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I feel like a dick. I called her late husband an idiot without knowing the story. I’m glad I didn’t say that shit out loud. I’m ready to stand and go to her, but I’m surprised when Conrad beats me to it. He kisses Aspen on the temple and moves to stand next to Wren. I watch as he talks softly to her. So soft that the conversation is just for them. Then, he hugs her. He wraps his arms around her and pulls her into his chest. I might not be able to hear their conversation, but I can see the way her body visibly shakes with her tears.
I want to tell him to stop. Whatever he said, or maybe it’s his embrace that’s causing her tears, but he needs to stop. I can’t take it. I watch as he releases her, and she wipes at her eyes. That’s my cue, but Aspen, Aurora, Layla, and Sawyer all crowd around her and guide her out of the kitchen.
“Damn,” Grant mutters.
“Did you know?” Royce asks.
I have to clear my throat before I can answer. “No. The lady at the pharmacy said her husband used to work there but didn’t give me specifics.”
“I can’t imagine doing this on my own,” Owen says, handing Carter a cracker.
“Yeah,” I say, snuggling Madeline a little closer. She begins sucking on her hand. “I think she’s getting hungry.”
“We’ve got this,” Conrad says. “I think we should give her time with the ladies,” he says. He grabs the diaper bag, pulling it toward him. He roots inside and finds a bottle and pulls off the cap, handing it to me.
“Wait, you need a bib,” Royce tells him.
“And a burp cloth,” Owen adds.
“Let me look.” Grant pulls the bag to him and shoves his hand into the side pocket, pulling out both items with a look of victory on his face. “Got ’em.”
He helps me get the bib on Madeline without much fuss and tosses the burp cloth over my shoulder. I place the bottle in her mouth, and she drinks greedily. “What if she’s off schedule?” I ask them. “Your wives always talk about keeping the babies on a schedule,” I tell them.
“She’s hungry,” Conrad points out.
“Yes, but if it’s too early, Wren might get pissed.”
“Meh.” Owen waves me off. “One time isn’t going to hurt anything. She’s not going to be pissed.”
“What do you think, Maddie? Is Mommy going to be mad at us?” The cutie smiles around her bottle, flaps her arms and begins to drink again. “Okay, you’re right. I’m on your side. You have to stand up for me,” I tell her. “We’re in this together.”
Fifteen minutes later, Madeline has sucked her bottle dry and is snoozing away in my arms. That’s how the women find us when they enter the kitchen. “She was hungry,” I tell Wren as soon as she lays eyes on us.
“She ate before we got here.”
“Well, she ate again.” I hold up the empty bottle with my free hand.
“Thank you for taking such good care of her.”
I look down at the baby in my arms. “She was an angel.”
“I should get her home,” she says, stepping next to me.
“I’ll put her in her seat.” I move to the other side of the counter and place the sleeping baby into her seat. She sighs but doesn’t wake up. I quickly strap her in, something I’ve done a million times with my nephews.
“I’ll be right back,” Aspen tells Conrad.
“I can take them,” I offer. I wasn’t going to head out this early, but something inside me is telling me that I need to take them home. I need to know where she lives, and I just… need to make sure she’s okay.
“Wren?” Aspen asks.
“I live in town. I’m sure it’s on the way.”
“Are you sure you don’t mind?” Wren asks.
“Positive.”
“Wait. I need a car seat base.”
“I have one.”
Surprise crosses her face. “You do?”
“Of course I do.” I point at my chest. “Favorite uncle.”
“Here we go.” Owen laughs.
“Wren, put us out of our misery so we don’t have to listen to this nonsense,” Conrad tells her. “Everyone knows I’m the favorite uncle.”
“That would be me.” Grant raises his hand.
“Clearly, it’s me,” Royce chimes in.
“I’ve got you all beat,” Owen says, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Fine.” Wren laughs. It’s a musical sound, and after seeing her tears, a welcome sight. “We better go before a fight breaks out.”
“Nah, they’re all bark and no bite,” Aspen tells her. “Before you leave, we need to exchange numbers.” She hands Wren her phone, and she quickly types in her number and hands it back. “Great. I’ll give it to the others,” Aspen tells her.
“Um… okay. Thank you.” I can tell by her reply she thinks Aspen is just being nice. She has no idea what she’s up against. They like Wren, and that means she’s in the circle. Hell, she was in the circle before Aspen brought her here. Which reminds me I still need to find out how they ended up here together.
