Highly Compromised Position Read Online Free PDF Page B

sit down. I have something to tell you.”

Three
    â€œS ure.” He crossed to a chaise longue and as he scooted into it, Nita helped him prop up his leg. When he looked at Rose expectantly, she wished with all her being she didn’t have to tell him her secret. As the silence stretched, Will arched his eyebrows.
    â€œRose, Daddy and I love you,” Nita said softly, stepping close to her sister and putting her arm around Rose’s shoulders. Will frowned and looked from one daughter to the other.
    â€œNow you’ve got me worried,” he said. “Of course we love you. What is it, honey?”
    â€œThere’s no easy way to tell you.”
    â€œWell, then, go ahead and say whatever is worrying you.”
    â€œI’m pregnant,” she blurted out the announcement, holding her breath and afraid he would be unhappy to hear her news.
    His eyes widened. “That’s great, Rose!” He struggled to his feet again, awkwardly trying to hug her and hang on to one of his crutches at the same time. “That’s wonderful!” He held her away to look at her and tilted his head, studying her. As his smile faded, he picked up her hand. “I don’t see a wedding ring.”
    â€œNo, you don’t.”
    â€œYou’re not getting married, are you?” he asked in a quiet voice.
    She shook her head. “No, I’m not.” She hurt when he winced, yet at the same time a weight had been lifted from her by finally informing her family about her condition.
    â€œRose, that’s going to be so damned hard for you. Being a single parent is tough. I should know. Dammit, he ought to marry you,” Will said, anger filling his voice. His eyes darkened, and she could see an emotional storm coming.
    â€œIt’s my choice,” she said. “He doesn’t even know I’m pregnant.”
    â€œTell him, for Lord’s sake. By damn—”
    â€œDaddy, I don’t want to marry him,” Rose said firmly, but her father’s remark about being a single parent struck a chill in her heart. She hated failure and had spent her life trying to prove herself—maybe to her father because he had been so easily pleased by Nita, who was practically the son he’d always wanted as well as a daughter to him.
    Rose pushed her trepidation aside, telling herself she had excelled at other endeavors, she could succeed as a single parent. She had bought over a dozen books on motherhood and was studying about pregnancy, babies and becoming a parent.
    â€œLet’s sit down, Daddy,” Nita urged, taking her father’s arm to help him back to the chaise and prop his foot up again. He motioned to another chair.
    â€œYou two sit down and we’ll make some plans. You’ll stay here to have the baby, won’t you?”
    â€œI haven’t planned that far ahead—I’m only five months along. I don’t know what I’m going to do,” Rose answered.
    â€œYou’re going to stay home and have this baby here, where we can all help and support you.”
    â€œI agree with Daddy,” Nita said firmly. In that moment Rose appreciated her younger sister more than she ever had before.
    â€œYou two!” Rose exclaimed. “I’ll be all right.”
    â€œDamn straight you will, because we’ll take care of you,” Nita declared, and Rose had to smile.
    â€œI’m fine. The morning sickness is beginning to fade away and other than that, I’m okay. There is one thing—”
    â€œWhat’s that?” Will asked her. “Don’t hesitate to ask.”
    â€œI don’t want to inform other people yet. I’m getting used to the idea myself and I’ve been spending all my time trying to think how to tell all of you. Of course, Connor can know, but I’d like to keep the knowledge here on the farm for now.”
    â€œWe can do that,” Nita said.
    â€œWe sure as hell can.” Will