Page 27 of Laura's Safe Haven

Laura’s ankles throbbed.She propped them up on the coffee table while balancing a plate of half-eaten food on her stomach. She’d been starving when Jude handed her the full plate, but she couldn’t eat another bite. Not with the baby squishing her organs and stealing her appetite.

“Do you need more water?” Jude asked. She sat cross-legged on the floor with her back against the recliner.

“I’m good, thanks. I’m so full.”

Brooke set her empty plate on the coffee table then leaned back and rested her palms on her stomach. “Same. Will you judge me if I unsnap my jeans?”

Laura laughed. “I haven’t snapped mine in months.”

“You have an excuse,” Brooke said. “I just like to eat.”

Jude chuckled and stood, grabbing all the dirty dishes and carrying them to the kitchen. She returned with bags of Laura’s favorite chocolates and tossed them on the sofa. “You sure you don’t have any more room in there? I want my niece or nephew to come out all cute and chunky.”

Groaning, she snatched up the bag and cracked it open. “You’re killing me. You know I can’t resist these.”

“That’s why I got them. I want to spoil you a little. Remember when we used to sit in our closet with a bag of candy and talk until all hours of the night?”

She smiled at the memory, even though Jude forgot to mention the reason they spent so much time in their closet was to hide from their dad. His moods swung from high to low like a pendulum, slamming against whoever was in his way.

Unwrapping a piece of milk chocolate, she popped it in her mouth and closed her eyes on a moan. “Spoil away.”

“I’m glad you feel that way. I’d like to do more for you.”

The tentative cadence of her sister’s voice opened Laura’s eyes. Her heart hammered against her breastbone. Rebuilding her relationship with Jude the last few months had taken a lot of work and faith that she wouldn’t take off again. Having her sister back made it worth it, but she wasn’t okay with being looked at like the tragic little sister who needed saving.

“What do you mean?”

Jude glanced over at Brooke then back to Laura. “Wade and I just bought a house, and we want you to move in with us.”

Gratitude mixed with panic. “I appreciate the offer, I really do, but you and Wade are just starting your life together.You don’t need me and a baby barging in and giving you responsibilities you didn’t ask for.”

“I want to help. I want to be here for you and for the baby. Being a single mother is going to be hard. I want to make up for lost time. To be your sister and the best aunt I can be. Wade’s excited about it, too. I promise.”

She hooked a brow, not buying that. “Really?”

Jude wrinkled her nose. “He will be when he sees the cute little baby.”

Brooke laughed. “What about when that cute little baby is screaming all night?”

“It doesn’t matter because it’s not an option,” Laura said. “This is my home. I’ll figure this out, and you can come and visit any time you want. Trust me, I know I’ll need help. But moving in with you and Wade is too much.”

Jude kneeled in front of her and clutched her hands. “Can we try it? Just for a while. At least until whoever is after you is caught. I worry about you. Maybe not as much as Cade does, but I promise I do.”

Heat slammed against Laura’s cheeks. “He’s only protective because it happened at his office. He’s like another brother.”

Brooke snorted. “I’m not sure about that.”

The words made her pulse jump. “What do you mean?”

Brooke lifted a shoulder. “I could have peeled paint from a wall easier than Cade walking away from you today.”

“Really? I’ve always thought he saw me as an annoying kid. He puts up with me because I’m Matthew’s sister.”

“Trust me, no man looking at you thinks you’re just a kid. No matter who their friends are.” Jude narrowed her gaze as if staring into Laura’s soul. “You like him.”

She squirmed under the scrutiny. “He’s my friend.”

“Youlikehim,” Jude screeched and slapped playfully at her arm. “Oh my God, Matthew’s going to freak out.”

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