Page 52 of The Wayward Son

“Nothing has changed. Lots of snow and freezing temperatures for the next few days.”

She moved his hand so he could feel the baby kicking. “I don’t want to panic. But I’m a little concerned.”

“As well you should be. What do you want to do? We can go into town today before it gets too bad.”

“And stay at the motel?”

“Yeah. Or I could call Lucy.”

“She’s a couple of miles out of town, too. It’d get us closer. But we could still get stuck. Besides, Jacob is there. It might be a little crowded.”

“The motel then?”

She turned and looked at him. “I don’t want to go to the motel. And I’m sure you can’t be gone from the ranch during a blizzard. At least not to come into town to sit and wait for something that may not happen.”

He took her hand. “Come sit down.” They went to the couch and sat. He put his arm around her shoulders and she leaned into his side and put her head on his chest. “I’m going to park the truck at the end of the driveway. If you go into labor and we haven’t plowed yet, or there’s too much snow to drive you the half-mile to the truck, then we’ll do whatever we have to do to get you there.”

“I could probably walk it.”

“You’re not walking a half-mile through the snow while you’re in labor. I’ll carry you if I have to.”

She looked up at him. “I believe you would.” She sighed. “I guess I want to stay here and hope this little thing doesn’t come early.”

“Sounds like a plan. But you can change your mind in the next few hours.” He kissed her. “I’m going to go move the truck now before it starts.”

“Okay. Do you want company?”

“No. I don’t want anything to set things in motion.”

“Hurry back. I’ll make a new pot of coffee.”

“Is there pie left?”

“Yes. But it’s almost lunchtime.”

“Let’s have a backwards meal. Genny seems to enjoy it.”

She smiled. “We’ll start with coffee and pie.”

Chapter sixteen

"Except for the whole wedding thing."

When Jake went out to the porch, he saw Sawyer and Jade coming up the driveway. They parked and then joined him on the porch.

Sawyer gave him a smile. “Are you getting ready to move the truck?”

“Yeah. I thought I was too late with that last flurry.” He looked at the sky. It was dark and ominous and there were a few flakes of snow blowing in the wind. “It’s now or never.”

“Do you want company for the walk back?”

“Are you up to it?”

“Yeah. We just went to see J.T. and Joey. They’re settling in for the duration of the storm.”

“Okay, then.” Jake looked at Jade. “Ember’s a little on edge. Would you mind going in and talking with her? Maybe it’ll take her mind off of things.”

“Of course. I can talk about how great the inn is for at least an hour.”

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