Chapter Nineteen
Maura woke the next morning to the same empty bed that had greeted her for the last six weeks since her wedding day. But this time, memories of a long night of lovemaking made her smile. A twinge of pain hit her in the chest when she thought about Tommy’s declaration. “You know he’s still in love with Beth Chaplin, don’t you? Everyone around these parts knows his heart will always belong to her."
She had wanted so bad to ask Aidan about his feelings for Beth. He had presented her with the perfect opportunity when he asked her about her past love. But, she was a coward and afraid of the truth. So, she let her opportunity slip away.
She certainly had unanswered questions about this Beth Chaplin woman. She wasn’t ready to let that go. But Aidan hadn’t acted like a man who was in love with someone else last night. Not in the least, so why did Tommy want to sabotage his friend’s marriage? It didn’t make any sense.
A knock at the door sounded announcing a visitor. "Come in," she called out.
“Good morning, Maura. It’s Nola. Rachel wanted to let you know we are going over to the church later on this morning to donate the things we can’t use. Do you want to go with us?” Nola called from the tiny cabin’s living room.
Maura jumped out of bed and pulled on her robe lying at the foot of the rumbled bed. She hadn't taken two steps before the room suddenly tilted, leaving her off balance. She called out to Nola for help. "What's happening?" She fell to the floor and heaved what little contents were still in her stomach from supper last night.
Nola rushed into the room and fell to the floor beside her, resting her hand on Maura's shoulder.
"Let me help you sit up on the bed, and I'll get you some water."
Overwhelmed with nausea, Maura leaned on her. Once she was seated on the edge of the bed, Nola disappeared, quickly returning with a wet washcloth.
The coolness of the cloth felt good, and soon Maura was feeling much better.
"I have no idea what happened. I didn't eat much supper last night. That's probably it. And it doesn't help my emotions are all over the place. Thank you, Nola, for coming to my rescue."
"Of course, I'm just glad I was here to help."
Nola fussed with the bed covers, straightening them. Maura could tell the woman had something to say.
"Out with it, Nola. What's on your mind?"
"Well, it's none of my business, so if you aren't comfortable talking about this, please don't be afraid of telling me. I will totally understand and like I said, it's none of my business—"
"I think we've established that, but a good friend once gave me a valuable piece of advice. She said if you think there's something wrong, ask. So, ask." Maura touched her new friend's arm for encouragement.
"If you insist." Nola grinned. They both knew Maura hadn't.
"I was wondering—hoping—you and Aidan were able to work some things out."
"That's not exactly a question. More like a statement, but to answer your concern, yes, we did talk about things, and I think we are good. For the moment.” Thoughts of Beth Chaplin punched through her resolve, and she pushed back. “Thank you, Nola. You gave me good, solid advice when you said to ask him if there was a problem. At first, it wasn't pretty, but things came to light we needed to talk about. We talked and agreed on some subjects and agreed to disagree on others. We made—progress.”
Maura saw the relief on Nola's face. "That's wonderful news, Maura. We were all so worried. Everyone wants you kids to be happy, no matter what happens with the arrangement to save The Legacy."
A wave of nausea hit Maura again. "Oh, my. I hope I'm not coming down with something."
Nola touched her forehead with a cool hand. "You don't have a fever. Does your stomach hurt anywhere?"
Maura shook her head. "No, I feel fine, except for the nausea."
"Could it be you are—with child?”
Shock at the possibility kicked Maura’s heart into a breath-stealing rhythm. She took a couple of deep breaths to calm the erratic pace. "No, it’s only been a few weeks, and we only slept together on our wedding night—until recently. No, it’s not possible. Is it?” Could she be carrying Aidan’s child? The thought both thrilled her and terrified her.
Nola grinned. “Sometimes once is all it takes, my dear. Perhaps you will be a fertile one and have dozens of Langley babies. You know, Rachel and Sully are going to be over the moon when they hear they are having a grandchild."
"Don't get excited, Nola. At least not until we know for sure.”
Maura couldn't remember if she had missed her monthly time or not. Damn it. Think, Maura.
"Would you be unhappy to be pregnant so soon? I know you and Aidan haven't had much time as husband and wife, but you have everyone's support. You won't have to do everything on your own, you know. Why, I imagine you'll have to fight off your mother and Rachel—"
“I can’t be pregnant,” Maura repeated, but she was no longer convinced. All the signs were there.
Nola grinned. "I can’t wait to tell everyone—”
“Don’t tell anyone until we—I know for certain,” Maura pleaded.
“Of course, I won’t tell, honey. It’s for you and Aidan to decide when to share the news. Now, I need to get back to the main house. If you want to go with us to the church, we are leaving around lunchtime.”
Maura nodded her understanding, but she was deep in her own thoughts. She thought about what Nola had said. Could she be pregnant? Her heart thumped with anxiety. Was she even ready to be pregnant? After all, she and Aidan had only been married a little more than a month—six weeks to be exact.
She rushed into the tiny living room and ripped the Farmer's Almanac calendar off the wall. Sitting at the table, she counted backwards to the wedding. Yep. It was possible. Fifty-two days to the day since her last cycle. Oh, boy.
She and Aidan were in a better place after last night, but was he committed to her and their marriage? She wasn’t convinced. Not yet. She wanted to give Aidan more time to prove Aidan was committed to her before he was forced to commit to becoming a father. She did not want him to stay with her because she was carrying his child—because he was obligated. She wouldn't live like that. She couldn't.
Tommy’s words rose up, reminding her there was also another piece to this complicated puzzle. Beth Chaplin. Did her husband still have feelings for this woman? Was he still in love with her? That was something she needed to find out, and until she knew for certain, she would wait to tell him about the baby.