Page 93 of The Way We Score

She’s in a colorful, Lily Pulitzer one-piece with a bright pink swim cap on her head that’s covered in fake, nylon flower petals.

Rachel hands us each “water weights,” which are simply foam dumbbells, then she taps the face of her phone.

Dance music begins, and she bounces over to where we wait. “Let’s start with eight reps, pushing down and up with control.”

“You’re going to be sore tomorrow,” Miss Gina murmurs, moving her set up and down beneath the surface in time with the music. “I didn’t believe it when we used them the first time.”

“I believe it.” I bend my knees to keep my weights underwater. “I’m already feeling it.”

“Now to the back.” She turns to the side so I can see the triceps move she’s doing.

“How long before the kids have a holiday?” Miss Gina turns her head in Rachel’s direction. “I miss Eddie Nashville and all of Kimmie’s questions.”

“They’ve only been back a month.” Rachel bounces over to adjust her form.

“Children keep you young. I expect you to bring the baby to swim, Liv.”

“Okay!” I smile, moving to the next exercise.

“When are you planning to get pregnant, Rachel?”

“I have to get married first, Miss G.”

“Not always, but it’s probably the best order. I’m ready for Dylan and Logan to have a baby, and then we’ll have all these little feet running all over the place.” She smiles looking up. “This old house is too big for one little blind lady.”

“Now let’s do some balance moves.” Rachel takes her dumbbells and moves them to the side of the pool.

I follow suit, and as I do, a kitten rolls out from the flower bed followed by another, who jumps on its stomach. Then they both roll around before scampering away, and I imagine our baby girl playing with them. The thought makes me smile.

“They’ll love all the kittens.”

“Oh, those kittens!” Miss Gina groans. “Is Garrett taking that job in animal control? Tell him he has to help me solve my cat problem.”

Rachel leans into her ear and stage-whispers, “It’s called getting them fixed.”

“Actually, they do have a trap-neuter-release program in town.” We all join hands and do a little bouncy move in a circle. “I’m sure he’d be happy to help you with it.”

Miss Gina lifts her head and smiles. “I know Dylan loves having her brother home. It reminds me of when you were all here, growing up.”

“The stories make it sound so fun, with all the football games and the dance recitals and the ballet.” Rachel’s tone is wistful.

“It was.” My eyes go to where the sun is drifting lower to the horizon. “We had everything we needed right here.”

Miss Gina’s hand tightens over mine. “No reason you can’t have it again.”

I blink over to her, thinking about how she always seems to know everything.

“Maybe we can have it again with the second generation of Bradfords.” Rachel’s nose wrinkles, and we release hands, drifting to the steps. “Can’t you just see it?”

Climbing slowly, my hand goes to my stomach, and hope trickles through my chest. The sky is golden, we’re back, and even with the tremor in my heart, I think I can.

20

Garrett

Before the wheels touch pavement at the small airport in New Jersey, I’ve made an appointment to meet with Kurt and Thad. While I was home, focusing all my attention on Liv and our baby girl, Logan worked behind the scenes to help Thad strategize.

I could use a fucking massage for how tense my muscles have been all week. I’ve never seen Liv that way, and it activated something inside me, something even more protective than I already felt for her.

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