LITMIR.BIZ

      FIVE O’CLOCK. AMY TUCKED her watch beneath the sleeve of her sweater and raised her head, looking out at the dark fields before her. The glowing hands on her wristwatch haunted her vision and floated in bright smudges across the landscape on the other side of the porch rail.

      She rocked back in her chair and sighed. New Year’s Eve had officially ended and she’d spent the first five hours of New Year’s Day rocking on a porch, staring into the darkness and waiting. Something she’d never been any good at, even under the best of circumstances. And Logan had still not returned to the main house.

      She’d known the news of the pregnancy would be hard for him. Had expected it to unsettle him. But she’d also hoped he’d seek her out after recovering from the shock. That she’d have an opportunity to say goodbye on better terms and reassure him that he’d always be welcome in their child’s life.

      Only, Logan hadn’t sought her out. The one glimpse she’d had of him since the fireworks show had been his moonlit figure as he’d entered the stable then left with Lightning.

      The screen door creaked open. A tall figure emerged onto the porch, taking long strides toward the line of rocking chairs and halting abruptly in front of hers.

      “Damn, kid,” Dominic boomed. “You crackin’ dawn in for everyone or what?”

      Amy smiled despite her ill mood. “Is that how you say good morning these days?”

      Dominic chuckled, plopping down in the chair beside her and cradling a cup in his hands. “Good morning.” He tipped his cup at her, the pleasant aroma of coffee rising with each curl of steam. “You want? Your mama just brewed a fresh pot. It’ll help wake you up.”

      She shook her head. “I’ve been up.”

      “Couldn’t sleep?”

      “Didn’t want to.” She forced a half smile. “I’ve slept more than my fair share over the last four years.”

      Dominic’s grin slipped. “I won’t argue with you there. It’s good to have you back.” He sipped from his mug, glancing out at the horizon and rocking. The wood chair creaked with each of his movements. “Sun’s comin’ up soon. That what you’ve been out here waiting on?”

      “No. I’ve been waiting for you.” Which had become true at some point in the wee hours, when she’d given up on Logan returning...

      He smiled, his expression tinged with amusement. “’Course you have.” He propped his boots on the porch rail. “I’m always in high demand.”

      Amy laughed and smacked his arm. Dominic’s wisecracks alone were enough to clear the grit from her eyes and lift her spirits.

      “I was hoping you’d drive me to Augusta today,” she said. “It seems I’ve lost my ride.”

      He frowned. “You’re still leaving?”

      She nodded.

      “Why?” At her silence, Dominic added, “I thought you and Logan were getting along better lately.”

      “I’m pregnant.”

      His boots dropped from the rail with a thud. “Well. I guess y’all are getting along a lot better lately.”

      Amy swallowed hard, vision blurring. “Not anymore.”

      Dominic stilled. “He didn’t take it well?”

      Hot tears scalded her cheeks, rolling slowly down her face and dripping off her chin. “No.”

      “Ah, hell, Ames.” Dominic set his cup on the porch rail with a thunk and crouched at her side, wrapping her hands in his. “I hate that that happened. But he’s had a hard time coming to terms with losing Sara. Give him some room. A little time to adjust—”

      “That’s something I can’t give him.” She tugged her hands free and scrubbed them across her face. “We’ve lost too much time already. Both of us.”

      “So you’re gonna leave? Just like that?” Dominic shook his head. “That’ll kill him, Amy.”

      She sighed and rocked back in the chair. “No. Losing Sara already did that. When Logan looks at me, all he sees is the past. We’ve both spent enough time there. I have to move on for this baby, and maybe if the reminder’s gone, he’ll finally move on, too.”

      “I can’t help you do this.” He stood and took a step back. “I can’t do this to Logan.”

      “It’s the only thing I can do. I already love this baby as much as I loved Sara. This child deserves a fair shot at life and all my support to thrive. I can’t provide that buried underneath Logan’s guilt and regret.” She raised a hand in appeal. “Logan doesn’t love me. I’ve faced that. Come to terms with it. And I won’t stay here just to be tolerated.”

      Dominic turned away, but didn’t immediately leave.

      She straightened. “It’s time for me to move on, Dom. I’m leaving. With or without your help. But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t need it. I could really use a friend right now.”

      He slowly turned back to face her. His frown dissolved and a tight smile took its place. “How soon do you want to head out?”

      Amy finished packing within an hour, throwing in everything she’d brought with her except for two items she decided to leave behind. She slipped the necklace over her head and dropped the ring onto the papers on the dresser, swapping them out for her black straw hat.

      She took her bags to the kitchen, hugged Pop and Cissy and said the rest of her goodbyes in the driveway while Dominic loaded her luggage in the truck.

      “Remember you’re loved,” Betty whispered, hugging her tighter. “No matter where you are.”

      Traci wiped away tears and tried to smile. “I want first-class tickets, sis. Not crappy economy.”

      It was hard saying goodbye to Betty and Traci but it was sheer torture walking away from the boys.

      “But who’s gonna take care of Thunder and keep him happy?” Jayden looked down and twisted the toe of his shoe in the dirt, his cowboy hat hiding his face.

      “I was hoping you and Kayden could do that for me. And maybe look out for your uncle Logan, too?” Amy glanced at Kayden and he nodded with a brave smile.

      “We can do it, Aunt Amy.” Kayden elbowed his brother, mouth quivering. “Can’t we, Jayden?”

      “Yeah,” Jayden whispered. His wide blue eyes peeked up at her from beneath the brim of his hat, glistening with tears. “But who’ll keep you happy? You won’t have Thunder no more. And you won’t have us.”

      Amy’s heart squeezed. She knelt down and hugged the boys close. “Oh, I’ll always have the two of you, baby. I’m carrying you both with

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