Page 116 of Bailey

Can I lay in your hammock? she texted as she gazed out onto his farm. She’d agreed to come feed his chickens and goats while he was away making camping videos, and she had to be here tonight anyway.

He called, and Bailey grinned as she swiped on the call. “Are you playing hooky from the clinic?” he teased.

“Yes,” she said simply. “I had to go to Cash’s place to examine his horses, so I was practically home anyway.”

“Oh, right,” he said. “Did you have a chance to look through any of the texts?”

Bailey sighed. “I just saw Adam’s initial one,” she said. “Cash and Lark were in pretty deep.”

A beat of silence came through the line. “Why do you think they included us?”

“Because.” Bailey paused, because so many things could come after that word. Because they wanted us to know about their new baby.

Because they want to share their joy with the people in their lives.

Because they love us.

She said all of them, and then sighed again.

“Yeah,” Reeves said quietly. “I suppose you’re right.”

“We should let them love us,” Bailey said, surprised at her own words. “I haven’t let the Youngs love me in the past, but when I do, it’s always amazing.”

Reeves didn’t answer right away, and Bailey could imagine the way his jaw would jump as he tried to contain his emotions. “Okay,” he finally said, his voice so tight.

“I wish you were here to cuddle with me in the hammock,” she said.

Reeves chuckled, and Bailey smiled at the sound of it. “Read all the Good News from the Youngs, and text me your thoughts. It’ll give me something to look forward to while I’m setting up camp.”

“Okay,” she said. “’Bye, Reeves.”

“’Bye, wildflower.” The call ended, and Bailey let her hand drop to her lap. She simply watched the September sunshine flood his farm, and then she managed to get herself out of her car. He took his dogs camping with him—they were both wildly popular online—and Bailey wouldn’t have been here this early to feed his animals.

So she detoured over to the hammock he’d strung between an aspen and a pine earlier this summer, and she sank into it and lay down. Then, feeling brave, she opened her phone again and tapped on the Young Family Good News Thread.

Meet Eliza Eden Harmon, Adam had sent right after the group introduction. She was born this morning at 6:10 AM, and Joey’s doing great.

He’d sent a picture of his new baby girl, as well as one with the three of them. Eliza Eden was absolutely darling, wrapped in a pink blanket, her face all smooshed, and a big cloth bow wrapped around her head.

She’s completely bald, Adam said next. And we’re completely in love with her.

As you should be, Abby Young said. She’s beautiful.

Congratulations! Tex said.

More and more “she’s wonderful,” and “congrats, you guys!” came in, from literally every single member of the Young Family, including Cash and Lark, as well as plenty of people whose numbers Bailey didn’t have in her phone.

She assumed they were Adam’s parents, and then his sisters.

Finally, Otis said, We have a lot of people on this thread I don’t have in my phone. Maybe we could say who we are? This is Otis Young, Joey’s daddy.

People started identifying themselves after that, so Bailey knew it was Corrine who said, This says Good News Thread, so I’m going to jump in with the fact that I moved to Jackson Hole yesterday, stayed in my apartment by myself overnight, and attended my freshman orientation today! It all went well, and my parents are taking me to dinner tonight before they head home tomorrow.

Bailey smiled at the message, because she distinctly remembered leaving home for the first time, and her first night in a new place by herself. She thought that definitely deserved the accolades the Youngs so freely started pouring out on Corrine.

This is Boston Young, Bailey read as the newest message came in. I just got final approval for the bald eagle excursion I’ve been working on for almost two years! That’s my good news, and anyone who thinks they can do a moderate six-mile hike to cabin, through the prettiest country in the world, and wants to observe a bald eagle nest should sign up!

The first excursion won’t be until next May, someone said next. And this is Cora, Boston’s wife.