Page 21 of Playing it Country

“Oh stop.” She fans her face with her hands. “Seriously, I’m already getting hot flashes.”

“It’s a lot of hugging and I’m naturally hot so…” She rolls her eyes as mine drop to her belly which maybe looks more like she binged on taco night than the fact that three babies are in there.

“It’s early still, but we wanted to share with everyone. I won’t be actually showing for a little while yet.”

“I don’t know anything about babies.”

“You offering to change diapers, Uncle Case?”

I shrug. “Probably not the worst thing I’ve done in my life.” She shakes her head and I feel Rhea start to elbow me out of the way. “You let me know if you need anything, okay?”

“I will. Thanks, Case.” I blow her a kiss because I know it aggravates my brother, and he might be giving her babies but I can still give him an eye twitch.

“I saw that!” he yells, and I laugh all the way to the dessert table where Marlee is trying and failing to hide her shaking hands as she piles her plate with an assortment of treats.

“Hey Marlee Girl.” She jumps, and half the contents of her plate launch into the air and land on the tablecloth. “Whoa, come here.”

I wrap her in my arms, plate and all, and hold her while silent tears hit my T-shirt. Carefully, I steer us around the house and out of view of everyone else. I’d seen her and Waylon first in line to congratulate Hank and Isla, and while tears don’t scare me, I know I’ll be out of my element on this one.

“Oh my gosh, look at your shirt. I’m so sorry.”

“Also not the worst thing that’s ever happened.” She gives me a watery smile as she wipes her cheeks with one hand.

“Waylon and I have been tryin’ to have a baby and I’msohappy for them—like over the moon and beyond happy but…” Her voice trails off and her eyes fill with unshed tears.

“You can still be happy for them even though you’re sad for yourself.” The words are a previously unspoken truth that only whispered through my soul in the darkest hours of the night.

“Oh, Case.” She wraps me in a tight hug, and we’re just two people looking for something that isn’t theirs yet.

“We’ll get ours when it’s time, Marlee Girl.” She nods and I pluck a brownie from her mostly crushed plate. Her mouth hangs open in shock and I smile.

“I can’t believe you just did that.”

“I can’t believe you didn’t get any of Mama’s blackberry cobbler.”

“I wasn’t there yet,” she hisses as Waylon comes around the side of the house. His eyes widen in concern but she holds up her free hand.

“It’s not our turn yet.” He swallows and pain flashes through his eyes as he stares at the girl he’s loved his whole life. “I’m so happy for them. Truly.” Her eyes dart to mine then return to Waylon’s. “I can be happy and sad. But it will be our turn when the timin’ is right.”

Like he can’t be apart from her a second longer, Waylon steps into her and sweeps her up in his arms. The plate goes flying as he spins her around, and her laughter rings out. It’s wild and carefree, and after cleaning what I can, I sneak away to give them some privacy.

I meet Sorren’s gaze across the yard and nod. His shoulders slump just the slightest. Marlee’s burden isn’t his to carry anymore, but that doesn’t stop him from feeling every ounce of her pain. I’d be lyin’ if I said we all didn’t do that in this family. We love hard and unapologetically.

“Are you okay?” Hannah’s hand lands on my arm and her navy-blue eyes meet mine.

“Oh, yeah. Just helpin’ my sister is all.” I hold up the half-eaten brownie and she smiles softly. She knows I’m being purposely obtuse but lets it slide.

Looking over my shoulder, she gives a little hum. “I was looking at whatever that thing is with the crumbles on it.”

I gasp and it’s not forced or fake. Genuine shock is written plain as day across my face becauseoh no, she did not—the nerve!

“It’s Mama’s award-winnin’ blackberry cobbler.”

She frowns. “Is that a thing?”

“Mama!” I yell and she jumps, eyes wide. Hannah tries to shush me but the Thayer matriarch is making her way over with a smile on her face. Hannah is trying—unsuccessfully—to hide behind me, and because I’m Mama’s favorite, I kiss her cheek and grin.

“How’s my boy doin’? Hannah, have you tried the cobbler?” Mama stands a little taller. “It’s won an award for best in three counties a couple years runnin’.”

---