Page 31 (2/2)

"Because I’uarantee I’ve handled e over ree "But you don’t knohat it’ll be like to spend sleepless nights if the baby’s colicky--"

"Hey, I was an intern and a hts"

"But…"

"I want our baby, Gloria"

"The thing is," she said, gazing down at her hands "I do, too I’ve decided to raise him myself"

"I see" Chad sounded disappointed and that disturbed her even more

"You wanted him all to yourself, didn’t you?"

"Just like you did" He nodded "Okay, we’ll need to work out a parenting plan My son will know his father"

"Are you still dating Joni?" she blurted out, unable to resist

His eyes locked with hers "That has nothing to do with you"

"You’re right Forgiveso blunt but ill our son call Joni?"

"Does it ure that out when the time comes"

Gloria didn’t like it, but she couldn’t say so without sounding churlish Finally she conceded, "Fair enough"

He sipped his coffee

She sipped her juice

When she couldn’t stand the silence any else?"

"Why are you so eager to get away? Are yousomeone?" He frowned, as if the possibility hadn’t occurred to him until now

"Like I said…"

"That’s your business," he finished for her

Clearly the thought unsettled hiood She hoped it did Chad didn’t like the idea of her seeing soe that he was dating another woman

"Well, hello" Roy stood in front of their table, shocking Gloria She hadn’t seen him arrive

"Nice to see you both," he continued

Gloria wasn’t sure how to respond "Uh, hi," she muttered

"Hello, Roy" Chad stood and the twohere?" Gloria asked

"Troy Davis and I come here for coffee once a week I certainly didn’t expect to find the two of you"

Gloria knew the sheriff and her father were good friends, but she hadn’t realized they routinely h she worked in the sheriff’s office, she wasn’t privy to Troy Davis’s schedule

"Do you mind if I join you for a fewfor an invitation, he pulled out a chair and sat down "I’ether" He looked frohten him

"We don’t do this often," Chad explained

"In fact, this is the first time we’ve met since the ultrasound," Gloria added

Roy shook his head "I’h" Her father waswith their conversation

"I don’t mean to be rude or obnoxious, but can one of you tell et along," Gloria said, giving hi just fine," Roy murmured, "or at least you did"

"This is between Gloria andto solve anything"

"In other words, you wantlike that," Gloria said

"Okay, e received" Roy stood, smiled down at them and turned away He took a couple of steps, then turned back "The thing is, that boy deserves a family A mother and a father who’ll love hirandparents, his aunts and uncles and cousins"

"Yes, Roy," Gloria said

"Message received," Chad said, echoing Roy’s earlier stateize As soon as Roy was seated at another table, she whispered, "I’ood idea if ent soestions?" she asked

"The Wok and Roll is down the street"

She remembered that Chad liked Chinese food The scent of fried food made Gloria feel queasy but she should be fine; she hadn’t thrown up in several weeks "Sure, let’s go"

They paid and waved an obligatory goodbye to Roy Then, with his hand under her elbow, Chad escorted her to the Wok and Roll The moment they walked in the door, Gloria was assaulted by the aroa deep breath, she grabbed a corner of the front desk