Free She's Having a Baby by Marie Ferrarella

“Is a very nice, inanimate object that has absolutely no magical powers, Dakota. Which is just as well. Because the last thing I want to do is meet someone right now.”
    Dakota took a deep breath. “I know you’re hurting over Jeff—”
    â€œI am not hurting over Jeff.” She turned away. “As it turns out, I think I really am better off without him.”
    Dakota’s eyes kept widening, as if she were a volcano about to burst. Her fingers beneath MacKenzie’s chin, she turned the woman’s face toward her. And froze.
    â€œOmigod. You’re pregnant.” The thought hit Dakota like a huge pile of bricks.
    More than anything, MacKenzie wanted to deny it, to tell Dakota that she was being absurd. But avoiding the truth was one thing; lying was another. She’d never lied to Dakota.
    Never lied very much, period. And besides, the evidence backing up her best friend’s guess would be forthcoming soon enough. How would she feel about facing Dakota then?
    Like an unexpected explosion that came without warning, exasperation filled her. MacKenzie slid offthe chair and began pacing about the room. Warily, because she was still on the lookout for the wayward snake. “What, is it written on my forehead?”
    â€œNo, but sweat is,” Dakota said softly, her heart going out to MacKenzie. “And green’s a good color for you, unless it involves your skin.” Dakota sighed, shaking her head, a million questions forming in her brain. “How? Who?”
    What was the use in talking about it? It wouldn’t change the end result. “I think you know the answer to both those questions, especially the first one.” This sigh was deeper than the last. “Unless you skipped basic biology in middle school.” She paused, then finally added, “Did you know that birth control is not a hundred percent guaranteed?”
    Dakota reined in her pity, knowing that MacKenzie would only balk at it. As would she if the tables were turned. “Jeff?”
    â€œJeff,” MacKenzie echoed.
    Dakota pressed her lips together, knowing she had to tread lightly. “Have you told him?”
    Unwilling to see anything remotely resembling pity in her best friend’s eyes, MacKenzie deliberately looked away. “Yes.”
    â€œAnd?”
    She barely raised a shoulder in a halfhearted shrug. “And he’s offered to be financially responsible for the baby.”
    â€œHow romantic.” The sarcastic words burned on Dakota’s tongue. She had never really cared for the man, but had done her best to be nice to him forMacKenzie’s sake. Now she would have liked to see him on the end of a barbecue skewer. “What a guy.” She raised her eyes to MacKenzie’s face. “I could ask Ian if he knows a hit man.”
    MacKenzie waved away the suggestion. When it came to Jeff, she’d already moved on.
    Or so she had told herself.
    â€œThe man’s gone back to his wife. And it wouldn’t have worked out between us.” She looked up to keep the tears from spilling out. Damn, but she hated being this emotional. “Besides, his ears were too big,” she deadpanned.
    â€œDefinitely reasons for disqualification.” Rising out of her chair, Dakota put her arm around MacKenzie’s shoulders in a show of union and empathy. “Is there anything I can do?”
    â€œYou’re doing it,” MacKenzie told her quietly.
    Dakota hugged her harder, wishing she could make everything right. “Anything. Anything at all. You name it.”
    MacKenzie nodded. Taking a deep breath, she got herself under control. “I guess you’ll want the cameo back.” She began to undo the ribbon, but Dakota stopped her.
    â€œI’ve got my man. I can’t use it. The rules say so.” Dakota smiled brightly at her. “You hang on to it. You never know.” A thought came to her. “Maybe the doctor who