Add in a baby, and they were asking for trouble.
“He wants you to meet his family on Christmas Eve? That’s intense. Are you ready for it?” Lifting a handful of Courtney’s curls, she inspected them closely. “You need to condition these before you go.” She sighed. “Dammit, if you would’ve told me I could have booked you in for a blow out, but we’re completely full. Maybe I can arrange for somebody to lock Mrs. Fairfax in her house…”
“Stop it.” Courtney laughed. “I don’t need another blow out. You made me come in last week, remember? And it’s just a casual thing. That’s what Logan says. Jeans and sweaters and old Christmas movies.”
Lainey pressed her lips together, her eyes scanning Courtney’s face.
“What?” Courtney asked, wrinkling her nose at the scrutiny. Lainey had stopped in on her way home from the salon, after another late night teasing and primping the good folk of Hartson’s Creek. When Courtney had opened the front door to her, a single snowflake had fallen to her feet, its journey so gentle that at first she’d thought it was a feather.
She and Ellis had spent the day changing the animals’ beds in the barns and coops, making sure they were warm enough for the forecasted snow storm. It was only supposed to last for one day, according to the overly-excited forecaster on the evening news earlier, but Ellis was adamant the animals needed to be comfortable.
“What exactly is going on with you and Logan anyway?” Lainey finally asked, lifting the mug of coffee to her lips.
?
??What do you mean?”
“Are you a couple now?” Lainey pressed her lips together. “After all, he’s introducing you to his family. That has to mean something.”
“We’re not a couple.” Courtney pulled her lip between her teeth, considering her friend’s question. “We don’t even live in the same state. And we hardly know each other. It’s too early for that kind of thing.”
“Honey, you’re having a baby. It’s too late rather than too early.” Lainey bit down a grin. “I don’t get this. The sex is hot, he’s the daddy of your baby, and he’s absolutely gorgeous. So why aren’t you making it official?”
Courtney leaned heavily on the counter, staring down at her untouched decaf coffee. “It isn’t that easy. This was never supposed to be more than a casual thing. And I know the baby’s put a wrench in that. But the fact is he lives in Boston and I live here and he hasn’t even asked if I want to be more than co-parents.” She glanced down at her stomach, rubbing it softly. Her bump was really beginning to show now, and she was finding it hard not to touch. It was crazy how quickly she’d gotten used to the idea of a little life growing inside her. It felt so natural. So real. She couldn’t think of a safer place for her baby than where he or she was resting right now.
“I hate to tell you, but you’re already more than co-parents. Every time you see him you end up in bed together.” Lainey shook her head, her brows knitting together. “I’m scared you’re going to end up getting hurt.”
“Hurt? How?”
“You get this funny look on your face when you talk about him. Your voice goes all low, too. I think you’re falling for him, and I know you, Courtney. You’re not cut out to do casual.”
“I’ll be fine.” Courtney gave her a reassuring smile. “I’m a big girl.”
“But what about the baby? When he or she is born? Are you gonna carry on sleeping with Logan? Won’t that confuse your child?”
The smile faltered on Courtney’s lips. “I don’t know. I haven’t thought that far ahead.”
“Well you need to. Because this thing between the two of you is so hot I feel like I get burned every time we talk. And if I feel like that, god only knows how you feel. And we’re adults. We can deal with the grey areas of relationships. But kids? They want certainty. They either want mommy and daddy together, or they want them apart. I can tell you for sure what they don’t want is some on-again off-again relationship where they don’t know where their parents stand.” Lainey sighed. “I’m sorry. I know this is none of my business. But I love you and I know how much you’ve been through.”
Courtney slid her fingers through Lainey’s. “I love you, too,” she said, her voice thick. “And I know you’re only asking because you care about me. And you’re right. I need to figure out what’s going on. Because I’m going to be a mom, and that’s the only important thing in this situation.”
“Maybe he’ll ask you to be with him,” Lainey said, her eyes widening. “Would you move to Boston?”
“I can’t. My life is here.” Courtney sighed. “I love this farm. And I don’t think Ellis could cope without me.” Her stomach twinged at the thought of it. “I couldn’t do that to him and Mary.” She lifted her gaze to Lainey’s. “And I couldn’t move away from you, either. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Lainey grinned. “Thank god. I was wondering when you were gonna remember me. I’m going to be the favorite aunt, remember?”
“Of course I remember.” Courtney squeezed her hand again. “I guess I have a lot to think about.”
“Think about it after Christmas. After you’ve met the family.” Lainey’s eyes crinkled with amusement. “And who knows, maybe Logan’ll decide to move here to be with you and the baby.”
“I don’t think that’ll happen,” Courtney admitted. “His face lights up whenever he talks about his restaurants. You only have to look at him to see he’s happy in Boston.” She smiled softly. “And Cam is there, too.”
“Well, you know I’ll always be here for you. Me and Hartson’s Creek are in a permanent relationship.” Lainey rolled her eyes. “It’s probably the only relationship I’ll get in a town like this. Unless Ryan Reynolds drives up to my parlor and asks me for a back, sack, and crack.”
Courtney’s mouth dropped open. “Lainey!” She leaned forward. “Tell me you don’t do that.”
“Nobody’s asked yet, but I’d do it for Ryan.” She winked. “But anyway, enough talk of guys. I have your Christmas gift here.” She pulled a small box out of her bag, handing it to Courtney. “And one for the baby, too.”