Knocked up by the Mountain Man (Silver Ridge Mountain Men)

19. Clara

19

CLARA

U psetting Wyatt like this was the last thing I ever wanted. As I stand there, watching his retreating form, the weight of his words come crashing down on me. My heart feels like it’s been ripped from my chest, leaving an aching void. I can barely breathe, each sob wracking my body with uncontrollable force.

“Clara, we’ll get through this,” Beau whispers, trying to comfort me, but his words barely register. I can’t shake the image of Wyatt’s face, twisted in anger and hurt, his words echoing in my mind.

“You’re a terrible mom...reckless, irresponsible...”

I pull away from Beau, wanting to be alone, needing space to think clearly. I mumble something about needing fresh air and stumble out of the office, my vision blurred by tears. Outside, the late afternoon sun is shining, but it feels cold, distant, as if it’s mocking my misery.

I find a quiet corner near the barn, our barn, where I’ve always been happy before, and collapse on the ground, pulling my knees to my chest. I fish my phone out of my pocket with trembling hands and dial Daniel’s number, the one person who might understand.

“Clara? Is everything alright?” Daniel’s voice is warm, familiar, a lifeline in the midst of my chaos.

“No, Daniel, everything is wrong,” I choke out, my voice breaking. “I just... I just had a huge fight with my brother. He found out… some stuff that really upset him, and he said such awful things. I don’t know what to do. I think... I think I need to leave Silver Ridge. I can’t stay here and deal with this.”

There’s a pause on the other end of the line, and I can hear Daniel’s measured breathing. “Clara, listen to me. Running away won’t solve anything. Ever since I’ve met you, you’ve always faced your problems head on. This isn’t the time to change that.”

“But Daniel, it’s so hard,” I cry. “That isn’t how it is here. I’ve always run away from Silver Ridge, and now I’ve hurt Wyatt, and I feel like I’m tearing everything apart. This town is too much for me. It’s always been too much for me.”

“Clara, you’re not tearing anything apart. Wyatt is upset, and that’s understandable, I’m sure. But he’s your brother. He’ll come around,” Daniel says gently. “And as for leaving, there’s something I need to tell you.”

My heart sinks at the tone of his voice and I unconsciously brace myself. “What is it?”

“I didn’t want to worry you, but my health... it’s getting worse,” Daniel admits, his voice tinged with a sadness that breaks my heart all over again. “I’m going to have to close the practice soon. I can’t keep up with it anymore.”

“Daniel, no,” I whisper, tears streaming down my face anew. “I’m so sorry. What can I do? How can I help?”

“I appreciate that, Clara, but there’s not much you can do from here. What I need you to do is stay where you are,” Daniel says firmly. “You have this great job in Silver Ridge right now. You’re needed there and maybe you can go on to build something of your own. After you’re paid for this job, you should be able to afford something for yourself, which is why I sent you there in the first place. That’s what you’ve always wanted, isn’t it? To have something of your own. Well, this is your chance. Don’t give up on it now because of a fight. And remember, running away isn’t going to fix anything. It’ll just leave more loose ends.”

I swallow hard, my mind reeling with his news. “But what about you?”

“I’ll be fine, Clara. I’ll manage. But you need to think about your future, about Thomas. You’ve got a chance to build something stable there. Don’t throw it away because of one bad day,” Daniel advises.

His words cut through the fog of my despair, giving me a glimmer of clarity. “I don’t know what to do, Daniel. I feel so stuck.”

“Take it one step at a time,” he suggests. “Talk to Wyatt again when things have calmed down. Explain everything. He’s your brother, Clara. He loves you, even if he’s angry or upset right now.”

I nod, even though he can’t see me, and take a deep breath. “You’re right. I just... I need to figure out how to make things right.”

“You’ll figure it out,” Daniel says confidently. “You’re stronger than you think, Clara. Just give it time.”

I sit there for a little while longer, Daniel’s words echo in my mind, giving me the strength I need to pull myself together. The sun has dipped lower in the sky, casting longer shadows across the ground. I know I can’t stay here forever. I have responsibilities, and one of them is picking up Thomas. With a deep breath, I rise to my feet, and brush the dirt from my jeans.

Much as I want to run, I can’t.

Not yet anyway.

I make my way to the nursery, the weight of the day still heavy on my shoulders. When I arrive, Thomas’s face lights up when he sees me, his smile my solace, just as it has been ever since he was born. I scoop him up in my arms, hugging him tightly, finding some comfort in his innocent embrace.

“Hey, kiddo. How was nursery today?” I ask, forcing a smile.

“It was good! We learned about dinosaurs and did some painting!” he exclaims, his excitement momentarily lifting my spirits.

I see my best friend, in the corner of the room. “Hey, Abby, do you have a minute?”

“Of course, Clara. What’s wrong?” Abby’s voice is warm and comforting, a lifeline I desperately need.

Thomas goes back to play for a moment as I recount the events of the day, the fight with Wyatt, and my conversation with Daniel. By the time I finish, tears are streaming down my face again. God, I can’t seem to hold it together, however hard I try.

“Oh, Clara. I’m so sorry you’re going through this,” Abby says, reaching out to squeeze my hand. “But you know what? Wyatt is a grown man. He’ll get over this. He just needs time to cool down.”

“But he said such horrible things, Abby. He called me a bad mom, and he’s never forgiven me for not telling him who Thomas’s father is. I think he hates me,” I say, my voice breaking.

“Wyatt doesn’t hate you. He’s angry and hurt, but deep down, he loves you. You’re his sister, and nothing can change that,” Abby reassures me. “Give him some time. He’ll come around.”

“I hope so,” I whisper, wiping my tears away. “But I don’t even know where he’s gone.”

“He probably just needs some space. He’ll come back when he’s ready,” Abby says. “In the meantime, focus on yourself and Thomas. You’re a great mom, Clara, and you’ve worked so hard to build a life here. Don’t let one fight make you doubt yourself.”

I nod, trying to absorb Abby’s comforting words. Her faith in me gives me a small spark of hope, enough to push me forward.

I thank her and gather Thomas, deciding to head back to the guest house. On the drive, my thoughts swirl in a chaotic mess, but I cling to Daniel and Abby’s advice like a lifeline, because it’s all I have.

When we arrive, the house feels eerily empty without Wyatt. I set Thomas down and he runs off to his toys, his laughter echoing through the silent rooms. I wish I could find the same simple joy he does, but my mind keeps returning to Wyatt’s anger and the look of betrayal in his eyes.

The evening passes slowly. I manage to make dinner, though I have little appetite, and I tuck Thomas in to bed with stories and songs. As I sit by his side, watching him fall asleep, I promise myself that I’ll find a way to make things right.

Somehow.

But not sleeping isn’t going to help that plan. I’m no good to anyone exhausted, it always makes me feel dreadful. Just like I do right now. My head feels heavy, and my limbs are weak. I really can’t let this get the better of me…

Uh oh.

As time passes, the dull ache intensifies, spreading from my bones to my muscles, and my throat feels raw and inflamed. I shift on the couch, trying to find a comfortable position, but it’s no use. The queasiness in my stomach turns to a nauseating churn, and I realize with a jolt that this isn’t just stress.

My head spins as I rise unsteadily to my feet, clutching my stomach. I make my way to the bathroom, the nausea growing more intense with every step. By the time I reach the sink, I’m already gagging. I barely manage to lift the toilet lid before my stomach convulses, and I vomit violently.

The retching continues until I’m left dry heaving, tears streaming down my face. I sink to the floor, resting my forehead against the cool porcelain of the toilet bowl, trying to steady my breathing.

Oh God, I don’t know what the hell is going on with me, but I do know that I can’t work in this condition.

One more thing to upset Beau and Wyatt. Might as well make things worse, right? Because that’s all that happens in Silver Ridge. For me, it’s the town where my dreams come to die.

And now, without Daniel as my lifeline, I might end up stuck here for way too long.