Epilogue

Epilogue

R

uby stared, frozen with shock. Excited squeals erupted from around her.

Katie and Sam stood in the middle of their living room, his arm around her waist, beaming as Katie held up the pregnancy test for everyone to see. It showed two distinct lines.

“Congratulations,” Zoe said, jumping up from the couch and wrapping them in a hug. “You two are going to be the best parents.”

That seemed to be a cue, and everyone—the whole town it seemed—moved like a tidal wave toward the couple, all offering their best wishes. Sam looked past them though, and his gaze landed on Ruby. His brows furrowed in concern. Oh, right. She should be excited too. She was going to be an aunt, after all. And, aside from Sam and Katie, she was the only family their baby would have. Ruby forced a smile and stood from the couch. Her legs barely held her.

As she crossed the room, she tried to not look at the test. Ruby had had one of those before—a positive pregnancy test. She had been the one everyone congratulated. But everything changed after the accident, including how people looked at her—treated her. She didn’t want tonight to be one of those times.

“Congratulations,” she said, pulling her big brother into a tight hug, trying to hide the pain she knew he’d see in her eyes.

It didn’t fool him. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “We should have told you first, before everyone else.”

“That would have ruined the surprise,” she said, attempting a teasing lilt.

Sam pulled back and held Ruby by the shoulders, studying her. “You don’t have to pretend like it doesn’t hurt.”

Yeah, actually, she did. Because she’d never have what Sam had. Love came around once in a lifetime. She’d had her shot at it. And if Clark’s death—and her baby’s—had taught her anything, it was that there was no such thing as second chances.