Covered in Coal (27 page)
Authors: Silla Webb
“No, I’ll be fine.” I say, brushing past him to leave.
When I get home, I crawl into bed, pulling the covers over my face. I sleep for a few hours, before the nausea wakes me again. I try to drink some Sprite, but it just makes me queasy. I try to eat toast, but that comes right back up.
Tired of racing to the toilet, I pull a small trash can beside of my bed, and fall back to sleep. A while later, I wake up to the feel of my hair being brushed behind my ear. I look up, to see Colton, sitting on the side of the bed, worry filling his eyes.
“What are you doing here?”
“Worried about you, darlin’? Been callin’ ya all damn evenin’ and you wasn’t answerin’ your phone. So I came to check on ya.”
“How’d you get in?”
“You left the door unlocked. Momma made you some chicken noodle soup. Do you feel like tryin’ to eat?” He asks, unlocking the lid from the Tupperware container. As soon as the smell hits my senses, I bolt from the bed, and run to the bathroom with my hand locked over my mouth so the vomit doesn’t escape my lips.
I make it to the toilet just in time. My stomach rolls in pain as I spew the last contents of stomach acid into the commode. I don’t have a fever, no chills, just terrible nausea and weakness. The lights make my head spin, and I feel off balance. Then it hits me.
I count backwards in my head to the last time I had sex. When was my period? SHIT! I search through the bathroom cabinet for the pregnancy test I had bought after Colton and I started having sex…just for an emergency like this. My hands tremble as I open it. Then I remember, I don’t think Luke used a damn condom! Holy friggin’ shit!
“Baby, are you okay in there?” Colton calls from the bedroom.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just give me a few minutes.” I grumble, trying to hide the tremors in my voice.I pull the stick from the package, reading over the directions quickly. I pee on the stick, and set it on the edge of the counter, and wait.
As I sit and wait, visions of a happy little family flash through my mind. Me, holding a sweet baby, and a faceless man. If I am pregnant, please let this baby be Colton’s. I silently whisper. Taking a deep breath, I grab the stick from the counter and my legs betray me. I drop to the floor, my mouth wide open as tears fall down my face. I don’t know if I’m crying happy tears that I’m having Colton’s baby, or if I’m crying because this baby just may be Luke’s.
Colton hears my fall, and jerks the bathroom door open to check on me.
“Darlin’, are you okay.”
I can’t speak, my words are caught in my throat, as I grip the pregnancy test in my hand, crying softly. Colton drops to his knees in front of me, brushing my hair away from my tear stained face.
“You’re scarin’ me, sweetheart. What’s the matter?”
I shrug my shoulders, and continue to cry, my breath hitching in my throat. He pulls me into his lap and begins to whisper against my ear, trying to calm me down. He doesn’t even know the pain I’m feeling, but he’s still comforting me.
He reaches for my hand, but I pull away, and try to hide the pregnancy test behind my back. He grabs my hand, and rips the pregnancy test from my fingers. I gasp, wrack sobbing tears falling freely as his eyes grow wide and his mouth drops open wide.
“What the hell?”
1. Covered in Coal by Blackwater Outlaws
2. Big John by Jimmy Dean
3.
Coal Miner’s Daughter by Loretta Lynn
4.
Better Than Me by Hinder
5.
Big Girl’s Don’t Cry by Fergie
6.
Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys
7.
Behind my Hazel Eyes by Kelly Clarkson
8.
She’s My Kind of Crazy by Brantley Gilbert
9.
Just a Fool by Christina Aquilera and Blake Shelton
10.
Come Wake Me Up by Rascall Flatts
11.
Stay by Florida Georgia Line
12.
Fall Into Me by Brantley Gilbert
13.
Rolling in the Deep by Adele
14.
Say Something by A Great Big World
15.
If Tomorrow Never Comes by Garth Brooks
16.
You Don’t Know Her Like I Do by Brantley Gilbert
First off, I owe so much love and gratitude to my husband, Boss, for his continuous support of my wild and crazy dreams. I have spent the better part of the last seven months with my computer in my lap, surrounded by notebooks, and barkin’ out crazy questions…it truly has been enough to drive any man mad. But, after fifteen years, he sticks with me. I love you so much, for protectin’ me, lovin’ me, and lettin’ me, be me.
PS-It ain’t over yet…this is just book one…SORRY!!!!
To my children, thank you for inspiring me, to teach you to dream. Only you can change your path in life. Write your own story, and stay true to yourself.
Amanda, I can remember when we were young, wild, and free…dancin’ in the back of the car to Tupac…California Love will forever be our jam! But, in life, distance literally came between us. Thankfully as adults, I found my sister, and we reconnected through our love of books. You have put up with me, sending you countless messages on Facebook each day, my constant bitchin’, cryin’ and self-loathing. But you still help me stand tall, dustin’ me off. You always give that little shove of encouragement that I need. Your fingerprints are all over Covered in Coal, and I’m so beyond thankful of your love and support. Love you Sister!!
My BETAS… Amanda Staton, Natalie Jones, Jodie Squelch, Yessi Smith, Maureen Mayer, Tabby Coots, Kym Sardinas, Jennifer Cothran, Abby Cook, Megan Smith, Lee Casey and Elle Dawson. You girls made this process less stressful. You were there, holding my hand, cheering me on through it all. I love each and every one of you!
HJ Bellus. Cree brought us together. I was so nervous, contacting you about reviewing My Now and Forever, but you have become one of my closest friends. You, Heidi Jo, are absolutely inspiring. You taught me how to be brave. I’ll always love ya for it, too. Without you, I would have never had the guts to write a novel. Thank you for bein’ my Sista from another Mista!!!! Love you!!
To the amazing Authors who inspire me daily! Yessi Smith, K.S. Smith, Megan Smith, L.A. Casey, Glenna Maynard, Marie Wathen, Maureen Mayer, HJ Bellus…you ladies rock! You’ve each helped me in one way or another, and I appreciate your support!
Thank you to all of the amazing Authors, Bloggers and Fans who backed my Kickstarter Campaign! Your support through my journey as an Independent Author is absolutely overwhelming!!! THANK YOU for having faith in me, and Covered in Coal.
Jodie Squelch
Yessi Smith
Amanda Staton
Lee Casey
Tiffany Clark
Jennifer Cothran
Lacy Daniels
Anna G. Coy
Amy Curry
Donna Goble
Author Groupies
Jenny Zepeda
Amber Bennett
Raquel Lozano
Kristen Johnson
Mary Chen
Martin Tennison
Josie Mangano
Jessica Griffieth
Jeff Doubleday
Silla Webb is a Kentucky native, raised in the heart of the coal fields. A coal truck driver’s daughter, and a railroader’s wife, the coal fields own a special place in her heart.
She is a work at home, Super Momma to three rowdy boys, who keep her on her feet from daylight to sunset. As a pass time from her everyday life, Silla started a blog-Momma’s Secret Book Obsession, for reviewing romance novels. From there, she realized that not only did she have a natural love for reading and reviewing, but she found that lost love of writing that she once had as a young girl.
When she isn’t conquering the world as a wife, momma and Super Woman, Silla loves to lay on the front porch swing and read while sipping sweet tea, just passin’ the day away.
Momma's Secret Book Obsession~Facebook
