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.”A short time later Cassie came out of the bathroom, her mind numb and her insides quaking.“It’s positive,” she announced to Lottie.Lottie didn’t miss a beat.She smiled brightly, her eyes gleaming.“Then it’s a gift.What about the father, honey? How will he feel about this?”The father? Cassie hadn’t thought about the father.She was thinking about a new life growing inside of her and how all of this was possible.A baby? She’d been so sure this couldn’t happen.They’d taken precautions that night.“I’m amazed.I don’t understand how this happened.Jake and I—”“Jake?” Lottie’s amber eyes lit with surprise.“Are you saying Jake is the father? Our Jake?”Cassie slumped into the chair beside her.“Oh, Lottie.” Cassie rested a protective hand on her belly, overwhelmed with the wonder of carrying a child.Jake’s child.She was going to be a mother.Fear, awe and excitement replaced her disbelief.“It’s a long story.”Lottie assured her with a smile, “I’ve got nothing but time, honey.Tell me.”Thirty minutes later, amid tears and chuckles and every emotion in between, Cassie had informed Lottie of the entire story.It felt good to confide in someone and Lottie had the kindest heart.She was a person Cassie could trust.“Wow,” Lottie said, sitting back in her chair.“I know.My life hasn’t been dull.I thought by moving here things would sort of even out.I thought life would get easier.”“Babies are blessings, Cassie.And who’s to say your life won’t just turn out wonderful.”Cassie frowned, unable her hide her concern and trepidation from her new friend.Lottie sat straight up in the chair again.Sparkling with excitement, she announced, “I know what you need, honey.You need to get out and meet some new people.You need to get away from this ranch and get your mind off your troubles for one day.” She dug back into her handbag, coming up with an invitation.“We’re going to a shindig tomorrow night.It says right here, ‘Lottie Fairchild and guest.’ You’re going to be my guest, honey.It’s a party for Ted O’Hanley.He’s turning the big 4-0 tomorrow and his father is throwing him a big old birthday bash.Say you’ll come.”“Oh, Lottie, I don’t know.” Yet the more Cassie thought about it, the more appealing the idea became.Maybe she did need some time to clear out the cobwebs in her head.“I’d…like to.I mean, I haven’t really been off this ranch much since I got here.But jeez, I just don’t know.Besides, what would I wear?”Lottie grinned.“Shut down that computer.You’re through with work for the day.We’re going shopping.We’ll find you just the right outfit.”“Shopping?” Cassie began to smile.Gosh, that sounded like fun.Doing anything with Lottie would be fun.The woman was a ball of fire, all sweet-natured energy and gusto.And Lottie did have a point.Cassie needed a change of scenery.She didn’t want to think about Jake or the fact that she’d have to tell him real soon that she was carrying his child.“Okay, let’s do it.Let’s go shopping!”Saturday evening Jake stood on the porch steps glancing to his right, wondering what the dickens the two women were up to.Even from this distance, fifty feet away from the guest house, he could hear the sound of their cheerful laughter.Lottie was decked out in her going-out clothes and he couldn’t miss Cassie’s wild cinnamon hair, flowing around her face, a mass of soft silk and waves.She wore a beige Western dress that tied up the front with suede strings and a pair of matching boots, looking every bit the part of a ranching woman.When the women jumped into Lottie’s Blazer, Jake stepped off the porch and planted himself on the road.Lottie pulled up beside him.“Hi, Jake.”Jake leaned in, his gaze flowing from Lottie straight to Cassie.She looked drop-dead gorgeous.“Ladies.Planning on a big night?”Cassie cast him a weak smile then turned her head to peer out the window.“We’re heading to Ted’s birthday bash
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