Finding The Way Back To Love (Lakeside Porches 3) by Katie O'Boyle Page A

Americano and a big piece of carrot cake.”
    Gwen settled her niece at a table beside the Starbucks kiosk and arranged the half-dozen shopping bags around her. “Put your feet up on the empty chair and dig out your list. I’ll get the food, and we’ll go through everything.”
    After a few bites of the giant cookie, Haley’s pallor gave way to pink cheeks and bright eyes.
    Gwen felt her energy soar once the espresso and sugar hit her system. “How shall we do this? Do you want to root through the bags or check off your list?”
    “You root. You can bend over easier than me.”
    Gwen lifted things out one at a time, and exclaimed over the bright tunic tops and smart pants. She noted bras that offered the right support for Haley’s active style. “We’ll come back to the mall after you deliver in October and get some warm clothes for winter.”
    Haley sighed. “Seems a shame to wear these for just a couple of months.”
    “We’ll give them to a thrift shop before the holidays, and make some mom-to-be very happy.” Gwen had come to the end of their purchases. “That’s all we’ve got. How are we doing?”
    Haley reviewed her list and circled the one item without a check mark. “I just need a hoodie.”
    “And something decent to wear out to dinner,” Gwen added with a sly smile.
    Haley laughed. “Why would I be going out to dinner?”
    “I might arrange for Rick to take you out for a lovely dinner while he’s here.”
    “Gwen, he can’t afford . . .” She stopped herself. “Thank you,” she said, and kissed Gwen’s cheek. “We’ll both really like that. But we need a shirt and tie for him if it’s that kind of place.”
    Gwen took one last swallow of espresso. “Good thinking. Do you know his shirt size?”
    “I do.” Haley wiped up their spills and stuffed napkins and straw wrappers into Gwen’s empty cup. “I got him a shirt for Christmas, because he had an interview coming up for a summer research job.”
    “Did he get the job?”
    Haley nodded. “That’s where he was from late April until a couple weeks ago. That’s why he didn’t know about the baby until now.”
    “You two have a lot to talk about.” Gwen pressed Haley’s hand.
    “I am really scared.”
    “Why, honey?”
    “Like Peter said, I haven’t been honest with Rick. Not telling him something this important is the same as not being honest. I never meant to betray Rick.”
    “Betray might have been too strong a word. Peter may still be smarting from his divorce. Why didn’t you tell Rick?”
    “Basically, I panicked.” Haley’s forehead puckered. “I tried to buy myself some time to figure out what I wanted to do.” Haley turned her big, dark eyes on Gwen. “Rick and I have always done things together. He helped me set up my business, and he came with me whenever I wanted to hike through the woods and photograph wildflowers for my paintings. So, why wouldn’t I ask for his help with this? With the baby.”
    “You said earlier you were afraid he would give up his degree to get married.”
    “He’s so Catholic sometimes.” Haley glanced down. “In the beginning I thought about having an abortion.”
    “Did you?” That surprised Gwen. Haley seemed so invested in this baby. Maybe that had come with time.
    “When Rick got the summer job, I figured he would never know. But I knew this baby was part of us, and I loved my baby. So I decided to go ahead with the pregnancy, and I just focused on keeping us safe and healthy.”
    Gwen’s heart ached that Haley had been dealing with her pregnancy alone for months. “I’m so glad you came to me and that you’re sharing this with me. And I’m proud of you for bringing Rick into it now.”
    Haley closed her eyes. Pain settled on the bones of her face. “I don’t know how to talk to him about this.”
    “If you speak from your heart, you can’t say anything wrong.”
    A few tears slipped from Haley’s eyes. She nodded.
    Gwen’s cell phone rang, and she