The Sheriff's Pregnant Wife

“Yeah, we did. Maybe this time we can handle it better.”

He turned and walked away, knowing he was lying through his teeth. When it came to Paige Keenan, friendship wasn’t all he had in mind.

The next morning, Paige woke up about eight o’clock, and made it into the bathroom before she got sick to her stomach. Luckily the family had gone downstairs and she was alone. How would she explain puking her guts out?

Paige showered and dressed in a pair of worn jeans, but had to leave the top button undone. While she put on a pale pink blouse she was unable to stop thinking about Reed. It would be such a bad idea to get involved with him, especially in her condition.

She was vulnerable, and could so easily lean on Reed. And that wouldn’t be fair to either of them, even though he had suggested they could be friends again.

Paige smiled. In grammar school she could be friends with him, but now, the man was too good-looking and sexy not to stir her hormones. Any woman’s hormones. No, she needed to stay as clear of Sheriff Reed Larkin as possible. Of course until the wedding was over, that wouldn’t be easy.

She arrived in the kitchen to find her mother.

“Good morning,” Claire said and kissed her daughter on the cheek. “How about some breakfast?”

No way. “Maybe some toast and juice.”

Her mother put a cup of coffee in front of her. Of course Paige couldn’t have caffeine during her pregnancy. “I think I’ll pass on the coffee. I’m trying to cut back.”

“Good. Your job is so stressful that you don’t need it.”

Paige took her place at the table and her mother brought the toast over and sat across from her. “So what are your plans for today?” Claire asked.

“Nothing until this afternoon when we go shopping for our bridesmaids’ dresses. Until then I could help you here at the Inn.”

Her mother patted her hand. “You’re not here to work. You need this vacation.”

“I don’t mind,” Paige said, needing something to fill her time.

“I have an idea,” her mother said. “I’m going out to the nursing home to see Sally. You could come along.”

Visit Reed’s mother? That wasn’t a way to stay uninvolved. “Sure.” Paige finished with her toast and cleared away the dishes.

The Shady Haven Convalescent Home was about twenty minutes outside of Destiny. It was a fairly new facility with manicured grounds and the mountains as a backdrop. With its brick trim and red cedar singles the two-story building didn’t look like a nursing home, but more like a retreat.

Paige doubted that Sally Larkin could afford this place on her own. Reed had to be paying a lot of the bill.

Claire and Paige walked though the double doors and notice the inside was just as impressive as the outside. A reception area was arranged around a fireplace, and gleaming hardwood floors. In an adjoining room, Paige could see several patients in wheelchairs, sitting at tables, playing cards and other board games.

Her mother approached the front desk. “We’re here to see Sally Larkin.”

An older woman with short gray hair smiled. “It’s good to see you, Mrs. Keenan. Sally looks forward to your visits.” She turned to Paige. “Is this one of your daughters?”

Claire nodded. “Yes, this is Paige. She’s visiting for a few weeks.”

“Hello, Paige. I’m Karen. I guess you could call me the social director around here.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Paige told her. “You have a lovely facility.”

“Thank you. Our first concern is our residents.” She stood and came around the desk, then motioned for them to follow her down a wide corridor. “Sally finished her physical therapy about an hour ago. She’s doing very well. And she doesn’t have anything scheduled until after lunch, so this is a perfect time for a visit.”

They passed several rooms on the main floor. Most doors were open, revealing accommodations that looked more like mini apartments than hospital rooms. There was nothing generic about this nursing home.

At the end of the hall, Karen knocked on a door, then opened it. “Sally, you have some visitors,” Karen said as she opened the door wider to reveal a small woman sitting in a wheelchair.

Sally Larkin wasn’t as old as Claire Keenan, but the hard years, and a debilitating stroke had taken a toll. When she saw Claire and Paige, Sally’s eyes lit up bringing back memories of the last time Paige seen Sally. Hers and Reed’s graduation day.

Paige touched her hand. “You remember me, Sally?”

“Y…yes…” Tears formed in Sally’s eyes.

“I hope you don’t mind me just showing up.”

The woman squeezed Paige’s hand. “Wel…come.” She struggled with the word. “P…Paige.”

“Thank you, Sally. It’s so good to see you.” She hugged the frail woman, then looked into those eyes that reminded her so much of her son’s. “I’m glad you’re feeling better.”

Claire joined the conversation. “Sally has improved a lot in the past year. She’s talking again.” Her mother smiled. “I’m glad my friend is back and we can share things. We’re hoping she’ll be able to come to Leah’s wedding.”

Due to the stroke, Sally’s smile was crooked, but she was obviously pleased. “Doc…doctor said o…okay.”

“That’s great news,” Claire said and looked at her daughter. “The facility has special vans and attendants that can take her where she wants to go.”

“Who’s taking who where?”

All three women turned to the door and found Reed. He was dressed in a pair of faded jeans and a burgundy polo shirt.

“Hi, Reed,” Claire said and went to him. “The doctor said your mother can come to Leah’s wedding. Isn’t that great?”

He grinned. “Yes, it’s great.” He crossed the room and kissed his mother’s cheek. “Maybe we should get you a new dress.”

Sally frowned and shook her head.

“Oh, Sally, you shouldn’t turn him down,” Paige said.

Her eyes locked with Reed’s, and once again, she was transported back in time to when they were sixteen. He’d driven her to Durango to look for a dress for the prom. She was going with another boy. That had been when he confessed about his feelings for her. He wanted more than friendship.

“We should go,” Claire said, breaking through her reverie. “We need to meet Leah for wedding shopping.”

Paige patted Sally’s hand. “It was good to see you again, Sally.”

“C…come back.”

“I will.” Paige smiled, then looked at Reed to see he was pleased she’d come, too. She walked out of the room and he followed her.

“Paige, thank you for coming by today. Mom loved it. I appreciated it, too.”

“It was no trouble at all.”