Page 145 of When You Blush
“There won’t be a bit of this left over,” Mom informs Harper.
It looks like a normal Sunday family dinner at the ranch. Everyone’s spread out through the kitchen and outside on the back deck. Birdie’s standing on a chair, helping Skyla stir something on the stove, and Bridger’s holding the sleeping baby against his shoulder, rocking back and forth.
Dani, Skyla, and Billie have their heads together, and when they see Harper, they wave her over to join in.
My family loves my girl. Of course, what’s not to love? She fits in perfectly. I couldn’t have asked for anyone better to bring into our fold.
“I love her,” Mom murmurs next to me as she slips her arm through mine. “She’s a sweetheart, my boy.”
“I know.” I kiss Mom’s head. “Can I please have Grandma’s ring?”
Her eyes fly up to mine, and they mist over.
Christ, I’m dealing with a lot of emotional women today.
“Of course. It’s yours. Just swing by the house anytime to get it.”
I nod, watching as Harper and Billie cackle together. Bee’s eyes catch mine, and she smiles bigger.
Connor and Beckett come in from outside, along with my dad and Brooks, and since everyone’s in one place, I gesture for Harper to join me. She immediately links her hand with mine.
“We have news,” I say, getting everyone’s attention.
Harper bites her lip nervously, but I’m not nervous at all.
“We’re having a baby.” I grin at the moment of silence, and then it’s chaos as everyone asks questions, and the girls run over to hug us both.
“Wait, I thoughtAvawas pregnant,” Skyla says, and Harper winces.
“She was covering for me,” my girl admits. “Don’t be mad at her. It was a shock, andsounplanned, and?—”
“No need to explain,” Bee says, shaking her head. “Also, that means we get to be pregnant together.”
“So many babies and weddings,” Mom says, wiping at her eyes. “I’msoglad we moved home. I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
“Speaking of weddings.” Skyla glances up at Beckett, who nods and wraps his arm around her shoulders. “Should we tell them now?”
“Tell them, Irish,” he says.
“Now you have to tell us,” Bridger adds.
“We were going to have the wedding this fall, but I can’t wait that long,” Skyla says. “So we’re going to have it here, at the ranch, in two months. Charlie swears we can pull it off.”
Charlie is Dani’s younger sister, and she’s a highly sought-after event coordinator in Bitterroot Valley.
“She can,” Dani assures Skyla. “She’s so excited.”
Suddenly, Billie covers her mouth, her eyes widen, and then she dashes offto the bathroom.
My sister has not been as lucky as Harper in the getting sick side of things.
“I’ll go,” Mom assures Connor when he went to follow his wife. “You sit this one out.”
“I fucking hate it for her,” Connor says. “But she doesn’t complain.”
“Oh, she complains,” Dani says with a laugh. “Just not to you. Because even though it’s hard, she’s so excited.”
“There’s a lot to be excited about.” Harper smiles up at me and then leans her head on my biceps. “It’s going to be a busy year.”
