Page 61 of Reckless and Rooted
“So.” He clears his throat and looks over at Felicity. I probably should have warned my family about the impending baby, but I’ve been so wrapped up in the woman carrying it that the thought hadn’t even crossed my mind. “I’m assuming that’s not yours.”
I paste a smile on my face, scooping more food onto the next person’s plate. “It is mine.”
Logan nods, clearly able to do math, but doesn’t say anything. “Right. Okay. Well, congratulations, little brother.”
I relax, realizing that without even thinking about it, I was ready to put my brother in his place. “Thanks.”
“Guess we’re gonna have some little Cash cousins running around.”
I pause mid-scoop and glance over at Logan, a smile growing across his face. His eyes are locked on something across the room, and my eyes follow his line of sight, seeing a glowing Thea chatting with Felicity, their hands clasped together.
Somehow Felicity just did that with people, connecting with them, making them feel seen, making them feel comfortable.
It made it that much easier to love her.
“Really? Well, congrats right back, big brother,” I say, smiling at the next person in line. “Does Mom know?”
He shakes his head. “Not yet. We told Lue last night,” he says, shaking his head with a laugh. “The girl’s scream nearly pierced my eardrum, and she and Thea talked baby names until midnight. We’re gonna tell the family today.”
I smile at the idea of my teenage niece being a big sister. She’ll make a good one. “Sorry if my news is stealing your thunder.”
“Nah.” Logan shrugs. “Thea probably appreciates that the attention won’t be all on her.”
A few minutes later, Felicity joins me behind the line of people and takes over the green beans when Logan asks. She does so willingly, smiling broadly at the folks in line and making sure to ask how they are. I feel bad since I didn’t really think to ask anyone anything. I just served.
She leans over to me, whispering when the line starts to die down. “Is it wrong that I’m hungry again?”
I smile, and move my arm around her waist, my thumb rubbing her side. I notice that we’ve gotten through everyone inline, and there are now full tables of happy people with satisfied bellies. “You’re eating for two, City Girl. That’s to be expected.”
I search the long table of food and grab a few options: some turkey, some potatoes, and a roll. Then I grab a drink and usher my pregnant girlfriend to a table where Dani has been sitting with her feet up.
“Oh good. Someone to join me,” Dani says, smiling at the two of us and eating her own roll. “I know we’re about to go home and feast, but I didn’t think I would make it without a snack.”
I eyeball her plate and don’t say a word about how what she is eating is much more than a snack. The belly she is sporting is nearly twice as big as Felicity’s, and her due date is Christmas Day, though I know they are both hoping for the baby to wait at least one day after.
“Is this normal?” Felicity asks, taking a seat and digging into her plate of food. “I feel like I’m starving all the time.”
Dani shrugs. “No idea. I’m an only child, and this is my first. You should ask him.” She points her fork at me, and I frown.
“How would I know?”
“You have a little brother.”
I gape at her, my eyes wide. “I was like three when he was born. I don’t know anything about pregnancies.”
“More than us,” Felicity remarks, and Dani lifts her fork for Felicity to tap.
“Only children power,” Dani declares, and I roll my eyes at their ridiculousness.
“Neither of you are only children now,” I say, looking around the room full of people. “You have a brother and sister-in-law now, not to mention you’re basically our sister.” Dani rolls her eyes right back at me. And I turn to Felicity. “And you, well, someday you’ll have lots of brothers-in-law.”
The way I say it rolls so naturally off the tongue. I hardly even have to think about the words, but the silence that follows hasme turning my attention back to Felicity, who’s looking at me in shock.
Before I can question her, Dani pipes up, announcing it’s time to clean up and head to the ranch. Felicity jumps to her feet, and I want to reach out and snatch her hand back, to ask her what’s wrong. But I don’t need to make a scene for her and let her go.
For now.
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