Free Restoration & Forgiveness (Renovate Book 2) by Mindy Carter Page A

in shining armor. My God, Aimee, I'd hate to think what would have happened to you if he wasn't there, and it sounds like this Delaney girl wasn't going to be any help."
    My eyes begin to get blurry. She sounds like she's mad and worried. I feel awful.
    "Reese, this isn't the city. People here still leave their doors unlocked at night."
    She lets out a gasp. "That's insane. Aimee, you need to lock your doors. This isn't 1950."
    "I lock my doors, Reese, I'm just saying this is a small town, it's not crime ridden. We know our neighbors, and everyone watches out for one another," I say, trying to convince her that I'm not going to be murdered in my sleep.
    "I'm not convinced, and I know you don't want Keegan there, but if anyone is going to protect you, it's him. He's dropped everything, and refuses to even return any of Gretchen's calls. She's totally flipping out and won't leave Kaleb alone. She calls and texts constantly."
    The name suddenly makes me queasy, but Keegan isn't returning her calls. He dropped everything?
    "I'm sorry, Reese. I didn't ask him to come here," I apologize.
    "I don't care about Gretchen, I care about you. I've dealt with bitches, she's just one in a long line of many. Look, I'm not saying that Keegan keeping secrets from you was right, but I get it, and I know that you're worried about your dad. I honestly think Keegan is there right now because he wants to take care of you. He loves you, and no matter what happens that's not going to go away."
    I'm silent, and I'm trying to hold my tears in. It's so easy being mad at him. I can avoid the biggest problem of all, that he shared something special with that evil woman, and was devoted to her. That stings the most. For years he was devoted to her, romantically and professionally.
    "Aimee, Keegan isn't the only one who loves you. I do too, and if this is all too much I can be there tonight."
    Now I feel like a child again. I've reverted to that six-year-old version of myself who needs saving. I don't want anyone to feel responsible for me.
    "No, I'll be all right. Please don't worry about me. Enough about me; what about you? How was your doctor's appointment?"
    "It was amazing. We were able to see the baby on an ultrasound. They did that weird trans vaginal one, it was a little uncomfortable at first, but there my little alien was, and its heart was just a little flicker. A little twinkling star. The baby is perfect, and the doctor gave me these pills that help with the nausea and also some super huge vitamins."
    She sounds happy. I love her excitement about this. Even though there was a small possibility that I could be pregnant, I'm not. I took a pregnancy test to make sure yesterday morning. I wouldn't have been drinking last night if I thought there was a possibility I was, and maybe that's a little part of the reason why I drank heavily.
    "That is amazing. Did you get a picture?" I ask.
    "Hell yeah, got a picture. I'll send you it in a couple minutes, but Aimee, morning, noon, or night I'm here. If you need anything let me know."
    "I will, but take care of yourself, okay?"
    She laughs. "I will. Talk to you later."
    We hang up, and I'm a little lighter. I'm happy about her good news and right when I'm about to place my phone down it alerts me to a new picture message. There on the screen is Reese's ultrasound picture. Right in the middle of the photo is a white blur. It's the start of a life. I can only describe it as beautiful. I can't stop myself, because I have to share this with someone. I make my way upstairs. Walking out of the bathroom, in only a towel and with wet hair, is Keegan. He sees me approaching and flashes his heart-pounding smile.
    "Look what Reese sent me." I thrust my phone directly into his face. He looks confused at first, but I know the very moment that he realizes what he's looking at because his grin widens.
    "This is the baby?" he asks, pointing to the screen.
    I nod, and he enlarges the photo on my phone. He's taken aback, and