“Oh, but I did.” Tori smiled. “Got a minute?”

“Of course. Especially after you brought me a donut.” Mr. Layton motioned for her to take a seat. “You know my doctor would give you an ear thrashing if he knew.”

“And give you a bigger one knowing you ate it!” Tori joked. It struck her that she felt more comfortable in her work environment than she did in her own home. Maybe because it no longer felt like a home without her son around. It was just a house with furniture that she shared with someone.

“Mr. Layton, would you mind if I took the day off on Wednesday? I have some important errands I have to run.”

“That’s fine. It’s my week to frustrate myself on the golf course.” He bit into the sugary dough.

“Thank you. I appreciate it.” Tori smiled.

“Everything OK?” he asked.

“Yep. Everything is fine.” She was about to get up from her chair when she decided to share her situation with her boss. She knew it was rather soon, but it was going to happen eventually. The idea she hadn’t shared it with her husband yet was odd, but in order for her to make a sound plan for herself, it was imperative for her to inform her boss. “Mr. Layton. There is something I need to tell you.”

Layton’s face went grim. “Please don’t tell me you’re leaving?”

“No. Nothing like that.” She sucked in a huge gulp of air. “I’m pregnant.”

Layton looked startled. He didn’t know how to react to that news. Was this a good thing or a bad thing? He knew life wasn’t paradise for Tori, but a child? At thirty-eight?

“Yes, I am just as surprised as you are. It wasn’t planned.” Tori started twisting her napkin on her lap. “I intend on having the baby, but to be completely honest with you, I haven’t told my husband yet.”

Layton looked even more perplexed. “How far along are you?”

“A little over six weeks.” Her eyes welled up. “Mr. Layton, I love working here. Ever since Brendon joined the army, well, it’s usually the best part of my day.”

Layton clasped his hands and tapped his nose with his two forefingers, something he would do when he had to think. “I’m flattered you feel that way, Tori. I don’t mean to pry, but are things bad at home? You hardly ever speak about it.”

She sighed again and unfurled her napkin, trying to catch the tears before they streaked her makeup. “Mr. Layton, from the outside, my marriage may look, well, I can’t even say happy, but it seems to be OK. We have a routine. We make a decent living. But it’s empty.”