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“I did, thanks.”

He slaps me on the ass. “You better get up so you can go get your nieces.”

I reluctantly climb out of his comfortable bed. While I shower, I think about the night before. After he carried me to bed, I woke up again as he laid me down and loved that he pulled me into his arms. My back rested snuggly against his chest.

When I get out, I quickly dry off before throwing on my black track shorts and a form-fitting white t-shirt. I blow dry my hair and then quickly do it in a fishtail braid. I dig my black Nikes out of my bag and throw them on. I head downstairs and am hit with the scent of coffee.

Silas greets me in the kitchen with a cup of coffee and a piece of peanut butter toast. “Do you and Annie want to meet me for lunch today?”

“Absolutely! Just text me where you want us to meet you. We have story time this morning at the library, and then they do arts and crafts. We should be done around eleven or so.”

He bends down and kisses my lips. “Great, I’ll text you later. Have a good day.” I watch him leave and rest my hands on my cheeks because I can’t believe this man is real and that he wants me.

I decide to head home early, with the hope that I can talk to Beth about everything going on. I pull in the driveway and see that Keith is still home. I was hoping she’d be alone. Using my key, I step inside and find my brother sitting on the sofa with his head buried in his hands. My heart begins to race as I move toward him. “Keith, what’s wrong? Where are the girls?”

“Dad came to get them.” He looks at me with tears in his eyes. “Beth lost the baby last night.”

My eyes burn, but no tears fall. “I’m so sorry. How is she? Where is she?”

“She’s in bed resting. My girl is so broken right now, and I don’t know how to help her.” I wrap my arms around him as my big strong brother cries heartbreaking tears.

“You’ll help her by loving her.” I give him a squeeze. “What do you need from me?” I ask.

He’s quiet for a moment. “Mom’s got to work, and Dad and Marcus are handling the shop. Can you still look after Annie? Pick Bridgette up after school?”

“Of course. If you guys need a little time, I’m sure I can take them to Silas’s place.”

He gives me a relieved smile. “Thank you. You can go in and see her if you want.”

“I’d do anything for you guys. You know that.” I stand up, leaving my brother on the sofa as I head down the hall. Pushing open the door, I practically choke on the sadness in the air as I step inside.

Beth is curled up in the middle of their bed. I climb on it and cuddle up next to her, wrapping my arm around her waist. She opens her bloodshot, swollen eyes and begins to cry. “Why?” Beth moans, like a wounded animal. It’s breaking my heart. “Brit, what did I do? Did I do something wrong?”

I’m not sure what to say. I know I need to let her grieve like last time and let it all out, so I do the only thing I can right now, and that’s wrap my arms around her, hugging her tightly while she sobs. We lie together for a long time until she finally falls asleep.

I slowly ease out of the bed and head back into the living room. “She asleep?”

“Yeah. I’m going to go get Annie. Do you want me to bring lunch?”

He shakes his head. “No, I appreciate the offer, but I just want to keep things kind of quiet for a while. I’ll text you or call you when it’s okay to bring the girls home.” Keith walks me to the door and pulls me into a hug. “Thanks for covering the girls. Thanks for loving my girls.”

“Of course. I love you, big brother.”

I climb into my car, pull out of the driveway, and head down the street. I pull over when I reach the end of their street. My eyes burn as I call Silas.

“Hey, babe,” he greets me.

I take a deep breath. “Hey.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Beth and Keith lost their baby last night. I was just there, and they’re both hurting so badly right now.” I pinch my nose as it starts to burn.

“Shit, I’m sorry. What can I do?”

“I don’t know. I’m on my way to pick up Annie from my mom and dad’s. Mom’s got to work and Dad’s at the shop.”

“How about this: Go get Annie, and then come back to my place. We’ll take her to the library, and then when Bridgette gets out of school we’ll go out to lunch and do something fun with them both.”

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