“You ready to tell the family about our baby?” He holds my hand as we walk along the snowy path down to the house.
I take a deep, slow breath through my nose, drawing the scent of the forest in, letting this amazing feeling rush through me and around me. “I am. I can’t wait.”
Everyone hugs, kisses, and cheers when we return to the house. It isn’t until dinner is finished and Mark digs into the dessert that Cole stands, taking my hand and helping me out of my seat.
“Can I have everyone’s attention, please?” Cole clears his throat, and the noise dies down. “First, I want to say thank you to everyone who made my proposal happen. Second, Savannah and I have something we’d like to share with you.” He waits for me to say it, but I can’t. I’m next to tears with happiness, so Cole slips his hand over my belly, and everyone’s eyes drop.
“Oh, my goodness,” Sue says, grabbing Daniel, who is already tearing up. “Really?”
“Really,” I choke out. “Just over eight weeks.”
Mark turns to Keith. “You still owe me, dude.”
The whole table starts to laugh, and anyone’s thoughts about the tension around the last time I was pregnant quickly fade, and Abigail and June attack me with hugs, saying they can’t wait for their little Fritter.
Sue finds me after dinner. Dabbing her red eyes, she takes my hand and leads me over to the stairs away from everyone. She tucks my hair behind my ear. Now I know where her son gets it.
“Thank you,” she sniffs, struggling to hold herself together. “Thank you for coming into our lives, for loving us the way you do, and for making my son and the rest of us incredibly happy.” She loses her grip and starts to cry as I reach for her hand, giving her a little squeeze. She takes a moment, getting a grip on herself. “I can’t believe you’re pregnant again.”
I press my lips together, trying to hold myself together too. “I know. I’ll be okay, Sue. Things are different this time around.”
“I know, honey.” She hugs me and wipes her cheeks. She walks me back into the living room, where Daniel wraps an arm around me, kissing my head.
“What’s going on?” I ask, seeing Mark standing in front of a whiteboard he brought up from the office downstairs.
“Okay!” Mark calls, writing out the guys’ names. “Who wants the first week in August?”
“I want the eleventh!” I announce, and Mark points his marker at me.
“Yes! Now we’re talking. The baby mamma is on board.” He scribbles my name down. “What about the father?”
“The fourteenth,” Cole calls out from behind me, wrapping his arms around my midsection, “and I bet it’s a girl.”
“Ohhhh, this just got interesting!” Mark shouts. “Who’s next?”
My fingers drum on the bar top. My phone is burning a hole in my pocket. It’s been three and a half months since Cole proposed to me, and two weeks since he left on his trip to Mexico. The trip is running smoothly. They’ve been gathering information on a client who’s gone missing for the second time in the past three years. Washington has been using all their manpower trying to locate the man. They’re not allowed to tell me who it is, and I’m not sure I want to know. However, it’s been over five days since they were scheduled to return. I should know better than to worry, as they’ve been checking in twice a day, but something feels off.
I rub my stomach as Jake places my dinner in front of me. We didn’t get a chance to eat this evening, as it was so busy, and we’re both starving. We decide to eat at the bar since the night is now slowing down.
The burger is delicious. I love how our cook knows about my love for mushrooms, as I’ve got lots piled under the bun. I load up part of my plate with mustard and ketchup, swirling it around to make the perfect combination. This baby likes some odd things.
“That’s disgusting.” Jake nearly gags on a fry.
I shrug and dip the mushroom burger into the blend then bite off too big a piece. “So good.” I roll my eyes back, loving the tangy taste.
“Oh, sweet Lord, that’s…” Jake chucks his burger down on his plate, wiping his fingers clean. “I don’t think we should eat together anymore.” I laugh with a mouth full of food. “You’re such a vision right now, Savi.”
“Thanks.” I down a glass of water to push the meat down faster. This baby is hungry!
Someone sits down, but I can’t make out who it is, nor do I care. The burger is all I can focus on right now. Jake hands his plate to a server before he heads over to the customer.
“Hey, what can I get you tonight?”
“Actually, I need to see her.” The voice makes me ill. His being here only means two things. He stands in front of me, while Jake comes to my side. “Could we have a moment alone, son?” He nods at Jake, who doesn’t move.
“Jake stays.” I push my plate away despite my stomach’s protest. “What are you doing here, Frank?”
Frank shakes his head, not liking the extra set of ears, but he treads carefully. “I need you to come to Washington tomorrow. Lynn’s case is up, and we need your testimony.”