Sunset: 4 (Sunrise) by Karen Kingsbury

loved that about living here, being so close to town but seeing wildlife right outside our windows.” Her tone was even sadder than before. “I can’t believe he’s really going to sell it.”
    Landon had thought of every possible way to make the house their own, but there was none. “I’d buy it for you if I could.” He softly kissed her temple. “You know that.”
    “Of course.” With her free hand she pulled her coat more tightly around her. She turned to him, and her expression filled with something that was maybe a mix of fear and guilt. “Landon—” she swallowed, and her voice fell a notch—“I came out here for a reason.”
    A flash of concern brought his attention into clear focus. Usually when Ashley used that tone, the situation was serious.
    She stood and leaned against the porch railing. “I should’ve told you a long time ago, and I’m sorry I waited.” She lifted her hands and let them fall to her sides. “I just . . . I was too afraid to bring it up.”
    Landon brought the swing to a stop. Whatever she was talking about sounded ominous, and he fought the sudden panic building inside him. Things were fine with the two of them. They’d come through so much together and with every ordeal they’d become stronger. Even after losing Sarah. So what could make Ashley so afraid that she had kept some news from him? Her health or something wrong with one of the boys? “I don’t . . . Where’s this going?”
    She came to him and took his hands in hers. Her eyes were wild with a desperate fear Landon had never seen in her before. “I’m pregnant.” She didn’t give him a chance to respond. “Three months or more, but I didn’t take the test until last week and . . .”
    Awe and disbelief and confusion spread through him. And frustration because she should’ve told him when she first suspected. But all of that paled compared to his concern for her. He stood and circled his arms around her waist, searching her eyes. “You were afraid to tell me that ?”
    “No. I mean, yes . . .” Tears filled her eyes. Emotion seemed to overcome her, and she choked on her explanation. “I was afraid if I told you, then . . . then it would be real.” Her tears spilled onto her cheeks. “I’m afraid for me and for you. For the baby.” She pressed her forehead against his chest and clung to him. “I’m scared to death because it can’t . . .” Her voice became quiet, gut-wrenching sobs. “It can’t . . .”
    “Shh. Sweetie, it’s okay.” Landon sheltered her, one hand cradling the back of her head, the other holding her steady against him. He was about to reassure her that of course what had happened to Sarah wouldn’t happen again. But there were no guarantees.
    Ashley trembled in his arms, but gradually she began to calm down.
    Landon thought about the road ahead of them, and as he did, the reality of what she’d just told him finally hit. “You’re serious?” he whispered close to her face, but he couldn’t contain his joy. “You’re pregnant?”
    She sniffed and drew back. “I can’t go through it again. It took everything I had.”
    “God knows that.” He ran his thumb gently across her cheek. “A baby isn’t a reason to cry. We have to believe the best.”
    Ashley lifted her chin, something she’d done in the face of trials as long as he’d known her. She closed her eyes for a moment, and another breeze blew over them, drying the tears on her cheeks. When she opened her eyes she looked slightly stronger than before. “My first appointment is this week.”
    Landon’s mind raced. Were they really about to take this ride again? Allowing their hearts to soar with possibilities and then taking the tests and waiting for the results? He steadied himself. “They’ll do an ultrasound?”
    “It’ll be too soon to see anything but the heartbeat.” She took a few quick breaths, still finding her composure. “We’ll find out more sometime in April. Whether