Daisy closed the door to her apartment and breathed deeply, praying she wasn’t going to throw up.

It was entirely possible that she would.

She’d thrown up every day this week.

She was still trying to decide whether her stomach would stay settled when there was a knock on the door.

“Go away!” she choked, her heart pounding and her belly lurching.

“Well, that’s not very nice.” The voice coming through the door was female and familiar, and Daisy slumped in both relief and disappointment that the knocker wasn’t Carter, as she’d assumed.

She opened the door to Chloe, who strolled in—all big smile, big hair, and a lot of long bare legs. She wore a little dress, and Daisy vaguely wondered if she was still dressed from last night.

With Chloe, it was a definite possibility.

Soon, however, the scent of cigarette smoke overwhelmed Daisy, and she coughed a little, waving her hand in front of her face. “Have you been smoking?” she asked in a strangled voice.

“Of course not. I’ve been hanging out in that place on Route 8.”

“That place is a dive. What were you doing there?”

“I beat four truckers in pool. Won two hundred and fifty bucks, so don’t lecture me about wasting time.” Chloe pulled a strand of hair in front of her face and smelled it. Her hair was ash blond and wavy. She never blew it out or went to the salon, so it was wild and slightly frizzy. It suited her though. Daisy sometimes wished she could pull off something so messy and undone, but she knew she couldn’t.

“You were playing pool with truckers at six o’clock on a Satur—” Daisy couldn’t finish the sentence. The emotional turmoil over seeing Carter so unexpectedly, combined with the powerful scent of smoke, were too much. Her stomach heaved for real.

She ran for the bathroom and barely got there in time.

Chloe was evidently undisturbed with the puking. She came into the bathroom halfway through and wetted down a washcloth.

She handed it to Daisy when she’d flushed the toilet and collapsed onto the floor, leaning against the bathroom wall.

Daisy wiped her face and panted.

At Chloe’s questioning look, she made an attempt at putting her off. “I must have a stomach bug or something.”

“Uh-huh.”

Daisy cleared her throat.

“Is there something you want to tell me?” Chloe prompted.

Daisy let out a long sigh. She really wanted to tell someone. She’d known for more than a week now. “It’s morning sickness that lasts all day long.”

“I was wondering what was up with you this week.” Chloe didn’t look shocked or horrified or concerned or anything. Just matter-of-fact, which was a strange sort of comfort. “I guess you can’t be too far along.”

“Just a month or so.”

Chloe nodded. “So do you know what you’re going to do yet?”

Daisy did know. She’d known from the beginning, and the past week had only confirmed it. “I’m going to keep it.”

“Are you sure? Because you have choices. I’ll help you find—”

“No, no. I appreciate it. I really do. But I’m set on this. There’s no question for me.” She put a hand on her belly, which had thankfully stopped churning. “However it happened, this is my baby, and I’m going to keep it.” She actually felt pretty decent now, so she stood up and splashed water on her face.

Chloe nodded, accepting this decision as easily as she would have accepted any other decision from Daisy. It was one of the best things about her.

When Daisy limped back into her living area and sat down on the couch, Chloe went to the refrigerator and returned with a can of ginger ale. “It looks like you’ve bought the entire store out of ginger ale.”

Daisy chuckled a little and took a sip. “I think I have. Also saltines, if you check the pantry.”

“Okay. I’m going to run back to my place and take a shower so I get the smoke smell off me. Then I’ll come back and we can talk.”

“Sounds good.”

“Do you need anything now?”

“No. I’m good.” Daisy gave her friend a grateful smile. “Thanks, Chloe.”

“Sure thing. I’ll be right back.”

When Chloe left, thankfully taking the scent of smoke with her, Daisy stretched out on the couch and closed her eyes.

She could still see Carter on the stairs just now, looking so rough and sexy and still so appealing. He’d called her angel, as if he really believed she’d come down from heaven. That smile…

The phone interrupted her thoughts. She knew from the ringtone that it was her mother.

Her stomach rumbled a little more.

She didn’t want to talk to her mother, but if she didn’t answer, her mother would call back five minutes later. And then five minutes after that. Then she’d call Estelle Berry downstairs to ask if Daisy was at home.

After a half hour of not reaching her, her mother would come over to check. She just lived seven minutes away.

So Daisy exerted enough energy to get up and grab the phone she’d left on the entry table next to her keys.

“How was work, dear?” her mother asked at her greeting.

“It was fine.”

“Your daddy finished fixing the stool for your counter.”

“Oh good. That was fast. I’ll come over and pick it up sometime.”

“If you’re going to the church potluck tonight, we can bring it to you then.”

Daisy blinked. The last thing in the world she wanted to do tonight was go to a big meal at the church. “I wasn’t planning to come.”

“Now, Daisy…”

“I don’t have to go to everything, Mom.”

“Of course you don’t. But it’s good for you to be involved. And who knows? There might be a nice young man there.”

Daisy gave a little cough. “Uh, yeah. I’m not feeling very good this evening.”

“I thought you were over that bug.”

“I am. Mostly. I’m just… tired. Anyway, I’m not going. I’m not.”

She didn’t want to be rude to her mother. She tried very hard not to be. But sometimes she had to be blunt, or her mother just wouldn’t get the message.

“Very well,” her mother said with a sigh. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning then.”

“See you then.”

She’d barely hung up and returned to the couch when Chloe was coming back into the apartment.

“That was a quick shower,” Daisy said.

Chloe’s hair was still wet, and she’d pulled it back in a ponytail. “I can be quick when I need to be.” She sat down next to Daisy. “So tell me all about it.”

“There’s not much to tell. I’m pregnant.”

“It was that guy at the wedding, wasn’t it?” Chloe had obviously done some thinking and counting backward in the shower.

“Yes.”

“Wow.”

“We used a condom.” She blushed slightly at the admission. She just wasn’t used to talking about such things.

Chloe shrugged it off. “But you were also drunk. Things happen. Have you told him yet?”

“I don’t even know his last name.”

“You can find out easily enough. He’s a friend of Chris’s, isn’t he? Just ask him.”

Of course, that was the sensible thing to do. The thing to do if you weren’t scared to death about having the conversation.

“He’s not the daddy type.”

“How do you know that?”

“You saw him. He has… tattoos and everything.”

“A lot of guys have tattoos. It has nothing to do with his parental abilities. What’s the real reason?”

Daisy took a few deep breaths before she answered. “I’m just scared. I don’t even know him.”

“Yeah. I get that. He should be told though.”

“I know. I’m going to.”

“You’re just putting it off as long as possible.”

“Exactly.”

Chloe squeezed out her wet ponytail. “Okay. The way I see it, you have a couple of choices. One, you can find out his name and where he lives or works and go see him right away. Just tell him you’re pregnant and see what he says. He may not even want to be involved, but you’d have done your duty and gotten it over with.”

“What’s the other choice?”

“You could wait. A lot of women wait before they tell anyone since things are so uncertain in the first trimester.”

“I know.”

“So wait until you’re in the second trimester. Tell him then. Same thing. See if he wants to be involved or not. If he does, you can probably both be reasonable and work out his involvement.”

Daisy cleared her throat. “Any other options?”

“You could be a total coward and selfish ass and not tell him at all. Then later you’d feel guilty about it—you know you would—and you’d have to spring a surprise baby on him, complete with his dark hair and little baby tattoos. Imagine how he’d blow his stack then.”

Despite her angst, Daisy had to chuckle at that. “I’m not going to do that. I’m going to tell him.”

“Good. When?”

Daisy sighed. “Tomorrow. I’ll talk to Chris and Heather to find out who he is. Then I’ll try to find him tomorrow.”

“Excellent. Proud of you.” Chloe gave her a teasing grin. “Knew you’d do the right thing. You’re not a good girl for nothing.”

“That’s me. Total good girl. Knocked up by a stranger at a wedding.”

“Don’t be melodramatic. Have you been to the doctor yet?”

“No.”

“Then we’ll get you an appointment for this coming week. I’ll go with you.”

Despite everything, Daisy was feeling better. Maybe even a little excited. “You don’t have to do that.”

“I know I don’t. But your other options for doctor visits are your mother or a tattooed bad boy you don’t even know. Who are you going to choose?”

Daisy couldn’t help but smile. “I definitely choose you.”

***

An hour later, Daisy walked down the hall to Chris and Heather’s apartment. She was about to knock on the door when it swung open unexpectedly.

She jumped slightly at being confronted with big, handsome Chris, who was carrying a full trash bag and had two pizza boxes tucked under one arm.

“Hey, Daisy,” he said with a grin. “What’s up?”

“I was… I was coming to see Heather,” Daisy improvised, suddenly nervous about asking this man about Carter. She liked him perfectly well, but he was a man, and it just felt weird. “Is she around?”

“She got back about a half hour ago. Go on in. She made cookies, so get them while the getting is good.”

Chris continued down the hall. He was obviously headed for the dumpster in the back of the building. If she was lucky, Daisy would have five minutes before he came back.

She would have to move fast.

“Heather?” she called out, alerting the other woman to her presence before stepping into the apartment.

“Come on in,” Heather said, grinning from behind the kitchen counter. She was little and pretty and blond, and Daisy liked her a lot. She was a small-town good girl like Daisy.

A small, ferocious barking erupted as Daisy came in, and she looked down to see a Yorkie running toward her, complete with pink ribbon tied around her neck.

“Hey, Lucy!” Daisy said with a smile, leaning over to pet the small dog. “Why are you barking at me like that?”

Lucy’s barking immediately transformed into happy pants and squirms at the attention.

“She’s full of herself today,” Heather explained, sliding cookies off a tray with expert precision. “I took her with me when I visited my dad, and he always spoils her. Are you feeling better?”

“Y-yeah. Thanks.”

Heather must have noticed her hesitation because she gave Daisy a questioning look. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, it is.” Remembering Chris would be back any minute, Daisy rushed on. “I actually just came to ask you about…” She trailed off, suddenly embarrassed.

“Ask me about what?”

She was trapped now. She just had to get it out. “There was a guy at your wedding. I talked to him for a while. I was just… just wondering who he was.”

“Oh really?” Heather looked excited, intrigued. “He caught your eye, did he? Describe him.”

“His first name was Carter.”

Heather’s eyes went so wide they looked like they’d pop out of her head. “Seriously?”

“You know who I’m talking about?”

“With the tattoos?”

“That’s him.”

“I wouldn’t have pictured him as your type.”

“I know. I’m not sure I’m interested in him. But I… We talked. Anyway, I was just wondering about his last name.”

“Carter Hayes.”

Hayes. His last name was Hayes.

“Where is he from?”

“He lives in Norfolk. Right downtown, I think. I’m not exactly sure, but Chris would know.”

“You don’t need to ask Chris.”

Heather looked slightly amused, but she seemed to understand Daisy’s desire to keep it private. “Okay. I won’t tell him.” She went over to lock the door to the apartment. “That will delay him for a minute or two.”

Daisy giggled, but she was too focused on the task at hand to get distracted. “Do you know where he works?”

“Yeah. He owns a garage in downtown Norfolk. Hold on.” She closed her eyes, obviously thinking hard. “I know Hayes is in the name. I’m sure you can find it that way.”

“Okay. Good. Thanks.” That was surely enough information for her to act on.

“So what are you going to do? Show up at his place of work in a sexy outfit?”

“No!” Daisy was blushing again. “Of course not.”

“I can have Chris invite him over here for dinner.”

“No!” She moderated her tone. “I’m sure I can figure it out.”

Heather was about to say something else when a sound came from the front door. Chris was obviously trying to get back in. The doorknob was turning vigorously.

“Hey!” he shouted from the hallway. “What’s going on?”

Lucy ran over to bark at the door since some intruder was obviously trying to get in uninvited.

Chris started pounding on the door. “Heather? What the hell? What did I do? Let me in!”

Heather and Daisy both burst into giggles.

“So, are we good?” Heather asked. “Do you need to know anything else?”

“No. I’ve got enough. Thanks.” She started toward the door. “Now let poor Chris back in.”

Heather opened the door to a confused and outraged Chris, and Daisy slipped away in the chaos.

Tomorrow she was going to have to drive to Norfolk.

She was going to have to talk to Carter.

***

The next day, she went to church in the morning, but after that there was no delaying the inevitable.

She didn’t even go home and change clothes first. She just drove directly from church to Norfolk, which was just about forty-five minutes away.

She’d looked him up the night before and found a Hayes Garage in Norfolk, so she assumed it was his place.

She was actually impressed that he owned his own business. Maybe he was more responsible and grown-up than she’d feared. Maybe he wouldn’t be the worst baby daddy in the world.

She hated downtown Norfolk though. It might not be a huge city, but unlike Preston, it was a real city, with an actual urban downtown area.

There wasn’t much traffic on Sunday, although there was way more than she was used to. But the streets all felt gritty, dirty, filled with strangers. They weren’t bright and cute and familiar like in Preston. She found a parking place on the street, half a block from the address she had on a slip of paper, and as she got out, she smoothed out the pale blue dress she wore.

It felt like she might get dirty just walking down the street.

A couple of grungy men stared at her as she took her first steps.

She blew out a breath. At least she felt okay today. She’d only thrown up once, early that morning.

She checked the address three times before she reached it, but it was obviously the place she was looking for.

It was a two-bay garage, both of them open. An old sign above the door to the office said simply Garage. It didn’t even say Hayes.

She’d vaguely been hoping they’d be closed on a Sunday afternoon and she could turn around and go home.

But someone was definitely here. She heard voices, even before she was able to see into one of the bays.

One of the voices was talking about the hot piece he’d fucked the night before.

Daisy felt sick.

Was that Carter? Surely that wasn’t Carter’s voice.

She peered into the dimness and saw two guys working on a huge motorcycle. The guy talking was facing her.

He wasn’t Carter. He was covered in hair and was kind of gross-looking.

A man who was recognizably Carter, even from the back, was crouched down, facing away from her.

Daisy stared at his lean back in the dirty T-shirt and at the way his worn jeans stretched across the firm curve of his ass.

His arms were very fine and absolutely covered with ink.

The garage looked old, worn down. Not like a business a responsible, grown-up, potential baby daddy would own.

What the heck was she even doing here?

Suddenly overwhelmed with a wave of fear and nausea, Daisy whirled around.

She wasn’t going to do this.

She just wasn’t.

She didn’t belong here. Or anywhere close to it.

She belonged in Preston.

She’d have to think of some other way to let Carter know about the baby.

Maybe she’d just write a note and send it to him through Chris.

All of these panicked reflections rushed through her mind as she started back down the sidewalk toward her car.

She just had to get out of here.

She jerked to a stop when a giant dog stepped out from behind a dumpster, blocking the entire sidewalk.

Daisy liked dogs, but this one looked more like a monster than a dog. It was simply enormous, probably two hundred pounds, with a lot of wrinkled jowls hanging down on its muzzle. And she was already flustered and on edge.

Her heart leapt into her throat, and she instinctively backed away from it, putting a protective hand on her belly without even thinking about it.

She tripped on her feet and almost fell backward, letting out a little cry as her ankle twisted.

“What’s going on?” a voice demanded from behind her.

Carter. Of course.

“Nothing,” she managed to say, straightening up despite the pain in her ankle. At least she’d managed not to fall in an ungainly heap onto the concrete.

“Daisy?” he asked in a different tone, stepping out of the garage and approaching her. “What are you doing here?”

“Nothing,” she said stupidly. She turned back to the monster-dog.

Carter glanced over, and his face relaxed. “You’re not afraid of that teddy bear, are you?”

“Teddy bear? He’s huge!”

“Yeah, but he’s just a teddy bear. He’s a stray who’s been hanging around here. I felt bad so I gave him a little food.”

“You fed the monster?”

“He’s not a monster.” He snapped his fingers, and the dog padded over to him, nuzzling his hand and wagging his thick stump of a tail. “I think he’s part mastiff. Definitely a mutt though.”

Now that she was looking more carefully, she could see that the dog did look friendly. He might be big and ferocious-looking, but he wasn’t really a monster.

“Are you really scared of him?” Carter asked, looking back over her.

Daisy shook her head. “Not if he’s nice.”

“I’m telling you. He’s a teddy bear. Come say hi.”

She walked over and extended a hand. The dog gave it a sniff, and then his whole body started to wriggle. He panted and seemed to be grinning at her, his long tongue hanging down halfway to the ground, a long stream of slobber following it.

She couldn’t help but smile. What a huge mess of a dog. But at least he seemed friendly.

When she looked up, Carter was watching her closely. “What are you doing here?” he asked softly, his tone serious now. “I thought you didn’t want to talk to me.”

“I didn’t. I mean. I did, but…”

Darn it.

She was swallowed up in nerves again. How the heck was she supposed to tell this man she was going to have his baby?

She opened her mouth, praying something brilliant would come to her as she started to speak.

Unfortunately, it didn’t.