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Phoebe watched him drink the coffee, the smell of which wafted her way as she took a sip of her tea
Quietwere you on my doorstep?’
“I don’t know I left home around four”
“It’s after seven now” His tone was incredulous “You’ve been waiting that long?”
“I fell asleep”
The tension left his face “That’s pretty easy to do in your condition”
“I can’t see all day”
“Teaching?”
“I teach at Fillmore Primary School Grade Five”
He seeht JT said you were going to school to be a teacher”
At the mention of Joshua they both looked away
He spoke more to his coffee cup than to her “I was sorry to hear about Joshua”
“Me, too” He and Joshua were supposed to have been best buddies and that was all he had to say This guy was so distant he acted as if he’d barely known Joshua She wouldn’t be getting any help or friendship from him
He looked at her then as if he was unsure about what heyou need from me?”
Phoebe flinched at his directness Not anymore She needed to look elsewhere She wasn’t sure what she’d expected from him but this wasn’t it Joshua’s letter had assured her that Ryan Mattheould do anything to help her but thisinvolved
“To tell you the truth, I’ht …”
“And what did you think? Do you need money?”
“Mr Matthews, I don’t need your ood job and Joshua’sand orphans’ pension”
“Then I can’t iine what I can do for you, unless you need someone to deliver your baby?”
“Why would I come to you for that?”
“Because I’m a midwife”
“I thought he said you were a medic”
“I was in the army but noork as a midwife I still don’t understand why you’re here If you need someone to deliver your baby you need to co office hours”
“I already have one Sophia Toulson”
His brows drew together “She’s leaving soon Did she send you here?”
She lowered her head
Had he heard her say, “I just needed a friend, I guess” A friend?
He couldn’t believe that stateer’s house, asking them to be their friend? Surely she had fa for him now? After all this time She said she didn’t need money so what did she want from him?
“Where’s the father of the baby?”
Phoebe sat straighter and looked him directly in the eyes “Joshua is the father of the baby”
“When …?”
“When he was last home on leave I wrote to hione by then” She placed the cup in the crack between the cushions, unable to bend down far enough to put it on the floor Pushing herself to a standing position, she said, “I think I’d better go”