Page 48 of Forever in the Country

“She is. But you are too.” I playfully roll my eyes, but his lips don’t so much as twitch. “You’re the best of us, Rhea, and we don’t tell you enough.”

“I don’t do anything you wouldn’t do for me,” I say firmly even as my heart squeezes at his words.

“It’s different.”

“It better not be because I’m a girl,” I sass and he shakes his head, swallowing hard.

“It’s because after the first time I went to The Poppy Seed to make bread, a recipe book showed up in the mail and you started stocking things you thought I might want to try.” I open my mouth to speak but he just pushes on. “It’s sending coffee and muffins to the jobsites that Otto and Case are on when they have a deadline coming up fast.”

“I just—”

“I have a hundred more examples if you wanna fight about it.”

I resist the urge to stick my tongue out at him but just barely. “I do it because I love you.”

“But you just don’t see how you hold us together. How you pulled the girls in and gave them a home. You don’t let people shy away from you, Rhea. You find out what they need to thrive and you help them get there.”

Tears stream down my face, and I try desperately to wipe them away before they land on Crew’s chubby little cheeks.

Hank stands and drops a kiss on the top of my head and then one on Nova’s forehead before setting her gently back in her bed.

“He sees it, Rhea.” My brother turns and faces me. “He sees the way you keep everyone together—he’s seen it every day since he landed here with Marlee. Imagine tryin’ to walk next to the woman who holds that much power.”

“Hank.” My throat is hoarse as I choke out his name.

“Sorren sees a future that’s almost within reach, but that doesn’t mean he knows exactly how to get there. He’s going to screw up, and it won’t be because he doesn’t love you or doesn’t value you.” Clearing his throat, he says, “It’s because he’ll be wondering why someone as good as you would still be standing next to him.”

My brother’s smile is small but honest as he searches my face. It’s a miracle I can see him at all through the tears. Leaning in, he drops a kiss on Crew’s forehead and then one on my cheek.

“You’re good for him but make sure he deserves you. I’m going to go check on Isla. Stay as long as you want.”

And with that, Hank quietly exits the nursery and heads down the hall. Setting Crew down, I move to Duke’s crib and brush my knuckle down his cheek. While his siblings each favor one of their parents, Duke is a stunning mix of both.

They’d named him Duke Mackay Thayer, a namesake for Sorren and Marlee, and named Sorren and me his godparents.

Pulling my phone from my pocket, I take a picture of the sleeping baby and send a quick text.

RHEA: Duke hopes you’re having a good day in class

RHEA: (picture of sleeping baby)

SORREN: Man he looks big

SORREN: It’s death by PowerPoint right now

RHEA: Will you call me tonight?

SORREN: Do you want me to?

I stareat his message but then slide my phone into my pocket without responding. I hate that I don’t know how to navigate this with him, and I hate that on some level he’s right.

Waiting would have been easier, but I’d do it again to know what it feels like to be in his arms. Checking on each of the babies one last time, I quietly back out of the room and close the door behind me.

I’m halfway across the kitchen when my phone vibrates and my breath stutters in my chest.

SORREN: I’ll call you tonight.

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