My phone beeps with a message. Enough contemplating men, Ellery. Time to work. Except the message isn’t about work. It’s Cole.
Good morning, Ellie.
I ignore the message the same way I’ve ignored his messages for the past four weeks. I told him I didn’t want a relationship. When is he going to get the hint? Apparently not today since my phone beeps with another message from him.
You can’t ignore me forever. Davis Williams will get the contract for the community center. And I will be coming back to town.
The temptation to convince Lilac to not award Cole’s firm the contract is real. The problem is my sister will want a reason, and there’s no way I’m telling her about Cole. She wouldn’t understand my feelings since she’s part robot. Plus, she doesn’t believe in mixing work decisions and private life.
Ugh! I throw my phone into a drawer and slam it shut. If I can’t turn the thing off, I can at least keep it out of my sight.
The door swings open and Moon sashays in carrying a plate with an omelet and a cup of coffee.
“Here you go,” she says as she sets the items on my desk.
My stomach rumbles, and I lean over to sniff the food. One whiff of the omelet and my stomach switches from hungry to upset. I slam a hand over my mouth as I rush out of my office, shoving Moon to the side as I go. I barely make it to the powder room before I lose the contents of my stomach.
I kneel next to the toilet and inhale deep breaths until I’m certain my stomach is done playing explosive before rinsing my mouth with water and washing my hands. I open the door to discover Moon pacing the hallway.
“I’m sorry, Ellery. I swear I checked to make sure the eggs were fresh.”
I pat her shoulder. “It’s okay, Moon. But let’s skip the eggs for breakfast this morning. Can you whip up some pancakes instead?”
“Of course. Sorry again.” She rushes off.
I return to my office. I sigh when I note the omelet is missing. I gulp down half the cup of coffee before switching on my computer. Time to get some work done. First off, today’s arrivals. I check the date and freeze.
No, it can’t be. There is no way today is August 31st. Shit. Shit. Shit. I’m late for a very important date. I grab my phone and check my app, but I haven’t miscalculated. My period is two weeks late.
I hear the creak of the stairs above the ceiling. Great. The first guests are on their way down for breakfast. I force thoughts of being late out of my mind and stand to help with the breakfast service.
Breakfast is a whirl of refilling coffee, taking pancake orders, and advising guests on the best things to do in Winter Falls. By the time Moon and I have fed all the guests and cleaned up the dining room, it’s eleven o’clock.
I assess the kitchen area. It’s clean and everything has been properly labeled and stored in the refrigerator or the pantry.
“You can go, Moon. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Moon wrings her hands. “I really am sorry about the eggs.”
I wave away her concern. I no longer think the eggs were the problem, but I can’t tell her what I suspect the problem to be. No one in this town can keep a secret. Least of all my baby sister’s best friend who thinks tattling to Ashlyn is a sport.
Once she’s gone, I check to make sure the cleaner is on schedule before leaving the inn. I wave at everyone I encounter as I stride down Main Street toward Nature Coop, the general store. I don’t stop to chat with anyone since I’m on a mission, but I know better than to ignore the town’s gossips.
Failing to acknowledge the other residents of Winter Falls would cause them to run to the town's Facebook page to begin speculating on what’s wrong with Ellery. The verdict’s not in yet. But I’m afraid it starts with a P.
The second I enter Nature Coop, I realize my error. Feather, Petal, and Cayenne are standing at the check-out chatting with the owner, Shine. There is no way I can buy a pregnancy test without the entire town knowing about it before I exit the store. I whirl around to flee before they spot me.
“Ellery!”
Too late. I fish my phone out of my purse and put it to my ear. “Give me a second,” I tell the phone before laying it against my chest and smiling at the ladies. “Sorry. This call is important.”
“Ellery Promise West! I’m not deaf. I know your phone didn’t ring,” Feather accuses.
“It’s on silent,” I claim, but I feel my face heat with my lie.
Cayenne wags her finger at me. “Why are you lying?”
“I’m not—” Of freaking course, my phone rings and cuts me off proving I’m a liar. I read the screen. “It’s the inn,” I declare before rushing out of the store as fast as my short legs can move me.