Read Online Because of the Baby by Debbie Macomber - Free Book Online

door and climbed in.
    â€œYou can’t leave!” he shouted as she started the car. “We have to talk.” But she ignored him as if he hadn’t even spoken. “Karen, would you listen to me?”
    She twisted around to look over her shoulder before shoving the car into Reverse. Then she backed out of the space and drove off, leaving him standing in the middle of the parking lot, seething with frustration.
    Â 
    Karen barely slept that night. She wasn’t sure what she’d expected from Matt, but not the sarcastic arrogance he’d dished up and served her while they were in the cocktail lounge. He’d seemed to…to enjoy her discomfort.
    When she’d finally garnered enough courage to tell him about the pregnancy, he’d reacted as if she’d plotted against him. As if it was important to somehow assign blame for the unexpected pregnancy.
    What bothered her most, Karen decided sometime in the wee hours of the morning, was the fact that his reaction wascompletely contrary to the romantic picture she’d painted in her mind. For weeks she’d envisioned telling Matt about their baby and watching his eyes go soft as he regarded her with tenderness and love.
    After being married to Matt for four years, she should’ve known better. The man didn’t possess a romantic bone in his body. Furthermore, why should he be excited and pleased because she was pregnant? He’d never wanted a baby.
    He didn’t want a child now, any more than he had when they were married. A baby was an inconvenience. A baby got in the way of his plans.
    She’d listened to his arguments about financial security often enough to know exactly what he’d been thinking. If Matthew Caldwell lived to be a hundred, he’d never be financially secure—simply because he’d never hold a job long enough to make it possible.
    She was better off without him. On a conscious level she knew that, but on an emotional one, it hurt. It really hurt. If there was ever a time in her life she needed coddling and comfort, it was now.
    Although the doctor assured her the morning sickness would lessen, she hadn’t seen any evidence of it. The next morning, like every other morning for weeks, she rose, managed to down a breakfast of tea and soda crackers, then promptly lost it. Spending most of the night agonizing about Matt hadn’t helped her physical condition.
    By nine she was stretched out on the sofa with a blanket. She’d placed a bucket on the floor beside her because of the queasiness in her stomach.
    The doorbell chimed, but she was in no mood for company and ignored it.
    â€œDamn it, Karen! Open the door.”
    Matt.
    â€œLeave me alone,” she shouted, draining what little energy she had left.
    Disregarding her demand, Matt opened the door himself and stepped into her small apartment. She never had learned to keep her door locked. Unfortunately the habit had followed her to California.
    Matt looked as pale as she had the night before. He wore the same clothes he’d had on then. If she was guessing, she’d say he hadn’t been to bed.
    He lowered himself into the chair across from her, and glanced at the bucket.
    â€œNo one told me getting pregnant was like suffering the worst case of flu known to womankind,” she muttered. She sipped flat soda pop through a straw.
    â€œIs it always like this?”
    â€œEvery morning for the past four weeks. And the occasional evening.”
    He frowned, and although he didn’t say anything, his expression was apologetic. “That’s the reason you’ve missed so much work?”
    She nodded. “Listen,” she said, “I’m sorry for hitting you with the news. Lanni’s been telling me for weeks that you had a right to know. I—”
    â€œLanni knows?”
    Karen nodded again.
    He expelled his breath loudly. “Anyone else?”
    â€œNo. I wouldn’t have told her,