AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Ava cocked an eyebrow at Kensi. “I think you should tell them.”
Nervousness instantly washed through her. “Tell us what?”
“Yeah?” Kat pushed. “What aren’t you telling us?”
Kensi blinked back tears. “We found out the other day that the placenta is tearing away from the sides of my uterus. I’m very high risk now.”
Alarm washed through Cheryse. “Oh no.” She put a hand on Kensi’s shoulder. “Is everything going to be okay?”
“Yes, it has to be,” Kensi said a little too emphatically.
Kat jumped up and ran to her side, hugging her. “It will be fine.”
“Yes,” all the women agreed.
For the first time in a long time, Cheryse felt afraid. Kensi couldn’t lose another baby. She just couldn’t. She blinked back tears; having a high ankle sprain was not a big deal. At all.
“It’s okay. It’s fine.” Kensi leaned back against her seat and plastered on a smile. “Let’s talk about something else.”
So they moved on with the conversation. Ava talked about how the inn was thriving and busy, and how Trey kept busy helping with Trey Junior. She may have shed a tear as she talked about what a great father he was.
Kat passed baby Gem to Lucy, who had reached for the baby without really asking, and explained how grateful she was to be back in South Port. How alone she’d felt while Marshall was finishing his night stalking military job. “It was fun to be closer to my parents in Florida, but South Port feels like home. And Marshall loves that dang motorcycle shop, and you know Cade can't get enough of it. Marshall is teaching him how to rebuild bikes.” She laughed. “I never thought I could be so happy.”
Cheryse noticed Lucy had busied herself with taking care of the little baby. She was always so gracious to bring them all together for these breakfast/lunches, and it had been a long time since they'd demanded an update on her and Matt.
“Lucy, I will forgive you for allowing Hunter to be the point person helping me if you tell all of us the 411 with Matt.”
Instantly, Lucy’s composure fell. She grinned at them. “Why does there have to be a 411?”
Ava pointed at her. “You are so good at evading questions, and you cover up your life with all these events you host, but Cheryse is right. We haven't had an update about you and Matt for a long time. I know Tatum is always over here. What's the scoop?”
For a second, it looked like Lucy might not give them a straight answer. Then a slight sadness washed over her face. “Matt told me the other day that he wants to take our relationship a step further, but Tatum's mom is moving to Raleigh because of her job. She asked if Matt would find a job in the city too, so Tatum could still go between them.”
Cheryse could see how hard this was for Lucy. “I'm sorry, Luce.”
Lucy picked up Gem’s pacifier and tapped his mouth with it. The baby had spit it out a few times now. “He doesn't know what he’s going to do yet. And I don't blame him if he wants Tatum to be part of her mother's and father's lives.”
Ava shook her head. “No. No way. Matt has a thriving company here with a lot of clients. He can't just pick up and move to Raleigh. That's a big ask. Plus, he has full custody of Tatum, right?”
“He does. But he is such a softy.” She looked up and gave them a sad smile. “That's why I like that construction guy. But that same softness might take him away from me.”
Cheryse’s heart hurt. She hadn't even known that was going on with Lucy. She had been so wrapped up in her own grief over Trent and Roger and her salon that she had neglected the people she loved most. “I'm sorry, Luce. Matt would be a fool to leave. At least, I think so.”
“I think so too. And I would miss Tatum,” Lucy said, her mask of strength slipping again. “I love that little girl.”
It wasn't a secret that Lucy wanted a family. She'd told them all about how she hoped she and Matt could build a home together and have some children.
Ava put an arm around her and pulled her close. “Life has a way of working out. Don't worry.”
Kensi put her hand on top of Cheryse’s. “Yes, it does.” She gave her a wink. “Even if sometimes that working out is getting hit by a motorcycle.”
All the women burst out laughing.
Cheryse laughed too, feeling better than she had in a long time.
Chapter 18
After closing up the salon, Hunter returned to Cheryse’s house. She was sitting out on her little porch. She looked more or less content, surrounded by pots of different plants and flowers.
