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"Not exactly."
"What does that mean?"
Aiden met his gaze. "Sara is pregnant. She told me last night. It wasn't planned, but it's great news."
"Okay," he said, not sure what else to say since Aiden's words didn't match his expression. "That's wonderful. You're going to be a father."
"What the hell do I know about being a father? I spent most of my own life trying not to follow my father's lead."
"I think something locks in when you have a kid. You just do what you have to do. You're going to make a great dad. But what's even better is that you're going to have a kid with the woman you love. You're starting a family."
"I do love Sara. Sometimes, I can't believe I didn't see how phenomenally great she was at fifteen."
"Sara was shy, and she always had her nose in a book back then. I remember her sitting on her porch reading while the rest of us were playing tag in the street. You two were universes apart back then."
Aiden ran a hand through his hair and let out a sigh. "Am I crazy to buy a boat when Sara is pregnant?"
He shrugged. "Without knowing your finances, I can't answer that."
"It won't kill my bank account, but it will take a hit. I thought we would have more time, but we weren't careful enough."
He grinned. "Big surprise."
Aiden smiled back. "What can I say—Sara is hot."
Drew conceded that point. "Look, about the boat, if you don't want to do this now—"
"We have to do it. I told Grandpa last night and that grumpy old man got all choked up when he knew the boat would stay in the family. I don't want to let him down."
"I might be able to kick in a little more cash," Drew suggested. He didn't have a wife or kids to worry about.
"No, it should be equal partners. It will be fine. I'll figure it out," he said. "I just have a lot to figure out."
"Are you definitely done with smokejumping?"
"I thought I was, but maybe I should reconsider. Or I should think about Burke's offer to join the department here in the city."
Drew didn't know what Aiden had gone through in his job, but he did know that smokejumping was dangerous and grueling work, and he could totally understand why his brother would want a change. "What about construction?" he asked.
"Uncle Kevin has been great, but he has a lot of people on his crew. I don't know if there's enough work." He paused. "Sara has a good job, but she'll probably want to be home with the baby. And I want her to be able to do that if she wants to. I'm supposed to be the provider."
"You'll make it work," Drew said, having every confidence in his brother. Aiden might be a rebel and a little on the reckless side, but he also had a strong work ethic and was extremely loyal to family and friends. "You won't let Sara down."
"I hope not."
As Aiden finished speaking, his phone rang. "It's Sara." He answered the phone. "Hey, babe." His expression paled as he listened. "That doesn't sound good. I'll be right there."
It was the second time in two days that Drew watched someone take what was obviously a disturbing call. "What's wrong?" he asked.
"Sara isn't feeling well. Apparently, the baby is making her nauseous." He frowned. "Damn. I'm supposed to take the checks to Grandpa tonight."
"I'll do it for you."
"That would be great." Aiden handed over his check and Burke's. He glanced around the boat. "I still think this will be a good investment in the long term."
"So do I. And your kid is going to love it, too."
Aiden smiled. "My kid—never thought I'd use those words."
"How do they feel?"
"They're not sounding as terrifying as they were a few minutes ago."
"Tell Sara, congratulations," Drew added as Aiden headed off down the dock.
He followed more slowly, deciding to stop in at the yacht club before heading home. Once inside the building, he headed down the hall to the main office. He saw Ria locking the door, and his heart skipped a beat. Every time he saw her, he felt like he took a punch to the stomach.
Surprise flashed in her eyes. "What are you doing here, Drew?"
