Page 55 of An Unfinished Memory

The dress I almost wore was tucked safely in my closet. With that time of the month making my abdomen achy, I was more comfortable with the counter pressure of my Wranglers. I also didn’t want to appear like I was trying to capture Wilder’s attention.

We both knew what happened the last two times I’d worn that dress.

“Whenever you’re tired of being a bed, I can take her,” Aggie said.

Vienne grinned at me. “Auntie Sutton isn’t letting go of Ro anytime soon.”

“It’s been a while since I’ve had baby time.” I wasn’t close to my sister, but I’d babysat for Petra when Honey would leave for competitions. Honey’s husband would go with her, our parents too, and I’d be on auntie duty for an entire week.

I’d been in college, but I’d study ahead so I could have uninterrupted time with Petra. Those weeks had been both harrowing and reaffirming. Stressful days with a baby when I had no prior kid experience and busy when she started to walk and open drawers and doors. The dreams I’d had after those days… I’d meet the perfect man, we’d have a tiny, cute baby with teeny, little fingers and a round button nose. We’d be a perfect little family who stayed together. The three of us. Maybe the four of us. Five? I wasn’t sure what the future would bring.

When I got into vet school in Colorado Springs, my babysitting weeks were over, and Petra had started her own lessons by then. Soon, I was the forgotten aunt. But then I’d met Wilder, and he’d offered me everything.

My PCOS and I couldn’t fulfill the baby part of the bargain. Wilder couldn’t fulfill the present-husband part. So here I was, holding a niece who was actually my ex-husband’s relative. Single and plagued with painful cramps that reminded me why I couldn’t make babies.

Fucking PCOS.

Were my OTC pain meds wearing off already?

The dull ache in my gut was growingstronger with each heartbeat. If I didn’t get on top of the pain, I was going to get nauseous.

Periods like this almost made me wish for the days before I started on my new medicine when my periods weren’t so regular or heinous.

No. That time of whatever month my body chose would still be heinous. I had to see what else I had on hand for pain relief. “I hate to hand off a sleeping baby?—”

Vienne held her hands out, her fingers wiggling. “Me, me, me!”

“I love you guys,” Aggie said. “I never thought I’d have so much help with kids.”

Because her mom had walked out, and Cody had been left with mama duties. She hadn’t grown up seeing family pitch in to help family.

My heart twisted, causing my breath to shudder. Wilder’s words from the other night rang through my head. The way his mama walked out had left an ugly print on him. He was that hurt kid inside who couldn’t see beyond my leaving to what my real reason had been.

I hadn’t met Birdie Knight, but I’d heard a lot about her from Aggie, and I had known and worked for Barnaby Knight for years. How much had Birdie tried to make her life better, to enjoy her children, but Barns had pushed back harder to keep her in the role he thought she should fill?

Wilder didn’t have the attitude, and he respected me more, but I was his wife and therefore I should stay no matter what because he was the Knight and his priorities were more pertinent.

I dug in my purse. Did I bring some ibuprofen?Come on, big money.

Tova wiggled into a seat next to Vienne. “How are my two favorite pole dancing students and my favorite neighbor?”

“I’m your only neighbor,” Aggie said, adjusting her shoulders like the pressure in her boobs was growing. “But they aren’t your only students.”

“A gal can have her favorites.” Tova shook her head, the dark pile of hair on her head bouncing. The girl could toss on a tarp and put a rubber band around her head, and she’d look more like a Disney princess than if she wore a costume. Whenever she wore a blue dress, my niece Ivy called her Snow White. “I got two more students signed up.” She took a drink of her sparkling juice and rubbed her round baby belly. “A married couple. They booked private lessons, though, and are willing to wait until the first of the year when I’m done with maternity leave.”

“I might have to miss Thursday.” I brandished a packet of ibuprofen.Sutton Knight, you are the next big winner!

Aggie’s gaze dipped to the meds and sympathy crossed her face. “Is it bad?”

“Getting there. The first days are the worst, but I don’t want to be painting the town red during class.”

Empathy shone from Tova’s blue eyes. This wasn’t the first week I’d canceled. “We can always do a make-up session.” She winked. “I only offer the option to my best students.”

“I’m okay skipping.” I wasn’t going to make the heavily pregnant dance instructor work more.

“You need to get a pole for your house,” Tova said.

I shook my head. “Uh-uh. I don’t need to fall andbreak something and not be able to get to the phone. Berry would lie on me, and that’d be all the help I got.”

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