One More Storm (Mistletoe Matchmakers of Clearwater County #6) - Bonnie R. Paulson Page 0,47

closer, inspecting Kali’s cheek and nose. “Yeah, I’ve never known you to have such great skin before. Yes, always beautiful, but this is… ridiculously gorgeous. Tell me all your secrets.” She narrowed her eyes at Kali and folded her arms like Kali held all the secrets to the universe hostage.

Shaking her head and trying to ignore the heat warming her cheeks, Kali shrugged. “Well, all you need to do is get knocked up.” She turned to the box of donuts and waited for that to sink in, stealing small peeks at her friend through her eyelashes.

“Yeah, okay. Whatever… Wait. Are you saying you’re…?” Samantha’s words trailed off. She stared at Kali in silence, her eyes round.

Kali nodded, wrinkling her nose and shaking her head. “I can’t believe it, myself. Flynne has no idea. I don’t even… I haven’t really processed it yet. I mean. I’m not that girl. You know? I don’t want kids. At least, I don’t think I do. I didn’t? I don’t know. It’s really overwhelming. This time next year, I’ll have a baby.” The thoughts swarmed her, crashing in around her as she considered the implications of what a baby would mean.

Her and Flynne were more than capable. But… would he feel trapped? Would he feel like she’d made him commit and do all the things he didn’t really want? None of it was planned and that left Kali feeling more out of her depth.

“Are you worried because your mom isn’t here?” Samantha’s soft question knocked the wind out of Kali.

She blinked back the onslaught of tears and swallowed past the constriction in her throat. “I’m trying not to think about it too much. If she was here, I might not be as worried, you know? And my dad… He’ll never take my kids on horseback rides or tell them scary stories out at Whistlestop.”

Kali closed her eyes. She didn’t really have a choice. Stupid tears ran unchecked down her cheeks. Dang Samantha and her insightful questions. Kali didn’t want to think about things she couldn’t change or control.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Okay, let’s talk about something not so… close to the situation. Really fast, though? Congratulations. Flynne is going to be so happy. You should be happy. But you’ll get there.” Samantha pulled open the top of the donut box and motioned toward the dozen inside of varying kinds. “I didn’t know what you wanted so I brought a bunch. Cari put together some fun variations.” She laughed and pointed at a pink and white one. “I think that one looks like Pepto Bismol frosting, but Cari said if I said that again in the shop, she’d kick me out.” Samantha snorted and rolled her eyes. She obviously didn’t believe the woman.

“If it was me, I’d do whatever Cari said. Her treats are heavenly.” Kali picked a lemon meringue donut from the back of the box and licked at the soft refreshing frosting dripping from the edge.

“I’ve been showing property to someone Amanda is seeing.” Samantha reached for a donut as well, choosing the Samoan option and picking at the flakes of coconut in the middle. “I think he’s trying to put in a business, but I’m not sure.”

“What do you mean, you’re not sure? Is he looking at places through you?” Kali bit into the donut, loving the taste.

“Well, yes, and no. He went with me to look at some spots and Amanda came with me and he didn’t even care what we were talking about.” Samantha leaned closer to Kali. “And here’s the kicker. I’m not sure he is what he says he is. I was asking him basic questions about therapy and practicing and what he would need for his office and he didn’t have any clue or he would give ridiculous answers.” She shook her head and pointed her finger at Kali. “Something was off about him.”

“Did Amanda seem put off by him or was she interested?” Kali shifted to lean her hip against the counter as she turned more fully toward Samantha. “The only reason I’m asking is because I’m leery of causing more problems for Amanda. I can’t believe what she’s going through right now.”

“Yeah, I know.” Samantha licked her lips. “And at the risk of sounding gossipy, their mother is back in town.” She shook her head in frustration. “It’s bad enough that the boys all have to find out that their father was a cheater, that he hurt their mother, and that he had another child with someone