Read Online Falling for a Stranger by Barbara Freethy - Free Book Online Page B

wrong for fear her father would hate her even more. Steven Davidson had really done a number on his daughter, and Emma still disliked him for that.
    "Aiden isn't your father," she said. "He loves you, and if you're pregnant, he's going to be stunned but thrilled. You always wanted a big family, Sara. Things are going to work out the way they're meant to work out. Now go take the test."
    As Sara disappeared into the bathroom, Emma walked into the kitchen. She wanted to have wine and ice cream waiting. Depending on the outcome, they'd celebrate appropriately. As she passed by the kitchen counter, her gaze caught on the big binder she and Sara had put together for their double wedding.
    Max and Aiden both joked about the size of that notebook, but she and Sara had had a lot of fun putting together ideas for flowers, cakes, reception sites, and wedding venues. In truth, they'd started planning their weddings when they were twelve years old. Now, the idea of doing it together seemed unbelievable but also a little magical. Last week, they'd finally set the date, picked the church and put down a deposit for a reception in the garden of an old Victorian hotel.
    If Sara were pregnant, some, if not all, of their plans would change. It made her a little sad to think they might have to throw out the notebook and start over, but in the end she just wanted to marry Max. She could do that at City Hall and still be happy. Max had her heart, and she had his, and that's really all that mattered.
    She moved to the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of white wine. She opened the freezer next and grabbed a quart of ice cream. She set both items on the counter and waited.
    A few minutes later Sara came out of the bathroom with a dazed but happy expression in her eyes.
    "Well," Emma demanded impatiently. "Wine or ice cream?"
    A smile bloomed across Sara's face. "Ice cream."
    "Oh, my God. You're pregnant?"
    Sara nodded. "It was positive."
    Emma moved around the counter and gave Sara a big hug. "I am so happy for you. And don't start crying, or I'm going to cry, too."
    "You never cry," Sara said.
    "Well, I don't want to start now," she said with a sniff.
    "I didn't think I was going to be this happy," Sara said, wonder still in her eyes. "But I am. I'm going to have a baby. I'm going to be a mother."
    "It's fantastic. I cannot wait. You have to call Aiden."
    Sara hesitated. "I'll tell him when I get home. I don't want to do it over the phone. And he's with Burke and Aiden right now."
    "Probably a good idea. He'll be overjoyed, but you still might want to tell him when he's sitting down. This kind of news can shake anyone up." She paused as the front door opened.
    Max walked into the apartment. He looked tired. His tie hung loosely around his neck and the sleeves of his shirt were rolled up to the forearms. He'd been working a homicide case for two weeks that was giving him a lot of sleepless nights, but last night he'd made an arrest. Hopefully, that would be it. She walked over to give him a kiss. "Hi."
    "Hi yourself," he said, giving her a loving look. Then he nodded to Sara. "How are you doing?"
    "She's doing great," Emma said before Sara could answer. "Can we tell him? I know you want to tell Aiden first, but I'm not going to be able to keep it to myself for that long."
    "Tell me what?" Max asked.
    Sara held up the pregnancy test stick. "I'm pregnant."
    "Well, that is great news." He crossed the room to give Sara a hug.
    "I'm hoping Aiden will feel that way, too," Sara said. "He doesn't know yet, and it wasn't exactly planned."
    "He'll be happy," Max said with confidence in his voice.
    "I should go find him," Sara said, grabbing her bag. "Thank you, Emma, for forcing me to face my fears, the way you always do."
    "Call me later and tell me what Aiden says. Maybe tomorrow we can go out and celebrate."
    "Sounds good."
    As Sara left the apartment, Emma glanced over at Max. He had an odd expression on his face. "Are you thinking about how you'd feel