Temptation Trails (The Haven Brothers #3)

His shoulders slumped a little and his dejected expression made my heart ache more than my stomach hurt.

“Wait, Owen.”

As he looked up to meet my eyes, something seemed to catch his attention. His brow furrowed again.

Why had I left that box just sitting there, out in the open?

He glanced at me, then at Marigold and Audrey. “I think I should go.”

“No!” I said, too fast and too loud. Marigold and Audrey looked at me like I was crazy. “I mean, you don’t have to. We just need to… I don’t know. Do something. Can you wait out front?”

“Is that yours?” He pointed at the box.

I let out a very fake laugh. “That? No. Of course not. That would be crazy. Audrey had them in her purse. Which is totally appropriate for the season of life she’s in.”

“Then why are you holding one?”

I’d been talking with my hands without realizing it, waving the test around. I looked at it like I’d just discovered I was holding a snake. With a yelp, I let go and it clattered to the floor.

“Harper.” Owen’s voice was earnest. “Don’t lie to me.”

My breath caught in my throat and my heart felt like it might burst. I stared at him for a few heartbeats. “I’m pregnant.”

“It’s Dad’s.”

“Yes.”

“He doesn’t know. Like, you just found out?”

“Just now. It’s only one test, but it’s positive.”

For a second, no one moved. I could barely breathe. Owen’s eyes were locked on the pregnancy test, his mouth slightly open.

What was he going to say? What could possibly be going through his mind?

He slowly lifted his gaze to meet mine and his mouth turned up in a grin. “Whoa. Can I have permission to swear?”

That almost made me smile. “Yeah.”

“Holy shit,” he said on a laugh. “You and Dad are going to have a baby? Do you know what that means?”

I shook my head in disbelief. “It means a lot of things, but I’m not sure what you’re getting at.”

His smile grew. “I’m going to be a big brother.”

The dam broke. Tears flooded my eyes and I ran to him, throwing my arms around him. He hugged me back, his embrace tight and intentional.

“Owen, I’m so sorry,” I sobbed. “I didn’t mean for this to happen.”

He patted my back. “It’s okay. Don’t be sad.”

Sniffling, I pulled away. “I’m basically losing it right now. This is very unexpected. And sugar cookies, I’m setting the worst example. Let’s pretend I’ve been dating your dad for a long time or we’re married or something. And don’t ask for details. I’m not telling you how this happened.”

“Wasn’t going to. And it’s okay, you’re not setting a bad example.”

I took a deep breath, trying to get a hold of myself. “I don’t know what this means right now. Obviously I need to tell your dad. And maybe stop freaking out first.”

“Don’t freak out. Dad’s going to be fine.”