Falling For Zoe (The Camerons of Tide's Way #1) by Skye Taylor Page A

hadn’t happened then. Not until weeks after that disappointing weekend. But how could she tell this young girl about those other nights she had let Porter follow her to her bedroom, take his pleasure, then leave her to stare into the dark, feeling used and empty? How could she admit to being such a total fool for thinking Porter loved her and that one day she would learn how to love him back?
    “I was careless and stupid.” Zoe avoided answering the question.
    “Why stupid? You’re old enough to get married and have a family.”
    “I know. And I would have married Porter if he’d asked. But he didn’t. When I told him about the baby, he got upset and insisted I get an abortion. Then, when I refused, he said he wanted nothing more to do with me, or the baby, and if I tried to insist it was his, he’d sue me for entrapment or something along those lines.”
    Ava gasped, her eyes widening in outrage. “What a bastard!”
    Zoe nodded. “Yeah, he’s that. But he’s a boring one so I’m better off without him messing up my life any more than he already has. I guess I should have told you about the baby the day we went shopping, but . . .”
    “Are you happy about it? The baby, I mean?”
    “I am now. Actually, I’m kind of excited about it now that I’m used to the idea.”
    The frown lifted from Ava’s brow. “Then I’m happy for you.”
    Unconsciously, Zoe curled her hand about the firm little mound of her growing uterus. Her mind flitted back over the last few months and the myriad feelings this pregnancy had filled her with. First dread, then panic, and finally acceptance. And with acceptance, once she’d stood up to both Porter and her father, had come happiness.
    “Can you feel it moving yet?” Ava glanced toward Zoe’s middle, her eyes alight with interest.
    “For a few weeks now. Just a little flutter. Like a butterfly.” And that sign of life had blossomed instantly into a love like Zoe had never expected or felt before.
    “Is it moving now?” Ava’s glance was more pointed and less self-conscious this time.
    “No, not at the moment. I guess she’s sleeping.”
    “Wow, so you already know it’s going to be a girl. Do you have a name?”
    “Molly Ann.”
    “Molly Ann,” Ava repeated softly. “So, what did your father say? Was he really angry with you? For—for getting pregnant, I mean? He must be totally pissed at Porter.”
    Zoe’s pleasant moment of shared wonder jerked to a halt. Jake thought she was a good influence for his daughter, but that was about to come to a screaming stop. How could an unwed mother possibly be considered a proper role model for a teenager on the verge of exploring her own sexuality? Jake would probably ban her from his daughter’s life all together. Just when she’d begun to feel like the Cameron family was becoming friends she’d enjoy for a lifetime.
    “I didn’t tell my father what Porter said. I didn’t think it was fair to Porter to get fired over it. I mean, the whole thing is more my fault than his, and—”
    “That’s a load of crap!” Ava leapt to her feet and paced toward the door, then back. “You didn’t get pregnant by yourself. He should get fired at the very least! Especially for the way he treated you!”
    “But Porter never once mentioned marriage, and I knew he wasn’t keen about kids. I should never have slept with him at all. It’s my mess, and I have to live with it.” Might as well be totally honest. Make sure Ava got the message that safe sex was the woman’s responsibility, regardless of the circumstances. And that abstinence was even wiser. “Bottom line, it’s my responsibility.”
    “Is your father good with that?”
    “He thinks I should give the baby up for adoption.”
    “But you can’t do that!”
    “No. I can’t.” Zoe covered her stomach with both hands. “I could never do that.”
    “Can I be like”—Ava paused, pursed her lips, and then rushed on—“like an honorary aunt? Or