Page 46 of Time Out

“I’ve called Ruth a couple of times. She’s almost eighteen. She pretty much hates me for my choices because she says now Mom and Dad will never let anyone else leave home and it’s all my fault.”

Those conversations always stung. Out of the first six kids, we were all born within eight years of each other, but since Ruth and I had been the only girls, I’d adored her. Probably mothered her as much as my own mom did. Having Ruth mad at me was painful, and the only thing I regretted about my choices was the pain it caused her. She was now locked up forever, essentially, and in some ways, that was my fault.

“I’m sorry. That has to be hard.”

“Your family?”

As I asked, his phone rang. Mom lit up the black screen, and he smiled at me. It was a happy one, despite everything I’d told him, which told me everything he felt about his family.

He adored them.

“Speak of the devil. Do you mind if I take it?”

“Of course not.”

To my surprise, he tapped the speakerphone button and a woman’s voice rang through, loudly, clearly, and very happily. “Annie’s on the way to the hospital! The baby is coming!”

“What? That’s awesome.” Davis scooped up his phone and that happy smile he had turned to bursting joy. “How far are her contractions? How dilated is she?”

“She didn’t say. She and Max just dropped off the boys a few minutes ago and said she’d keep us posted.”

“That’s awesome. Keep me updated?”

“Absolutely, dear, she wanted you to be the first to know, but expect a phone call from the hospital later, or tomorrow morning. I know she’ll want you to meet your new niece as soon as possible.”

“I’ll be here waiting.”

“Good. I gotta go, love you, sweetie. Be safe this week!”

“Will do. Love you, Mom, and if you talk to Annie, tell her I’m thinking of her.”

“Will do! Love ya!”

The call ended and when he turned that grin back on me, I almost fell over from the beauty of it.

If he was this excited about being an uncle again, what would he look like when he was a dad? He was already drop-dead gorgeously handsome.

“My sister’s having a baby.”

“I heard.” I grinned. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks. Seems so silly.” He scrubbed his hands through his hair, stared off into space and that smile fell before he turned back to me. “I hate missing stuff like this. I love my life, but being so far away and being the only one who’s left home—it’s hard sometimes, not being able to be there with them.”

“I get it.”

I did. I’d missed out on my older brothers’ weddings and the birth of my first five nieces and nephews. Even Belle didn’t know I’d watch my uncle’s show when I was feeling lonely, hoping to catch a glimpse of my siblings or their spouses who I’d never met.

“Damn. Well, now what am I supposed to do tonight? I can’t just stay here, sitting around, waiting… Annie’s last deliveries didn’t last that long, the doctors said when her babies wanted to come, they practically slid right out, so it won’t be long, I’m sure, but…”

“We could go back to Lou’s? Get you a celebration drink.”

I wasn’t sure I wanted to stroll around the city with him, but Lou’s seemed safe enough.

“You can’t drink though.”

“So.” I rolled my eyes. “I can have fun without alcohol.”

“You sure? Because Lou’s a character, and it’s fun there some nights. I can’t be out late with practice tomorrow, but yeah, as long as you come with me, being out might help.”

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