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Tyler’s eyes widened, recognition dawning on his face. “AdamWilson? As in, Officer Wilson? Tall guy, brown beard, super built?”
“Yep, that’s the one.”
Taking another drink, I inwardly cringed. Of course Tyler’s description of Adam had me picturing him shirtless. But in my defense, it was a little hard not to after hearing mention of the man’s muscles. I wished I didn’t even have those mental images to call up, but alas, I’d spent enough summer days at the lake with that family to have plenty of shirtless Adam memories to torture myself with.
Tyler frowned. “That’s the guy who pulled me over on my way into town.”
“What?” I nearly choked on my sweet tea again. “Tyler Stevens, were you speedin’? How much is the ticket?”
I was going to absolutelydestroyAdam Wilson for this.
He held up his hands in surrender. “Relax, sis. He let me off with a warnin’.”
I stared at him, dumbfounded. “He did what? Did he know who you were?”
Tyler shrugged. “I don’t think so. But was he really the one there that night in Nashville?”
“Yep.”
“Huh. Maybe he didn’t realize who I was.”
“Doubt it.”
“Well, then maybe he thought I deserved a break this time.”
I opened my mouth, then closed it again. Finally, I shook my head to clear the chaos and leaned in. “Ty, he should’ve done that the first time, too.”
“Maybe. But, Pais… one thing these last few years have taught me is that everythin’ happens for a reason. If my life hadn’t gone the way it did, I never would’ve met Candy.”
I bit back the snort that burned the back of my nose, but then I reeled myself in once again, realizing I was heading down averyjudgy road.
So, outwardly, I fell silent. But that didn’t stop my mind from racing. If Adam had realized he’d pulled my brother over and had still chosen to let him go with a warning... what did that mean? Was it a peace offering? A way of burying the hatchet?
Or was Tyler right, and he didn’t even recognize my brother? Was it simply a coincidence, a random act of kindness from an officer who had no idea the weight of his actions?
I had no idea which option I’d prefer.
As Candy returned to the table and the conversation shifted to lighter topics, questions still swirled in my mind for the rest of our meal. Not just about them and the marriage I was still trying to wrap my head around, either. With Tyler’s revelation, it seemed the puzzle that was Adam Wilson had just gained a few more pieces, and I had no idea where to put them.
We talked about Tyler and Candy’s road trip to Tennessee until every last bite of pizza had been devoured, and I had to admit, the girl was nice. Funny. Supportive of Tyler, and just as gaga for him as he seemed to be for her. But I had a feeling it wasn’t the overly gushy stuff that meant she was totally full of it. They really seemed to love each other.
“Oh, what’s the plan for where we’re gonna stay tonight since the inn is full?” Tyler asked.
I bit my lip. I couldn’t ask the Coles or Wilsons to let the newlyweds stay with them, but I could let them take my roomuntil we figured something else out. Momma Cole had been telling me for years that I could move into Laney’s old room without even having to ask, so tonight seemed like the perfect time to show up with a bag in hand. She’d probably be thrilled. In fact, if what Dakota said was true, Momma Cole kept the sheets fresh and the furniture dusted in that room for this very reason.
I explained the plan to Tyler and Candy—who appreciated it very much—and then we collectively decided it was time to head out. But when I reached into my purse to grab my wallet, my phone’s screen caught my eye, and there were a million missed calls and texts. “What in the world?”
I pulled out the phone, eyes widening as I took in the sheer number of notifications stacked up on my home screen. My fingers trembled as I opened the messaging app, reading the texts with my heart in my throat.
“What’s up?” Tyler asked.
I looked up at him through blurry eyes, then felt a huge grin take over my face. “Bailey’s in labor.”
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adam
I stepped outside the hospital, needing a moment to myself. I’d been the last one to arrive, and now the whole family was crammed into the waiting room, anxiously awaiting news of Bailey’s progress. Laney had mentioned Paisley was on her way, and I wanted to make sure I was the first one she saw when she got there. If Tyler had told her about me pulling him over, I figured it was best to let her get any anger out in private rather than in front of everyone.
