Gift of Fire

stalling, Verity. It’s time for that discussion you promised me.” He took her arm and guided her firmly away from the shop window.
    Perhaps she’d been a little hasty, Verity thought uneasily as they climbed the steps of the Harbor Watch Inn. Perhaps she should wait until she’d seen a doctor or at least used one of those home pregnancy-test kits. All she really had to go on was the calendar, and Oliver Cramp’s professional opinion—for what that was worth.
    But Verity knew deep in her heart she couldn’t put off telling Jonas any longer. She summoned her courage as she and Jonas walked through the quiet parlor and up the stairs to the second floor. Jonas unlocked the door, followed her inside, and watched her walk to the window.
    “Well, Verity?”
    She glanced over her shoulder and saw that he was unknotting his tie. His eyes were watchful.
    “Jonas, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately.”
    “I’ve noticed.” He slung the tie aside and unbuttoned his shirt. His eyes were narrowed. “In fact, I’ve about had it with your weird behavior lately. It’s as if you’re spending part of your time in another world or something. Or like you’re making big plans that you won’t tell me about. I’m warning you, Verity, I put up with a lot of your temperamental nonsense, but there are some things I won’t tolerate. I’ve been very patient with you, but I’ve just about reached my limit. I’d like an explanation, and I don’t want to be told it’s my imagination.”
    Verity moved restlessly to stare at a nautical print on the wall. The ship was foundering, men were overboard, and shark fins cut through the churning water. She knew exactly how they felt. She cleared her throat nervously.
    “Sometimes things happen that aren’t exactly planned,” she began cautiously, her back toward him. “Sometimes a person’s timing isn’t quite right. It’s nobody’s fault, it just happens.”
    “For Christ’s sake, Verity, will you stop beating around the bush and just say what you have to say?”
    “All right. How would you feel about becoming a father, Jonas?”
    “
What?
Holy shit!”
    There was a scrabbling sound, some thumping, and another muttered curse. Verity whirled around and saw Jonas staggering wildly, his arms flailing. His pants were tangled around his knees and he had lost his balance. He clutched wildly for the nearest bedpost, hopping around on one foot. The expression on his face was one of incredulous disbelief.
    Verity watched in amazement as Jonas landed heavily on the edge of the bed and slid down to the floor.
    She’d never seen him lose his balance before. All the effortless physical grace that characterized his movements had suddenly deserted him.
    There was a solid thud as Jonas landed on his rear end, his ankles trapped inside his half-lowered pants. He sat looking up at her, his eyes filled with amazement.
    “You want to run that question by me again?” he asked in a hoarse voice.
    Something squeezed Verity’s stomach tightly. “You heard me the first time. How do you feel about becoming a father?”
    “I take it,” Jonas said carefully as he kicked off his shoes and pants and climbed slowly to his feet, “that this is not a hypothetical question?”
    Verity wrapped her arms around herself and shook her head. “I’m afraid not. I’m pregnant, Jonas.”
    “How long have you known?” He tossed aside the pants and came toward her. His jaw was set and his eyes were unreadable.
    Verity looked down at the floor. “I assume you’re not thrilled. I didn’t think you would be.”
    “I asked you how long you’ve known.” He reached her and took her chin in his hand. He lifted her face so that she had to meet his blazing eyes.
    “Not long. I had a suspicion before you left with Dad.”
    “And you kept it to yourself.”
    “I wasn’t about to use the possibility of my being pregnant as a way to keep you from going off with Dad.” Her eyes were alive with pride.
    “Did it ever occur to you that I had a right to know?”
    “I wasn’t even sure about it myself until this morning,” she said defensively.
    “What happened this morning that convinced you?”
    “I more or less had it confirmed,” Verity explained, remembering the strange conversation she’d had with Oliver Crump. “Please don’t yell at me, Jonas. I told you as soon as I was certain.”
    “Thanks. I appreciate that,” he retorted grimly. He cradled her pale face between his hands.