Free The Brookfield Series Volume One by Lacey Wolfe Page A

after the hot and steamy shower. She wrapped her long hair up into a fluffy blue towel. Her mother’s ugly orange robe hung behind the door. Slipping it on but not tying it, she went to find something to wear in her suitcase. She paused in front of the full-length oval mirror. Turning to her side, she pulled her robe back. Her stomach had a slight pouch to it. Rubbing her hands along it and seeing the bulge made this all start to seem a little more real.
    She recently read the baby was now the size of an apple. It definitely looked like she swallowed one whole.
    Julie knew she was going to have to get some new jeans soon. Hers thankfully rode on her hips, so she wasn’t having a hard time buttoning them yet. But it wouldn’t be long. She read that one night her belly would suddenly just pop out, and then the growing would really begin.
    Digging through her suitcase, she found some warm clothes to put on. Overnight, they’d gotten a few more inches of snow, just as she’d thought they would. What was another two inches after a blizzard? The sun was out again today at full blare, and things were slowly melting. But it couldn’t melt fast enough.
    After she was dressed and had styled her hair, she put on a light layer of make-up. Seeing her hair slightly curled and wearing nice clothes lifted her confidence. And she needed it. The publishing house was urging her back to New York. She was able to buy a few more days of vacation, but that was it. Her gut told her that if she didn’t go back to New York, she would be out of a job, and that was the last thing she needed. At this point, she was the only one this little apple had.
    Maybe a trip to town would lift her spirits some more. She’d wanted to try the little coffee shop, The Roasted Cup, she’d seen next to The Reading Corner bookstore. A little caffeine wouldn’t be bad, and she could use the jolt.
    Collecting her purse, she snatched her blinking cell phone, not caring what messages awaited her, and tossed it in then took her keys out. She opened the front door and bumped right into a hard, muscular chest. Mark was home. She smiled.
    “Where are you headed?” He took her hand in his.
    “Coffee shop. It’s been a long day here.”
    “Well, hop in the truck. I have a surprise for you. Then I’ll treat you to coffee.”
    She hesitated.
    “Oh, come on. You’re going to love it.” He gave her no choice as he pulled her outside, closing the door behind her.
    She climbed into the passenger side and watched as he walked around to his side. It had been a long time since she’d been in a truck. It was different and really strange for someone besides a taxi driver to be driving her anywhere. She didn’t use her own car much.
    “Where are we headed?” she asked.
    “My lips are sealed.”
    “Can I have a hint?”
    He shook his head. She could tell his lips were shut, and he wasn’t telling her anything. She couldn’t help but be giddy that whatever he was doing, he had taken the time to put it together.
    As they rolled through town, she noticed children had been out building snowmen. She couldn’t wait to come home to Brookfield with her little one to build them at Christmastime. It was always so fun rolling the balls and then finding things in the house to decorate it with. Her and her mom always used wacky things. Their snowmen always had a few kitchen utensils jammed in somewhere.
    The truck’s blinker came on, and they pulled up to Brookfield Family Practice. What kind of surprise was this? Who the hell ever wanted to go to the doctor?
    Mark hopped out of the truck, raced around to her side, and opened her door. Holding her hand, he helped her out. She bit her lip nervously, but Mark led her inside. She was happy to be out of the cold but not to be here. What was he up to?
    A lady in the reception area greeted them and knew right away who they were. Julie gave Mark a confused expression. A nurse immediately came out and called them back to an exam room.