Page 135 of The Rogue

Noah shrugs. “She’ll be like six months old and”—he holds his palms apart about two feet —“this big. How much stuff will that baby need?”

Charlie rolls her eyes. “I’m going to get a drink. I can already hear Pepper laughing in the kitchen, and I want in.”

I smack my son’s other arm. “Please stop giving that woman reasons not to marry you before you even propose.”

He smirks. “Don’t worry. Pepper and Tess taught me a neat trick.”

“What trick?” I ask as he walks away from me.

I’m about to follow when the doorbell rings again. I don’t need to open it. Jackson lets himself in, zooming past me with a ‘hi grandpa’ and racing toward the tree. My oldest son and his wife behind him.

“Hey.” Tessa smiles. Holding up a foil-wrapped dish. “We brought pie.” She glances down at the bags Levi is holding, muttering with a wink. “And a few other things.”

I set the dish down, then take her coat and scarf. Her growing belly has become more apparent in the last few weeks. The last time we all got together was when they announced they were having a girl. “Staying warm? Is my son feeding you well?”

“Too much. Can I do anything to help?”

“Nope, we’ve got it.” The voices come from behind us. Pepper, Charlie, and Lonnie parade into the dining room, putting the finishing touches on the extended table.

Levi steps into my space, keeping his eyes on the little brunette in the other room—my other guest tonight. “Oh hey, Lon,” he calls, then scans me once.

Tessa grabs his arm. “Honey, help me put these under the tree.”

She gives him a tug, but Levi’s like a sword in the stone. “What’s my ex doing here?”

“She has a name, and Iinvitedher,” I tell him flatly. Levi is very much aware that Lonnie doesn’t have family here. And just because she’s still hiding doesn’t mean she should spend the holiday alone.

Or…any other evening we might have spent together. Asfriends. It’s never been anything more. Neither one of us would cross that line.

He softens but still skeptical. “I appreciate that.”

I grin back. “I didn’t do it for you.”

Tessa steps up to her husband. “There a problem, Indie?” She smiles. “Or do I have to break more dishes?”

He puts a hand on her belly, leaning down for a kiss. “All good, sweetheart.” With one look back at me, he follows her into the family room.

“Who’s the extra plate for?” Noah asks, scanning the table.

The doorbell rings again.

“Who could that be?” Pepper calls from the dining room.

I open the door, ready to tell this sweet older lady carrying a tray of something that smells amazing, that she’s got the wrong address.

“Hi. I’m Bessie. I’m looking for—”

“Bessie,” Tess calls from the sofa. “Aiden, this is my guest.”

“Oh, of course.” I push the door open. “Please come in. I hear you’re the one behind Tessa’s way around a kitchen.”

“Depends. Has she burned anything recently?” She steps in like she’s family and passes off the tray to me. “Donotput these in the fridge. Room temp until time for dessert, please.”

“Got it.” I close the door behind her.

Levi is the first to approach our new guest. “Bessie, nice to finally meet you. I’m Levi. We spoke on the phone back in the summer.”

She shakes his hand the way I would. Firm with skepticism in her eyes. “You ask a lot of questions, Mr. Single-dad Rancher.”

---