“I’m going to die. You realize that, right?” Felicity whispered as she stared down the top of the snowy hill. Her skis were firmly entrenched in snow, and her hands had a death grip on the poles.

“You’re not going to die. You just spent the last three hours doing great with your lessons on the bunny slopes. This is a blue slope. You can handle it, princess. I’ll stay with you the whole way, Scout’s honor.” He raised his fingers in a salute, grinning.

Felicity lifted one of her poles and smacked him in the side.

“Hey!” He jumped, even though she knew it didn’t hurt. They were both bundled up in ski coats and ski pants.

“Quit stalling. You can do this.” He pulled his sunglasses down over his eyes, and Felicity sighed before she lowered her own. It was one more thing on a long list of what she owed him. They’d gone into town first thing that morning, and he’d bought her a complete set of ski gear. He’d tried to buy her skis too, but she’d insisted they rent skis since she couldn’t fit a pair in her postage stamp–size apartment.

“Okay,” she muttered to herself, and gripped the poles and faced the hill. A group of rowdy snowboarders were laughing and giving each other hell about twenty feet away from her at the top of the hill. Half a dozen other skiers were sliding down below them.

“You ready?” Jared shifted his skis, angling them slightly downhill.

“You go and I’ll follow your path.” It was something she could do. The instructor that morning had shown her how to ski, and she followed the man’s path down several green-level bunny slopes. Once she learned the basics, like how to make a pie shape with her skis to slow down, she was less frightened, but the slope she was staring down now was much steeper.

“Off we go!” Jared called out and started to cut across the snow at a wide horizontal direction only slightly facing downhill. He’d weave like that all the way down, and she’d be able to follow him. He made skiing look sexy, with the way he leaned into the hill, masterful, in control. Like he was in bed… She bit her lip and tried to focus on the slope and not how much she wanted to skip the skiing and hop into bed with Jared.

The hot tub sex last night had been unbelievable. He’d taken her raw and a little dirty, and yet she’d never felt closer to him in her life than she had in that moment. It had broken down every last barrier in her heart toward him.

Pushing away from the uphill angle she was in, her skis moved toward the path Jared had set. Felicity focused on her form, using all of her muscles to lean into her turns, and she kept her poles up except when she needed to use them to stabilize herself.

She glanced up every few feet to admire the mountain vista. There was something about mountains that was arresting and awe-inspiring. It struck her with a sense of natural majesty. Some people found nature made them feel small and alone, but Felicity felt it was freeing. She was a small piece, a thread woven into an elaborate tapestry that made up the universe. It was a type of art, to see the beauty in things around her. Even the shapes of the distant skiers below and how they moved along in the snow in arcing patterns was all part of something big and beautiful.

Felicity tracked Jared as he made another turn. He paused and waved a pole in encouragement. She slipped her skis out of a pie shape and made them parallel so she could move faster. A snowboarder shot past her on the left, hollering wildly. Felicity’s heart stopped in her chest, and she tried to twist her legs out to slow herself down.

“Hey! Watch it!” Jared shouted as the snowboarder passed him below.

Blinding pain hit Felicity from behind, and she flew headfirst into the snow below her. Something twisted in her hip, and she felt a pop. The pain tripled as she inhaled snow and struggled to breathe. Her legs felt strange, and everything in her back spasmed. It was too much, too much…blackness swallowed her up.

When she struggled back to consciousness she was momentarily confused. The world around her was white, but not from snow. Her skis were gone and so were her warm clothes. She was lying in a bed with machines beeping softly around her.

A woman in blue scrubs stood beside her bed, checking the stats of an IV drip.

“You’re awake.” She turned from the bed and smiled at Felicity. “My name is Lucy. How are you feeling?” the woman asked. Felicity licked her chapped lips. “Like a boulder hit me…what happened?”

The nurse chuckled. “Not far from the truth. Your boyfriend said a snowboarder plowed into you from behind. You twisted your hip and pinched a few nerves. Nothing was broken, and you should be able to go home in an hour once we get the paperwork ready.” The woman gently extricated the needle from the back of her hand and put a cotton ball and medical tape over the spot.

“I’m okay?” She couldn’t believe that. If she had been hit hard enough to land in a hospital bed, it must’ve been serious.

“Yes. We kept you on IVs to make sure you and the baby were all right since you were a little dehydrated.”

She relaxed. I’m okay, the baby is okay…wait…baby?

The room, which had been perfectly normal seconds before, suddenly spun as Felicity tried to replay the words the nurse had just spoken.

“Me and the…the…”

“Baby. Yes. We discovered it after we ran some blood work since we didn’t want to run the risk of an X-ray on your hip if you’re pregnant. We couldn’t ask you because you were unconscious.”

“But—” Felicity rubbed her eyes. “I can’t be. I’m on the pill.”

Lucy froze, her hands hovering above the heart monitor machine. “How long have you been on it?”

“About seven weeks,” Felicity said. There was no way she could be pregnant.

“The blood work doesn’t lie.” The nurse tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Hang on. I’ll be right back.” She left, and Felicity stared numbly at the door and then down at her stomach.

She slowly pushed the blankets back and pulled up the hospital gown to stare at her abdomen. It didn’t look like she was pregnant, but the baby would be the size of a poppy seed at this point, right?

I can’t be. We’ve been so careful. Felicity ran over the memories of those first few days as she started the pill. The doctor had warned it would take a few weeks to start working, but Felicity had been a little distracted, picturing her and Jared in bed without condoms.

Oh God…

The door opened, and the nurse returned with a large cart with some equipment on it.

“This is a sonogram machine. We can take a quick peek at your baby and record any activity.”

Numb, Felicity sat still while the nurse prepared the sonogram and vaginal wand, slipping a condom over it and covering it with lube.

“Ready?” the nurse asked as Felicity lifted her legs and spread them apart. The position and knowing that wand was going in her left her feeling shaky and vulnerable.

“I guess so,” she whispered, clenching her fingers in the hospital bedding.

“You’re going to feel some cold and pressure,” the nurse warned.

Then the nurse slowly inserted the wand inside her.

Felicity stared at the black screen as it began to show gray-and-white shapes. A black circle appeared in the center of the screen. The nurse pressed the wand deeper into Felicity, and an odd little shape appeared in the center, like a gummy bear with little stubs and a bigger shape at the top.

“That”—the nurse smiled and pointed at the shape—“is your baby. This is the head.” She pointed to the bigger part. “And the arms and legs.” She pointed a finger at the center of the shape, which was fluctuating. “The baby’s heart.”

The world shrunk around Felicity as she stared at the small flashing shape. It was…amazing…terrifying.

“Want to hear it?” the nurse asked.

Felicity nodded, beyond the power of speaking as she gazed at the gummy bear shape. My baby and Jared’s.

“Here we go.” The bottom of the screen lit up with a pulsing pattern, and the speakers made a fast thump-thump-thump sound.

“One hundred and sixty-five beats per minute. That’s good.” The nurse pressed several keys. “I can make a copy of this and email it to you if you put your contact info on the forms before you leave.”

“Thank you.” Felicity finally found her voice. “The pills, the birth control…”

The nurse’s smile faded. “Stop them at once. And when you get home, check in with an ob-gyn to have more tests run. You want to make sure it’s healthy and safe. I’ve got pain pills that are safe to take for your back and hip. You’ll be sore for about a week, so it’s okay to take it easy. And no sleeping for the next four hours. I want to make sure you don’t have a concussion.”

Felicity watched as the ultrasound screen turned off and the view of her baby vanished. The nurse removed the wand and cleaned it up before she rolled the machine to a corner of the room.

“You want me to send in your boyfriend? He’s wearing a hole in the waiting room rug with his pacing.”

Jared, right… How she going to deal with this?

“He doesn’t know about the baby—please don’t tell him,” she begged the nurse.

“I won’t. I can’t, technically, since we didn’t have any medical release forms for him. He can’t get access to your records.”

Relief flooded Felicity at the same time that guilt swamped her. She would have to tell Jared, but not over Christmas, and not when she was around his family. The last thing she wanted to do was upset everyone, especially Jared. Springing a “Hey, I’m pregnant” announcement on him while his parents were there was a bad idea.

She placed her palms on her stomach, knowing she wouldn’t feel anything, but she couldn’t get the image of the baby out of her head. Suddenly tears were forming at the corners of her eyes and fat teardrops trailed down her cheeks.

“Oh, honey, don’t cry,” the nurse murmured and picked up one of her hands, giving it a squeeze. “Your baby is fine, and that man out there is crazy about you. It won’t be bad when you tell him. Trust me. I’ve seen plenty of couples in this hospital. Your man has been pacing by the nurses’ station for the last two hours since they brought you in. Now,” the woman said, “dry your eyes, honey, and I’ll go get him.”

The second the nurse was gone the tears got thicker. She could barely see and was choking down sobs when Jared appeared in the doorway.

“Princess, oh God, honey, what’s wrong? The nurse said you would be okay with some rest.” His warm body curled around her as he sat on the side of the hospital bed. She buried her face in his neck, choking on her pain and her fear.

A baby. How could she have a baby? She had so much to do, and a child wasn’t part of her life plan. Not yet. And with her and Jared likely parting ways in the spring, she’d be a single mom with a tight income.

She could give the baby up…no. The thought of losing a baby created out of a moment of love between her and Jared was impossible. She would keep it and do whatever it took provide for her child.

“Hey…Felicity, please look at me.” Jared’s voice was a soft masculine rumble that soothed her enough to look up at him.

“I’m sorry,” she gasped. “I don’t feel so good, and my body hurts pretty bad.” She winced as she shifted on the bed.

“What did the nurse say about your injuries? They didn’t tell me much except that you were going to be okay.” He cupped her cheeks and used his thumbs to wipe away the tears coating her face.

“They…” She swallowed and fought for control. “Gave me some pain pills. I hurt my back and my hip, so no more skiing.”

“When can you go home?” Jared asked.

“Today. Could you go find the nurse and ask?”

“Sure, sweetheart.” He pressed his lips to her cheek and slipped out of the room.

The second he was gone she buried her face in her hands.

A baby. I’m having a baby. What am I going to do?

Fifteen minutes later, Jared returned, smiling. “You’re free to leave. I pulled a few strings and assured them I’d serve your every need while you rest. The nurse will come and help you change while I pull the car up to the front doors.”

“So soon?” She was surprised.

“Yeah.” Jared’s face flushed. “I really convinced them I’d spoil you, and since your injuries aren’t that bad and you just need rest, it makes sense to take you home.”

“Wow. Okay.” How was she going to tell him? She couldn’t tell him now, but she’d need to soon before she started to show.

“I’ll see you downstairs in a few minutes.”

She nodded and watched him leave just as the nurse returned carrying a plastic bag.

“Your clothes. I’ll help you get dressed.”

Felicity eased off the bed and changed out of her hospital gown and into her ski clothes. The nurse returned and helped her into a wheelchair.

“I think I can walk,” she said.

“Hospital policy, honey. Enjoy the free ride.” The nurse winked. “Now, I’ve got your paperwork ready. You should buy some prenatal vitamins and make sure you eat. Your boyfriend mentioned you’d been suffering from an upset stomach in the last two days. I’m sure it’s morning sickness.”

“But I wasn’t sick in the morning,” Felicity noted.

The older woman chuckled. “It’s just an expression. The nausea can strike at any time.”

The nurse wheeled Felicity out of the hospital room and to a nurses’ station, where they signed the paperwork.

“As long as you’re here in Steamboat, come back immediately if you don’t start to feel better or if you think something might be wrong with your pregnancy, okay?”

“Got it.” Lucy scribbled her name all over the forms and then dug into her pockets for her cell phone. She had to talk to someone about the situation. She texted Layla.

Felicity: I need help. Something happened.

Felicity and the nurse had reached the elevators when Layla’s response text came back.

Layla: You okay? What’s up?

Her fingers hesitated above the keys.

Felicity: I’m in trouble.

Layla: Trouble?

Felicity blew out a frustrated breath.

Felicity: I’m pregnant. Jared doesn’t know yet. Apparently I messed up the birth control pills somehow. I’m at eight weeks.

She stared at the screen with a frown, waiting to see what her friend would say.

Layla: Okay. Breathe. We can handle this. I know a great gyno who I can help get you on her list for an appointment. You want to keep the baby, right?

There was no hesitation in her response.

Felicity: Yes.

Layla: Okay. Good. When are you telling Jared?

She glanced up and watched the distant SUV that was coming toward the hospital entrance from the far end of the parking lot.

Felicity: After New Year’s. I need time to figure this all out myself before I tell him.

Jared parked the SUV and climbed out of the driver’s seat. He opened the passenger door and then headed toward her. She didn’t miss how the nearby nurses were eyeing Jared with hungry appreciation.

Her phone vibrated with a new message.

Layla: I’m here for you. Whatever you need.

Felicity: Thanks, that means a lot to me.

Then she put the cell phone back into her pocket and eased out of the wheelchair. Her bones protested, and her muscles twitched.

“Ow,” she moaned and hobbled toward Jared.

He caught her by the waist and helped her get in the car.

“I think you need another night in the hot tub.”

She grimaced, hot tubs were a no-go for pregnancy. “I think I’d just like to cuddle on the couch.” And she placed a hand over her abdomen for a brief instant. When Jared got into the driver’s seat he looked away, a muscle in his jaw clenching.

“Felicity, I’m so sorry this got all fucked up.” He clenched his fingers around the steering wheel hard enough that his skin turned white. “I just wanted you to have a nice vacation, do some skiing, be with me.” He closed his eyes, exhaled, and then looked over at her again. Pain laced his gaze.

“I am having a nice vacation.” She reached over and kissed him, letting her mouth linger against his lips.

“Are you sure?” The intensity of his searching stare left her feeling edgy and exposed, as though he could see all of her secrets.

He can’t see the truth in my eyes. He can’t know that I’m pregnant or that I’m scared as hell that I’ll lose him.

“I’m sure. You’re wonderful, and this trip is wonderful, snowboarders aside.”

A slow smile spread across his lips, and a wicked gleam she recognized all too well glinted in his eyes.

“I still plan to make this all up to you tonight in the hot tub. I’m thinking of a back and neck massage. Maybe even a foot massage.” His voice turned whiskey-rough, and she shivered.

“Then why aren’t you driving us home? I want these promises fulfilled.”

“Good. My parents have Christmas all planned out for tomorrow. Some relatives will be in for the day and will be leaving by the evening. You’ll get to meet all my cousins, aunts, and uncles.”

She blinked in surprise. “Will there be a lot?”

“Oh, about a dozen, but don’t worry, they’ll love you.”

Felicity resisted the instinctive urge to cover her abdomen with her hand again.

Oh boy…