Page 51 of Tiago

Tiago slides his hand to my back.“A lot of the positions at the estate will be filled by the people who previously held them and were let go by our grandfather.”

I smile and lean into him.These men are good people.They may drive me batty most of the time with their overbearing presence, but all joking aside, they mean well and have good intentions for the town.

Dallas pushes from the table and reaches around to stack all the plates.“I’ll help you carry the chaise upstairs, and then I’m going to head into town to visit the antique stores.”

I cringe over the idea of Tiago moving that piece of furniture and ignore that part to comment on the antique stores.“I guess you know a lot about antiques since you’ve owned a pawn shop.”

Dallas nods as he takes the plates to the sink.“Yep.I’ve always been fascinated by old things and what makes some of them valuable.”

As he opens the dishwasher, Gretchen bustles into the room.She swats at Dallas’s hands and scolds him, “If you do my job for me, I won’t be needed anymore.”

Dallas chuckles.“I’ve heard you’re invaluable.I don’t think you need to worry about your job security.”He returns to the table.“Speaking of Brody, I spoke to him this morning.He says he can’t move here.The construction business is booming.However, he will come for a few weeks and help assess what needs to be done in town.And he knows a guy named Haden who is willing to come for an extended period of time and oversee all the remodeling here at the estate.I warned Brody it was extensive.We have no idea what the electrical components look like.That alone could be a huge undertaking.I suspect a lot of wires and outlets are not up to code.And that’s just the electricity.The plumbing is another story.”

“What about the rest of the town?”Claire asks.

Tiago stands and reaches for my hand.“We’ll let Brody figure out what’s needed.If we can’t talk him into staying, hopefully, he’ll know someone who can come manage that, too.”

Claire turns toward Dallas.She still looks a bit queasy, but not as bad as a few minutes ago.She managed to eat half her sandwich.“You should catalog the contents of the estate, too.You probably know more about assessing the value of everything in this mansion better than anyone else.I’ve been in most of the rooms at some point.The place is filled with strange nicknacks and furniture that dates back a century, I suspect.”

Dallas nods.“I’ve explored a bit, and you’re right.I’m itching to get an idea of the value of so many things in this monstrosity.I ordered several antique books that will help me with period pieces.”

Ryder stands next to Claire.“I’m going to take Claire upstairs so she can take a nap, then I’ll help move your art supplies to the third floor.It’s those boxes stacked by the back stairs, right?”

Tiago nods.

Claire shakes her head.“I’m fine, Ryder.I don’t need a nap.”

He bends down and scoops her into his arms.

She gasps.“What are you doing?You can’t carry me.”

“Wanna bet?”

“And I don’t need a nap,” she repeats as he heads for the stairs.

“Wanna bet?”

I watch as they disappear.Everything that happens to Claire catches my attention because I know Tiago is going to behave in exactly the same way when I’m in her shoes, and that thought makes me shudder.

Pregnant.

It’s such a foreign concept that I’m still unable to wrap my mind around it.I’m not sure how I feel about the nausea and exhaustion, not to mention getting huge and round.How long would I be able to continue to hike?And then the baby… Am I ready to take care of a tiny human?

When Tiago tips my chin back with one finger and meets my gaze, I realize I’ve been staring at the back stairs for so long that everyone but us has left the room.“You look panicked,” he points out.

“Iampanicked.She’s pregnant, and you’ve made it clear you want me to get pregnant right away, too.I’m not sure I’m ready for that, Tiago.”

He slides his hands down to my lower back and pulls me in close.“You will never be alone in this.I will always be an active participant every step of the way, baby.”

I shudder.“I’m not sure that makes me feel better, Tiago.It’s such a big commitment.Besides all the changes to my body, which will make it hard for me to do my job, nine months later, we’ll have a tiny human to take care of.That’s a giant responsibility.My own mother couldn’t bring herself to do it.She dropped me off with my grandfather and never looked back.”

Tiago sets his forehead against mine.“I’m sorry, baby.I can see how that would make you nervous, but it sounds like your mother didn’t have your father around to help.I’m sure it’s a hundred times harder to do alone.Like I said, you will never be alone.”

I chew on my bottom lip and draw in a deep breath.“It’s still scary.I’m not sure I’m ready for something like that.”

He slides his lips to my neck, kisses me behind my ear, and whispers, “You’re going to be an amazing mom, and I’m going to be the best dad you’ve ever met.”

“Even if that’s true, what about my job?I’m really hoping my business will grow as this town undergoes a transformation.I’ll be busier than ever.”

---