Tally dropped into one of the chairs at the breakfast nook. “I wasn’t planning on telling you,” she said. “At least, not yet.”
“Telling me what? Are you all right?” A look of concern spread across Killian’s face.
She waved him away. “I’m fine. I don’t want you to worry about me.”
“What should I be worried about?”
I could feel the anxiety rolling off of him. Killian and his sister had a great relationship, although he could be heavy-handed playing the big-brother card.
Tally stared at him, then at me. “All right. I’ll tell the two of you, but you aren’t to breathe a word to the ’rents until I’m ready.”
Killian stared at her blankly, looking confused and worried, but I knew exactly what she was about to say. I moved over to sit beside her and took her hand.
“I’m pregnant.” She glanced at me. I rested my hand on her shoulder to show my support.
But Killian wasn’t quite as enthusiastic. “You’re what?” He swung around, hands on hips, staring at her. “Who the hell’s the father? Les?”
Tally bristled. “Chill out. Of course Les is the father, and he’s asked me to marry him. I don’t want to get married again, but now it’s problematic.”
Les Howling Moon was the assistant to the Rainier Wolf Pack’s shaman and had been dating Tally for not quite a year. Within the Pack, even though Tally was well of age, her parents could have protested the arrangement if they didn’t approve of him and the couple would have been forced to separate. Killian and Tally’s parents tended to be hands-off when it came to their children. They were far more progressive than many shifter families. But with Tally pregnant, I could easily see that changing.
Killian shook his head. “Why weren’t you two more careful?”
“We were, you big dumb oaf,” Tally retorted. “Sometimes, birth control fails. As I said, I’m not ready to get married, but I think…I want the baby. I want children, though with my ex it would have been dangerous, given his temper.”
“But you don’t want to get married?” Killian asked.
She shrugged. “Eventually, I think. I love Les, and I know he loves me, but I like life on my own. I’m just…” She burst into tears. “I don’t know what to do.”
“Do you want some tea?” I asked. “I have herbal lemon, and also chamomile and mint and raspberry.”
“Peppermint tea would be nice,” she said through her sniffles.
I started for the stove but the doorbell rang.
Killian motioned for me to answer. “I’ll get her tea.”
“Fine, but stop yelling at her. That won’t help anything,” I said on my way into the dining room. Try as I might, I couldn’t hear a word of what they were saying as I crossed the living room to answer the door.
Rowan was standing there. Relieved, I escorted her in. Maybe she could help out with the current crisis. My grandmother was resourceful when it came to figuring out solutions.
“Come in, please.” As I ushered her in, I leaned close and whispered, “Tally and Killian are here. She’s pregnant and doesn’t want to get married, and he’s acting all big-brother on her.”
“Got it,” Rowan whispered back. Raising her voice, she said, “So, here are the checks for you and Ari. You can make them out and sign them, and they’ll be good. They’re drawn on the Court Magika’s account, and this has all been arranged with the bank. Just don’t go on a shopping spree.”
“Not likely,” I said, taking the checks and thanking her. I stopped to slide them into my wallet, then replaced my wallet into my purse before following her. Tally had moved into the dining room, and she had wiped her eyes.
“Good afternoon,” Rowan said. “Nice to see you again.” She had met Tally a couple of times.
Killian popped his head through the kitchen archway. “Hey, Rowan. Want some tea?”
“That sounds good. Strong, black as night, with lemon and honey.” Rowan sat down near Tally. “So, what’s going on in your world?”
Tally looked at her, her lower lip trembling. Rowan might be brusque, and sometimes she seemed almost uncaring, but she also was a natural-born listener and people automatically told her their secrets.
“I’m pregnant,” Tally burst out. “I don’t want to get married yet, but my parents are going to want me to. The father wants to marry me, and Killian thinks I should. I don’t think I can fight the tide.” She wiped her eyes again.
Rowan motioned for me to sit on Tally’s other side. “So, why don’t you want to get married? I’m not saying you should, but I’m curious…why?”
Tally hesitated, biting her lip. Finally, she answered. “I’m scared. It was so bad the first time that I’m gun-shy. Les is a good man, and I do love him, but…what if he changes? I thought my first husband was a good man too, but he ended up beating me.”
“For one thing, I’ll be around to—” Killian started to say, carrying in a tray with two tea mugs on it, along with two latte mugs.
“Stop talking,” Rowan said, not even glancing at him.
Killian set the tray down, handing me a latte. He looked properly chastised. If there was one person who could shut anybody up without incurring an argument, it was Rowan. I wanted to have the confidence and force she did. Nobody ever talked over her.
“So, you’re afraid that he’ll change in the way your ex did?” Rowan said.
Tally paused. “I guess… Yeah, I am.”
“If you knew for a fact that would never happen, would that change your feelings?”
Again, Tally hesitated, taking the time to think over Rowan’s question. “Yes, I think it would. If I knew that Les would stay the same wonderful man he is, I’d… I guess I’d say yes.”
Rowan leaned back. “Well, then. The problem is, Tally, that nobody can ever guarantee anything. However, when you were still married, did your parents and brothers know what was happening behind the scenes?”
“No,” Tally said. “I was too embarrassed. I thought it was all my fault.”
“Okay, then here’s what I propose: now that they know everything that went on, don’t you think they’ll be on their guard? And don’t you think you’ll be on your guard as well? You strike me as the type of woman who learns from experience, and I can’t imagine you staying in a relationship that might put your child in danger.”
“Of course not,” Tally said, straightening. “I wouldn’t ever let anybody hurt my kids. Or…I guess… me, either.”
“There’s your answer. You’ll never have a guarantee that Les will stay the same sweet man he is, but you do know that you won’t allow anyone to harm your child, and you know you won’t allow anybody to gaslight or abuse you again. Your parents and brothers will be watching out for you, too. So…you have those guarantees.” Rowan rested her hand on Tally’s forearm. “You’re a strong woman, Tally O’Connell, and you’re going to make a wonderful mother. That much I can foresee.”
Tally dried her eyes and gazed at Rowan. “Thank you,” she said. “I guess I’m scared of repeating the past. But you’re right. I’d never allow anyone to harm my children—not if I could move the heavens and earth to prevent it. And I won’t take crap from any man again.”