Page 88 of Every Promise Broken

“Pretty good,” Shooter murmurs. “Better than we expected. Although, last night, she didn’t want to sleep from midnight until close to three.”

There’s a knock at the front door a moment before it opens, in walking Cope and Xander, both of their eyes immediately finding little Hattie in Whit’s arms. “Sorry we’re late,” Xander says in a hushed tone. “Tess had a doctor’s appointment, and we wanted to be there. It ran long.”

“No worries,” Shooter says. “Get your asses over here and see your niece, though.”

After they kick off their shoes, they both shuffle into the kitchen to wash their hands before joining us in the living room.

“How’s Tess and the baby?” Sterling asks.

I don’t understand how it worked out, but Shooter and Cope were able to find two surrogates around the same time. So, while Shooter and Sterling’s daughter was just born, Cope and Xander’s son, Nash, should be here within the next few weeks.

“They’re both good,” Xander says proudly. “Nash was very active today during the ultrasound.”

“When’s her due date?” Whit asks.

“A week from today.”

The front door opens again, and we all turn our heads and look in that direction as Colt, Will, and Suzy, Boone’s daughter, stroll in.

“We got the snacks!” Suzy exclaims as she kicks out of her shoes. “Uncle Colt got me a popsicle too for after dinner!”

“Of course, he did, “Boone says under his breath as Colt smirks at him.

“They don’t call me the fun uncle for nothing,” Colt quips.

“Literally nobody calls you that except Suzy,” Boone tosses back, shaking his head as a grin breaks through, and we all laugh as Colt flips him off.

“You’re not supposed to do that, Uncle Colt,” Suzy drawls, coming to sit right in between Whit and I so she can be as close to Hattie as possible.

“Have your parents been by yet?” I ask Shooter.

“Yeah, my mom stopped by this morning to drop off a few things. They’ll both be here tonight for dinner.”

“What about your folks?” I flit my gaze to Sterling.

“They fly in tomorrow,” he explains. “Their flight wasn’t scheduled for another week, but since Savannah went into labor early, they were able to switch their flight.”

“What about Daisy?” Whit asks, passing Hattie off to Cope as he sits beside him.

“She’s coming to town this weekend with Clem.”

“How’s she liking her new surroundings?” Whit asks.

“It’s different, but she’s loving it, or so she says.” Shooter shrugs before flicking his gaze to mine. “Want to help me with the food?”

“Sure.”

Standing up, I follow him toward the kitchen. We all came over to their place this afternoon to meet baby Hattie. They just brought her home from the hospital two days ago, and we’ve all been anxious to see her. But that’s not the only reason we’re here.

As soon as we’re away from watching eyes, Shooter turns to me. “You ready for this?” he asks, a mischievous grin on his face.

“Yes, Shooter,” I drawl.

“Let me see it.” He holds out his hand.

Sighing, I reach into my pocket and pull out the little maroon box. I take a look around and make sure nobody is coming before placing it in his waiting palm.

Shooter opens the box, looking at the ring placed inside. “Is this the same ring from the first time or new?”

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