Loving the Lawman

“We’re getting things set up in the shop and we’ve gotten some special orders to do for a local celebration. But most of my vintage-look stock has arrived, we’ve got the wall-mounted display bars in place and I can start unpacking boxes and racks soon.”

“I should come back. Help you.”

Gianna’s heart jumped into high gear. The last thing that could or should happen would be to have Marie here, now. “No, no, no. I won’t hear of it. Grandma and I are doing just fine and there’s only so much room, Marie. You’ll be back before you know it and then you can come visit. Enjoy your time in the sun. Once it shines again, that is. And we’ll be here waiting to see you in the spring.”

Please don’t come, please listen to me, please don’t—

“You’re right, of course. I have Bella with me and I can’t leave her here alone while I run back there.”

“Of course not.” Bella was Marie’s aunt, a nice woman, but she’d never have gone to Florida alone. For Marie to leave meant Bella would leave, too. Or be desperately unhappy.

“I’ll call, then.”

Relief flooded Gianna. “Anytime, please.”

Phone calls she could handle. Having Marie there, in person? She needed more time before facing that reality. Michael’s mother wasn’t a bad person, but life had soured her on some things and jaded her on others. When it came to family matters she was strong, assertive and somewhat aggressive. Losing her only son, the only child God had gifted her, had broken Marie’s heart. Gianna understood that quite well. “Talk to you soon.”

“Goodbye, Gianna. God bless you.”

He had.

Gianna wanted to whisper those words. Better yet, she longed to scale snow-filled peaks and shout them from the tallest mountain. Maybe take out an ad in USA TODAY and announce her blessings to the world, but not yet. Right now she needed to plan, focus and bide her time.

As they passed the family diner, a horrid scent accosted her, assailing her senses.

Her mouth began to water. Her throat constricted, and the rise of nausea quickened her steps. The plowed sidewalks had the familiar crunch of fresh salt to melt ice and aid traction, but even with that, Gianna wasn’t sure she’d make it home before she got sick.

“Gianna?”

Seth’s voice, coming from her right.

“Honey, are you all right?”

Carmen’s tone, warm and solicitous, to her left.

She didn’t dare open her mouth to speak, or turn either way. She hurried into the house, glad they’d left the door unlocked, and rushed to the downstairs bathroom.

Cooking meat hadn’t sat well for weeks, but she’d been better recently. Today?

Not so much.

When she finally came out of the bathroom, Carmen sent her a mixed look of love and sympathy. “My precious girl, I am so sorry. Here.” She took Gianna’s arm and led her to the gray tweed couch. “You sit. Put your feet up. Rest for a while, okay?”

Gianna sent her a watery smile. “I’m okay, Gram. You know how it is.”

“I remember well,” Carmen agreed. “It is not something one forgets.”

“They say it’s a good sign.”

“A well-set pregnancy makes its presence known,” agreed her grandmother. “But, bellisima, I would love for you to just be comfortable and then have this baby. That is my wish.”