“What’re you going to do?”
“If I can stay in Houston and keep working for six more weeks, I’ll have my counseling hours finished. By then, I’ll be thirty-six weeks pregnant. I guess I’ll go back to Nowhere.”
“If you’re there, I’ll call it Bellaire instead of Nowhere. And at least you’ll get to eat Mom’s cooking.” Harper’s chuckle was half-hearted. “What about money? It’ll take a while to get your divorce settlement.”
“I’m not taking his money. He’s done enough already.” Brooke sniffed, as tears flooded her eyes. “In fact, I intend to pay him back for everything he’s spent on me.”
“Oh my gosh, Brooke.” Harper’s mouth gaped open.
“What?”
“You are in love with him, aren’t you?”
Her tight throat made it hard to breathe. She’d fought hard to hold back her attraction to Cole. But whether or not she was in love with him, everything was over now.
She pulled up her t-shirt to wipe her eyes. “No, I’m not.”
“Then why are you crying?”
“Because I’m pregnant. That’s pretty much all I’ve done since it happened.”
“I guess that’s true.” Harper chuckled. “I think it’s dumb for you to turn down the money, Brooke. He’s got plenty. How are you going to get by without it?”
“I saved every dime I made the past four months, about $4,000. I just need food, clothes, and a place to stay for six weeks. After that, I’ll be home.”
“What about your car?”
“Cole got it fixed. It’s out in the garage. I guess I’ll take it, if I can find the keys.” Brooke stood up, suddenly anxious to leave. “Will you help me pack a few things? It’s six o’clock. People will probably be up in an hour.”
“Shouldn’t you wait to hear from Cole?”
“I don’t want to have to be the one who explains it to our parents when they wake up.”
“Cole’s already gone. If you’re not here, who’s going to tell them?”
Brooke blinked sad eyes at Harper, letting her lower lip pooch. “I was hoping you would do it.”
Harper squeezed her eyes shut and pinched the bridge of her nose. “No way.”
“Please.” Brooke used her best whiny voice. “I’ll do anything you want.”
One dark brow lifted in an ominous arch. “You have to give me all your Christmas candy for the next five years.”
“Done.”
Brooke jutted her hand forward, but Harper held back.
“And name the baby after me.”
Brooke smiled as she shook her sister’s hand. “It’s a deal!”
CHAPTER 20
By Cole’s best estimate, it would take just over an hour to walk home. He had no idea of the time, but the sun was well above the horizon when he started. Unfortunately, his only footwear was his cowboy boots, so running was out of the question. Gus caught up with him about the time he caught sight of the house and broke into a heavy jog.
“Oh. Decided to come back, huh? Maybe this time I won’t let you inside the house.”
Gus loped along beside him, tongue wagging. He could never stay mad at Gus, even though the dog had run away more times than he could count. He always returned, with a pleased look on his face.
When he reached the porch, he saw people sitting inside at the breakfast table. His hopes died. He’d wanted a chance to talk to Brooke before anyone else was awake. He took off his dirty boots and left them on the mat as he trudged inside, his eyes scanning the wide-eyed group at the dining table. Relieved that Brooke wasn’t there, he waved a casual hello, and headed toward the bedroom.
“Where have you been?” Mariah demanded, rising from the table to chase him across the family room.
“I’ll explain later,” he said, desperate to get away. As he scurried down the short hallway, he could feel her on his heels.
As his hand reached for the doorknob, she said, “If you’re looking for Brooke, she’s already gone.”
“Gone?” He groped for the wall to keep his legs from folding. Gasping for air in the sudden vacuum, he said, “Where is she?”
Her sharp tone was replaced with a sympathetic one as she put her hand on his arm. “I’m sorry about the breakup. Harper told us.”
“I don’t understand.” With his back against the wall, he slid to the floor. “We didn’t break up. I just went for a drive.”
“That’s not what Brooke thought.” Harper appeared in the hallway. “Did you or did you not leave and say, ‘I’m outta here?’”
“I was mad,” he choked, straining to look up at the two women. “I didn’t think she would leave.”
