Page 51 of July 27

"I had the ultrasound done yesterday." Katrina unzipped the duffle on the back of a motorcycle. "I brought it in case you showed up."

"You shouldn't be riding in your condition," he muttered.

Katrina pulled out a small piece of paper. "The doctor said it was okay to travel short distances around town since it was an activity I did before I got pregnant. Jagger only lets me ride along if it's from home to clubhouse—and he took the back street." She rubbed her baby bump. "But in another week or two, I'll be too big to sit comfortably."

Ruger tilted the paper toward the light. His expression softened for a split second as he studied the ultrasound before he hid his reaction.

He handed the picture back. "Won't be long now."

"I know." Katrina laughed. "Crazy how fast time is going. I'm not sure I'm ready."

"You're ready."

Katrina looked down at the picture of her daughter. "Do you think so?"

"I know so." Ruger hooked the back of Katrina's neck, bringing her forward, and kissed the top of her head. "You'll be a good mom."

The change in Katrina was shocking. Rachel stood quietly, letting the two have that moment. She'd witnessed Katrina's insecurities about being a mom, and that normal worry surprised Rachel. Katrina was always so confident and strong.

Ruger's daughter cleared her throat and raised her gaze toward Rachel. "Would you like to see the ultrasound?"

Shocked, Rachel nodded. She wasn't sure what she was looking at besides the side view of a baby's head.

"He's beautiful." She gave the picture back, knowing it was probably a stupid thing to say, but going by Katrina's smile and nod, she knew it was the correct reply.

"I should probably get back inside before Cora does all the work." Katrina hugged Ruger. "I'm glad you came tonight."

She looked at Rachel, nodded to include her, and then walked toward the clubhouse.

"Baby?" called Ruger, stopping his daughter.

Katrina turned around. "Yeah?"

"Is Cora doing okay?"

Katrina's shoulders sagged. "She's getting tired lately. The doctor wants her to take it easy."

Ruger grunted.

His daughter went inside.

Rachel held on to his hand, trying to understand why he wouldn't ask his sister how she was doing himself and instead kept pushing her away.

"Let's eat and then get out of here." Ruger wiggled the fingers in her hand.

Remembering Dio's message, she said, "I'm supposed to tell you that...I can't remember who, but someone was opening up the pool later. Dio wanted to know if you wanted to swim."

Ruger stopped and looked at her. "Daisy?"

"Yeah, that's who he said would open the pool."

"Do you want to swim?"

She shrugged, not knowing what to say. She hadn't given it any thought after Dio mentioned it.

"We could eat, swim, and then go home." He flickered his gaze down to her breasts and then back up to her face.

Her stomach fluttered. He was still thinking about what they'd do when they got home.

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