Page 69 of Defending Casey

“Oh. Oh. You guys have to come and look at this.”

Tammy almost looked like one of those ground control workers directing aircraft as she backed up through the maze of furniture.

“Come on. Over here.”

Hale set his hand on Casey’s lower back, and they followed Tammy to the next furniture display area.

“This,” she sighed, “would be perfect for a country house.” Tammy stepped to the side and gestured. “It’s made to look like the back is a reclaimed barn door. You can use it as a crib and later, drop the base and it’s a playpen for an active child. Well made…”

Hale didn’t even let her finish. “Yeah. I like it.” He looked down at Casey and was rewarded with a teary smile.

“We don’t even know if…”

He saw the uncertainty in her eyes and needed to reassure her somehow. And yet, it was jumping the gun.

He gave their sales associate a smile. “We’ll wait on that for now.”

“Oh? That’s just fine.” She really was just full of sunshine. “I’m going to go and have the warehouse guys pull the box for the bunkbed set and you two look around and feel free to kick the tires- I,” she flushed a bright pink, “sorry. I used to work for Kelso’s Auto. Some of the phrasing is still in my head.”

Casey chuckled and Hale had to wonder if it would be odd to tip Tammy for her service. He’d crossed over some kind of line and Tammy had eased the tension. He wasn’t sure she’d done it on purpose, but her candid admission had done wonders.

She walked toward the back of the warehouse and Hale drew Casey with him approaching the crib.

When they reached it, he turned her so her back was to the crib. “I said the wrong thing.”

Her smile was a beautiful sight. “Not really. It wasn’t the words, but maybe the intent?” She lifted her hand and covered his heart. “I know we’re both looking forward to having another baby, but it’s a kind of pressure that I’m not ready for.”

He tilted his head to the side and looked at her, concern weighing on his shoulders. He ran his hands lightly up and down her arms from her elbows up and down again. “Pressure? I didn’t know-”

She ducked her head and let out a breath. He felt the heat through his shirt and gathered her closer.

When she drew in a breath, he leaned closer, needing to hear her if she spoke.

“I know it sounds strange, but with Nora it was one of those things people joke about and think it’s funny, you know? The first time! A one shot! And then now that everyone knows we’re seeing each other again, random people feel the need to joke thinking they’re laughing with me instead of at me. Better watch out, Casey. Maybe this time it’ll just take a look. Or… maybe he’ll sneeze and get you pregnant.” She swallowed and he almost felt the strain through their bodies. “When I go to the store people keep following me around with their eyes, looking to see if I go near the pregnancy tests. Or tell me that pads are on sale. And if I say I don’t need any, people look at each other like they have an office pool going.”

“So, if word got out that we bought a crib…” He shook his head. “People really say those things to you? Look at you like that?”

“I’m not surprised that they don’t do that around you. Women tend to bear the brunt of the rumor mill more than men. Don’t worry about it, Hale. I’m used to it. Really, I-”

He kissed her.

Nothing that would cause a stir in a store, but a kiss that he hoped would show her that he cared.

When he started to pull back, her hands gripped his biceps and held on a little. He felt her rise onto the toes of her boots to keep the kiss going for just a little longer. He couldn’t say no and continued until she sank back, breaking their tender connection.

She sighed and he felt her settle against his chest.

“Wow, that’s some kind of self-confidence booster.”

He smiled at her. “Good to know.”

“You never know,” she tilted her head back and leaned her cheek against his, rubbing against his cropped beard, “if we weren’t in a store with a bunch of security cameras I might have let that go on for a bit, but I think I’m going to need some private time when we get back.”

Hale grinned at her. “If that’s what you want, Case. I’m going to give it to you. But,” he paused and reached into one of his back pockets and pulled out a little velvet draw-string bag, “I need to give this to you first.”

She eyed the bag with a little worry. “Please tell me you didn’t buy me more jewelry, Hale. The ring is gorgeous and more than enough.” She smiled and absently rubbed at the empty space on her ring finger. She was waiting to wear it until they had everyone over for a party and make the announcement once instead of a dozen or so times. “I don’t wear much anyway.”

Hale’s smile was indulgent but he still worked the opening of the bag until he was satisfied and turned it over onto his palm.

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