Page 49 of Derecho

Her shirt was stretched tight over her belly, and I saw the fabric stretch up next to where Lainey’s hand was pressing.

“Maybe you can get him to be nice to me.” She laughed as she picked up my hand and laid it flat on her belly.

“Hey, little guy. Be nice to my friend, okay? If you are, I’ll make sure your mama has some ice cream later.”

“Oh my gosh, why did you not lead with the fact that there’s ice cream to be had?”

“Well, I figured if things went bad with Jess, it could be a little pick-me-up.”

“Oh yeah, good call.” She smoothed her hand down her shirt. “Well…here goes nothing.”

Lainey

“How’s everything coming with the house?” I asked Birdie, who was sitting sandwiched between me and Violet on the dock as our toes touched the top of the water. Thankfully, this part of the dock was in the shade, or I’d be fully melted by now. I wanted to take off my shirt and shorts to jump into the crisp, cool water of the springs so badly, but I just couldn’t find the courage to since no one else was actually swimming.

“Good. Nate and Dad were over this morning so Beau and I could talk through the last few things we need to work on before I can start painting. It really shouldn’t be long now before it’s available. Maybe another month or two.”

“Have you had any applications?” Violet asked. Birdie’s eyes landed softly on the side of my face, but I didn’t dare look in her direction. It was embarrassing to think about having to be the first person to use the safe house.

“Birdie offered it to me…”

“Are you thinking about moving in there?” Violet asked, her expression filled with shock.

“No. I’m still hoping I can get my feet under me and find somewhere on my own. The last thing I want is to be a burden.”

“Does Lachlan know this? Because from the way he hasn’t stopped looking over here since you came down to the dock, I’d say he’d have some strong words of opposition about that idea.”

My eyes drifted over to the picnic bench where Lach was sitting, laughing as he watched Juniper and Connor splash in the little pool the guys had set up. Violet was right—his eyes drifted over to us, his smile growing as he waved our way. My eyes moved to Beckett, who was sitting next to Jessie, chomping on a hamburger. God. That would be me in just a few years.

Jessie was a great mom, too. Like Violet and my sister were. Not like me.

“It doesn’t matter.” I shook my head. “All my life I’ve only ever thought about myself.”

“Lain, that is not true.”

My sister would think that. She was wrong.

“It is. How long can I use growing up without a dad, and Mom leaving us behind, to excuse all the awful things I’ve said and the terrible way I’ve acted?”

Birdie’s hand covered mine. “You were hurting.”

“So were you. And yet, you’ve always been kind, and showed me so much love. We aren’t the same person, I know, but I want to be more like you. I want to put other people ahead of myself. Especially the baby. And Lach. He’s truly a great friend. The first one I’ve had in a long time.”

“Is he a friend? Just a friend?” Birdie asked.

“Of course.” I lifted my toes out of the water and splashed them back in again, just as a foot nudged me in the ribs. “Ouch.” I pressed my fingers into the raised lump on my side. Birdie laughed, her hand resting on my belly.

“What does it feel like?” she asked, eyes full of wonder as the little creature put on a whole gymnastics show.

“It feels like my body has been taken over by an extraterrestrial creature that at any time could burst out of me.”

“Truer words have never been spoken.” Violet laughed. “And yet, what I wouldn’t give to feel it again.”

I didn’t know much about her and Colt’s relationship, other than they’d struggled with infertility before their divorce.

“I’m sorry, Vi.”

“No, no, Lainey. Don’t be. Connor is the biggest miracle, and having a family with Colt…it’s every dream I ever had come true.”