Page 20 of Samuel

“I couldn’t intrude like that.” She didn’t say what she wasthinking. How a certain cowboy would probably have a heart attack if he saw her sitting at his family’s dinner table.

“Nonsense. It’s no intrusion at all. Take those groceries upstairs, put on something comfortable and come over! Dinner will be ready in thirty minutes, but don’t wait that long to pop in!” Sylvie waved as she turned back to the house.

What could Evie say to that? Fifteen minutes later, her hair was tied up in a messy bun, and she walked over to the house in yoga pants and a loose shirt. Not her most attractive look, but comfort won out.

“Evie! I’m so glad you’re here!” Abby smiled as she danced around the living room with Katy. An absolute tower of a man stood in the corner, the expression on his face nothing but pure love as he watched them together. That had to be John.

“It was so nice of your mom to invite me.”

Katy came out of her dancing stupor and ran straight at Evie.

“Hi again! Can I touch your belly like I did at the market?”

“Of course. I think Jellybean missed you these past few days.”

“I missed her too!” Katy’s small hand landed right near Evie’s belly button. Katy leaned in and whispered to the baby. “My mom and dad are going to give me a brother. The same as my Aunt Grace and Uncle Jackson are giving Jack Jack!”

“Looks like we are going to be busy after the honeymoon.” The man Evie continued to assume was Abby’s fiance slid his hands around Abby’s waist and kissed along her neck. It was such a sweet and intimate moment, Evie had to look away.

“You can’t be like that when we aren’t alone,” Abby sighed. “Evie, this is my fiance, John. John, this is the woman who has been the biggest blessing to the ranch.”

“I think that’s overstating my role here just a bit. It’s nice to meet you, John.”

“Nice to meet you too, Evie. If you ever need swaddling tips,” his eyes dropped to where his daughter was patting Evie’s belly. “I’m your guy.”

“Really?”

“Daddy was alone with me until our Abby became my mom. Are you awake, baby?” Katy’s hand formed a little fist and she knocked gently against Evie’s tummy. She didn’t miss the way Abby’s eyes filled up with tears.

“She’s right. I learned a lot doing it on my own, but I really,really,can’t wait to do it all over again with my wife.”

Sadness seared through her chest. Not for her new friend, who had clearly found someone who loved her so completely that it filled up the room and made the air feel different. No. She was sad for herself, and for Jellybean, that they would never have that. Evie shook her head slightly, trying to clear away the tears pressing at the back of her eyes.

She had been prepared to face feelings like this. It wasn’t like she didn’t know that choosing to have the baby by herself would be difficult. Her reaction just then must have been purely hormonal. Right? All she needed was something to take her mind off the ache of loneliness buried deep inside her.

Luckily, an adorable little four year old proved to be the perfect distraction as the baby kicked and got a wild giggle from her.

“She kicked me!”

“That’s her way of saying hello.”

“Abby!” Sylvie’s voice boomed from the kitchen. “Can you help me set the table?”

“Sure, Mom.”

“Can I help?” Evie asked.

“Absolutely not. You’re our guest! I’ll show you where you can sit.”

Abby led Evie to the dining room, the women both laughing when John sat down next to her and immediatelyused one of the cloth napkins to demonstrate how to properly swaddle a spoon. She had to admit, his technique was something she’d never seen before, but it seemed solid.

“I swear, Evie. Katy was a nightmare to get to sleep, but as soon as I mastered this, she would have her bottle and go out like a light. I cried the first time it worked.”

She couldn’t imagine the man sitting next to her being so flustered that he’d cry. But then again, sometimes the toughest people on the outside were the ones just barely holding it together on the inside.

“I made a pot roast!” Sylvie smiled as she set the large serving plate down in front of Evie. The aroma was so delicious that her mouth salivated and her stomach rumbled. “Sorry I didn’t get a chance to come say hi, honey.”

Evie stood and Sylvie wrapped her arms around her, squeezing tightly. She let her eyes drift close and savor the feeling. It was almost exactly like the hugs her own mother used to give her, and for just one second, she found herself imagining what it would be like to have family there in Bell Ridge.

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