Page 76 of Tempt Me

“I hope you’re as funny when you’re in labor,” I tell Hunter.

Carys lunges for Hunter. “You took a punch for me when I mouthed off to that bitch,” she says and side-hugs her friend. “I’ll take one for you once Tack makes a ginger baby in your belly.”

“I know you will.”

As they hug each other, I’m uncertain what to do with myself. Hudson and Hicks seem restless as they watch their mom groan.

“What’s the plan here?” I ask when no one says anything.

“I’m going to give birth, Tack,” Carys mutters like I’m stupid. “Then, I’m going to take a fucking nap.”

“I meant before that. Where’s your mom and Siobhan?”

“I’m right here!” Siobhan calls out from the kitchen. “I’m cleaning Carys’s counters.”

“You’re my favorite sister!” Carys calls back. “The others don’t come close!”

Siobhan’s twins wander out from the main-floor playroom and ask if they can play outside. Carys replies by panting like a dog.

Deirdre frowns at her aunt. “Are you sick?”

“I’m having the baby.”

“It’s traveling her canal,” Hicks helpfully explains to his cousin.

I frown at his wording, catching Carys’s gaze. In between pants, she growls, “Don’t scorn knowledge, jackass.”

“Tack’s bothering you,” Hudson says and hugs his mom. “He’s annoying.”

“Yes, he is. That’s why Tack will take you, your brother, and your cousins outside while your sister travels down my canal.”

Hudson pats Carys’s swollen belly. “My sister is coming.”

Hicks hurries over to pat his mom’s stomach, too. The boys smile at Carys who stops looking miserable long enough to grin at them.

“I always wanted two boys and a girl. The universe heard my wish and obeyed. Soon, I’ll be able to cuddle all my babies. Until then, do me a favor and go outside.”

“Where’s Pork Chop?” I ask and add, “And Aunt Fred and Elvis? Isn’t Dot supposed to be your midwife during this thing?”

“Mom and Dad were visiting Aunt Dot in the hills when I called them. They’re all driving here to help me,” Carys explains before her voice breaks. “I should have insisted everyone remain at my side at all times. But they got annoying, so I sent them away. I’m so stupid,” she whimpers as Hunter rubs her back.

“And Pork Chop?”

Carys’s blue eyes fill with tears. “He forgot his phone at home. He’s out in the city somewhere. I begged Noble to find him. If that doesn’t happen soon, I’m whining to Zoot, and poor Pork Chop will get his ass kicked.”

Before Carys can start bawling, I corral the kids toward the door. Hunter hurries over to give me a kiss.

“Want to play babysitter with me?” I ask.

A smiling Hunter looks back at Carys. “I need to stay here and catch anything that falls out.”

“I heard that!” Carys moans loudly. “I’m not wearing panties, so there’s a real chance of stuff falling out.”

When Hunter’s blue eyes meet mine, I sense she’d rather go outside and play with the kids. I offer a pity kiss and hope she enjoys playing catcher to whatever Carys throws at her.

Once outside, Hudson and Hicks run around the yard, fighting over who gets to be Luke Skywalker. The twins play with their dolls in the shade of an oak tree.

Nearby, Indigo seems restless. I assume he’s weirded out about everyone being gone during Carys’s delivery. However, his gaze remains locked on the woods behind the farmhouses. The dogs also seem fixated on that spot.

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