Mr. Walker had been a little irritated at first, but the second he heard Autumn was pregnant, he was floored.


    He stared at Anastasia, disbelief written all over his face. "Anastasia, are you serious?"


    After their first child, nothing. Autumn''s health had always been fragile, and now, well into her fifties, she was expecting? It sounded impossible.


    Anastasia just smiled, a twinkle in her eye. "That''s what I heard today. You''ll see for yourself when you get home, Mr. Walker."<fn2be2> ?????? ???? FindN0vel</fn2be2>


    Now, with this news hanging in the air, Mr. Walker couldn''t wait to get back. All his earlier annoyance vanished; he was nearly bouncing out of his seat.


    Anastasia had been trying to figure out how to break the news. Jarod''s little nudge had set it all up perfectly.


    She kept her words just vague enough—after all, it was true Autumn had called Katelyn.


    Herman seized the moment to offer his congrattions. "Mr. Walker, talk about good fortune! A promotion and a baby on the way-double happiness! That''s something to celebrate."


    The tension finally melted from Mr. Walker''s face, reced by a grin he couldn''t hide. "Thank you, Mr. Salstrom. Let''s end here for tonight—I need to get home and find out for myself."


    "Of course," Herman said, nodding. "I''ll walk you out."


    Jarod was left sidelined as Herman stood up to see Mr. Walker off.


    Mr. Walker practically sprinted to his car, anxious to confirm if the news was true. Honestly, nothing he could eat or drink couldpare to this excitement.


    After he left, Herman and Anastasia lingered on the sidewalk. Anastasia nudged her husband. "Given Mr. Walker''s reaction, do you think we made the wrong bet?"


    Herman didn''t seem worried. "You saw how he acted. But there''s someone else who needs to get the news."


    "Devin?" Anastasia guessed.


    Herman nodded. "I''ll have Nelson leak it to him."


    Anastasia grinned. "Looks like we''re about to see some real fireworks."


    Autumn had been home from the hospital all day, lying in bed. She was happy, of course-pregnancy at her age was a miracle-but the morning sickness was relentless. Everything made her queasy so she''d barely left her bed.  s


    The sound of a car in the driveway caught her attention. She checked the clock.


    Nine o''clock? Mr. Walker was home already?


    Momentster, he burst through the door and hurried to her side. "Autumn, are


    you alright? Are you feeling okay?"


    "I''m fine," she said, puzzled. "Why are you back so early?"


    Mr. Walker looked like he could barely contain himself. "I heard you''re pregnant. Is it true?"


    Autumn sat up straight, startled. "Who told you?"


    She hadn''t told a soul since the doctor confirmed it.


    "Anastasia mentioned it at dinner-she said she overheard you talking to Mrs. Salstrom. Autumn, please, just tell me. Is it true?"


    When Autumn realized it was Katelyn who had let it slip, she rxed.


    She''d wanted to wait a while longer, just to make sure everything was stable before telling Mr. Walker. Now that he knew, she could only nod. "Yes. I went to the hospital this morning. It''s been forty days."


    She made sure to say forty days-no room for doubts about whose child it was.


    Mr. Walker''s joy was instant and overwhelming. Heughed out loud, beaming "I''m really going to have a son! A child at my age f


    finally the


    Walker family has an heir, Autumn, thank you for giving our family a future."  s


    He didn''t even pause to doubt her. He was swept up in pure happiness.


    He clutched Autumn''s hand. "What did the doctor say? Is your health up to it?" Given her age, he couldn''t help but worry.


    Autumn reassured him, "There are plenty of women my age having babies these days. Medicine''se a long way. The doctor said I''ll be fine."


    "Thank goodness, thank goodness," Mr. Walker said,pletely ted. "Autumn, thank you. Just stay safe and bring our baby into the world. I never thought I''d have a child at this stage in life."


    Seeing how overjoyed he was, Autumn took the opportunity to bring up Julie''s case. "It''s all the good karma you''ve earned, helping people Overturn Julie''s case, and now we''re blessed with a child. It''s like fate. But I still think there''s more to Julie''s


    all these years We''re helping


    story. Grannie Anita''s death needs another look-I think there''s more to uncover."  s