going to take care of you.”

  “But—”

  “We’re going to do this together. We’re going to see to it this baby makes a strong appearance come November.”

  Her eyes grew wide. “Why?”

  Feelings surfaced he couldn’t examine or share. “Because I loved Jack like a brother, and that makes you my family, too.”

  Her eyes got all watery again. “I could use some good family.”

  That was a good dodge. He couldn’t take more tears so he quickly stood. “Stay put and rest. I’ll be right back.”

  * * *

  Annie lay against the pillows and closed her eyes, willing the room to stop spinning. The sound of Matthew tinkering in the kitchen soothed. His words had, too, but not nearly as much as his embrace. How could that be? And what kind of woman did that make her?

  She rubbed her forehead. She used to be capable of handling things on her own. Plowing through the pain of life, she dealt. It was one of the things Jack said he’d always admired about her. When had she become so needy? So weak?

  There were so many things to fear these days, and hoping for the best got a person only so far. God seemed miles away, and yet Matthew was right here as he’d said. Strong and sweet Matthew with his promises. Promises she desperately wanted to cling to and believe.

  She smelled melted butter and braced for the swell of nausea that didn’t come. Instead, her stomach rumbled. The teakettle whistle blew and she smiled. He was making her tea again.

  Ginger’s words about caring for someone new filtered through the haze of her mind. If Matthew wasn’t careful, he might steal part of her heart.
But never the whole. Jack had that and always would.

  Jack...

  Minutes later, Matthew appeared with a plate of steaming scrambled eggs that had a liberal amount of black pepper and probably salt, too. Plus, a mug of tea. “Here.”

  She sat up, suddenly famished, and took the plate, inhaling the spicy, buttery scent.

  He set her mug on the coffee table with a soft clunk.

  Annie scooped a forkful of the fluffiest eggs into her mouth. “These are good.”

  He smiled. “I use water instead of milk. A trick our chef taught me.”

  “Oh.” Jack had always said they ate well out on the lakes. Better than he did at home. He’d never bought into her idea of nutrition. She waited to see how that first bite would settle. When nothing happened, she ate more.

  “Eggs are good for you. I’m glad you had some in the fridge. I’m thinking you need more protein and not just toast.”

  Annie nodded again. He was probably right. She ate eggs. Even some broiled chicken on occasion. And normally seafood, too. She closed her eyes a second. She couldn’t even think about fish without her belly turning. “Can you do me a favor?”

  “Sure.”

  “Can you take care of the grill before you leave? I don’t think I can handle it.” Annie finished the eggs and set her empty plate on the coffee table then leaned back to sip her tea.

  “No problem.”

  “Thanks for making lunch, by the way.” Her eyelids felt heavy again. She set down her tea with a tired sigh. Maybe a short nap before the only class she had scheduled today at three. All she did was sleep, it seemed.

  She was supposed to feel more energy soon. Her doctor had explained that once she passed the three-month mark, she’d feel better. And stronger. She needed all the strength she could get and was already a week past that fourteen weeks mark.

  “You’re welcome.” Matthew’s voice sounded soft and low.

  Surely, he’d leave soon.

  “When’s your next doctor appointment?”

  “Next month.” Matthew might be gone by then. Back on the lakes.

  “I want to go with you.”

  She shifted and stared. “You’re serious.”

  He smiled, standing tall and solid in front of her. “Yup.”

  “Do you realize what that might look like? People will talk.”

  “I don’t care about that and neither should you. It will look like a friend supporting another friend.” He gave her a wink. “No worries, okay?”

  She sighed, too tired to argue. “I guess if you’re still around.”

  “I’m glad you see things my way.” He grinned.

  His way?

  What was he talking about? This wasn’t a debate. But then she’d caved on the heels of him winning the roof argument. How many battles might they have in the name of him helping her? Would she always give in so easily? The possibilities exhausted her but a zip of anticipation shot through her, too.

  Having Matthew’s support wasn’t unwelcome, but caring for him was another matter entirely. Ginger thought it was okay, but Annie knew it wasn’t. Not in a small town like Maple Springs where she depended on her good name for business. Not with her in-laws who’d brand her disloyal or worse.

  That scarlet letter burned a little hotter. No way would she let herself fall for Matthew.

  Chapter Four

  Matthew cleared away the remains of lunch and cleaned the grill. He disposed of the leftover fish then tied up the bag and threw it in the garbage can near the garage, far away from Annie. He also cleaned up the yard from any stray shingles before checking on her.

  Annie hadn’t moved from the couch.

  Was that much sleeping normal? He stepped back outside onto the deck and looked up Ginger’s store on his phone. He hit the connect button.

  “Spice of Life, how can I help you?”

  He could hear the ruckus of milling customers in the background, so he got to the point real quick. “Ginger? Matthew Zelinsky. Do you know Annie’s class schedule today?”

  “Ummm, let’s see, on Fridays through the summer I think she has only one. A stretching class for a group of elderly folks from Sunrise Center. Is she okay?”

  “She’s out cold and I don’t want to wake her. I’ll give them a call.”

  “I don’t know, Matthew—”

  “Thanks.” He disconnected.

  Matthew wasn’t looking for permission. Obviously, Annie needed to rest. Falling asleep for the second time that day nailed that one home pretty clearly. Like it or not, he’d do whatever it took to take care of Annie and her baby.

  He raked his hands through his hair and sat down on the deck steps. Staring at the backyard, he processed what he was doing and why.

  He had his fill of responsibility at work. His list of duties made him want a simple life when it came to relationships. He’d never wanted to think much about anyone other than his crew, and pleasing his captain.

  Things had changed after he’d kissed Annie. His simple life had changed when Jack died.

  He bowed his head to pray, but the words wouldn’t come. He didn’t give God much room in his life these days, and he couldn’t say he knew the reason. Lazy, maybe? He’d been raised in a faith-filled home and his parents had instilled the need to obey God from the get-go. But somewhere along the way, Matthew had taken over the wheel and put God aft deck. He’d tucked the Lord in the stern of his life.

  As a first mate, Matthew was used to giving orders on the freighter. He had responsibilities on board. He couldn’t expect to order Annie into line any more than he could expect to know what she needed or how to meet those needs. All he knew was that he’d stepped beyond feelings of mere friendship. Annie wasn’t ready for that. Was he?

  Matthew looked into the sky, hoping he did the right thing and then looked up Sunrise Center on his phone and called the number. His first priority was to make sure Annie rested. In moments, he found the person in charge of canceling the exercise class. He gave his name and number explaining simply that he was a friend of Annie’s and that she couldn’t make it in today due to illness.

  Slipping his phone into the back pocket of his jeans, he stood, grabbed a bottle of water from the cooler and entered the house. Annie was bound to give him flack for this, but she’d have to understand he was trying to do the right thing. Jack would expect nothing less from him.

  * * *

  Annie woke with a start. She’d dreamt of Jack. Something she hadn’t done the last few weeks. In fact, she’d gone almost a month without dreaming of her late husband. But moments ago, she’d been searching the house for him, opening doors and calling out his name, but he wouldn’t answer. Why was Jack hiding from her? In her dream, she’d grown angrier with each door opened and then slammed until she’d felt ready to explode.

  She heard a soft snore and quickly sat up, rubbing her eyes.

  Jack?

  No. She sucked in a deep breath, hoping to ease the ache in her chest, the disappointment. Waking up always hurt.

  Matthew dozed in a chair near the window. A gardening magazine lay open on his lap. His sandy-brown hair tended to curl at the ends and looked messy. His jaw was rough with unshaved stubble and his chin dipped toward his chest.

  He’d get a kink in his neck if she didn’t wake him. Annie didn’t move because the temptation to crawl into his lap nearly swamped her. It wasn’t fair to lean on him so much. She shouldn’t seek to assuage her pain with Matthew’s comfort. Needing his gentle touch was becoming a habit and he’d only been home for a few days.

  What happened when he left again? She needed to cope on her own. Stand on her own. She’d done it before. She could do it again.

  The mantel clock over the fireplace suddenly chimed four times. She’d slept for two and a half hours. And then it hi
t her. She had a movement class. Jumping up, she grabbed her purse and fished for her phone as she scurried into the kitchen so that Matthew wouldn’t hear. She shouldn’t care. He should have left by now. He should have woken her up, too.

  “Hello, Carly? It’s Annie Marshall. Is Sue— What? Oh, yes, I’m feeling better, thank you. Canceled? Who canceled my class? Oh, I see. Yes, yes, that was fine. He’s a family friend. And please, give the group my apologies. I’ll credit your monthly invoice. Thanks.” She clicked her phone closed with a sharp snap.

  “I called in for you.” Matthew’s voice sounded soft from behind her.

  Anger from her dream still lingered. It didn’t take much to reignite it like the catch of a lit match to newspaper.

  “Annie? Did you hear me?”

  She whirled on him. “You had no right to do that!”

  “You were sleeping. For the second time today, I might add.”

  “So?”

  “So, don’t you think you needed the rest?”

  He was in for a big surprise if he thought she’d let him play watchdog. “What I need is for you to mind your own business and leave me alone!”

  She charged past him into the living room. Her emotions ran rampant. More hormones? She didn’t care. Nobody messed with her schedule but her.

  Matthew followed. “Maybe you are my business.”

  “Not if I don’t want to be!” Without looking away from his surprised face, Annie flung the front door open. “Out. Now.”

  A sudden knock on the screen door startled her. Startled them both. A pretty woman blushed furiously on the porch. “Uh, sorry, Annie Marshall?”

  Annie clenched her fists. “Yes?”

  “Umm, I’m Holly Miller from the Maple Springs Historical Society, do you have a minute? Or should I come back another time?” The woman had obviously heard her yelling.