“You carried all of these down?”
“Yep, and I’m going to reward myself later with a hot chocolate, fresh whipped cream, and marshmallows.” She rubbed at her head. “Do you think it’s okay if I start?”
The tree was already set up in the corner of the sitting room. She had presents wrapped and ready to put beneath the tree for the family.
“This is your home as well, Maddie.” Granny came to her and wrapped her arms around her. “I’m so pleased you’re here.”
“Thank you. I love being here. I love the ranch and Paige.” It was on the tip of her tongue to say “Caleb,” but she stopped herself.
She turned away and released a breath.
“You love Caleb?” Granny asked.
Maddie turned toward the older woman, and sighed. “I … yes. I love him, and I’m scared. I’m not like his ex-wife. The thought of living here for the rest of my life is like a dream come true.”
“And a family?”
Tears filled her eyes, and she found herself getting really emotional. She wiped the tears away and took a seat. “You know that my sister doesn’t really like me and to my family I was a giant disappointment?”
“I know that when she spoiled your wedding to that man, no one offered you any comfort. In fact, they treated you as if you were to blame.”
Even after her confrontation with Emily, she’d not heard from her parents, and she was actually pleased about that. She told Granny everything from being a child and having Emily punch and kick her.
“One night, Emily told me she saw Santa, and when I went outside to check, she locked the doors, and it was only when Mom and Dad came home that I was allowed inside. I was ill that year.”
Granny pulled her into her arms and hugged her tight. “I don’t want you to think about that woman again. As far as I’m concerned, she gives women a bad name. You’re a good woman, Maddie, a kind woman, and knowing that my son is with you means more to me than you could ever know.”
The other woman rubbed the tears from her eyes, and Maddie pulled away, sniffling. “I’m sorry. I’m finding little things are making me really tear up lately. I’m sure it’s the time of year.”
“Are you sure it’s the time of the year?”
“What do you mean?” Maddie asked, pulling out different decorations and placing them on the coffee table.
“Have you been ill? Or experiencing any tenderness in your breasts?”
Her cheeks heated. “Erm, I don’t … I was sick a few days ago, and I’ve felt ill but not actually been sick. My breasts … are well, erm.” Caleb loved her breasts, and she’d put the tenderness down to his constant attention.
“I know I’m old, but I was a young woman in love as well. Caleb’s father and I could tell you stories, believe me. You and Caleb do not keep your hands off each other, and I’ve seen that smile my son is sporting. Is there a chance that you could be pregnant?”
Maddie shook her head. “No, it can’t be possible.”
“It can’t?”
“I’m on the pill. It’s not…”
“I just want to say that I know Martha was on the pill when she got pregnant with her oldest. They’re not a hundred percent guaranteed, and also, if you’d been sick, or missed a pill, there could be a chance you are pregnant.”
Maddie stood up, and then sat down. “I … oh, no.”
Granny placed a hand on her knee. “Before we start panicking, why don’t we drive into town? I’ll go into the pharmacy and get what we need. Then we’ll come home and see what happens.”
She nodded. Driving into town was a bit of a blur. Pregnant. Maddie hadn’t even for a second given it a thought. Could she be pregnant?
Of course she could be pregnant. She and Caleb were always with each other. They didn’t use protection. Caleb had a fascination with his cum inside her, and he’d often watch her, which she did find highly arousing.
Parking outside of the pharmacy, she tapped her fingers on the wheel and waited as Granny got what she needed. Maddie was so nervous. Her stomach twisted and tightened. Something caught her attention out of the corner of her eye, and she saw it was Emily, and she spotted Caleb’s truck.
Had her sister seen her?
Emily was waiting beside Caleb’s truck, and she watched as her sister prepared herself, fluffing her hair, pulling her shirt down a little. If Maddie wasn’t waiting for Granny, she’d have climbed out of her car, but she found herself sitting still, waiting.
Finally, Caleb appeared, and when he caught sight of Emily, she saw the exasperation on his face. She’d seen that look many times when he didn’t want to deal with something, mostly problems at the ranch that were tiring to him.