Of Mountains and Men: A Why Choose Romance

Chapter 20

Three weeks pass and no word from any of the guys. I've been down, but slowly healing from my heartbreak. I mean, I knew it was coming from the start. I've seen Lindy go through enough of it from guests that promise a lot while in the sheets, but as soon as they go back to real life that's it.

My business is starting to pick up, I labeled everything on my shelves that was ready to use. Did some research on photographing them, mostly looking at ads and the ones that popped the most. I've sold over a hundred bars, and had to switch to hot process, along with a few more cold process batches to keep up with the orders. I haven't even approached any businesses in town!

I do a little happy dance as I package up orders, I leave them all in a box locked box at the driveway that USPS comes and picks up. It's so simple and easy, I did have to buy a printer for labels. It's all in the business costs, and Andrew can see all my business pages and accounts so he is aware if he's checking on how everything is going.

A sensation I haven't felt in nearly three years sweeps across my body. I gag, setting down the packages on the front steps and run back upstairs to puke in the bathroom. Charley pokes his head in before I can stop him.

"Mommy, I call dad?"

I wave him away, "No, mommy just needs a minute." I continue to puke up my breakfast, then my stomach settles down. "Shit." I say quietly.

I wash my face, brush my teeth and holler to Charley it's time for work. I'm on auto pilot as I get Rhonda turned on and Charley buckled in.

"Packs, mommy."

I turn Rhonda back around to go collect the packages. "Thanks, sweety, mommy isn't feeling very well."

He looks at me suspiciously, which I totally get. We rarely get sick, so he must think I'm dying. I know immediately what the problem is, and I don't even need to waste the money on a test. I know.

Shit, what am I going to do? I've barely kept up with Charley and I, let along bringing a baby into this mess? Why did contraception never cross my mind when we had those two amazing nights together. Another big question is, who's is it?

I chew my lip worrying what to do, ultimately, I need to schedule an appointment with my doctor and get some prenatals. It's too early to call now, so I'll have to wait until my lunch break. I park Rhonda at the mailbox, and open the big box add my outgoing packages and pick up more supplies that just got in, then relock the box and head off to work.

"Lion king!" Charley cheers.

"That's what you want to listen to this morning?" I ask.

"Yes!" He cheers again.

I laugh, put the soundtrack on loud and we drive to work singing.

.....

My doctor tells me she'll stay late today so I can come in after work. I'm nervous, and Charley keeps looking at me worried as he plays with his cars driving along his car seat.

"We are just making a quick stop to the doctors for a check up then we'll head home." I reassure him.

He shrugs, when we get to the office his face lights up rushing over to the activity table they have set up. The secretary waves me over.

"Ms. Sheridan?"

"Yes ma'am, that's me." I say going to hand over my I.D.

She chuckles, "Darling, I've been here since before you were born I don't need to see that. I'll watch Charley go ahead and go back to room two please. Dr. Mallory is waiting for you."

"Thank you so much for seeing me this late, and for keeping an eye on Charley." I say to her, I glance at the time, six p.m., technically they should be closing up right now. I'm so glad she was willing to stay late.

"Charlotte," Dr. Mallory greets me, "So you suspect you're pregnant?" She gets right to the point.

I nod, she points to the scale, I shed my coat and shoes. Stepping on, one twenty. My usual though I wouldn't mind if it were a bit higher.

Dr. Mallory takes a note, then has me sit on the exam table. "I'm just going to do a quick blood draw, expect to hear back from Mrs. Smith with the results in a few days." She quickly draws my blood, "I'm going to go ahead and prescribe you prenatals, we'll talk soon shortly." She gives me a warm smile.

"Thank you." I say to her, heading back out. "Thank you again, Mrs. Smith." I say as I scoop up Charley, "Ready to go home?"

He nods happily, "Bye!" He calls to Mrs. Smith over my shoulder.