This was the part she hated the most. The lie was like a noose around her neck, tightening so she couldn’t breathe. “Of course we’re in love, Mom. We fell in love writing the album. We were scared to say anything, because you know how Dad is.”
“Your father is going to have a terrible time. When a woman gets married, her father is no longer the most important man in her life. Always put your husband first, Piper. Even if it’s going to be a tough pill for your father to swallow.”
Well, he wouldn’t have to swallow it anytime soon. There would be no marriage, no vows to make her and Sawyer man and wife.
They were saying their goodbyes just as her father’s bedroom door opened.
“Mom says hi.”
“Tell her I’ll call her later.”
“Did you hear that?” Piper asked her mom.
“Tell him I said to go easy on you. You’re with child. He needs to pamper you.”
Piper hung up and put her phone on the coffee table.
“She said she’s excited about the baby. She hopes you and I can figure out how to be happy about it, too.”
Heath exhaled a sigh. “Your mother has always been able to see the glass as half-full even when it was empty. I’m not sure how she does it.”
Piper’s phone chimed with a text from Sawyer.
Call when you can talk
She tensed. Had he changed his mind already? The fear that he might back out was real. She got to her feet and retreated to her bedroom, closing the door behind her.
As the phone rang, she paced back and forth in front of the four-poster bed while trying to control her breathing.
“Hey, I hope I’m not bothering you,” Sawyer said when he answered.
“No, it’s fine. What’s up?”
“My sister wants to know if you have plans to see a doctor.”
“I can’t see a doctor right now,” Piper said, sitting on the edge of the bed. “We’re meeting with the tour promoter today. I’m doing television promotion for the next week. I go home for Thanksgiving and then have rehearsals until the tour starts.”
“Piper, you’re pregnant. You need to see a doctor. My sister knows a midwife here in Nashville.”
“I’m sure the paparazzi would love to get a picture of me walking into a midwife’s office. That would be super helpful.”
“What if I told you all you had to do was visit Boone Williams?”
“Boone Williams is a midwife?”
“No,” Sawyer said with a breathy laugh. “But he is dating one.”
* * *
SAWYER HAD MET Ruby Wynn a handful of times when she’d brought her daughter, Violet, to Helping Hooves to work with Faith and the social worker on staff last summer. Her relationship with Boone had started while he was staying on the farm, writing his new album.
“You’re sure Faith made it clear that no one else could know about the baby?” Piper asked as they pulled up to Boone’s gated estate.
“Boone and Ruby are sworn to secrecy.”
“But they think we’re a real couple?” she asked as she tugged at the hem of her dress.
Sawyer threw his truck into Park. “We are in full fake-engagement mode.”
Boone’s mansion was something out of Sawyer’s dreams. Set in the middle of a couple acres on the outskirts of Nashville, the house was an all-brick beauty. Being rich wasn’t Sawyer’s reason for going into music, but it sure wasn’t something he’d complain about if he managed the success Boone had.
“Well, if it isn’t the talk of the town,” Boone said when he opened the door. “I knew you’d make some amazing music together, but I gotta say, you surprised me with the baby making.” The megastar shook Sawyer’s hand. “Congratulations.”
“We really appreciate your help,” Piper said, accepting a hug from him.
“I’m happy to give it. I know all too well what it’s like to have my personal business splashed across the magazines and internet. You two deserve to keep this to yourselves for as long as you want.”
Boone was no stranger to scandal. He was preparing a big comeback next year now that he was clean and sober and a million times happier than he had been when Sawyer first met him. That probably had a lot to do with the redheaded woman standing behind him.
Boone introduced Ruby even though they had both met her in the summer. She had kind eyes, which was important to Sawyer. He believed he could tell quite a bit about someone by looking them straight in the eye.
“Dinner is supposed to be delivered in about an hour. If you want, we can take care of business before we eat. It’s completely up to you,” Ruby said.
Piper fiddled with her bracelets. “That would be great. Thank you.”
Ruby led them all down the hall and into an office off the family room. Concert photographs decorated the walls. Boone had performed for millions of people all over the world during his career. He was a big reason Piper had gotten into the business and someone Sawyer admired as a musician and songwriter.
There was an ache in Sawyer’s chest as he looked at the photos. Two days ago, he had been filled with the anticipation of getting out on the road and standing on stages like the ones Boone performed on. He glanced back at Piper, who had taken a seat across from Ruby. The thrill of touring had quickly been replaced by fear and anxiety. How was he going to convince the world he was happily engaged when he was currently miserable? All his hopes and dreams had to be put on hold once again. And then there was the fear of parenthood. What kind of dad would he be? What kind of dad would Heath let him be?
Ruby explained she’d be gathering a family history, drawing some blood and doing a thorough physical.
“Here?” Sawyer asked.
“The nice thing about a midwife is that we do house calls. It’s not unusual for me to check on a patient in their home. I came prepared.” She pointed to the medical bag by the chaise lounge. “Almost everything we need to do, I can do here, except for an ultrasound. I have a machine at my office, but we don’t need to do one this early in the pregnancy. In a couple months, you should definitely have one done, though.”
“I’m going to go set the table for dinner,” Boone said, excusing himself. He gave Ruby a kiss on the cheek. “I’m leaving you two in capable hands, I promise.”
This probably wasn’t how Piper had imagined her first prenatal appointment. She spun her bracelets around her wrist.
“We’re going on tour in a month. Is that going to be a problem?” Sawyer asked, taking the seat next to Piper.
“I don’t know if I can answer that right now. If she’s in good health, she should be fine. You guys will have to keep up with regular checkups, though.”
“We’ll figure something out,” Sawyer said since Piper remained quiet.
“How have you been feeling so far?” Ruby asked her.
“Fine, I guess. A little nauseous sometimes. Mostly tired, but that could be from my crazy schedule.”
“She fainted onstage yesterday,” Sawyer interjected. “That can’t be good.”
Ruby frowned. “That is definitely not good.” She asked Piper a bunch of follow-up questions, jotting down notes as they spoke.
As hard as Sawyer was fighting not to feel overwhelmed, everything about this made him anxious. There was