Page 56 of Between a Rock and a Hard Cowboy

“Sexist men…” Poppy mumbled.

Olivia drew in a breath, then winced, rubbing her hand over her distended belly.

Poppy didn’t miss the move either. She jumped on their friend like she was an ER doctor. “What’s wrong? Are you in pain? When was the last time you took your blood pressure? Are you having contractions?”

“No. I don’t know. I just feel funny…”

“I’m calling your doctor,” Poppy declared.

Olivia leveled a stare on her friend. “You don’t have her number.”

“The hell I don’t,” Poppy declared, whipping out her cell phone.

Eva smiled. “I like this new assertive Poppy.”

Scowling, Olivia said, “I’m not sure I do.”

“Relax, little mama. I’m gonna handle everything with the snake. You just concentrate on cooking that baby Wilder bun until she’s done. Okay?”

Olivia’s gaze met Eva’s. “What are you going to do?”

“I’m taking care of it.” Eva braced for the inquisition. For them trying to make her swear to not break the law or something.

What she didn’t expect was Olivia to nod and say, “Okay.”

“Okay?” Eva repeated, confused by her friend’s easy compliance.

Olivia dipped her head again. “Squash that cockroach like the bug he is.”

Eva nodded. “I will. I promise.”

Poppy had walked out into the hall but she was back now. “I got the receptionist. The doctor will be calling you back on your phone. You tell her everything you’re feeling. Okay?”

“Do I have a choice?” Olivia asked.

“No.” Arms folded, Poppy shook her head.

“All right. Fine.”

“’Livia! Can I have cookies?” Darcy, like the whirlwind she was, blew into the room.

“We have cookies?” Olivia asked, looking at the two adults.

Eva raised one hand. “My fault. Sorry. Rosie waylaid me in the parking lot with a bag of cookies to bring over.”

Olivia sighed. “I love Rosie, but she’s determined to make me fatter than I already am.”

“You’re not fat. You’re pregnant,” Poppy defended.

“If you let little miss here eat them, you don’t have to worry about you eating the cookies, I suppose,” Eva suggested.

Olivia let out another big breath. “Okay. You can have two. No more. Promise?”

“Promise,” Darcy agreed at top volume, as usual. Before she turned for the door, she said, “Auntie Eva, Mister Bingley likes you.”

Eva glanced down. She hadn’t noticed the black and white dog had rested his chin on her knee as she sat in the chair near the bed. She’d been mindlessly rubbing his head and ears without even realizing it.

“I like Bingley too,” Eva replied. It was kind of soothing, petting the dog. She didn’t have the patience for meditation, but this was probably as good.

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