Unexpected: A Carefree Novel, #2

By Leslie Ray

To Old Friends

 

Kat Hensley doesn't do marriage. She's been there. Done that. Bought the T-shirt. With four brothers and an ex-husband, the last thing this spirited restaurant owner is interested in is another man having an opinion about her life. What she is interested in, however, is a friend with certain benefits. For the first time in her life, the boy next door feels a lot like the man she needs. But when her adventure in secret affairs lands her on the positive side of a pregnancy test, Kat finds herself standing in front of the one door she never wanted to open again.

 

And Twists of Fate  

 

Being in love with Kat was never the problem for Marshal Brooks. Getting her to see him as more than her brother's best friend, however, was next to impossible. But when an unforgettable weekend results in the surprise of their lives, Brooks is ready to make the most of their unexpected situation. He's lived the 'only child of divorced parents' life and there's no way he's letting his kid grow up between two different homes. Getting Kat down the aisle is the only option. It's just too bad the queen of stubborn has vowed to never let her heart love again.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Leslie Ray
• Release date: Jul 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201785796

Leslie Ray

Hi! If you haven’t figured it out by now, I’m Leslie Ray, a small-town contemporary romance author. Born and raised in the South, I center my stories around all the wonderful memories of growing up in a small town in the southeast. When I’m not writing, you can find me hanging out with my homesteading husband, our two daughters (who mostly love each other), and our array of animals. When I’ve had enough of the sibling rivalry or the husband’s canning, gardening, and chicken plucking, I love to mow. I can do amazing plotting spending hours on a mower. 

Book preview

Other great titles by Leslie Ray

The Carefree Series

EXPOSURE

The Spruce Pine Series

RUN TO ME

FORGIVE ME

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Dedication

To my loving husband,

thank you for always believing in me,

and letting me live my dreams.

Chapter One

Sitting in a bridal boutique on a Saturday afternoon was the last place Kat Hensley ever wanted to be, even if the plush white couch was softer than anything she’d ever run her hand across.

Kat wasn’t opposed to the institution of marriage, as long as it had nothing to do with her being draped in white satin and lace. Blame it on her salty divorce, but happiness was never stepping foot in another bridal shop, so help her god.

She would’ve happily stuck to the never return policy too, except she loved her soon to be sister-in-law like an actual sister. After growing up with four younger brothers, it was nice to finally have some more estrogen in the mix. And so, here she sat, spending her Saturday on the world’s softest couch, watching a parade of lace.

At least there was wine.

If it were anyone else, Kat would’ve come up with a half-baked excuse to get out of her maid of honor duty. It wouldn’t have been that hard either. As owner of Kat’s Got Your Tongue, one of the busiest restaurants in their coastal town of Carefree, South Carolina, she was a readymade excuse factory.

Don’t want to attend a baby shower? Sorry, I have to close the diner.

Avoiding birthday parties? Gosh, I wish I could, but I have payroll to do.

The excuses were endless really. And who was going to argue? No one else she spent any amount of time with had ever owned a diner, so how would they know what it took to make the place stay afloat?

When it came to her twin brother and his soon-to-be wife, however, Kat was more than happy to join in the festivities. The happy couple had experienced enough bumps along the road getting to this point that she wanted to make sure everything went as smoothly as possible.

She was going to be the best damn maid of honor the world had seen.

As the bride-to-be stepped out of the dressing room in the first dress of the day, Kat’s heart warmed. Her soon-to-be sister-in-law, Julia Hawthorne, was going to make a beautiful bride.

You look stunning.  Kat gave a low whistle as Julia stepped up on the small pedestal surrounded by mirrors.

Are you sure this isn’t too revealing? Julia pressed her hands to the wedding gown just below her breasts.

My brother will approve. Besides, some of us would love to be able to fill out a dress like that. She grabbed her own boobs for emphasis.

Kat was comfortable in her own skin, B-cup and all, but comfortable wasn’t the word she’d use right now. Her breasts were tender, borderline painful.

And full. Really full.

Thinking back, she tried her best to remember when she’d had her last period. It wasn’t unusual for her boobs to be a little sore right before her cycle, but they were fuller than normal.

Time to lay off the sweets.

Summer was coming to a close, and she wouldn’t be as active. If she was going to fit in whatever monstrosity of a bride’s maid dress Julia picked out, she would have to pay a little more attention to the scale.

Swiping open her phone, Kat tapped on her period app and froze in horror.

That can’t be right!

The glaring red number taunted her. Six. She was six days late. She’d never been late in her life. Opening the app store, she checked for an update. There had to be an update, right? That would explain how the app had messed up and miscalculated the days. When there was no update available, panic churned in her stomach.

Earth to Kat. Are you okay over there? You look like you saw a ghost. Julia’s voice broke through the mild heart attack Kat was having.

We were careful, Kat tried to calm the storm stirring inside her.

This wasn’t the time or place to overreact. There was a perfectly good explanation as to why she was late. She just had to figure out the reason.

Unfortunately, that would have to wait. Right now, she needed to get her shit together. Her mother, who sat on the other end of the sofa, was looking at her curiously, while Julia appeared as though she were ready to hop down from her pedestal and administer some kind of first aid.

I’m fine. Nothing that can’t wait. Shutting off the screen, Kat slipped the phone back in her purse.

Are you sure, Sweetie? You do look a little flushed. Are you feeling okay? Kat’s mother pressed the back of her hand gingerly to Kat’s cheek like she was still a small child.

Barbara Scott was a saint of a mother, especially considering raising Kat and her four brothers had been her full-time career. Today, she was even stepping in as the mother of the bride for her soon to be daughter-in-law, given Julia’s mother had abandoned her and her father when she was young.

Any other day, Kat would have appreciated her mother’s attention, but at the moment, the only thing she needed was to bury the little nugget of worry deep down in the depths of her soul until she could escape from the boutique.

Spreading a smile across her face, Kat raised her wine glass and focused the attention back on Julia. Today is all about the bride. Let’s see the next dress.

The parade of dresses that followed seemed to be endless.

It was as though someone had plucked Kat’s worst nightmare right from her brain. As if being in a bridal boutique wasn’t bad enough on its own merits, she had no choice but to sit for the next two hours and wonder about her womb.

Was it occupied?

Was it calling it quits?

Maybe it was early menopause or cancer? Was it bad the idea of menopause was far less scary than a baby?  

Julia’s voice, full of wonder, was a welcomed reprieve from the tortured voices in her head. I think this is it, ladies.

Kat ran her eyes up and down the white silk material as a wave of joy and relief washed over her. The dress was exquisite, absolutely perfect for Julia. But more than anything, Kat was relieved the torture of being held captive with her thoughts and fears was almost over. I think you’re right. It’s perfect.

Beside her, Kat’s mom raised her hands to her mouth and let out a tiny squeal. You look stunning, dear.

The sales associate who had been helping them seemed pleased she had made a sale and whisked Julia off to get dressed before she could change her mind. Thirty minutes later, the down payment had been placed and an alterations appointment was made.

Walking out of the boutique, she and Julia wished her mother farewell before continuing to Kat’s car. Carpooling had been a great idea this morning, but now all Kat wanted was to be alone to process.

Now that your mom’s gone, why don’t you tell me what’s going on? You haven’t been yourself all morning. Julia locked arms with Kat, pulling her close to her side as though they were two teenage best friends walking out of homeroom.

The closeness, the support, it was all too much. Tears sprang from her eyes before she could stop the waterworks from erupting. She tried to look away, but she wasn’t quick enough. In one swift movement, Julia’s arm pulled free and wrapped back around her shoulders.

"Oh, Kat! Whatever it is, I’m here. Just tell me what’s going on? Is it too much wedding for you? You told me once you were divorced, but you never said what happened. If this is too hard, I completely understand."

It’s not that at all. Kat sniveled, swiping the tears from her face.

Is it the restaurant? Did something go wrong? It’s not your sanitation grade is it?

Kat cut her eyes, appalled at the even mere mention. Seriously, that’s what you think? You know I keep my shit clean.

Julia winked as she stepped back and held her hands up in faux surrender. I had to say something to snap you back to the real Kat. Now, it can’t be that bad.

Kat’s shoulders slumped. The thought of having kids wasn’t the issue. Once upon a time, she had planned to have a few little smart-alecks running around. Even now, the thought of a kid wasn’t completely horrifying, if she could get past the fact that she was on the verge of turning forty.

The problem was she had vowed to never let another man have any say or control over her life again. Ever.

If she’d gone to a sperm bank and made a withdrawal that would have been one thing, but that hadn’t been the case. If there was a bun in her oven, she knew exactly who the baker was and her life was about to get far more complicated than she cared to think about. 

Deep down, Kat knew she could trust Julia. They hadn’t known each other that long in the grand scheme of life, but the one thing Kat knew for sure, Julia was a loyal friend. If this was really happening, she was going to need someone to confide in and Julia was just the girl.

She just hoped like hell it didn’t become a pillow talk topic of conversation with her brother until she knew for sure if she was bearing or barren.

Looking around the relatively empty parking lot, Kat made sure no one was in earshot before she bared her soul. My boobs are sore.

Okay. So, you’re PMS-ing. Julia gave her a quizzical look.

Not exactly. I’m...late.

Okay...oh. Oh! Umm... A montage of emotions crossed Julia’s face. Do you think you’re, you know?

She watched in horror for a split second as Julia’s hand lifted, her finger making tiny circles in the general direction of Kat’s abdomen.

Put your hand down, Kat whispered vehemently, as though she were a parent scolding her child in public. Maybe. I don’t know. I’ve never been a day late in my life and my app says I’m a week late. It’s not really a thing I had to worry about before.

Wait! Julia’s sudden excitement was not the direction Kat wanted this conversation to go. That means you’ve been seeing someone you sneaky little thing. Who is it? Tell me everything. What does he look like? Is he hot? I bet he’s hot. You wouldn’t entertain anything less than male perfection.

That’s not the point right now. I need you to focus on the problem at hand. What am I going to do?

Julia was silent for a moment as she contemplated a response. First, you’re going to tell me who your baby daddy is.

Kat sighed and turned back toward the car. Walking around to the driver’s side door, Julia continued talking to her back, undeterred. You’re not getting out of that part. Second, we’re going to the drug store to get a test and find out if you’re about to make me an aunt. Then we’re going to eat ice cream. I do my best thinking over chocolate chip cookie dough.

Kat stopped before she opened the door and glanced at Julia across the top of her Acura. I’m on board for the ice cream, but we’re getting the test first, and then I’ll decide if I tell you who it is. If it’s negative, I’m taking the name to the grave.

You’re a real party pooper, you know that?

As they drove across town to the pharmacy, Kat let the idea bounce around in her mind. It was never something she had given much thought to after her divorce, but now that it was in the realm of possibility, something maternal stirred deep inside her.

Can I ask a question? Julia’s soft words interrupted her thoughts.

I can’t stop you, I suppose. Kat turned onto Main Street three blocks from the pharmacy.

Do you want kids? I mean, would it be the worst thing in the world if you were pregnant?

It was like Julia had read her thoughts. Would it be? I don’t know. I would keep it of course, if that’s what you’re asking. I always thought I would have kids, but when my marriage didn’t work out, I put it in the past.

Pulling into the pharmacy parking lot, Kat put the car in park.

And didn’t move.

Um, do you want me to go with you? Julia shot her a confused look.

I can’t go in there. Kat held onto the steering wheel like a lifeline.

Kat, I know this is scary, but you’re going to find out one way or another. We might as well get it over with.

It’s not that. Turning to her passenger, Kat began to plead, You have to go in there for me. If I go, everyone in town will be talking about it. They’ll be wondering the same thing you are. Who’s Kat’s baby daddy? It’ll be the talk of the town. Then what if it’s not even true. There will be all these rumors for no reason. You have to go for me!

You want people to think I’m pregnant? Julia’s face was twisted into horror.

You and Miles are getting married. You’re going to be Mrs. Police Chief Miles Scott. No one’s going to make a big deal about it. They’ll be happy for you and move on. Not me. It will be the scandal of the month.

Kat...

Julia, please. I’ll owe you. I’ll even wear the world’s fluffiest bridesmaid dress.

The silence stretched out so long Kat thought for sure Julia was going to stand her ground, but she finally raised her hand to the door handle. If I end up in the gossip mill, you’re wearing a damn eighties, Pepto pink bridesmaid dress.

Deal.

Chapter Two

Family was an interesting word for Marshall Brooks. Personally speaking, his own family was a train wreck.

His parents had split the summer between fifth and sixth grade. What was supposed to be an exciting summer preparing for middle school, had turned out to be a nightmare, stuck choosing one parent over the other. 

At eleven years old, he knew his father wasn’t leaving him. Eugene Brooks made it very clear he wanted nothing more than for Marshall to come live with him. But then his mother had begged. And cried. And begged some more. Pleading for him not to leave her too. It wasn’t fair to put that kind of pressure on a young kid, but that was the essence of his mother.

Always the victim.

Always the martyr.

In the end, Brooks stayed. His father hadn’t argued. The truth of the matter was Eugene had dealt with all the crazy he could handle and had simply reached his breaking point. A fact Brooks now understood firsthand.

Marshall, honey, are you sure it’s straight? His mother called from her place on the couch, as she sipped tea like this was an English afternoon.

Patricia Brooks was one of the few people who still called him by his given name. To everyone else, he was just Brooks. What started as a nickname on the high school football team had stuck. Now that he was Sergeant Brooks with the CPD, it felt natural. Half the officers on the force were called by their last names.

Taking a deep breath, Brooks suppressed the exasperated sigh threatening to escape. Yes, Mom, I made sure it was level.

This was his life.

A week ago, he’d received his least favorite kind of text from his mother. She’d bought new blinds and wanted him to come hang them. He’d stalled as long as he could, but seven days was pushing it. Any longer and dear old mom would start in with the woe is me, my son must not love me comments. To be honest, he was surprised she hadn’t already started in on him. This was by far the longest he’d ignored one of her requests, but he would take the small victory.

Glancing out the window, Brooks watched as the next-door neighbors milled about their afternoon like normal human beings.

Oh, to have normal parents.

The Scotts had lived in the house next door all his life. Long before his parents split, Brooks wove his way into their family. Being an only child, he’d gravitated to their four sons and one daughter.

Not a lot had changed over the years. He and Miles were still best friends. Brooks still had Sunday dinner with the Scotts almost every week. And his own mother still drove him crazy.

That was the way life worked here in Carefree. Not much ever changed.

While you’re here... His mother’s voice held the edge of sweetness she used when she had another task for him.

Brooks placed the last screw on the blinds and glanced at his watch before acknowledging her comment. He’d purposely come right before shift so he wouldn’t get stuck with a list of chores. Whatever you need will have to wait, I have to be at work in forty minutes.

That’s actually perfect. I need you to stop by and pick up my new medication from the pharmacy while you’re in town. And there it was, her cunning ways.

Patricia Brooks knew good and damn well he had to drive right by the pharmacy on his way into the station, meaning he had little excuse to deny her request. Sure thing, Mom. I’ll drop your med back by later.

Brooks made quick work of cleaning up his tools. Two tasks were his limit for a day and he didn’t want to hang around longer to see if she came up with any other errands.

Back in his car, Brooks let out a sigh of relief.

Most days, his mother’s neediness didn’t bother him...too much. Today, however, it was getting on his nerves. Her so-called new medication meant she’d found a new doctor to prescribe her something for her made up illness or disorder. There was nothing wrong with his mother, except for the silver spoon that had been placed in her mouth as a child.

Sometimes he liked to daydream about leaving, moving to the adjacent