Unexpected Inheritance

19

Miranda kept the results tucked away in her desk drawer, hidden beneath a stack of patient files. She carried on with her days as if nothing had changed, treating patients, training Chloe, and coming home to Ben.

But she knew.

And every so often, when she was alone in her office, she'd pull the paper out and read over it again, as if the words would somehow rearrange themselves into something different.

But they never did.

She wanted to tell Ben, but every time she opened her mouth to do so, she found an excuse to keep quiet. It wasn't the right time. He had a long shift at the station. Tuck was home, and she didn't want to say it in front of him. Maybe if she sat on it long enough, it wouldn't be real.

But it was real.

And sooner or later, she was going to have to say something.

One evening, Miranda sat on the couch, waiting for Ben to get home. She had spent the entire day going over the words in her head, trying to figure out the best way to say it. She didn't want to be dramatic about it, but she also didn't want to blurt it out like it was nothing.

When Ben finally walked through the door, he looked worn out, his uniform still smelling of smoke and sweat. He kicked off his boots, stretched his arms over his head, and let out a tired sigh before plopping down next to her.

"Long day?" she asked, her voice softer than usual.

"Yeah," he muttered, rubbing his hands over his face. "Missed you, though." He leaned back, resting his head on the couch.

She hesitated, glancing down at her hands. This was her moment. She could tell him now.

"Ben, I—We're"

But when she turned to look at him, she realized he had already dozed off, his breathing slow and steady. She sighed, staring at him for a long moment before leaning back against the couch.

Maybe tomorrow.

But it didn't happen then either and then things got busy. 

The annual community picnic had arrived, and the whole town was buzzing with excitement. It was a tradition that brought everyone together, young and old, to enjoy food, games, and good company. 

Tuck had been practicing for weeks with his friends, eager to show off their roping skills in front of a crowd. Ben, on the other hand, had spent the past couple of days gathering ingredients for his famous gumbo—a dish the town looked forward to every year.

The family arrived downtown, where the park had been transformed into a lively festival ground. There were booths with homemade crafts, children running around with their faces painted, and the scent of grilled meats and fresh-baked pies filling the air.

Tuck ran off to join his friends, eager to prepare for their demonstration, while Ben got straight to work setting up his cooking station. Miranda, meanwhile, made her way to a shaded seating area, greeting patients and neighbors along the way.

For a while, everything felt normal. She laughed and chatted, watched as kids lined up for sack races, and enjoyed the energy of the day. But as the sun climbed higher, a wave of dizziness washed over her. She pressed a hand to her forehead, taking a slow breath. Maybe she just needed to eat something.

As she steadied herself, she glanced over at Ben, who was deep in conversation with an older gentleman while stirring his pot of gumbo. Tuck, not far away, was laughing with his friends as they got ready for their turn in the roping ring.

Miranda placed a hand over her stomach and exhaled. "Not today," 

Miranda and Ben found a good spot near the roping area, settling in as Tuck and his friends got ready for their demonstration. The boys stood tall, ropes in hand, their expressions a mix of focus and excitement.