Rise: Populations Crumble, Book 2 by Gandy, A. (read book .txt) 📕

is troubling. Either they’ve lost a pregnant woman, or they’re hiding one—neither is good.

“Right now, we don’t know. Glitch is going to keep digging, and hopefully you and I can keep digging without raising any alarm bells. He promised to call as soon as he sees or hears anything else pop up on her record.”

“Well, thank you for calling him. Hopefully we’ll get to the bottom of it soon. Something is not right here.”

He squeezes my hand before releasing me. “I agree. We’ll get to the bottom of this, one way or another.”

With that, he reaches over and turns off the light.

Couple’s Massage

The next week passes in an activity-filled blur. Patrick and I are in an unspoken truce, and I can feel myself starting to thaw towards him day by day. It’s hard to stay mad when he’s so genuine. He is the same man I fell for at the NLC, and my heart is slowly accepting that. I think it’s time to let Teddy and Faith know the truth, too.

Today we’re all hiking out to the old lighthouse. Patrick and Teddy both have small packs on their backs with lunch supplies. Once we stop for lunch, I’m going to tell them. Or make Patrick tell them, since it’s his secret.

The guys are a few yards ahead, and Faith is trekking along beside me quietly. Perhaps too quietly.

“Everything okay today, Faith? I thought we were both excited about this hike, but your heart doesn’t seem to be in it.”

She gives me a thin smile, with none of her usual boundless cheer. “Yes, I’m fine. Today was the start of my pregnancy testing cycle.” Her voice grows thick. “It was negative, of course. I know it’s still early, really early, so it could be positive in a few days. But after a while, you start to feel like it’s always going to be negative.” She trails off, and I can tell how badly she’s hurting. “Teddy has given me hope again, Sadie. It’s dangerous. What if I really set my heart on it happening this time, and instead I’m right back where I started, again?”

We stop in the middle of the trail, and I give her my best sister hug. She clings to me tightly, and over her shoulder I see the guys continuing on, blissfully unaware as they chatter about whatever they’re pointing to in the trees. I pull back a little, but she’s still holding me tightly, so I pull her back. We stay like that for a long moment before I decide what I should say.

“Faith, there are no guarantees in this world. I think you and I are both really clear on that, at this point of our lives.” I choose my words carefully, “But your endless hope, your determination to be happy regardless of your life circumstances . . . Those are the things that I love about you. You are more than just your mothering potential to me. I hope that you can see that about yourself. I don’t believe the tests will always be negative—but even if they were, I would still have chosen you for my sister. Because you are so much more as a person than your ability to spit out another human.”

Her grip around me becomes almost painful for a second, before she eases up. I can feel her shoulders shaking, and I make soft soothing sounds while patting her on the back. At some point, the guys realized we were no longer behind them and came back, and they’re waiting for us a few yards away.

When she’s ready and her tears have subsided, she pulls back and wipes under her eyes a few times. She sniffles. “Thank you, Sadie. I didn’t know how much I needed to hear that from someone until you said it.” She squares her shoulders. “Let’s get back to this hike, shall we?” She offers her elbow to me with an exaggerated flourish.

I take her elbow, but don’t budge yet. “There’s one more thing. Have you talked to Teddy about how you’re feeling?”

Her gaze drops to the leaf-strewn trail with guilt. “Not really, no. We’re still in the honeymoon phase, and this is all so new to him. I don’t want to be the black cloud that rains all over him, when he’s still getting started.”

I nod, as that’s exactly what I suspected. “Faith, you need to know something about the Taylor family. It’s very important.”

She looks confused now. “What’s that?”

“We are as tough as they come, and we are loyal to a fault. I know that you are coming fresh off a bad relationship . . .” I don’t even say her ex’s name, because I don’t want to bring his harmful attitudes to this beautiful fall day. “But, you should know that when Teddy committed to you, he went all in. Just like I did for Patrick. We Taylors don’t take marriage lightly, and however this shakes out, Teddy will be there for you. I know my brother well enough to know that, and I also know that he wouldn’t want you hurting in silence. When you’re ready, you should try to talk to him.”

Leaving her with that to think on, I start down the path to catch up to the guys. I try not to think too hard about my own words regarding Patrick, because I’m still not ready to look that closely at my own feelings. One thing at a time, Sadie.

Once we reach the spot where Teddy and Patrick are waiting, I release her elbow. Teddy instantly wraps an arm around her shoulders and pulls her in for a tender kiss on the forehead.

“Everything okay, honey?” He looks her over as if the problem will magically present itself in writing.

I snort, and he looks up.

“What’s so funny?”

“I love you, but you’re dumb sometimes. Come on, Patrick, let’s give them some space. Maybe we can find a good place to stop for lunch.” I charge down the trail, knowing the only