Chapter 18

• I woke up startled when something hard bumped in my belly. I pressed my hand against my stomach and rubbed it. It didn’t hurt, it felt uncomfortable, and I’d never felt anything like that before. I sat still on the bed waiting for another nudge. When nothing happened I stood up and walked to the bathroom. I must be hungry again.
• After the long shower I put on a loose green top I’d bought the day we ran away. The new extension on my belly made all the clothes I had too tight. I pulled my hair up in a ponytail and walked out of my room. I knew my dad would be waiting for me, annoyed by the fact we’d broken one of his sacred rules. But I didn’t mind what was coming next, I had spent the night in the arms of the man I love and I’d gladly take what was coming to me.
• I walked through the living room and into the kitchen expecting my dad to ambush me in one of those places but he was nowhere to be seen. The rest were in the kitchen having breakfast. Ash was standing by the stove, and Billy and Joe were seated at the island with the girls.