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Goldie makes a beeline for the bathroom as soon as we get home, and I head into the bedroom for the work bag I packed this morning. I grab it from beside the dresser and sling it over my shoulder.
Goldie comes out of the bathroom as I’m heading back down the hall with my bag over my shoulder. She falls into step beside me, and the doorbell rings before we make it to the living room.
I set my bag beside the front door and open it to find Scout on the porch with a grocery bag in one hand.
“Move, Hurricane Daddy. I brought snacks.”
She shoulders past me on her way inside, and Goldie laughs. “I just ate.”
Scout keeps going toward the kitchen. “That’s never stopped you before.”
Goldie’s phone buzzes while Scout starts putting food in the refrigerator. She checks the screen. “Ellie says she’s almost here.”
I pick my bag back up, and Goldie catches my hand before I can open the door.
“I’ll walk you out.”
We step onto the porch together, and the heat settles over us again the second we leave the air-conditioning. By the time we reach the truck, Goldie has one hand pressed into her lower back.
“Back hurting?”
“Everything hurts.” She shifts her weight and blows out a breath. “This kid weighs a fucking ton.”
I set my bag beside the truck. “Turn around.”
Goldie does, backing into me so I can slide both hands beneath her stomach and lift enough to take some of the weight off her.
Her whole body relaxes against me with a long moan. “Oh, fuck. That’s so much better.”
I hold her there until my arms start to burn and I really do have to move. When I lower her stomach again, she groans and braces both hands under it.
“That was cruel.”
I laugh and step around in front of her, but my attention drops to her stomach before I can help it. A second later, I’m crouching in front of her with both hands spread over her stomach while Goldie rests one hand on the back of my head.
“Alright, kid. Stay where you are until I get back.” I rub my thumb slowly over her stomach. “I know we haven’t officially met yet, but I’d really like to be there when you come into the world. So give me the next twenty-four hours, okay?”
The baby moves beneath my hand, and I smile before leaning in to kiss her stomach.
When I stand, Goldie catches the front of my shirt and pulls me down to her. I wrap an arm around her back and kiss her, taking my time even though I know I need to get on the road.
When she finally eases back, the worry is still there when she looks at me.
“Go fly, Maverick.”
I grin at her. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” She gives me a little shove toward the truck. “Now go before Colston beats you there and becomes insufferable about it.”
I pick up my bag and climb in. Goldie stays where she is while I start the engine. When I look over at her, she lifts one hand in a wave before turning back toward the house.
I wait until the front door closes behind her before I put the truck in reverse and head for Lakeland.
CHAPTER 34
SUMNER
By the time I pull into the AOC parking lot, I’m ready. I’m locked in and fully focused on Ruth.
