“Rose,” Skeeter called after me.

I stopped next to my truck door.

“I owe you.” He walked toward me, stopping several feet away. “And I don’t say that to many people.”

“That very well may be, Skeeter Malcolm, but you didn’t follow through on your end of the deal,” I said, my voice firm, but most of my fight was gone. I’d resigned myself to the demise of the nursery. I had put everything on the line…and failed. “You’re still alive and now king of Fenton County, but I’m still out my nine thousand dollars and losing my business tomorrow.”

He started to say something, but I ignored him and got in the truck, pulling out of the parking lot as he watched me in silence.

I drove home, worried how I’d explain wearing Neely Kate’s black dress when I got home. But Mason’s car was still missing from the front of the house. I slipped in through the front door, thankful when I heard Maeve in the kitchen talking to Muffy, which explained why my dog wasn’t barking at my entrance. I was halfway up the stairs when a tread squeaked, eliciting a round of barking from Muffy.

“Rose?” Mason’s mother called out. “Is that you?”

“Yeah,” I hurried up the rest of the stairs and called down. “I got flour all over me at Neely Kate’s and I have to change clothes.”

“Okay.”

I groaned as I realized my original clothes were still at the pool hall. I stripped off the black dress and put on a sweater and skirt. As I stuffed Neely Kate’s things in the back of my closet, I reflected on how I’d gotten here. I may have lost my business, but I reminded myself of the gratitude I felt for the people in my life. Mason, my friends. Mason’s mother, and Violet, despite all her meanness lately. I was even grateful for Joe and the part he’d played in helping me become the woman I was today. I could replace my business, but I couldn’t replace a single one of the people I cared about. I rested my hand on my stomach. If I found out I was having a baby, I’d accept it with a heart full of love and acceptance.

It was time to stop delaying the inevitable. I was ready to know the truth.

I found my cell phone and called Mason.

“Rose,” he answered, sounding concerned. “I tried to reach you earlier. I was worried, especially after I called Mom and she said you were at Neely Kate’s and Neely Kate didn’t answer her phone either.”

“I was tied up. When will you be home?”

He sighed. “Soon, I think. I got called to go on a big raid, but there’s not much more I can do here.”

My stomach tensed. What would he do if he found out I’d been inside that barn? “Hurry home because there’s something we have to do together.”

His voice went husky and I could hear the hint of a grin behind it. “Does it involve a bed? I’m not sure how we’ll explain it to my mother, but we can come up with something creative.”

I laughed. “No. It’s not that. It involves peeing on a stick.”

He was silent for a moment. “You’re ready to take the test?”

“Yeah. I’ve been waiting for the perfect moment, because if you and I are having a baby together, I don’t want there to be one ounce of sadness when we find out. But I realize there is no perfect moment. And we’ll love the baby, surprise or not.”

“Sometimes the best things in life are surprises, Rose.”

“I know,” I said, biting back tears. “Look how I found you.”

“I’ll be home as soon as I can.”

“I know. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

I went downstairs to help Mason’s mother in the kitchen, but she seemed to have everything under control.

“I’m so sorry I wasn’t here to help. I feel terrible.”

She waved off my concerns. “I loved doing it.” Her voice cracked. “I miss cooking for Mason, Savannah, and Van. I’m just grateful to be here helping.”

I pulled her into a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here too.”

She stepped away, swiping at her eyes. “The potatoes are boiling. The green beans are simmering. The sweet potatoes, dressing, and turkey are all in the oven,” she said, surveying the kitchen. “And we’ll start the gravy after we pull the turkey out. Then we’ll have what Violet brings, of course.”

I sighed. “If she comes.”

Maeve winked. “She will.”

We were setting the table an hour later when Mason came home. He found us in the dining room and pulled me into a hug, kissing me like he hadn’t seen me for days instead of a few hours.

“Mason!” I protested through my laughter. “Your mother is watching.”

“Don’t mind me,” she sing-songed as she disappeared into the dining room. “I’ve got everything under control if you two need a few minutes alone.”

Mason smiled down at me and whispered, “Let’s go find out if we’re having a baby.”

I grabbed my purse and we took it upstairs. I pulled the multiple boxes out and laid them on the bed, trying to decide which one to use.

“Whoa,” Mason said, lifting his hands.

“Neely Kate got them for me. She said she got multiple tests… just in case.”

“Just in case what?”

I shrugged. “I have no idea. But I also have no idea which one to use.”

Mason grabbed a box with a name brand and handed it to me. “Try this one.”