Page 105 of Derecho

“Of course I do,” I answered as I turned back to the apple I was slicing for some fruit salad. “But…I need some time alone with my sister. I need to—I want to—say some things that I’ve always needed to say to her. And it just needs to be the two of us there when I do.”

Lachlan nodded as the timer went off for the oven.

“I understand. You won’t be gone too long, will you?”

“Just long enough for you to miss me,” I teased.

“Trouble, I’ll start missing you the second you walk out the door.”

“I’m so nervous!” I watched my sister flit around the living room of the safe house. “No, Nate. It needs to be between the sofas, but more toward the TV stand. I know we don’t have everything in place, but I was hoping it would look more put together by the time Ms. Delong got here.”

“Birdie, you gotta chill.” Nate laughed as he moved the coffee table for the third time. I hadn’t realized he would be here, but Birdie needed him to work on the garage door install, and I guess this morning was the only free time he had.

I laughed to myself, knowing the poor guy wasn’t about to finish whatever he’d been fiddling with out in the garage because Birdie was on a war path.

“I know, I know. I just…Do you think she’ll like it?” Birdie asked as she fixed the pillows on the sofa.

“This place is incredible,” I said. “I bet she will love it and want to donate. What time was she supposed to get here?”

Birdie took her phone out of her pocket and smiled. “Look at this picture of Juniper and Beau. Gosh, she’s getting so big.”

“Focus…” Nate smirked as he crossed his arms.

“Right! Oh God, she’ll be here in thirty minutes.”

“Shoot,” Nate groaned. “That means I’m already running late for work.”

“Go, go! Lainey and I have this covered. And I’ll let you know how it goes,” Birdie said.

“I’m wearing my lucky socks, and I’ve got my fingers crossed.” Nate lifted his hands to show us. “Remember the talking points.”

“I could recite them backwards if I needed to!”

“Kick ass, ladies…and little guy! Looking forward to the update text. See you guys later.”

“Bye, Nate,” I said, watching him slip on his boots before heading out the door.

“Oh!” he called back to us. “If you go into the garage, remember to keep the door into the house open. That handle has been sticking, and you won’t be able to open the garage door to get out until I come back and finish installing the opener.”

“We got it!” Birdie smiled as she waved. “Go! Don’t give Colt a reason to give you shit for showing up late!”

The front door clicked, and I turned to my sister.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, stepping closer to me.

“How do you know anything is wrong?”

“Your face fell as soon as the door shut, and you sucked in a big breath like you’re nervous about something. Is it Lachlan? Did things not go well last night?”

“No. Everything last night was…so perfect. I love him, Birdie. I really love him. And for the first time in my life, I’ve found someone who loves me, too. The way someone is supposed to be loved. It’s kind, and warm, and feels so safe.”

Her arms wrapped around me. “I’m so happy for you. For the both of you.” She laughed. “All three of you!”

“I’m so happy, too.” I bit the inside of my cheek, hoping to stop the surge of emotions I could feel getting ready to break through. “But I need to tell you something, and I just want you to hear me before you say anything.”

“Okay. Here, why don’t we sit? Do you want me to take Reid for you?”

I shook my head as we made our way to the sofa. “No. He’s asleep, and he’s been taking longer naps if he stays in the carrier.”