Page 91 of Sudden Summer

“Yeah.”

“So…about what I just mentioned?”

I let my eyes relax, the babies going blurry in front of me. “I’m late.”

“And you and Beau have…”

“Mhm. We weren’t reckless at first. But then we were…a couple times. It could…I mean I could be…I don’t have any tests here, though. I'll have to wait until I can get into town on my own. And with how much Beau has been hovering lately, if I am, I’ll probably be showing before I’m alone long enough to take a test.”

“Do you want me to run home and grab one?”

My eyes went wide, drifting back to Connor. “Are you…”

“Colt and I aren’t preventing anything. There are some studies that say fertility increases after you have a baby, and since he was our last embryo, it really is our only chance to give him a biological sibling. There’s no pressure on it for us, though. If it happens, it’ll be a miracle. If not, we’re so happy and perfectly content with the miracle we have. But, I do have tests back at the house. If you want⁠—”

I shook my head. “That’s so sweet, but you’re already here. And Colt would wonder…Maybe I’ll ask Jessie? She was waiting for Beckett to wake up from his nap to come over.”

“Okay.”

I picked up my phone off the coffee table.

Hey, are you still at home?

Beckett just woke up! Was about to put him in the car and drive over. What’s up?

Do you have any pregnancy tests at your place?

BIRDIE JUNE CALLOWAY WHAT DO YOU MEAN DO I HAVE ANY PREGNANCY TESTS AT MY HOUSE!!!!!

Before I could type out my response, Jessie had already responded.

But yes, I do. And I’ll bring one over. Or five. Ten? I’m coming right now! Well, in five minutes once Beckett gets done putting his shoes on because “I do it, Mama” is his favorite phrase right now.

Thank you! Just one is fine. I don’t think I am, by the way. Just more of making sure something Violet said isn’t actually happening.

Omg! Vi is already there, too!! Ford girls unite!! I’m coming! Get ready to see a cloud of dust barreling toward you!

“She’s something else.” Vi giggled.

“You might want to pick up Connor off the floor. I’m going to get Juniper’s bottle, but Jessie might be so spun up by the time she gets here, she trips right over him!”

“Good thinking.” Violet sat on the floor, her back pressed against the sofa as she pulled Connor onto her lap.

I was walking back to the living room with Juniper’s bottle in my hand a minute later when I heard a car door slam shut.

“Yeah hi, Colt. Get out of my way.” Jessie giggled as she burst through the door, leaving it wide open as she barreled towards us with Beckett on her hip.

“OH MY GOD!” she squealed. Colt’s shocked face peered in from his spot on the porch. “Can you do it right now? I don’t think I can wait to…you know?” Her eyes scanned over my face as she set her son on the floor, walking back to close the door. “Bye, Colt.” Violet and I both laughed. “We’re happy about this, right?” she asked as she walked towards me.

“I would love to be pregnant,” I let myself admit.

“Oh-kay…” The word was long and drawn out, and I knew she didn’t believe me. But it was true. I just couldn’t get past the fear of seeing a negative result.

“I just don’t think I am. I don’t want to get my hopes up.”

“Nope. No. No sense fretting over things not going our way yet.” Vi patted my arm. “It might still be early. You could have ovulated later than you thought. So even if it is negative, you should test again in a couple of days.”

“Of course, but⁠—”