Page 35 of Derecho

Lachlan’s mouth pitched up in the corner, like he was fighting back a smile. “For. As. Long. As. You. Need. There’s no expiration date.”

“And you’re okay with all the chaos—” I looked down at my belly, smoothing my hand over it as the alien rolled and pushed his butt out against the pressure of my touch. “You’re okay with all that comes with me?”

He just shrugged, picking up his mug before he closed the distance between us. Lachlan pulled out a chair from the table and tipped his head at me. I took the hint and sat, scooting the chair in while he sat on his own. “I have nephews and nieces.”

“You don’t live with them, though.”

“I’m not worried about it.”

“The crying?”

“Nope.”

“I wasn’t talking about the baby. I’m fighting for my life to keep them contained. Can’t imagine how bad it will be once he lands.”

“You really do like this alien analogy don’t you?”

My eyes narrowed. “Don’t change the subject.”

“Look.” Lachlan lifted his coffee mug up and took a long sip before setting it back onto the table with a clang. “I’m honestly, genuinely grateful that you are here, and I know you’re okay now. That phone call took years off my life. I’m good with whatever comes with having you here. So, now that that is settled…”

I opened my mouth to argue, but Lach just glared at me and shook his head.

“Now that it’s all settled?” I asked.

“There’s just one more thing to cover. There aren’t any rules here. Other than to stop asking my permission for things. If it’s here, it’s yours to have, to use, to eat, to enjoy. I don’t expect anything from you. I might have to use a cane, but I’m perfectly capable of running my house—even with a guest.”

“Or two,” I added.

Lach nodded. “Can’t imagine that little guy will take up too much space when he arrives.”

“Oh, you really have no clue, do you?”

He leaned in close to me, his elbows resting on the table. “I know they need a bassinet, a swing, a tummy time mat. Someplace safe to have their diapers changed. Someplace comfortable to be fed.”

“And you know that from your nephews and nieces?”

“Of course. Hawk was always hauling things around for Beckett; Colt and Beau are no better.”

“Well, at least one of us has it all figured out. I’m so behind.”

He nodded. “It’s okay, take a breath. While you and Birdie were talking yesterday, I mentioned needing some things here, for the little one. Beau’s got some things that Juniper doesn’t use anymore that he’s gonna bring over. And the brothers’ chat was busy last night, so I know it’s the same with Colt. So, we’ll have a safe place for him to sleep and a swing covered.”

I chewed on my bottom lip, crossing my arms over themselves and resting them on top of my belly.

“What is it?” he asked.

“You said the brothers’ chat. Does Jessie know…” I didn’t even have to finish the question. Because the truth was clearly written in his expression. “No one told her, because she’d hate that I’m here.”

“It doesn’t matter what she thinks.”

“Yes, it does. This ranch is her home.”

“It’s yours now, too.”

“Temporarily,” I groaned, realizing that I needed to reach out to Jessie and give her a long overdue apology. “After the doctor’s appointment Birdie scheduled for me. Maybe we could...”

“We could…?”