Leo’s team members, Patch and Knight, entered with lawn chairs and pointed to their pregnant wives, ordering them to get off their feet.
“I swear, I’m not even showing, and he’s already driving me crazy,” Claire grumbled as the two men went to help the others.
“Wait until he wakes you up at two in the morning for a snack,” Gabby said, shaking her head.
“He wanted you to make him a snack?” Claire asked.
“No. He didn’t think I ate enough for dinner and felt the baby must be starving. I finally pulled my computer out and showed him the size of a baby at 2.5 months. He finally calmed down after I drank the milk,” Gabby explained, rolling her eyes. The other women chuckled.
Kassie handed Addyson an envelope. “This won’t replace your memories, but it’ll give you a good start on replacing your furnishings.”
Addyson opened the envelope and gasped. “I can’t accept this.”
“We knew you’d say that. It’s why Claire and Bryanna came along,” Kassie explained.
“When I moved here, my bakery got vandalized. I barely made the mortgage, and the town stepped in to help cover the remodel costs. Of course, my husband, Saint, pitched in, too. We help each other around here, and it’s now your turn.”
“Please accept it,” Claire said, scowling as she watched Patch bring her and Gabby bottles of water. “I know how it feels to have your things and privacy invaded after two home invasions. The women pitched in and cleaned it up, and everyone helpedreplace my things. They even sent Patch to stay with me if it wasn’t punishment enough.”
Patch grunted as he set the water in her lap. “Nobody told me how she dismantled anything in the house and voided warranties faster than any human on earth. Hopefully, my son will take after me,” he said, kissing her.
Claire blushed and grinned. “Women have to have some mystery to them. And who says this baby’s a boy? The ultrasound didn’t show the baby’s sex.”
“This baby will be a boy. We’ll have two or three big ones, and then we can have a daughter. I don’t want her falling in love with a shmuck like me. I want a small contingent of sons for intimidation.”
“Do you see any of us here who can’t protect themselves?” Victoria said, walking through the front door.
Patch frowned. “Victoria, you’re the exception to all the rules.”
Victoria beamed with pleasure at his statement. “I’m sorry I’m late. Ivan brought some men to help repair the cabinets and a crew to repair the damage and paint. Addyson, did you want them to match the color, or do you want to change it?”
“I prefer to keep it the same. Sam preferred the neutral colors,” she said without thinking.
* * *
Liam overheardher comment and wished Sam were there to pop him in the nose. Did she make any decisions for her happiness? He didn’t expect her to forget the man, but surely her former husband didn’t want her living in the past. Did Addy stop living when Sam passed away? Did it explain why she didn’t visit the town or have any real friends in Serenity, of all places? The small town banded together and watched each other’s six. Redflags began to emerge as he considered it further. Did she walk to Samantha and Whiskey’s house in the dark because she didn’t think she had any friends? Her dog, Zeus, seemed to be the only living thing who truly knew her.
“Why don’t we take a drive to Seattle while they get to work and pick out some furniture? You may have to order a few pieces, and it can take a few weeks,” Liam informed her.
“Oh, no. I can’t leave everyone here to work while I go shopping,” she exclaimed.
Kassie took her arm and led her to her SUV. “Yes, you can. It’s the perfect time to do it while Zeus stays with Jake. When you return, this nightmare will have a brighter side. Go have lunch, pick out a few items, and we’ll take care of things here.”
“It’s too much,” she protested.
“Please let us do this for you. How many times have you covered for Catherine and me when we went to Ireland? What about covering Annabelle’s shifts while she went to Texas? It’s now time for us to do something for you. You’re part of our family,” Kassie murmured as she opened the passenger side and motioned for Liam to slip into the driver’s seat.
Liam backed out of the driveway and turned the SUV toward Seattle.
“I really hate leaving everyone to do my work,” she said, biting her thumbnail.
Taking her hand, he held it, caressing her thumb. “If you keep chewing on your fingers, you won’t have any hands left to do your job,” he reminded her gently. “You’ve experienced a scary situation. Your friends want to help you.”
“They’re my coworkers,” she said, glancing out the window. “I’ve never worked in a place where everyone bands together.”
“Feels a bit overwhelming, doesn’t it?” Liam guessed, glancing at her.
“I’m more of an introvert. In the past couple of days, I’ve seen more people in my house than I have in the past two years,” she confessed.
