“I’m not sure what offends me more…that you made it a contest or that you compared me to a children’s book character.”
“Hey, don’t take it personally,” she said, still giggling. “We love you both. Just… you know, in ahow-are-you-two-this-obliviouskind of way.”
I pressed a hand to my chest. “I feel so honored.”
“You should,” she said, grabbing her keys. “Now, grab your coat. We’re going antiquing. I need to walk before Callum decides I’m not allowed to do anything but nap.”
“Right,” I said, following her to the door. “Because nothing says safe pregnancy like hauling antique furniture through snowdrifts.”
“Exactly!” she said brightly. “We’ll drive slow.”
“That doesn’t make it better.”
“Sure it does.”
As we stepped outside, the air hit like a slap. It was cold and sharp, the kind that clears your head whether you want it to or not. The snow had stopped, leaving the world gleaming under a crisp, winter-blue sky.
Lydia’s “truck,” which was definitely Callum’s, waited at the curb. It was a sturdy old pickup that looked like it had seen more than a few mountain winters.
I eyed it skeptically. “Are you sure he’s okay with you driving this?”
“He’s fine,” she said, climbing in. “He left me his truck, didn’t he?”
“Yeah, but I’m guessing that was before he realized you were planning to go antiquing along an icy river.”
She rolled her eyes, starting the engine. “Relax, Mom. I’ve got snow tires and snacks.”
I climbed into the passenger seat, buckling up. “Is that supposed to make me feel better?”
“Yes,” she said without hesitation.
I chuckled. “You’ve always been disturbingly confident for someone who once reversed into a mailbox.”
“That mailbox came out of nowhere,” she said indignantly. “And besides, that was years ago.”
“Uh-huh.”
We pulled out of the lot and onto the quiet main road, the snow crunching under the tires. Reckless River looked different in the morning light. It was postcard-perfect with the calm that city life didn’t have the patience for.
As we drove past the frozen river that gave the town its name, I glanced sideways at her. “So… how far along?”
“Four months,” she said, smiling so wide it made her cheeks dimple. “I know. I wanted to tell you earlier, but Callum and I weren’t sure when the right time was.”
“Right time?” I asked, mock glaring. “We’ve texted like, every other day. I think that qualifies.”
She shrugged, unapologetic. “You had enough going on. I didn’t want to add to your mental chaos.”
“My mental chaos can handle a baby announcement.”
“Maybe,” she said, grinning. “But could it handle knowing you’re going to be an honorary aunt?”
I blinked. “Wait, what?”
“Of course you are,” she said simply, keeping her eyes on the road. “You’re family, Mel. We’re hoping you’ll be the godmother.”
I swallowed around the sudden lump in my throat. “God, Lyd. You can’t just say stuff like that before I’ve had lunch. I’ll start crying.”
“Then it’s working,” she said smugly.
