Deadly Inheritance (completed)

Chapter 34

Going into town I decided I needed to get my groceries once I was done at the ranch decorating. I wanted some of Natalie's favorite foods as a tribute to her. As I stroll around picking up things here and there I turn to go around the next aisle and see the one person that caused Ryan and I so much pain.

"Charlie." She stops almost running her cart into mine.

"Sarah." I say softly waiting for her to make some smart remark about me. She turns to face me and I notice immediately she plumped up. That's not normal.

"I heard you'll be opening up the ranch as bed and breakfast now that you're not going to prison for murdering your father. That's a lot of work without any help. I hope you know there's not one person in this town that's going to support you!" Sarah snottily informs me.

"You know there's going to come a day when you might want a friend. It's too bad you'll be all alone." I come back at her my hand resting on my now quite large bump as I feel a hard kick hit my back. This baby wants out soon.

I watch Sarah's eyes go to my belly. She doesn't respond back which actually surprises me. Sarah usually has plenty of snide comments for me but not this time.  Although I can see the wheels are turning in her head. She's working on something.

Ryan turns the corner behind Sarah and I see just the slightest pause in his step before he speeds up over to us. I know this worries him I can see it on his face. He makes eye contact with me and keeps it until he reaches my side. Wrapping an arm around my shoulder he glances over at Sarah and I see him do a double take. His body goes rigid staring at her.

"Sarah." He seems to want to say more but doesn't. He acts like he's afraid to.

Kissing my temple Ryan soothes me by rubbing his hand softly against my lower back. That feels good, this kid certainly pushes on all my pressure points. He kisses me again satisfied that I'm okay.

"I thought you might need some help. You've got quite a big load with the party this weekend." Ryan reminds me of the amount of work ahead of me.

Her hand strokes over her stomach and I see it on her face. I'm just as tense as Ryan suddenly. I know now why she's not attacking me, I know why she's gained weight. What I don't know is who's it is.

Ryan

Oh shit! 

When I saw Charlie and Sarah having a stare down I thought that was bad enough but then I saw the last thing I expected. Sarah's expecting a baby. Ho-ly shit! This isn't good. I take a good long look at her when I reach them and from her size she's several months along. Charlie and I have been married for six, our baby is about due. Yeah I'm pretty sure who the baby daddy is.

"Sweetheart why don't you grab some of that tea you like." I suggest knowing she's low. "I'll be right there."

Charlie just gives me that look telling me we'll talk about this but she doesn't fight me. Charlie has been very quiet and withdrawn since Natalie's death. I can't say any of us have been real outgoing. Charlie has always been curious about the why's but she hasn't questioned me about anything when it comes to Baxter or Natalie and what happened.

Waiting for her to walk away I eye Sarah and run my hand through my hair. Those worry lines are beginning to stay etched on my face. Sarah won't make eye contact with me telling me she knows more than she wants me to know.

"Sarah have you told him?" I ask softly. I feel bad about her doing this alone.

"No. He's moved on, besides Ryan he's still mourning Nat. He doesn't need this to remind him of a mistake he made that messed up His relationship with her. I'm fine." Sarah moves around me and starts walking away from me.