037:

                                    

                                          


                          
                
                          
037:
                          
She left the building and drove back to her cottage by herself, only texting Ryan when she got there, that she'd taken ill and had to go home. He texted back that he was taking a few minutes to visit with the group, a lot of important people had come, he wanted to make contact with, and he'd be back shortly.
                          
She got inside, the baby felt heavy, and her stomach felt heavy. She was annoyed and hurt and confused. She got Hannah fed and playing and then held her phone in front of her, staring out at the fall day. The mountains around them had a dusting of snow.
                          
Her thumb pressed the text button.
                          
            I'm sorry.
                          
 She waited, watching the clouds pass by overhead.
                          
            Sorry for what?
                          
 He'd answered. She had almost thought he wouldn't.
                          
            For becoming annoyed. 
                          
            Were you annoyed?
                          
 Yes. I'm sorry. You were kind to come to the baptism and all, and to see me.
                          
 I only came to see you.
                          
 That stopped her. He had only come to see her? He could see her down in L.A. any time. He didn't have to come here. He had come to Montana to stop a wedding.
                          
Her phone buzzed. She pressed the send button and his voice came on. "Where did you go?"
                          
"Back to my cottage."
                          
"I know that, Ryan said you were ill. Did our conversation have that effect on you?"
                          
"I know what you're thinking. That if our conversation made me ill, then I should rethink getting married to Ryan. But--- my baby needs a dad, Robert!"
                          
"You're a capable woman, Melia, you have no need to rush into a marriage that isn't right-- for the wrong reasons."
                          
"Ryan and I have a history."
                          
"Yes, you do. This is my final warning. Maybe you should think about that history."
                          
"What? Why? Stop being so cryptic."
                          
"Think about the recent press you've been getting, the rumors?"
                          
"What about them? Just stupid tabloid stuff..."
                          
"And---"
                          
"You're saying it could be coming from Ryan? Are you kidding? Ryan would never do something like that! He's not that kind of person."
                          
"And you thought he just got over the fact that you married his brother? And now he suddenly wants to take care of you and his brother's daughters for the rest of his life?"
                          
She had thought that. Yes, Ryan was sincere. They both knew the conditions.
                          
"Melia have you spoken to Ryan about these things?"
                          
How could she admit that she hadn't been able to talk to Ryan about these things at all? the facts, yes, they'd retold each other the facts of what had happened to them, but that was all. Anything even remotely resembling intimate talk was noticeably lacking. It had to be her fault. The only person so far who had been this honest and blunt with her and called her out by asking such pointed questions was himself--- Robert!
                          
"Think about it." He said solemnly. "Just think about it, Melia. And I will be your friend no matter what choice you make. I'm at the air strip here. I'm going back to Karen."
                          
"Don't leave yet, okay? Just a little while longer. I'm coming back down there."
                          
She could tell he was startled. "Okay." He finally agreed and they clicked off.
                          
******