Page 44 of Can We Try?

“I talk to her every day and she never said a word.”

“Maybe she assumed I’d told you. That’s on me. I’ll make sure she knows I kept it from you. Please don’t be mad at me.” I’ve never begged a woman for anything, but for this one, I’ll beg every damn day. The thought of her being mad, of me being the reason for that anger, or worse, pain, twists my stomach.

“Mad at you?” Her brow furrows.

Lifting my right hand, I wipe the tears from her cheeks. “That’s why you’re crying, right? You’re mad I didn’t tell you?”

She shakes her head. “I’m not mad at you, Lachlan. I’m floored, flabbergasted, and touched beyond belief. Since losing my dad, no one— It’s just been us.”

“Not anymore.” I want to kiss her. I want to show her with more than my words that she and this baby and Grandma Doris are my family, but I don’t want to push her. “Now, you better get ready. We have to stop at my place so I can change and get a shirt before we pick up Grandma Doris.”

“I can give you this one back,” she tells me.

“Nah, it looks better on you, anyway. Go get ready.” I tap her ass lightly, and she gives me a watery smile.

She rests her palms against my cheeks and leans in, kissing my lips lightly. It’s way too fast, but I’ll take anything she’s willing to give me. “Thank you, Lachlan.”

“Always,” I tell her, and nod for her to get ready. We’ve got pancakes to eat.

“There they are,” my dad says as he opens the door for us.

“Were you missing me, old man?” I tease. He’s never at the door waiting for me to pull in.

“You? No. These beautiful ladies, most definitely.”

“Mom!” I call, laughing. “Dad’s trying to steal my girls.”

My mom steps out of the kitchen with a dish towel slung over her shoulder. “Lachlan Noble, we taught you how to share,” she scolds.

“See,” Dad taunts.

“Mom, this is Grandma Doris. Doris, this is my mom, Amanda.”

“It’s so nice to meet you. Thank you for having us,” Doris tells her.

“Any family of Maggie’s is family of ours,” Mom assures her. “Come on in. The pancakes are ready, and you better get to them before Rodney and Lachlan do.”

“Hey!” Dad and I call out, and the three ladies laugh.

“Maggie, sweetheart, look at you. May I?” Mom asks with tears in her eyes as she stares at Maggie’s baby bump.

“Of course.” Maggie smiles.

Mom reaches out and rubs her belly, which makes Doris do the same. “Come, let’s get you fed. Maggie, when do you have some free time for that shopping trip?” Mom asks her. I don’t hear Maggie’s reply, but I know she’s in good hands.

“Your girls, huh?” Dad smirks.

“I mean, we could be having a boy, but yeah.” I shrug.

“Does she know that?” He nods toward the kitchen.

“I’m working on it.”

“Good.” Dad nods and walks toward the kitchen with me right behind him.

When we reach the dining room, the ladies already have a plate and are digging into their breakfast. I go to Maggie, place my hands on her shoulders, and bend so my lips are next to her ear. “Do you need anything?”

She looks at the side to face me. She’s so close I could kiss her, but I refrain. “No, your mom is taking good care of us.”

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